So...how is everyone? It's always odd for me to write these little afore notes when I have no topic in mind beforehand. So...I would talk about sleep, since I slept till noon today, but I think I've already ranted about that at least once before. I don't want to repeat myself and bore you guys. How about this, then? My family is getting ready to move. That's an interesting topic, isn't it? It's not that we're moving all that far, but it's the first time I'll ever remember moving. All the other times we've done it I was too young to really care. Basically, I'm leaving behind the only house I can remember ever living in. It's kind of sad. I can't imagine somewhere else being my home, since I've only ever had this one. I'm familiar with every nook and cranny of this house. Even though I rarely go outside anymore these days, I can still describe an exact layout of the backyard. It's definitely going to be weird. Well, one thing's not going to change. Home is where the heart is, so my writing will always be my true home. Maybe I'll immerse myself in it more in the coming months.
On that note, I suppose I should welcome you all to my home! Please enjoy yourselves with my writing.
"Even after learning you friend has been kidnapped, all you do is read," I complain, draping myself over Chrollo's back. The fluff lining his favorite coat is so soft against my cheek. I don't think it's been even thirty minutes since we've returned to inform him about Uvogin's abduction, but by now Feitan's already got the information of where the treasure is out of the owl of the shadow beasts. That means until Chrollo gives the order to save Uvo, I've got nothing to do. I'd like to go picking through the prize Feitan's gotten his hands on to find stuff that catches my eye, but Feitan can be such a brat. If the owl didn't satisfy his sadism, it wouldn't be safe to approach him. While my specialty Nen, Cancellation, is usually effective against him, he also has a little bit of promise with transmutation. Since I have no abilities in that category, Cancellation doesn't work against it. While I could use regular Nen to block him, his speed surpasses my own. He could probably take me out quicker than any of the others in the troupe. In conclusion, I don't want his anger ever directed at me. So since I can't go see him now, I'm bored. Big brother Chrollo is a little too reserved to entertain me when I'm like this.
"When was the last time you read, Corona?" Chrollo wonders, gaze not leaving the pages before him.
I think about it for a moment. "Hm, I think it was a few months ago. You gave me that one book we stole from a museum and told me to read it before we sold it. Do you realize how much of a pain that was? I had to learn a whole language that's dead to read it! It was just another one of those old legends, too, about one of the first hunters."
"And?" he prompts. "You didn't enjoy the challenge?"
I pause, mouth open with a response I'm now reconsidering. Then, I laugh. "Nah, it just got frustrating at some points."
"If I didn't give you something that would frustrate you, you'd get bored."
"Yeah, yeah, I get it, genius. I don't feel like reading right now, though. What am I supposed to do? When are you gonna tell us to go after Uvogin? I have a feeling it might be fun."
Not that he ever gives me orders. He never tells me to go with the others. After all, I'm an unofficial member of the troupe. He only allowed me to join illegitimately because of our similar blood, and my potential. Thankfully, though, he never tells me I can't tag along.
"Ah, I nearly forgot. I promised to meet with someone today. I'll be going, then."
I growl, irritated. Hisoka's voice is smooth to listen to, but it gives me chills nonetheless. I don't like him much. Since he's a transmuter, I'm all but helpless against him, and it doesn't take a mind reader like Pakunoda to realize he's someone who always has hidden intentions. Chrollo likes him enough to have let him join the troupe, but I doubt he trusts the guy.
"Sure, as long as you're back by six pm tomorrow," Chrollo allows. "Up to mischief, Hisoka?"
The red haired magician stops, glancing over his shoulder at the two of us. "But of course."
As he turns away again, I unlatch myself from Chrollo and check to make sure my Zetsu is as impregnable as ever. I may detest Hisoka and his attitude, but that doesn't mean I don't think he's an interesting person. He's just about as mysterious as my brother. If he's going to meet with someone, it might be in my interest to watch. It could prove to entertain me during this downtime.
