I do not own Pandora Hearts.
The following morning, Oz woke up early and realized that he was so tired last night he had not asked Break when they would meet up. After he got up, ate breakfast, was tutored math, science and language arts, and was screamed at by Ms. Kate for sneaking out last night, Oz decided to go to the church.
Today, the wind was blowing slightly, a dangerous air. It was not so different from last night and realizing that only made things worse for Oz.
When Oz reached the church, Break was already there with Gilbert.
"You are late," he sang. "Gilbert and I got tired of waiting."
"Yes. Because I thought you might like to reconsider using be as bait to draw Alice out. Or maybe it was so she would listen to you?" Oz replied.
Break sighed, "It was my mistake to underestimate a Vessalius. I will be more careful but this time, it is your loss. We are much more powerful than you. You cannot beat us. You will go in there and hound up that indifferent little girl for us will you not, Oz?"
"No. To start off, I am not sure why but Gilbert did say he would serve me until his death did he not? He was following me the entire time until I reached my room too. Also, from what you said yesterday, you need me for the prophecy, am I right? I play a role in your prophecy. That is why you will not kill me. Instead, you might me kind enough as to do something along the lines of asking me to join Pandora."
Break signed again, "They should start un-educating you smart ass kids."
"That would make you one too." Retorted Oz.
"Okay. You got me. Then how about this: you can ask me any questions for the next hour. I will answer them without hesitation. I will not stall for time. In return, you will go in and hound Alice for me."
"Deal." Said Oz, satisfied. "First, why do you need me?"
"Because you are the first reincarnation of Jack Vessalius. It is that golden light from yesterday and the fact that you are the only male Vessalius of this generation."
"Who is Gilbert?"
"Gilbert is the reincarnation of the Gilbert who served Jack 99 years ago. Though it is a little ironic that he was born into the Nightray family; the arch-rivals of the Vessalius."
"Who are you?"
"I am Xerxes Break. I am called a brother by Sharon from the Reinsworth family."
"What did the prophecy say?"
"I have to think for this one. I hope you do not mind? …Let me see… Oh right… 'Down the road where blood flows freely; Bound by the chains that makes one seely; He who prevents the happening of reoccurrence; Of what should never be repeated like currents; Watched over by he, the one who prevailed; To stop the repeated misery, of he who failed; To see to the end of the never-ending piece; And put to rest the one who needs peace; To meet the black ones who were stained with blood; To stop the growth of the scarlet bud; Move forward and see; Towards the end of thee.'"
"Who is Alice?"
"Tell me something first. Are Alice's hands always cold?"
"How would– Wait… How did you–"
"Know?" guessed Break. "It was obvious. It is because Alice is a Chained One. But a little different from the others. She was the princess who died in the Tragedy of Sabrié. She was brought back to life about two years ago. No one knows by who though. The difference between her and the others is that she is not under anyone's control. I do not know what kind of soul was placed into her but no matter what kind of soul it was, remember this: the hands of a Chain is always cold. Also, it seems she acquired some special powers after becoming a Chain. Be careful.
Oh! Look at the time! It is past one hour. Come on. Let us go Oz Vessalius!"
As Oz and Break walked into the church, they saw Alice. There she was playing Lacie on the piano. That seems to be all that she does, thought Oz.
"Go to her," Break suggested.
As Oz approached Alice, she stopped playing and stared at him. Alice's stare was piercing, like it saw right through everything.
"Good day." Oz murmured. "Sorry for bothering you. I brought some company with me. I hope you do not mind."
"If you were going to apologize, I prefer if you never did the thing to begin with Oz." was Oz's response. All of a sudden, Alice's expression changed and so did her voice.
"It has been a long time, Xerxes Break." Alice said in a dominating voice.
She is a good actor, thought Oz. It seems that she has met Break some time ago, too.
"Good to see you too, Miss Alice." Smirked Break.
"It looks like you brought some other people with you today. Is it for protection? Or did you come to get another beating?"
"Neither of which, Miss Alice. This is merely for getting the result I want. I guess I will get straight to the point. I would like to request again that you cooperate with us in our missions. Your power is immense, matching up past the estimated power of Jack Vessalius. Also, I am pretty sure you are related in only too many ways to the prophecy. Your knowledge will come in handy, too."
"I must refuse your kind offer."
"I thought so." Break sighed for at least the third time this afternoon. Why are moving things so annoying? "Excusemy impudence but I must ask, why are you so set on not joining us?"
"I would like it if you did not interrupt me every time I try to finish my sentence, Xerxes Break. Have you ever considered this to be the reason why I tortured you last time?"
"Oh my. How scary. My apologies Miss Alice."
"Like I said, I refuse your offer if it is like last time. I have a condition if you want me to help you."
"A request from you? Well, it is not eternal life, that is for certain. I see that you already have no choice but to have that. You should already know that I, or any other member of Pandora can undo the curse."
"No. It is much simpler than that. All you have to do is give me a reason to help you. Something beneficial to me that will only happen if I help you. Whether it is a matter of life or death of simply something that will entertain me for a while. I could not care less."
"You make that sound so easy, Miss Alice. Even when you know it is one of the most difficult requests you could ever make. When even you do not know what you want. You do need to neither eat nor sleep. You do not need warmth and your acting is perfect to fool anyone. You can earn enough money by doing certain things and you live in a church even though you can afford a mansion. You do not care about honour or riches, nor life and love. What could possibly be beneficial to you?"
"That is for you to think about, Xerxes Break. Maybe your friends can help you? Meet me back here when you have an answer. Do not try to fool me with a pathetic trick. You know me well enough to know that it will not work."
With that, Alice returned to playing the piano. Oz, Gilbert and Break left, well aware that if the unwanted guests stay any longer, they will get a spanking from a chain saw or something equally worse.