"the assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold"
"Thank you for dinner, Xaldin," I chirped, trying to sound as unfazed as possible, especially since Xigbar was picking slowly, deliberately, at his barbeque chicken on the couch directly across from mine. "It was really good."
"Glad to hear it," the large Nobody nodded back at me, taking both my and Vexen's cleaned plates courteously. I smiled up at Xaldin; as intimidating as he appeared, he seemed relatively harmless. Perhaps I could make a friend out of him. I glanced over at Vexen, wondering if my mentor was going to say anything to thank Xaldin as well, but surprisingly, he remained silent, his head and eyes downcast.
"Vexen," a female voice called, followed quickly by Larxene leaning against the back of the couch we were occupying. "I think I need to have another chat with you tomorrow, if that's all right?"
"Kana, you should go retire for the night," Vexen murmured, sounding – and looking, for that matter – very defeated. What was wrong? This was so unlike the domineering scientist I saw in the lab. "Get your rest."
"Vexen," Larxene sang, her voice gentle yet dangerous at the same time. I glanced back at her, noticing the predatorial gleam in her green eyes. Were the two of them...involved with each other? Was this some sort of lover's quarrel? Not waiting to find out and be caught in the middle of it, I stood up from the couch, stretching lazily.
"Woo," Xigbar whistled from his spot on the couch in front of me, grinning slyly at me. "Aw, don't stop, babe, I liked the show. Stretch some more!"
"Good night, Vex," I beamed at my mentor, pointedly ignoring the maimed man. "See you in the lab tomorrow morning?" I could practically feel Larxene's eyes drilling through me. Had I said something wrong?
"Be in the lab by 8:00 sharp," Vexen ordered quietly. "I'll see you then. Good night."
I nodded at the emerald-eyed scientist (or was he my friend? I wasn't sure), and smiled earnestly at Larxene. She gave me a rather pointed smile back, moving to take my place on the couch, and I hastened out of the Grey Area, ready to forget about the day I'd endured.
I walked down my hallway, yawning and stretching as I stumbled towards my door.
"Oh boy," a familiar voice drawled, making me jump. "I finally get to see the rest of that show."
"Xigbar," I hissed. What was he even doing here? "How did you find me?" I was certain the scarred man hadn't followed me, nor had he passed me in the hall.
"I control space, dollface," Xigbar crooned, taking a step closer to me. "I can be wherever I want. Tell me, sugar," he continued, waggling his eyebrows at me, "what's your power?"
I ignored him, brushing past the disgusting Nobody and hoping to make it into the safety of my room.
"You don't know, do you?" Xigbar began laughing, grabbing my shoulder and spinning me to face him. He placed his palms on the wall, pinning me there with his body. "You haven't even found your power yet!" He laughed harder, infuriating me more than ever before. "Sweetlips, you're making this too easy for me." One of his palms began roaming down my side, caressing my waist.
"I'll tell the Superior," I warned, unable to think of anything else to say. To my surprise, Xigbar's features actually fell at my threat, and he stepped away from me, scowling.
"Playing hard to get, huh, babe?" He growled, leering at me. "You'll come around soon enough. What do you have to go do that's so exciting, anyways?"
"I'm going to sleep," I retorted, not sure why I even deigned to answer the irksome Nobody.
Xigbar scoffed.
"I could show you a better time tonight, if you'd just let me," he snapped, crossing his arms over his chest grumpily. This time, I did choose to ignore him, still amazed that my threat to tell the Superior had worked. As I unlocked my door, Xigbar called after me, "Dream of me tonight, sweetheart!"
I slammed my door behind me as loudly as I could.
