Meeting the Earl

Lavi was already finding it weird that all the child-like looking Noah had to do was summon a door and they were already in the Ark. Though, at the very least, it was convenient if one were to be in a rush to be somewhere. In a way, Lavi was envious of that.

The Ark was so much bigger than the Bookman Jr imagined, too. The mere sight of it made her mouth drop. So, this was where she would be living? This would be a bit of an adjustment but then again, she was used to adjustments. As Lavi thought to herself, she wasn't really paying attention to how awkwardly silent it was. Said silence was broken by the clearing of Road's throat.

"So, Lavi-chan, I'm curious about something," Road said as she was now walking beside the taller female, "Why is it that you dress in those clothes? I mean, you're are a female, aren't you? So, why don't you dress like it? Does the Bookman make you dress like that?"

This question caught Lavi off guard at how sudden it was. In all honesty, though, Lavi should have expected Road to say something, considering the way the child-like Noah had been looking at her before. Lavi frowned as she thought silently to herself before finally formulating a response.

"In times like these, women are treated far more differently than men. Men are treated more equally than women, so I'd rather others assume that I am otherwise," Lavi explained as she briefly smiled at Road before looking forward so that she knew where she was going, "Besides, I never looked good when I used to wear more feminine clothing. Since I'm not exactly the prettiest, I prefer to dress in something more comfortable, like this."

Truth be told, Lavi didn't like her own body, especially when more parts of it were revealed. Though, she never said her thoughts out loud. What she felt was no one else's business but hers. She certainly shouldn't care what others thought of her life decisions and that's how it was going to be. Lavi didn't even bother to say anything else, instead choosing to ignore the Noah all together.

Road couldn't help but frown at Lavi's words. Yeah, it was true that that's how society was to her that didn't matter. In her opinion, it was a shame to hide the very features that made them who they were. Then again, not many females were as girly as she was. But now Road would make it he missions to get Lavi to dress up at least once, just to see what she looked like outside of that…

The rest of the walk was quiet. The only noise that could be heard was Road's whistling as she skipping forward ahead of the Bookman and Lavi. Road occasionally glanced back, but only to see both Bookman and Lavi wearing blank expressions. However, she stopped when they finally arrived at their destination.

"Milennie, I'm back and we've got company!" Road beamed as she opened a set of double doors and practically ran in to give the Millennium Earl a hug, "The Bookman here, and so is his apprentice!"

At first glance, Lavi found this man to be creepy. It wasn't exactly the height, weight, or anything like that but the abnormally long grin on his face. How was it even possible to have a grin that wide? Lavi nearly shuddered at the thought but shook it off as she bowed, just to be polite.

"Hello, Earl," The Bookman greeted the Earl, keeping his normal stone-faced expression, "I suppose I should say it's a pleasure to see you but I don't do that kind of thing. I'm sure you know why we are here."

"Why, hello there, Bookman, it has been a very long time since I last you! You haven't changed one bit, have you? Just as stern as usual," The Earl chimed, sounding far too chipper than what Lavi was used to, "Ah, so you've finally got someone to succeed you? So, what's your name, young one?"

To say that Lavi was surprised would be a massive an understatement. The Millennium Earl, who everyone called an Evil madman (or some variations of), was acting so brightly? Lavi was certainly gaining a new perspective on what was her reality.

"Believe it or not, he didn't find me, I guess we found each other," Lavi chuckled awkwardly before waving, "It's nice 'ta meet ya, you call me Lavi. But I must admit I didn't expect you to be so… I don't know, not this."

Apparently, The Earl found Lavi's words hilarious because he broke out into laughter. It took a few seconds for him to calm down just enough to respond.

"Lavi, eh? Well, it's also nice meeting you. I thought the Bookman here wouldn't ever find anyone and the title would end with him," The Earl replied, "Didn't expect to me to be what? Happy? Go-lucky? Well it seems you will be learning a lot, then. Either way, welcome to the Noah, I assume you'll be staying a while?"

Of course, that question was directed at the Bookman but he only nodded in response. After all, Bookman was a man of very few words. Lavi knew this well, which meant conversations a bit awkward at times but she assumed that the Noah knew that as well.

"Yeah well, do you ya mind if I get familiar with the place? Seeing as I'll be sticking around this joint for a while," Lavi said with a sigh as she looked at the Bookman, who merely rose an eyebrow, before looking back at the Earl and Road, "I'd rather know my around here so I don't get lost or anything. The joint seems rather big."

The Bookman Jr obviously seemed very different from the Bookman, or that is what the Earl found himself thinking. While the Bookman didn't react much and/or say much, Lavi seemed to be a little more social. Judging by the way she acted and spoke, she definitely reminded him of his family. The Earl thought it over but only for a second before nodding in agreement. It was probably a good idea that she got familiar with the place but who would give her the tour?

"Millennie! Can I please take her on the tour? Pretty please!" Road practically begged but sadly all she earned was a shake of the head, "Oh c'mon Milennie, why not?"

The Millennium Earl sighed before responding, "We both know that you have been holding off on your homework for days. Don't forgot that you have to attend school and the last thing Sheril wants is for you to fail. Now, go to your room and get started. Oh, and on your way I want you to send Tyki my way."

"Why is it that Tyki always gets to have all the fun, while I'm stuck doing homework? You're so cruel, Millennie…" Road pouted before hesitantly leaving the room, causing Lavi to scratch her head.

The room went silent for the last few minutes before footsteps could be heard from outside the room. It was then that a man with slick backed black hair entered the room. Lavi looked at the man from head to toe, noting the rather fancy attire but not commenting on it. She could only assume this was that Tyki the Earl had just mentioned. He didn't look too bad either…

"Road said you requested my presence, Earl?" Tyki asked with a raised eyebrow, not even paying attention to the Bookman or Lavi, "She didn't seem too happy that you wanted me, so I assume it's important?"

It was then that Tyki noticed the other two standing there. He could easily recognize the Bookman but the other one…she was new. Tyki didn't take his eyes off of her for a quite a while as he looked her over, noticing she had been doing the same. The Noah didn't even look away as the Earl spoke.

"Well, as you can see, we have the Bookman staying with us again, isn't that nice?" The Earl comment, holding back the urge to snicker as he watched Tyki before sighing, "The girl you are looking at is his apprentice, Lavi, and I'd like you to give her the grand tour. Road wanted to do it but I figured you could use something to do."

Normally Tyki would decline the request but what else did he have to do? Besides, there was something about Lavi that interested him but he couldn't quite pinpoint it. It wouldn't hurt to at least be a little generous. The Noah of Pleasure smiled and took a bow.

"It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance, eyepatch," Tyki with a said with a smirk as he approached the redhead, and lifted her arm to lightly kiss the palm before letting it drop, "My name is Tyki."

There was something about the way Tyki spoke that made Lavi shiver but she easily shook that off. She would have blushed but luckily, she had enough composure not to. This was definitely something she wasn't into and hopefully this wouldn't happen too often, especially in front of the Bookman. Lavi sighed and took a deep breath before replying.

"Nice to meet you, Tyki," Lavi replied before lifting her hand and rubbing her head awkwardly, "As much as I'd like this continue, I think we should just get this tour over with, yeah?"

Tyki couldn't help but smirk at her reaction before sighing and standing up straight. It was odd, she was supposed to be training as a Bookman but she was different from the norm. Oh well, that doesn't matter. At least they had a more company in the Ark now, right?

"Alright, well, follow me, then!"

|Okay, so here is the thing. Sorry if it's boring.|