Chapter 2

Demanding Answers

Shopping never excited Eleanor as much as it did her friends. Especially when it came to clothes. But, thankfully, she was not clothes shopping, nor did she have an excitable Aiyaske Tinsune with her. Its at these times when she understands why her parents chose such an abnormal name for her: Aiya was simply abnormal herself.

She wandered down the frozen foods aisle, staring absent mindedly at the many packages of frozen delights. Thing is, there's so much to choose from, and that makes it all the more harder for her to choose. Her attention span is that of a gnat- and you can be assured that it isn't very good.

Sighing, she reached in to one of the cold fridges and picked out a bag of chicken strips. This is going to take a while. She continued on down the aisle, stopping every now and again to carefully judge whether she would really need what she had picked up or not. In the end, she gave up trying to be productive and just threw in anything remotely important to her diet.

After paying, she carried the bags back to her apartment, savouring in the sight of its cleanliness- Drat!

The carpet was still dirty. Good thing she'd managed to pick up some carpet cleaner. She'd have to cook later on, the carpet was screaming at her to do something about it. Out with the rubber gloves, and on to her hands they went. She tied back her white hair in to a top bun, a grim smile on her lips as she brought out a bucket filled with warm, soapy water and a sponge. She got on to her hands and knees and began scrubbing away at the carpet.

The dirt was being stubborn. Very stubborn indeed. It took a lot of Ellie's energy to get most of it out, but that was only for one patch. What kind of dirt is this?

There was a light knock on her door and she turned her head, frozen in her scrubbing-stance. She raised an eyebrow and the ebony haired man at her door. "M'yes?"

"Forgive me, I did not mean to intrude, but..." the man's eyes scanned over her, an eyebrow raised of his own. "The door was wide open and you looked like you were having some trouble."

Eleanor stood up and chucked the sponge in to the bucket of now dirty water. She brushed herself off before walking towards the door. The man was tall, and his ebony locks fell about his face. He had sharp, amber eyes that demanded attention. He was wearing a black suit with no creases- everything about him was perfect. Not that I'm surprised. Eleanor discreetly made a face at that fact, and offered him a smile that she hoped looked real.

"Eh, well... I'm having a bit of trouble getting the dirt out of my carpet."

He tilted his head slightly and looked at the mess with his darting eyes. He's a little unnerving...

Without saying a word, he walked past her and knelt by the stains. He picked up the sponge with his gloved hand and placed it over the dirt, muttering a few words. Eleanor was certain that he did not move his hand during the whole process, but when he brought it away, the stain was gone.

What the hell!

"Problem solved," he flashed her a heart melting smile and she felt her eyes widen slightly. As he returned to his position outside her door, a scent of lavender wafted from him. Ellie wriggled her nose slightly at the smell and looked up at him curiously. I'll bet anyone ten bucks that he's fake.

She nodded to herself, as if concluding the situation. Fake. Of course.

"Oh, uhm, thank you for helping me," she raised a hand up behind her neck, smiling nervously. "That stain sure was stubborn. How... How did you get it out?"

"Just a trick of mine," that smile again. "Works every time. I'm Sebastian, by the way. Sebastian Davidson." Sebastian offered her a small, polite bow, taking Eleanor by surprise once again.

"Uh, Eleanor McGregor," she just about managed. Oh come on, compose yourself Eleanor!

She straightened her back and stuck out her hand, offering him a smile of her own. He blinked at her, his eyebrow raising again. He shook her hand gently, his eyes never leaving her face.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Mister Davidson."

"The pleasure..." he murmured. "... was all mine."

And with that, he turned around and walked away down the hall. Feeling nosey, Eleanor peeked out past her door frame and watched him stop at the door next door. He knocked three times and the door opened immediately, and he stepped inside. Before doing so, though, he flashed a glance at her, making her yelp and fall back in to her house.

So that explains it! He's in league with those two drunken cultists.

She slapped her own forehead. Oh please, don't you start believing Aiya's crazy ways. Sighing to herself, she turned back around to her carpet that looked so clean, it could sparkle if it wanted to. And what a pretty sparkle it would have... she thought subconsciously to herself.

She blinked. Did I just think that? I'm suffering from lack-of-sense-syndrome...

Certain that that Sebastian man had put some form of stupid spell on her, she wandered in to the spare room and took her laptop to her bedroom. Time for some Cry, she grinned and opened up youtube. She is completely aware that her obsession with a certain group of youtubers was not healthy, but its never stopped her before, and she doubts it ever will. She gets a certain... feeling whenever she's watching their videos, as if they're drawing her in to the game with them. It all sounds very sad, yes, but that's how it is.

Eleanor clicked on his latest video- ((Author Butting In)) WARNING: the video that I am about to mention is completely made up, so don't go looking for it, you silly geese ;D ((Author Departing)) 'Late Night Weirdness'. She frowned. This video was a new one, she'd never seen the title before. Maybe it was a new thing! She smiled happily and clicked the play button.

Throughout the video, there was a poorly animated version of Cry and his friend Scott placed in a very real version of the outside world. They appeared to be standing in a corridor, outside some place. They had black, pointy robes on, and rubber chickens in their hands...

