Sorry about the slow update. My brother was gone over the four day weekend, so I was playing his Xbox 360 the whole time . I totally kicked ass with Tira, and Setsuka was pretty good too on Soul Caliber IV. But there was this one guy, the Apprentice, you know Darth Vader's side kick, WHO JUST WOULDN'T DIE!!! I'd hit him once, and then he'd land about 100 on me. I finally beat him then walked away. I was so pissed.
Anyway, more importantly, chapter three is about to begin. To those two lovely people who but on their alert and their fav thank you very much!! One for alert, one for fav. You have boosted my self esteem by ten points .
Time has passed for Evid and the others. It's been about a month since Halloween, and Evid's relationship with Axel has progressed. She has followed Wes's advice and is going with the flow. But every time she sees Axel, she falls apart! But will this be the day she can open up to him? And if she does, what will be his response.
Evid slogged through her house, yawning and flipping on lights. She hated mornings. They came way to early. She pulled a glass out, filled it with water, and heated it up in the microwave. When it was done she added a bag of chai tea, whip cream, and marshmallows. "Sweet rejuvenation," she said to herself, sipping at it delicately. She sighed. "Just right."
Warming up, Evid turn to look at the clock...and freaked. "Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap, oh crap!" Tea forgotten she flew to her room. Digging through her closet she found a green skirt with a black velvet waist, and a black velvet shirt. She snagged some underwear from her drawer, put everything down on her bed, and tore down the hallway to the bathroom. "Crap, crap, crap!" She turned and dashed back to her room. Turning on her cell phone she dialed the first number that came to mind. The young woman bounced up and down as she waited on the ring. At last an answer.
"Hello?" A voice; tantalizing, fully awake, smooth...and male. Evid froze. Her fingers had automatically dialed Axel's number. "Hello?"
"Ah...Axel?" she spoke hesitantly. "It's Evid."
"Well this is a pleasant surprise. What you doing on the phone this early? Thought you weren't a morning person," he teased, causing her insides to squirm most pleasantly.
"I'm late for work," she started.
"Say no more. I'll be there in twenty." With a click that was somehow final, Axel hung up. Evid pulled her phone away from her ear and stared at it when a second alarm she had set sent her scurrying to the bathroom.
"Hey girl! Where are you?" Axel called as he stepped into Evid's living room. He'd come here two times before, once when Kairi decided Evid would host a random party, and once when she'd called him up last week when she was running late for school. He looked at the counter; a glass of tea, cold.
"Coming!" Evid yelled. She came out of the one bedroom, slipping on some heels as she came, hopping from foot to foot. Her hair was still damp. It was starting to curl, as it did when left to its own devices. She wore silver hoop earrings and a silver heart locket to accompany her green and black outfit. Which looked stunning on her. A purse had slipped off her slender shoulder, dangling a few inches off the floor.
He watched as the younger girl grabbed a piece of toast and started towards him. "You didn't have breakfast yet?" he asked, opening the door. Evid stepped out and he followed.
She flicked a glance at him. "I didn't have time," she answered as she locked her door. Axel shook his head. They started down the stairs; Evid lived on the third floor of a five-story complex, Axel holding Evid's hand to support her. Evid munched on her toast. She was starting to shiver. Axel's hand was warm, very warm indeed, but the warmth didn't reach much farther than her arm.
"Hold up," Axel sighed. Evid stopped, confused. She watched as Axel slipped out of his leather jacket, turning to hand it to her. "Here."
Evid fought to stay focused on his face. The black and white Skillet T-shirt he wore looked good on his slim body, and his jeans fit snug on his lean hips. It took all of her will power not to grab onto him and never let go. "What about you?" she asked with some effort.
Axel shrugged. "Cold doesn't affect me much," he responded. "Now put it on before you catch cold." Evid obliged. The coat had absorbed Axel's body heat and was warm as a toaster. A contented smile pulled on her lips. When they reached Axel's red Lexus he held open the passenger door. Evid slipped in, careful of her skirt. Axel shut the door after making sure she was comfortable. He got in on the driver's side. The engine purred to life, and then Rob Zombie blared out from the speakers making them both jump. Axel hastily reached for the volume control. "Sorry," he said sheepishly. "Forgot I had it up that loud."
"It's alright," Evid replied with a smile. She reached over and turned the volume back up. Axel smiled and pulled out of the parking lot. On the way to Hud's Bar and Grill, stopped at a red light, they sat side banging, mimicking Rob Zombie's music video to Dragula. A woman driving passed them gave them a weird look, causing them both to crack up. By the time they reached the Bar Evid felt more awake, and much better.
