chapter 3
LAVI'S POV
Alex was, well, peculiar. She didn't ask anything, whether it was because she didn't care or already know was beyond me. Being Bookman's apprentice, I can read people pretty easily. Well, except for Allen and Kanda. The only time I can 'see' them is when the two start sparring.
Alex just mutely followed us around, with Fao curled up on her shoulder. I thought about what she said earlier.
"It's naïve to think there aren't parallel worlds connected to this one. 'Reality' is merely one persons perspective of their world, while 'Fantasy' is an opposing 'Reality'."
'If that's true, then does that mean there are Akuma and Noahs in other worlds as well?' I thought as Allen and Lenalee politely chatted about something. Then Lenalee stopped in mid-conversation. "Oh my God. I completly forgot." She said, and we stared at her. "What?"we asked and she gave Alex a sheepish smile. "We still haven't prepared all the rooms yet, so you don't have a place to sleep tonight." She said, and Alex shrugged. "No prob. I'll just stay up." Alex answered simply. Lenalee shook her head. "What? You're a growing woman! You can't put off sleep! You can stay with me tonight!" Lenalee exclaimed, and Alex took a step back from the over-hyper Lenalee. "Uh, no. Trust me, I'll be fine. I haven't slept in five days already; another all-nighter is fine for me." She said, and we all gaped.
"Why the hell were you up for five days straight?" I asked and she raised an eyebrow. "Because you guys moved and I had to get here somehow. It would have been nice if you left a map or at least a note. I sent you a letter before I left." She explained, and we all sighed. Komui really needs to learn how to organize his things. And soon.
Lenalee gave her a small smile. "Anyway, why don't I take you down to the cafeteria? You must be hungry. There really isn't much to eat in the forest." Lenalee said. "Actually, there's plenty to eat. Deer, rabbits, squirrels, birds, mice, voles, wild boar, pheasant, wild turkey, fruits, wild plants, herbs- the list goes on. You just need to know where to look." She replied, walking ahead of us. I ran up to her. "So you've lived in woods before?" I asked. She shrugged. "It's not my first time in this world. Although, this is my first close contact with the humans here. Father said not to indulge myself with the human race other than my mother before I became of age." She said, and Fao sat up. "Alex's father was a very strict werewolf, training her to fight, hunt, and track at a very young age. And although he was banished, taught her about her warrior history, the importance of battle, and how to plan attacks against the enemy." Fao elaborated. "Do you mind not telling my life story? I'm not entirely sure I can trust them yet, and you seem to be quite talkative today." She said irratated, and Fao remained quiet.
Allen raised an eyebrow. "If you didn't trust us, then why did you come?" He asked, and Alex shrugged. "For the same reason a hiker checks the weather before an expedition. If he doesn't, than he risks losing his life unnecessarily. And this war has become too personal for me to die now." She added under her breath. I know Allen and Lenalee heard as well.
Lenalee gave her a great grin as she towed (a rather reluctant) Alex into the dining hall. The usually bustling dining hall was filled with finders and scientists who immediatly became quiet as we entered. One guy even dropped his tray with a echoing clatter. Alex ignored them; barely noting their existence with a flick of her ear.
Jerry, oblivious to the sudden change in atmosphere, smiled grandly when we walked towards him. "Ah, Allen-kun, Lenalee-chan, Lavi-kun, who's this cutie?!" He exclaimed cheerfully, and Alex's tail poofed out slightly. I grinned, ignoring Alex's minor glare as I pat her shoulder. I was a little suprised how muscular it was. "Jerry, meet Alex, our newest Exorcist and werewolf warrior." I said, and he raised an eyebrow. I shot him a you-needed-to-be-there look, and he smiled at her. "Ok, well sweetie, whatcha want? I'll make you anything you like, just name it." He said happily, and her ears perked up slightly. "Apple. Just an apple." She said quickly, and Jerry nodded, fetching one from a bowl on the counter. "Anything else?" He asked, handing her the crimson fruit. She shook her head. "No, thanks Mr. Jerry." She called back, walking away.