…

Seriously?

… Cry was holding a poorly animated microphone in his hand, and was yelling in to it as he swung his rubber chicken at Scott, who dodged it with as much ninja-oomph possible for someone trying to move slowly so that the animation can remain locked on to him. They were laughing hysterically and under the influence of alcohol. A click in the back ground caused the two to pause and look to their right. Ellie's eyes widened slightly.

No...

"Excuse me? Could you keep it down?" a familiar, annoyed voice echoed in the video.

… way …

Scott snickered lightly and teased his friend. "You went and got yourself a good lookin' neighbour!"

Cry let out a quiet laugh, that usually Ellie would adore to pieces but in this case, she couldn't think of anything more mocking. "Whatever, c'mon."

The camera followed them walking inside his apartment, and they started talking. "Sheesh, she may be cute but she's a bit grouchy." Scott snorted.

"Well it is the early hours of the morning.."

"What's up with her hair?"

Ellie blanched, her hands moving protectively to her hair. There is nothing wrong with my hair!

She clenched her fists and slammed her laptop shut, an almost permanent frown beginning to etch itself on to her forehead. This is so god dammed embarrassing! How dare they! A plan began forming inside her head. It consisted of her waiting for that Sebastian fellow to leave, and her marching over there, banging as loudly as she could on their door, and demand answers.

She nodded to herself. I've been doing that a lot recently...

She glanced down at her laptop and gasped. She's slammed the lid shut so hard, that she'd chipped a bit off the little magnet that held the lid down! Oh this is disastrous! I'll have to go and buy a new magnet... Where would I buy a magnet for a laptop lid? Duhh- a shop that sells laptops, maybe? Gosh, Eleanor, you're loosing it...

Many, many other thoughts went through her head as she carefully slid her laptop in to its case, slung it over her shoulder, grabbed her keys and began to walk in to town. It was a quaint little town with many shops. It was busy today. Better take a note of that... Fridays- Busy.

She wandered along the front of the town near the beach, and soon noticed a shop with a big sign above it. She didn't really read what it said, but it had a display of computer gadgets at the windows. Meandering in, she grinned at all the computers, laptops, monitors, keyboards, webcams and much, much more. This is my kinda' place!

She walked up to the desk and coughed politely at the teen lazing around over a magazine. "Excuse me?"

The spotty teen turned a page in his magazine and perked a brow. "Yeah?"

"I'd like to get some advice on which magnet to get to replace this one..."

Sighing, the teen set down his magazine. "Listen, lady, we sell technical stuff here, not kitchen magnets- Oh..." He looked up at her and his eyes widened. She made a face before gesturing to the chipped magnet on the lid of her laptop.

"The problems right there- any help?"

"Well," he pushed his glasses further up his nose and flashed her an attempt at a flirtatious grin. "With my expertise, I'd advise you to buy that one over there- best one we have in store."

Ellie shuddered slightly and turned to the wall he was pointing to. She picked out the one he had mentioned and set it on the desk. "Okay then, I'll take it."

"Hey, seeing as you're clearly new around here..." he began, leaning forwards so that his elbows are resting on the desk. "How about I give you that for free, in exchange for your phone number?" He gave her a small wink and glanced down at the magnet.

Ellie's eye twitched slightly and she offered him a stiff smile. Oh crap... Be nice, Ellie, be nice... "That's a confident attitude for a kid who reads magazines all day." she blurted out, stuck a fiver on the desk, grabbed the magnet and rushed out. THAT was your idea of nice? You have problems... she told herself.

She let out a small sigh and headed back home. She had her magnet now anyway, so there was no point in sight seeing until her baby was in tip top condition. As soon as she walked through her door, she made sure that she locked it shut so that she wouldn't get any more creepy, yet handsome, nosey passers by.

She peeled off the chipped magnet and carefully replaced it with the brand new one. She smiled and resisted the urge to rub the laptop against her cheek lovingly. In order to celebrate, Ellie distracted herself from her earlier plan and played some Assassin's Creed on her Xbox, whilst on Skype to her best friends, Aiya and Charlie.

It was getting late by the time she heard the door next door opening and closing. She paused her game and shut down Skype, and scurried over to her window that over looked the corridor.

She could see the shadow of someone walking down the corridor, and was about to pass her window. She struggled to keep in a yelp as the face of Sebastian Davidson appeared at her window with a grin on his lips. Her eyes wide, she pretended like she was walking in to her kitchen. He gave her a look which contained something that she couldn't quite pin down and turned to walk away. That... Should not happen to innocent people, she thought with a shudder. She waited another ten minutes before mustering up her courage and going to their door.

Her hair was down, and she felt a cold breeze brush its way underneath her hair and go across the back of her neck. She shuddered again and set her jaw. The door opened after she knocked four times, and she was met with the face of the man she knew to be Scott from the videos.

He raised an eyebrow at her, one hand placed on his hip as he leant against the door frame with a lazy attitude about him. "You're the 'keep it down' girl from next door."