No one so much as looks in my direction as I trail Hisoka out of the base. It's always that way these days, unless I'm actively interacting with someone or try to get them to notice me. Even Chrollo has expressed his amazement concerning my Zetsu. I might as well be a ghost when I want to be. I like it, being anonymous. It's fun to be able to do whatever I want, not having to listen to every order from someone and bowing my head. These days, there are no lessons I'm forced to attend, no important guests I have play the piano I hate so much for. I don't think I'll ever regret coming to find Chrollo.
Hisoka's using Zetsu, too, so I have to stay vigilant. While his isn't as effective as mine, he's masterful with his Nen. If I lose sight of him, I'll likely lose him altogether.
He avoids populated areas, being as indiscriminate as possible. I follow him safely from yards behind. Every time he rounds a corner, I rush to round it as well. Every now and again he looks back, and I'm forced to take refuge behind whatever possible. As soon I sense him moving again, I duck back out and continue with him. I don't think he's sensed me...he's probably being cautious out of habit and nature. Still, I constantly check and recheck to be sure absolutely none of my aura leaks out. If even a wisp of it escapes, it's possible he might sense it. He never seems to drop his guard. I'm curious as to who he's meeting with, though, since he seems to care if someone's following him.
Eventually, he enters the premises of an abandoned amusement park. Considering his clownish behavior, this area is perfect for him. It also provides me with countless hiding places. As long as I stay out of the middle of the paths, the rides and rubble serve as great obstructions.
Hisoka picks his own spot, the horse of a carousel. There, he sets up to wait. He takes out his deck of cards and begins flipping through them, every once in a while throwing one down. I take his position into consideration, searching for an area off to his left that'll allow me to observe unseen. What I find is the car of a ferris wheel, close enough to the ground for me to climb up into. I jump, grabbing onto the floor of the car and hauling myself up and into it silently. Then, I seat myself comfortably and wait. I really should begin carrying something to pass the time around with me like Hisoka does. A deck of cards is an ideally quiet way to entertain oneself while waiting.
Footsteps reaching my ears draw me out of my regretful thoughts. It's a blonde boy, probably around my age, who wears a unique gold and blue robe I've never seen before. For a boy, he's kinda pretty, but if he's here he must be an acquaintance of Hisoka's. That is plenty enough reason for me to be weary of him.
He doesn't notice Hisoka until a card is tossed down again. Then, they begin their discussion. I miss the first few exchanges before concentrating my Nen on my ears, but their demeanors are completely different. Perhaps I assumed I'd dislike this boy too soon, since he appears to dislike Hisoka as well. The blonde's stiff and professional, much unlike Hisoka's nonchalance.
When I'm able to hear them, it's Hisoka I first catch the words of. "There are thirteen members of the troupe, each with a spider tattoo. The members can change anytime. If one is killed by someone, that someone replaces them. If one dies for another reason, the leader chooses the replacement."
Oh? So he's giving this boy information? But he's not mentioning me, only the official members. Including me, there's actually fourteen of us. What is he aiming for?
"The troupe mostly focuses on killing and stealing, but every now and again they do philanthropic work."
"I already know that," are the first words I hear from the boy's mouth. His voice confirms that he's young, as I'd thought, but I'm kinda curious as to his actual age. I wonder if he's seventeen, like me.
Hisoka goes on, telling of his defeat of the previous number four, but it's his reason that gets my attention. "I wanted to fight the boss."
I nearly mess up and laugh, but I manage to hold it in. He wants to challenge Chrollo? Well, I guess that makes sense considering who Hisoka is. Of course he'd go after our leader. But does he truly think he could win, against Chrollo's Nen? Hisoka's Bungee Gum is impressive, but he's too over confident! The explanation he gives to the boy afterwards is irrelevant, until I hear him propose a partnership. So, he plans to betray the spider? I know a few members of the troupe who would blow their top if they found out.