We walked to catch up to her. "What's up with calling everyone Miss and Mister?" I asked, and she took a small bite of her apple. "Father said that you should treat all of your elders with respect. I only listen to that some of the times, however. There are some I like, and then there are some I would love to throw off a cliff. Guess which one you are?" She asked evily, and I lessened my pace. Alex took another bite of her apple. Lenalee looked at her in confusion. "Why'd you get an apple? I thought wolves eat meat." Lenalee asked, and Alex rolled her eyes. "What, would you rather I went around with a fork and knife chasing down a deer? You are too obtuse. Wolves eat all sorts of vegetation like fruits and the occasional vegtable. And besides, it's extremely difficult to poison an apple. Not that your normal dose of toxins could kill me." She added, chomping down on her apple.
We wandered around the Order, answering Alex's bizarre questions. She'd ask things like "Where's the training room?" or "How about the weapon storage?". She actually seemed disappointed when we said there wasn't a weapon storage. "So what will you do when you get abushed?" She asked, and I remembered the Science Division of the old Order lying on the ground, dead or serverly injured. Alex noticed the change and quickly moved on to another question. "What is that thing you're all wearing? Is it a uniform?" She asked, gesturing to our coats. Allen nodded. "Yeah. All Exorcists get them. Shouldn't we take Alex to see Johnny so he can make her uniform?" He said, looking from me to Lenalee. Lenalee thought for a moment. "We should. I wonder where'd he be right now…" her voice trailed off.
"Johnny Gill is currently at the library along with Section Leader Reever Wenham." Fao said, getting up. I blinked. 'So it can even track our current locations? I wonder who made him?' I mused, and decided to bring it up. "So, who made Fao? He's pretty advanced." I said casually. Alex shrugged. "I did. It wasn't all that hard, really." Our eyes widened. "What?" I exclaimed, and she winced, cupping her right ear. "Next time, if you're going to shout, go do it over there." She said, gesturing to a few meters down. I gave her an apologetic smile. "Sorry. So how old were you when you made Fao?" I asked, and she gave me a wary look. "Why? Are you one of those creeper guys? If you are, be warned. I will snap your neck before you can say 'mouse'." She threatened, and I took a step behind Lenalee for safety.
Allen chuckled, and we kept moving. (Although I kept a few feet's distance from Alex, just in case.) Lenalee watched Alex walked inquisitively, and Alex noticed. She sighed, stopped, and glared at us. "What's the matter now?" She asked, clearly annoyed. Lenalee scratched her chin. "Nothing! I was just wondering why you were wearing boys' clothing, that's all." Lenalee replied nervously, and Alex raised an eyebrow. "Uh, why else does anyone wear clothes? I'm wearing them because I need to and these are more comfortable than all that frilly stuff. Who can go out into battle with a damned corset, stockings, and a petticoat? Besides, dresses and skirts never appealed to me anyway." She muttered, and Lenalee still looked confused.
Alex turned the corner, then scowled. "Where in moonlight* is this library? And why does this place need to be so big?" She growled, and Fao opened his mouth. There was a flash of light, then a holographical image of the Order's bluprints hoovered in the air before us. Alex studied it for a moment, then snapped her fingers. The image disappeared. I blinked in suprise. Not even Timcampi can do that. And he's the most advanced golem I've seen.
After many twists and turns, we arrived at the door to the library. I sweatdropped, remembering the packing incidence. Only God could've saved us from what happened, and at that moment, He just happened to be looking away.
Kuro: Wah! I updated really late! I'm sorry!
But I still haven't gotten any answers yet about the pairings. After three more chapters, I'm going with the original pairings. But I promise to update sooner.
*Basically, Alex's version of 'Where on Earth', but moonlight because 1) she's not from this world and 2) she's a creature of the night.