Axel opened her door and assisted her out. He walked in the back door with her; Hud didn't want his girls walking in through the front door. Hud looked up from where he was working.
"Sorry I'm late," Evid said sheepishly.
Hud shrugged. "No worries. Coral got here early and offered to fill in for you." He looked at his watch. "She goes on break in thirty minutes."
"I'll taker over for here then," Evid said with a relieved sigh.
"She hasn't eaten yet," Axel told Hud bluntly, prodding Evid on the waist. She slapped his hand away and glared at him.
"I had toast," she retorted hotly.
"That's not breakfast," Axel and Hud said at the same time. Hud shook his head. "Go sit down and I'll fix you a proper meal." He looked at Axel. "If it weren't for you I don't think she would ever eat."
"I eat breakfast!" Evid protested as Axel guided her to a table. He pulled her chair out, she sat, and he pushed it back in.
"Cereal doesn't really count either," he whispered in her ear. The redhead took a seat across from her. An amused smile splayed across his mouth as she refused to look at him. A faint blush turned her cheeks rosy. She really was a pretty girl.
Within a few minutes Evid had her food along with a glass of orange juice and a glass of chai tea. The waitress also put a mug of coffee in front of Axel. He was oblivious to her flirtatious smile. Taking a sip he watched Evid dig into her breakfast witch included white chocolate chip covered in blackberries, cherries and whip cream, bacon, sausage, toast (the irony), and a plumb.
"Now this, is a breakfast," Axel said, reaching over and plucking a sausage off her plate.
"Did you eat?" Evid asked him.
"Yeah, something similar to this but not as big," he answered. Evid stared at him. She knew he was almost always hungry.
"Come here and help me," she said, motioning him over. "I won't be able to eat this all by myself." Axel scooted his chair over. They divided up the bacon, toast and sausages up evenly. Axel declined eating the pancakes, they were her favorite, but every few bites she would feed him some. When they were finished Evid sat drinking her tea while Axel drained his coffee. He dragged a finger through some of the whipped cream left on the plate and licked it off.
"That was delicious," he murmured.
"Hud really knows how to make a morning filler," Evid agreed.
"And I see you two didn't save any for me," a teasing voice said. They looked up at Coral, who stood with her hands on her hips and her weight on one leg. A playful smile danced on her lips and made her green eyes sparkle. "I watched you two. Looked like you were both starving." Evid flushed and made no comment.
"You know me," Axel said. "Perpetually hungry."
"True that," Coral responded. She reached over and took Evid's still full glass of orange juice. For a while nobody said anything while they drank peacefully. Evid assessed Coral's outfit. With her flaming red hair, tanned skin, and emerald eyes Coral pulled off the color red like nobodies business. Her hair was curled pulled up in a fashionable side ponytail that reached to her bared right shoulder. Her dress was Christmas red with white fur off the shoulder sleeves and collar. Roses and lilies decorated her hair. A gold cross hung from her neck and ears. Evid smiled and admitted that the other girl looked ready to kick ass in her red heels.
"I see you went over board with your outfit today," Coral commented dryly.
"Be quiet," Evid said, faking a huffy attitude. "I didn't feel like dressing up."
"Sure. Oh, by the way, next week is Rock Legend week," her friend informed her, putting down her glass of orange juice. Axel grinned.
"Why does that remind me of a video game?"
"Because that is the name of a video game," Evid said dryly. "Let me guess Coral, you already have your outfit picked out." Coral nodded with a broad grin.
"Hey Axel, let me know when Luxord gets here. I promised him a free drink," she said before strutting away to go take a rest.
"Guess that means it's time for me to go," Evid sighed. She stood up and began to gather the plates up.
"I'll get them, you go up there and do your thing," Axel told her. He shooed her away and picked up the plates.
He stayed, sitting and sipping fresh mugs of coffee or soda that were on the house, listening to her sing and play the piano. Throughout the course of the day she switched off and on with Coral. Sometimes they played a duet; one on the piano, and one an the violin or flute. No matter what it was always beautiful to hear. This had been his first time here with Evid at work, and he'd wanted to be able to give her a ride home. Towards the end, Luxord came in.
"I see you've become a fan," he said from beside the redhead, arms crossed and a grin on his face, dressed in black slacks, a white buttom shirt, and black dress shoes.