However, I am not one of them. I've never been particularly concerned about the group's welfare. I mean, I'm here for Chrollo. It's pretty fun to be part of their missions, I guess, but I joined up cause I wanted to get to know the brother of mine that Mother used to hate herself because of. I liked him when we met, so I decided to stay with him. The rest of the members are fine, but I could care less if they all vanished.
I watch as the two complete their exchange of information, pleased to hear no mention of myself out of Hisoka. From what I'm picking up, the boy would probably love to know that there's a hidden member, but Hisoka doesn't so much as hint at my existence. He's clever, keeping ahold of bargaining chips like that. I have to wonder what he wants from the blonde boy, though. I don't catch any clear demands from him.
When they're done, the boy leaves as simply as he came, walking away without looking back. Hisoka waits patiently until he's gone. Then he stands, using his Bungee Gum to yank all the card back into his hands. After replacing the deck in his pocket, he turns to leave.
And meets my eyes.
For a moment, we both stare at each other, neither of us reacting. Then, I sigh. "Damnit." I slip out from the ferris wheel car, landing on my feet with ease. He smirks that gruesome smirk of his as I approach him, stopping a fair distance away from him. I be sure to use Gyo to keep track of his Bungee Gum as we face each other.
"So, you were following me," he muses.
"Interesting little buddy you have, Hisoka," I reply, nodding in the direction the blonde left. "You should introduce me sometime. He's pretty cute, for a guy."
"So," he stretches his Bungee Gum between his hands, "are you going to go tattle to the leader about me?"
Caution settling in, I release my Nen to act as a shield if needed. "As if I'd be so stupid, you psycho. I know full well you'd kill me if I meant to do that. Besides, what do I gain from reporting you? If you want to fight Chrollo, it's your own death sentence. None of my business."
He chuckles. "I see, I see. Really, it's unfortunate your Cancellation doesn't work against me. If it did, you'd be an interesting opponent."
"I wouldn't fight you even then," I wave off. "Even without Nen, you're stronger than me. I'm a coward, you understand. I don't like fighting people I know I'll lose to." If he didn't have such a disgusting personality, I'd thank him for leaving me out of the conversation he had with the boy. But since he's like he is, he'd probably say I owe him something if I brought it up. "So, why's that blonde after us? Is he a blacklist hunter?"
"Perhaps. I didn't ask."
I eye him, annoyed. "I get the feeling you know why, anyway. He looked a little too determined for someone after our heads for money."
"Mm, you may be right," he admits, touching the tips of his fingers to his lips. "If I tell you what you want to know, what can you trade for it?"
"I probably have nothing you'll be interested in, so you can keep it to yourself if you want to be that way."
"True. So what now? I suspect you don't want to return with me."
"You're right, I don't. Maybe I'll see if I can catch up to that boy. As long as you don't say anything about meeting with me, you're free to return whenever you want."
"Oh? That sounded a bit like a threat, little princess."
I shake my head, drawing my Nen back into myself to represent my lack of bloodlust. "I only wish it was. It's not like you have anything to gain from telling on me, though, so I think you'll accept a truce where we both pretend this never happened."
"I'll be on my way, then," he laughs quietly. "I have no reason to stay, seeing as I never met you here."
Once he's gone, I lean against the carousel. "Good riddance."
I think she's actually a bit scared of Hisoka. She knows he's stronger than she is, and she knows just how insane he is. While she seems to say whatever she wants, I think she's actually pretty careful with her wording around him so she doesn't step on a land mine. At the same time, while she might fear him, that power probably also intrigues her. Hence, her following him instead of leaving him be. Anyway, I haven't heard how anyone imagines Corona's appearance yet. Come on guys, don't leave me hanging! I know curiosity killed the cat, but the cat still would have eight lives left, you know? So I'm curious! I can't wait to hear from you guys, if you couldn't tell from my impatience.
Till then, Kisses from SnowyNeko! :3 MEOW!