~*Chapter 8: The Ball and Layla's Resolve*~
"Layla, you okay?"
I looked at Road and saw genuine concern in her eyes. I must have been too quiet.
"Yeah, it's just that... That the Exorcist I met wasn't like I imagined them to be..." I answered as a stared at the wall of my bedroom.
Road and I had been talking after I got back to the Ark. Tyki had gone to report to Millenie, but promised to be back soon. He must have noticed how off I was acting. Damn it. Why did I have to be so sentimental?
Road was quiet for a moment as she thought about something. Her face was carefully blank as she spoke to me.
"Would you rather be with them?"
I snapped my head around so fast I was surprised I didn't get whiplash. I could feel how wide my eyes were as I stared at my adoptive sister. My mouth felt dry as I opened and closed it a few times. This was a rare instance where my breath was taken from me.
"No! I'll never go with them! I-I couldn't..."
I grabbed Road and hugged her, my emotions taking over me. I could never leave her and Tyki and the rest of them. I've already lost my family a time too many. Just the mere thought of losing them almost brought me to tears.
Great, why did I have to remember my past yesterday? It always made it hard to control my emotions.
"It's okay, Layla. We won't leave you or hurt you. We aren't like those sub-humans."
I felt Road's small arms wrap around me and pat my back. She whispered reassuring words in my ear like she was comforting a small child. I didn't mind, though. It felt like it had been an eternity since someone had done such a thing. I felt tears well up and threaten to spill over. It was times like this that I wish I had amnesia and couldn't remember even my name.
"You should sleep," Road said gently. It was also times like this that reminded me of Road's real age.
I shook my head. "They'll appear in my dreams, those memories. Please don't make me." Oh Lord, I sounded like a little kid.
Road pulled back slightly and smiled at me reassuringly. "Then I'll just have to stay with you and make sure they don't."
I could feel my body relaxing slightly. If Road stayed here, maybe it wouldn't be so bad. Maybe the nightmares would stay away. Maybe, just maybe, cruel faces and familiar blood wouldn't haunt my dreams.
I let Road push me gently onto my back as she stood from the bed. The warm blankets covered me, and Road layed beside me holding my hand. I vaguely remembered something like this happening before almost a year ago. It brought me comfort that she would be willing to stay by my side. After all, the Noahs rarely care for anyone that wasn't their family.
I mentally shook my head. 'No,' I thought. 'I'm not just another sub-human now. We are family.'
A sleepy smile lit up my face as my eyes slowly closed. I could see Road smile back kindly, and that was the last thing I saw before sleep took me away in its gentle embrace.
Maybe... Maybe I wouldn't have to deal with the past for a while.
-~*The next morning*~-
I woke up to feeling the presence of the Earl in my room. The first thing I thought was 'Why did I dream of pineapples dancing the samba?'
That was the weirdest dream ever. I blame Road for it. Now I will never be able to look at Millenie without thinking about a him with bunny ears dancing with pineapples. Thank you oh-so-much, dear sister of mine. And screw you.
"Oh, you're finally awake Layla-chan~! Did you sleep well~?"
The Earl's strange voice brought me out of my strange thoughts. I thought about various things for a second before replying,
"Good. But I blame Road if I start laughing madly if pineapples and bunny ears are brought into a conversation."
Right then and there, I wished I had some way to capture the Earl's greatest 'WTF' look. It made me want to laugh. Hard. That was probably the most defined look of extreme confusion and weirded-outness he has ever had. Not including those when he actually looks like a human. But those weren't as funny because he didn't have to keep that enormous grin on his face all the time.
"Well, I suppose it's time for you to get up~" he said, sounding a little strained. Probably still wondering what in the seven hells I meant by my statement.
I gave the large man a slight smile. "Okay, but I'm not to be blamed if Devi and 'Dero annoy me more than usual and suffer more intense punishment~!"
The Earl's smile returned to normal as he chuckled. He nodded at me and headed out of the room so I could get dressed. A gentleman, as always. And I need to stop thinking about every little thing that comes to mind.
I slipped off of my black-sheeted bed and slowly made my way to my wardrobe. I opened the wooden doors and peered at my relatively large collection of clothes- most of which were dresses. I carefully took out a black shirt with long, large sleeves and a deep crimson ribbon around the midsection. I also chose a crimson skirt that reached just above my knees, black and grey knee socks, and doll shoes like Road's. I sometimes think our tastes are too similar.