"I've always been a fan," he responded, motioning for his friend to sit. He signaled to the bartender who went to fetch Coral. "Your girl will be here shortly."
"Ah yes, my little firey spark. We have made a date to have another rematch. You must join us," Luxord said. Axel shook his head and chuckled.
"I'd rather not," he responded.
The room filled with quiet applause, then Evid started her next piece. This time she added her voice to the music.
"Some say love, it is a river
That drowns, the tender reed.
Some say love, it is a razor
That leaves, your soul to bleed."
Axel put his head in his hands. This was one of his favorite piano pieces; The Rose by Amanda McBroom. Luxord sighed and leaned back in his seat. He enjoyed this song too. Coral came over. She pulled up a chair and quietly sang along.
"Some say love, it is a hunger
An endless, aching need.
I say love, it is a flower
And you, its only seed."
"I do believe she is singing this for you," Luxord murmured. Axel looked over at him startled.
"What is that supposed to mean?" he demanded.
"It's the heart, afraid of breaking
That never, learns to dance.
It's the dream, afraid of waking,
That never, takes the chance.
It's the one, who won't be taken
And cannot, seem to give."
"It means, dear sou,l that my darling Evid is beginning to open up her heart to you," Coral responded, eyes twinkling merrily. Axel stared at her, his mouth hanging open.
"And the soul, afraid of dying
That never, learns to live.
When the night, has been to lonely
And the road, has been to long.
And you think, that love is only
For the lucky, and the strong."
Evid looked up. Her eyes met Axel's, and held.
"Just remember, in the winter
Far beneath, the bitter snows.
Lies the seed, that with the son's love
In the spring, becomes the rose."
The music faded, dimming slowly into stillness. The room burst into applause and cheers. Evid stood and gave a delicate curtsey, then stepped off the stage. She didn't go to Axel's table. Rather, she went to the rest area and accepted a glass of water from Hud. Axel watched as the older man whispered something to her. She shrugged and looked down into her glass, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Luxord thumped him on the back.
"Come on young Axel. Now is not the time to waste this chance from Lady Luck. She has thrown you the best possible hand! Don't fold! Bet on it!"
Axel scrubbed a hand through his hair. He'd only known Evid for a month. He didn't want her to think he was rushing into a relationship with her. But, according to Coral, she wanted it too. Their friendship was a good one; they talked and got a long amazingly well, they both stayed up late and talked to one another. He kept his teasing flirts to a mild banter. He reserved that to Zexion, who despite acting somewhat like an emo kid, had a rather flirtatious side to him that he strung out to Evid. Wes didn't mind, she admitted to Axel that if Zexion was like that with her he wouldn't have been the same person she had rather quickly fallen in love with.
He was more than ready to be more than just a friend.
"Would you look at the time," Coral said airily. She looked at an invisible watch. "I do believe the work day is over. Luxord, darling, I am feeling exhausted. Would you please assist me home?"
"Most graciously," Luxord said. They stood. As they walked past him Coral thumped him on the head.
"You're here for a reason," she said sharply.
With a sigh Axel stood. He walked over to wear Evid sat talking with some co-workers. Coming up behind her he put a hand on her waist. She turned to look at him and gave him a raised eyebrow. Her normal reaction. He grinned.
"Ready to go?"
"Yes," she responded, hopping off her bar stool. "Thanks for everything Hud. I won't be late next week, I promise."
"School starts back up again doesn't it?" Hud asked. Evid nodded. "I thought so. Here, I adjusted your schedule. Take her home, Axel, and make sure she gets a decent dinner and some rest."
"You got it El Capitain," Axel said, giving a two finger salute. Evid took her schedule from her boss and allowed herself to be lead out of the Bar by the hand. Axel gave her his coat again. Now that it was dark, it was even colder than it had been that morning.
The beginning of the drive was silent. "So," Axel started, "your place or mine?"
"For what?" Evid asked. She continued to study her schedule, but Axel noticed a slight shake to her hands. It was time to give her his answer.
"For dinner," he responded slowly. He saw her look up at him from the corner of his eye. "I told Hud I would feed you, then make sure you got some decent sleep." Evid didn't respond. He stopped at a red light and looked at her with a mock thoughtful face. "My place. You can just spend the night."