"Congratulations," she said almost bitterly. "You seem to be able to recognise people. What next? Going to start counting for me?" If he wants to play this game, he sure isn't getting it easy.

A small grin flashed across his lips as he tilted his head. "Well, ain't you a feisty one?"

Ellie straightened her back. "I came here for answers."

"Answers to what, exactly?"

"Well, I..." Oh god, maybe this isn't a good idea. What will they think if they know I'm a Cryaotic fan? Crap. "Uhm..."

Scott smirked lightly and looked over his shoulder, "Hey! Ryan! Your neighbour is at the door."

"Neighbour?" a puzzled voice came from another room. Shuffling footsteps announced his arrival, along with a robust figure and a handsome face framed with light brown hair. Light grey glasses sat neatly on his nose, and he offered her an uncertain smile. "Oh, you."

'"Oh, you."'? Really?

Ellie let out a sigh. "You know what? Never mind. I'm sorry for 'interrupting' last night, but some of us need sleep... Good day." She folded her arms across her chest and meandered back to her door.

"Hey- wait!"

A hand landed on her left shoulder and she instinctively turned around and kicked the person behind her.

"Oh shit- sorry!" she exclaimed as Scott rolled on the floor in agony, holding his shin.

"Sheesh, girl," he whimpered.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry- its instinct. I swear I didn't mean it," she knelt down next to him and tried to help him up. He looked at her and was shocked to see an expression of pure concern.

Oh god, not another starer... she inwardly groaned.

"Uh, its fine. Don't worry about it," he smirked as they both stood up. "I'm used to people taking action against grudges."

"Are you trying to make me feel worse?"

"Sure am."

Ellie rolled her eyes. "Well, if that's all... I'll be heading inside. Sorry for knocking- and erh, for the kicking."

"I didn't get kicked just so you could go back to leaving, you know," he frowned, causing her to pause in her steps. The guy named Ryan came and stood next to his friend in the corridor, his hands in his jumper pockets.

"Scott's right- don't you just hate it when people want to say something, and then don't? Kinda' bugs you."

They really are guilt tripping me...

"Alright, fine," she took in a deep breath, and blurted out what she had chickened out on asking in the first place. "I was watching a video on youtube, and noticed that it was you two from last night, and also that you included the content of me asking you to keep it down... and I also listened to what you two said about me, and I'd like it if you could please remove those parts." She averted her eyes to her apartment keys in her hands, awaiting their laughing answer.

There was silence for quite some time, and she was starting to get worried. When she looked up again, she was surprised to see them staring at her intensely. Scott leaned sideways and whispered something in to Ryan's ear, who suddenly grinned. Oh great... Here comes the mockery.

The fact that Ellie was standing in front of her youtube idol completely went through her head and out her ear. If she wasn't so concerned about their upcoming answer, she would be completely freaking out. She was actually quite proud of herself.

"No."

What?

"What?" Ellie repeated out loud, blinking.

"He said... No." Scott replied for Ryan.

Ellie blinked again. No?

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'NO'?!"

Ryan and Scott both jumped at her sudden shout, their eyes wide.

"I have the right to ask you to remove that content, seeing as neither of you had my consent to keep it in there in the first place! I COULD GET YOU TWO ARRESTED!" she advanced on them, her eyes glinting dangerously.

"Shit-" Scott coughed.

"Uhh, listen... What's your name again..?" Ryan asked nervously.

"See?! You don't even know my name, yet you deny my request! I LIVE RIGHT NEXT DOOR!"

"In my defence, you only moved in yesterday so I couldn't have known your name," Ryan said matter-of-factly.

Ellie closed her eyes for a second, and tried to regain her composure. The two guys relaxed a considerable amount as they watched her calm down.

"I'm sorry," she spoke in a small voice. "I shouldn't have shouted. But my point still stands." She looked up at Ryan and stared at him hard. Although she looked calm on the outside, Ryan could still see the raging emotions swirling about in her blue eyes.

"Look, you're right, and we're sorry too, but its still our video. And have you looked at the comments? People find it funny, isn't that something worth considering?" He held his hands up defensively.

"No, I didn't look at the comments: I was too busy getting angry at the video itself." Ellie snapped back. Ellie, temper...

"Do you even know who he is?" Scott asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh, no, I just watch all his videos and remain ignorant about what his youtube name is." Ellie rolled her eyes. "If you're expecting a curtsey or something ridiculous, then you can forget about it. He's not royalty."

Scott chuckled, muttering to himself, "Feisty indeed."

"Alright, let me propose a compromise." Ryan tried. He gestured to his open door. "You come on inside, read the comments, and we'll talk about whether its worth it or not?"

Ellie clenched her fists and shot them her best Fine, but I'm not happy about it look. She motioned for them to lead the way and she begrudgingly followed them inside.

This is gonna' be a long night.

((Author's Note))

Just want to say, I was loading a Fairy Tail episode, when the advert for some game came on, and it began with "WARNING ALL QUESTERS!" with a bunch of poorly animated characters dancing about... Which, might I add, inspired the made up video content. :D

((Author's Note End))