After slipping on my apparel- as well as the choker I had received from Lulu- I skipped out of my room and to the dining room. I met no one on the white streets of the Ark until I was two-thirds of the way to my destination.
"Lero! What are you doing here?" I asked curiously. The umbrella golem rarely left the Earl's side.
"Ah! Layla, Lero! I was looking for Earl-sama after he disappeared, Lero!"
I tipped my head to the side slightly as I grabbed Lero's handle. "Oh~ Millenie was just in my bedroom waking me up. I think he went ahead to the dining room."
Lero went quiet for a moment. He obviously didn't think of the Earl going there. This was why the little pumpkin amuses me.
"By the way; Lero, what time is it?"
The golem snapped out if his thoughts. "Oh, it's around midday, Lero. You've slept for almost half a day, Lero."
The rest of the walk was quiet. Lero didn't complain since I let him rest against my shoulder instead of twirling him around, and I thought of various things. One of those being the best way to get bloodstains off of clothes. And what the Earl was hiding under his ridiculous top hats. Such are the thoughts of the slightly insane.
Almost too quickly, I arrived at the doors leading to one of my favorite rooms in the Ark. I opened them with a bright smile, and was greeted by the sight of most of my family doing their own thing. Millenie was sitting quietly-no doubt watching the rest of us- while the twins made a spectacle of themselves. Wisely had his eyes closed and was quiet as he probably tried to filter out the twins' bickering. Lulubell was curled up on her seat in cat form as Skinn ate various candies. Finally, Road was forcing Tyki to help her with her schoolwork. Sheryl was nowhere to be found, but that was expected.
Road waved at me from her seat. "Oh, good morning Layla! Do you wanna help me with my homework? Tyki's an idiot."
"Hey, I am not!" Tyki said indignantly.
I rolled my eyes as I looked at the work. "Tyki, yes you are. The answer to everything is not 42. This isn't even math- it's history."
The table was quiet for a few seconds before Devi and 'Dero fell on the floor laughing. They obviously thought Tyki's answers were hilarious. Sometimes I wonder if anyone around here other than Millenie has a coherent thought process.
Tyki scoffed. "Well then, girl, what is the answer to this?"
My savior shoved a paper in my face in a very childish manner. Looking at it closely, I saw it had various math problems on it. One of them was circled, and I looked at the equation. It was (4+7) • [(8-9)+32] = ?
"Hmm, if I do this... And add... It equals..." I mumbled.
The Road watched me in curiosity as my face lit up and a triumphant grin spread across my lips.
"The answer is 42! Wait..."
Tyki smirked. "See, what'd I tell you? Forty-two is always the answer."
I pouted. "Not fair! That was a coincidence! And if a certain number is the answer to anything, then it has to be eight!"
The rest of the table was silent for a moment.
"Elaborate," Tyki said thoughtfully.
I smiled slyly. "Look! This is the figure for eight," I drew an '8' on a blank sheet of paper. "And this is the symbol for infinity," I turned the paper so the previous figure was on its side.
I swear I've never heard the Noahs this quiet before. That was before Tyki snapped his fingers, of course.
"Ah, that makes sense!"
It was then quiet until the Akuma servants brought lunch to the table. I think I just made something break with my explanation. Either that or the Noahs- excluding Tyki- were thinking that it was a bad decision to let the gentleman hobo take care of me. Oh well.
"So, Millenie~" Road said in an attempt to disperse the unusual quiet. "You said something was going to happen tonight that all of us have to attend?"
The Earl snapped out of his reverie. "Ah, yes~ Thank you for reminding me, Road~!" The man cleared his throat. "Tonight we will be attending a ball~ Everyone is required to attend, except for Jesdevi. I have a mission for them~"
All of a sudden, the table erupted in chatter.
"Aw, but I don't like balls. They're boring!" Whined Road.
"Yay, we don't have to go, hii!" Yelled Jasdero
Devitto cheered. "Whoo-hoo! We don't have to wear dressy pants!"
"You two are so simple," commented Wisely.
Skinn stayed quiet and continued to eat his candy.
Lulubell yawned and jumped into Millenie's lap. "Will Layla attend as well, Earl-sama?"
The Earl chuckled. "Yes, Layla will be attending as well."
I heard a whistle from where Tyki was sitting. "Oh~? This will be interesting. I'm actually looking forward to this party."
I groaned and let my head hit the table with a dull thud. "Shut up, Master Hobo."