They'd done it before. Kairi and Namine had dragged her and the rest of the gang over to his apartment one night and had a party. That hadn't been one of Evid's more energitic days. Axel had allowed her the use of his bed so she could sleep. When the others went home, he didn't bother to disturb her, and spent the night on his living room couch. Waking up he hadn't really known what to expect. Maybe an upset girl. But that hadn't been so. Axel gave her brief explanation, and she'd accepted it. After that, whenever she'd had an off day, Axel let her come over. She slept in his bed and he slept on the couch, or with her depending on how bad she felt.
But this time he'd give her more than just his bed.
Evid slipped out of her top and dress, pulling on one of Axel's T-shirts and a pair of girl's boxer shorts he kept hidden in a special spot just for her. The smell of his clogne, Eternity, wafted up and soothed her. The shrimp dinner he had made had been delicious. Now they were going to watch a movie. A scary movie. Taking a deep breath she walked out of Axel's bedroom. She'd been here so often the last month the place felt familiar. Maybe too familiar.
Axel sat on the only couch, wearing a tank top and sweatpants. Evid crawled up next to him and curled up against him. He slid a hand around her, pulled a blanket over their legs, and started the movie. Two steaming mugs of hot chocolate sat on coasters.
"Now you're sure you won't get scared?" Axel asked teasingly. Evid poked his side and he laughed. "Just making sure." And she didn't. Admittidly there were a couple of parts where she jumped, but Axel did too. Whenever that happened they broke up into laughter. After the movie was over they sat together in silence and darkness. Axel had the TV clicked off. Evid fought off trembles. She'd admitted herself tonight, through song, but she wasn't sure if he'd understood. Maybe Coral had said something to him? She didn't know.
Axel pulled her up onto his lap, her back to him, lazely trailing his hands up and down her arms. Goosebumps popped up on her flesh. He buried his face in her hair. Now this was different behavior.
"Axel...w-what," she was cut off as she felt his lips, tempting and hot, on the back of her neck. He kissed her gently, moving her voluminous hair aside.
"I hope I'm not wrong," he whispered to her. "But I've been informed that there's something you want to tell me." He kissed her again. "Or should I go first?" Evid shivered in his loose hold. She knew that if she wanted to run, he would let her. But he would also hold her if she wanted to stay. Heat colored her face.
"I-I like you," she breathed. Axel said nothing. Instead, he responded by tightening his grip on her and pulling her closer, trailing hot kisses along her neck.
"I hoped so," he finally murmured. "Want to go out with me?"
End of Chapter Three. Sorry it was so long, but it seemed the only way to get to the end. If any of you feel that the relationships are moving along at a way too fast clip, please, let me know and I will attempt to lengthen the rest of the friendships before they turn to romance. As a side note: side banging is like head banging, only side ways (that was probably obvious), and it's more like a bob. Also, Rob Zombie is an actual singer and The Rose is a real piano song. I myself am attempting to learn it, but it's rather difficult. So, I give credit to the writer of The Rose, and credit to Rob Zombie and his Dragula. I suggest that you listen to either one or both of these. The Rose is stunningly beautiful, and for those who like weird and fright, Rob Zombie is perfect.
Speaking of Zombies. I had a dream one night that zombies had taken over the world. Me and a group of people, which consisted of my family and characters from Soul Caliber (so weird!), escaped to this island surrounded by hotsprings. Shura, a Soul Caliber character, was explaining to us why the island was safe. Some guys went wandering around, however, and burst her bubble. They called her over to a spot behind some rocks, and there was the "diety" of the islands...DEAD!! Shura started to feak out...and zombies started to pour out of the waterways in the cave we were in. If that wasn't twisted enough, one of the zombies could talk and Shura could use Bankai. Bizzare. It was maybe the kind of dream where one should probably wake up screaming (after all, zombies). But my first thought when I woke up was, "Wait a minute...that's wrong. Zombies don't like hot stuff. HOW'D THEY GET ACROSS THE HOT SPRINGS!?!?!" One of my other thoughts was, "Just leave it to me to have a dream with a Dawn of the Dead scenario with Soul Caliber characters who can use Bankai."
More importantly: Chapter Four will be about Luxord and Coral. They, out of all of them, or more advanced in their romance/friendship (besides of course the obvious). In it, we will get a look at how they operate and mingle with the others, working with Kairi and Namine to get the others hooked up. And yes, Namine and Kairi will actually be in the next chapter. Along with Sora and Roxas. I've got to put those two in more.
Okay, probably boring you. See you next chapter (well...not really see...but you know).