"Hey!" Tyki yelled as the twins laughed.
Road came over and patted my head. "I'll tell you something to make it easier. Just imagine massacring all the annoying people in the most painful and bloody ways!"
My face went slack for a moment before twisting into an eerie grin. "Good idea, Road~! Now I'm kinda looking forward to his thing!"
Road and I giggled darkly as the rest of the table backed away slightly. The Earl's smile stretched wider as he looked at us.
"You can imagine whatever you wish, but remember that you can't make your fantasies real~"
I crossed my arms and sighed. "Fine~ I'll do my best not to maul someone. But I can't promise anything about the humans I may meet after the event!"
The Earl stood up and made his way to the door. As he passed Road and I, he patted our heads and chuckled. I took that as a sign that any humans that weren't coming to the ball were okay to maul. 'Oh hey, that rhymed!'
The rest of us quickly finished eating and went our sesperate ways. Well, except for me and Road. She insisted that I go to the house that she, Sheryl, and her 'mother' shared. At first I was reluctant because I had never met the woman that stood by Sheryl's side before. But you can never say no to Road- she always gets what she wants. Sometimes I wonder if she's really been around for over 35 years.
Road created one of her doors that led to the mansion she stayed in when not at the Ark. I had to admit, the place was impressive. Living in the Ark made the large mansion seem small, however. But nevertheless, it was a place fit for a minister.
"Oh! Road and Layla-chan, you're early!"
My head turned towards the voice that called us. There, standing in the doorway, was a woman who was quite beautiful. She had fair hair and skin, and wore a long Victorian dress. She seemed fragile, like she could break easily.
"Hello mother. How are you feeling?" asked Road in her human form. When did she change, anyway?
The woman- whose name was Tricia, as told by Sheryl- smiled. "I'm feeling fine, if a little weak." She turned to me, and I swear that my heart almost stopped. She looked so much like... No, I can't think of that.
"How are you, Layla-chan? It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Road has told me how close you two are."
I put on my mask and smiled like I had perfected so long ago. "I am fine, Mrs. Kamelot. The pleasure is all mine," I bowed slightly, the smile still plastered on my face.
The woman- I found it hard to call her familiarly- led us inside to a large room that I assumed to be the main area. There were expensive looking couches and chairs, as well as a hearth that seemed to have been used recently. The room gave off a warm feeling that made my throat feel tight with remembrance. I felt Road pull me over to a deep grey couch and sit beside me.
"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked me with concern lacing her voice.
I was silent for a moment. "No... She, she reminds me too much of my mother..." I choked out.
I felt the Noah of Dreams pet my head comfortingly like she would always do after I had a particularly nasty nightmare. We sat like that for a while, in comfortable silence as the distant sound of maids and butlers preparing for the ball kept us company. After what seemed like hours, I felt another, familiar presence enter the room. I jumped from the couch, ran to the opening door, and jumped onto the unsuspecting person.
"Tyki~!"
"Oof!"
Both Tyki and I ended up as a pile on the floor. There was a silence until Road burst into a fit of giggles. Tyki groaned from under me.
"Did you have to tackle hug me? Can't you ever greet me normally?" he said breathlessly.
I giggled. "Nope! And what exactly is a normal greeting supposed to be? Scratch that; what exactly is considered normal in this family besides insanity and bloodlust?"
Tyki opened his mouth, but shut it again. "Good point."
"Oh, Tyki! You're here," said Tricia from the door way leading to... Somewhere.
Tyki smiled as he got to his feet, me still clinging to him. "Hello, Tricia. How are you?"
"I'm fine. It seems like we've gained another Road, doesn't it?" Amusement was evident in her voice as she looked at me clinging to Tyki in the same way Road clings to the Earl.
I sometimes think that maybe I've been picking up too many of her habits.
The Noah of Pleasure groaned. "You have absolutely no idea. It's like someone cloned her and named the copy Layla!"
Tricia laughed as Road and I giggled.
"Well, Layla and I are gonna go to my room to pick out an dress for the ball." Road turned to me. "I have some things that'll look great on you!"
I groaned as Road dragged me from the room. "Not another game of dress up!"
-~*Right before the ball at dusk*~-
I walked with Road and Tyki to the ballroom where the event would be held. From almost right after lunch till dusk, my adoptive sister made me dress up in God knows how many outfits. I really need to get her a new doll that doesn't die so quickly.
I wore a long, gothic-Victorian black dress that reached my ankles. The front was open to a golden-amber material that almost matched my eyes. The sleeves were long and had ruffles that covered most of my hands, and the neck was rectangular and stopped a little below my collar bone. On my neck was a black choker with an amber jewel hanging from it. Part of my deep brown-black hair was tied into a bun at the back of my head and pulled some of he locks away from my face. The rest fell freely down my back.
Road was in a dress similar to mine, except that the amber was a deep purple, the black was a light lavender, and it fell a little below her knees. She wore black doll shoes while I wore slight heels, and her spiky hair was free.
Tyki, meanwhile, wore his usual tuxedo albeit a little dressier. That is why I dislike males somewhat. They can just wear the same thing every day and look great while us girls have to sit in front of the mirror for half an hour.
Soon, we arrived at the place where the ball was being held. I could hear the humans talking and laughing. No doubt talking how much better they were and flaunting their riches. How stupid.
Tyki opened the large doors and I was met with a sight unlike any other. Beautifully dressed men and women chatted and danced in the grand ballroom. Musicians played merry tunes on an array if instruments. I couldn't help but think how beautiful it sounded. Children my age and older laughed and talked in one corner away from the dancing adults. I must admit, I would be infatuated by some of them if I was a normal girl. Too bad for them that I'm not normal.
Nevertheless, I greeted each person who spoke to me with a smile that could fool anyone who didn't know me. I could see some of the younger boys looking at Road and I. For what reason, I had no idea.
Road grabbed my hand. "Come on, Layla! Lets go meet the others," she said as she led me towards a group of children.
"Ah! W-wait, I don't think-" I protested in vain.
In seconds we were with the small group. They greeted Road and glanced at me with curiosity.
One dark-haired, blue-eyed girl decided to voice what everyone was thinking. "Who's this, Road?"
Road gave me a smile and gestured for me to introduce myself. I took a slight breath ad gave a small, charming smile. For some reason, some of the boys blushed.
"Nice to meet you, my name is Layla Belcross." I curtsied slightly as I introduced myself.
One of the boys nervously smiled to me. "Nice to meet you, Layla. I'm Mark Nightingale."
I nodded and pretended to be interested in all those humans who introduced themselves to me. Oh how I wanted to slit their throat and make them shut up. They boasted about their parents' statuses and power and wealth, and they sickened me how they rode on their parents' names. I could practically feel my disgust for the human race growing as they went on about their expensive toys and large houses- which, I must add, paled in comparison to the Ark.
It took all my restraint to not kill them then and there and keep that damn smile on my face. The only thing that kept me from doing that were the scenarios of their gruesome deaths that I made up in my head. Well that and Road's promise to go to town tomorrow if I manage to make it through this.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a familiar back. Seeing this as the chance to escape, I ran towards the person gracefully and hugged them from behind.
"Onii-sama! I was wondering where you were!" I exclaimed with a pout.
Tyki turned his head to me with surprise evident on his face. Probably because I called him 'onii-sama'. What does he expect? We're in a public place and it would look rude to just call him Tyki.
All of a sudden, he put on his signature shit-eating grin. I just knew that I was going to punch him later.
"Layla-hime, there you are! I was wondering where you and Road ran off to." Yep, totally going to punch him. Maybe with a fork.
"Oh? Who's this, Lord Tyki?" Asked a blond who was hanging all over the Noah. How vulgar. Bloody bitch.
I struggled to keep the smile on my face for this... Thing. "Hello, miss. I'm Layla Belcross, Tyki-nii-sama's adoptive sister."
The woman smiled, but I knew it was as fake as mine. She cooed over how 'cute' I was. We'll see how cute it is when I break the arm that's hanging a little too low on my Tyki. I could tell she was ready for me to go away. Getting irritated at the dumb woman, I put on my best 'You-can't-refuse-me-I'm-too-cute' face and puppy dog eyes. Sometimes I'm glad I'm a talented actor.
"Pretty miss, can I please have a dance with my onii-sama? I haven't been able to play with him much recently, and I miss him."
I saw the woman weakening, just like I planned. I kept up my facade until the woman finally gave in and let me lead my dear 'onii-sama' away from her. When we were finally able to escape to the balcony, Tyki leaned on the railing and sighed.
"Thanks imouto. Even if I'm the Noah of Pleasure, women like that make me want to kill them where they stand. I would never let my Tease anywhere near 'em"
I looked away from my adoptive brother. "Hmph. She was a bloody bitch. Hangin' all over you like that."
I heard him snort. "You jealous?" I could practically hear the smirk in Tyki's voice.
"Maybe," I said without looking at him. "You're my brother; my savior. I'm not about to let some impudent wench like that...thing hang all over you."
I felt a hand pat my head suddenly, and looked over at Tyki. He was smiling, and I smiled back. Even if Road and I are close, Tyki and I will be the closest. I'm not sure how this happened, but I'm happy it did.
It was also a plus that I got to do whatever my insanity asks me to do because the Noahs wish to wipe out the human race. Oh, the joys of being slightly mad.
I heard Tyki sigh as he looked up at the half moon hanging in the sky. "Well, I guess I should go back out there. The Earl will have my hide if he finds out I skipped." He looked over his shoulder as he began to leave. "You coming, brat?"
I huffed. "Be there in a minute, Tyki-pon. I need some more air."
I heard him say something along the lines of "Have it your way. And stop calling me Tyki-pon, you damn brat!" Hah. I am never gonna stop calling him that. I'm also going to punch him later for various reasons.
As I stood on the balcony under the moon, the sounds of the ball I had abandoned barely reached my ears. The night breeze blew my hair slightly as I thought about various things ranging from somber to ridiculous. 'Why the hell did I think about that dream with the pineapples again?'
I thought back to the mission in Mater, and to The Exorcist that had shattered my previous prejudice to pieces. Allen Walker. The Monochrome Clown. My opposite and the bane of my existence. He was so kind even though he had lost everything. He had stood through the insanity and came out saner than I could ever be.
Why? Why were we so different? I can't understand it. I hate it. I... I want him to die. Even if its petty, I want the pure Exorcist to be stained red. I'm still childish, and I hate that there is someone who has been through something similar to me yet turned out for the better.
I think my hatred for the Exorcists has grown even more. And the Samurai Bishounen- what was his name again?- fueled my hatred more. He was so cold and heartless. I hate them. I hate them all. He's just like the other humans.
'Aren't you one as well?' A voice whispered in the back of my mind.
I paused. Yes, I am human. I am not a Noah, and will never be one. No matter how close we are, I can never be one of them. But I acknowledge this. I acknowledge and hate that I am human and am subject to the same stupid emotions as them.
'Then why do you wish to kill them all?'
I looked at the moon as I pondered this. Because they hated me for something I could not control. Hated me for simply being born. Killing my precious people just because they knew me. Turned on them just because they cared for me.
'Why do you wish to kill that boy? He has done you no harm.'
He is everything that I'm not, yet we're the similar at the same time. His heart is pure, with a spot of black for those who hurt his precious people. My heart is black, with a spot of white for my precious people. Don't all humans want to kill their counterpart?
'Then why do you follow the Noah when they could very well turn on you for simply being human?'
Because they saved me. Because for the moment, they give me purpose. For the moment, they keep me safe and sane. And if I am to be killed, I hope it would be by one of their hands.
'... I accept your reasons.'
I felt myself stumble as I felt lightheaded. I slid to the floor and felt darkness coming to claim me. Not feeling like resisting, I let the dark carry me into unconsciousness.
-~*At the Black Order*~-
Hevlaska shuddered. She felt the Innocence crying. Crying for the One Who Fell. They were sad and scared. Scared of what the one who held the One Who Fell would do and when she would come for them.
"The Angel... The One Who Fell has accepted her..."
Hevlaska turned her face upward as a substance that resembled tears fell down her cheeks. She cried. Cried for the Angel who lost her way. Cried for her lost humanity. Cried because the Innocence were meant to protect the very race that made her fall.
"Hevlaska?"
The large being turned her head towards Komui who had come down with Allen. She turned her face upwards once more.
"She has completely fallen... Beware, Destroyer of Time... She wishes to help drive this world to insanity... She will attempt to chain you... Black and white will turn to grey, and grey to red..."
Komui's eyes widened. 'That prophecy from a year ago... And now...'
The man's head turned to Allen who looked shocked and confused. What did this all mean?
'I have a very bad feeling...'
Zera: Yeah, I know, sorry for keeping ya waiting. I had MAJOR author's block on this. And Layla seems to be emotionally unstable. :3
Layla: Shut up! I'm twelve and I've been through a ton! *huffs* I wanna go play with Monochrome-kun. *mutters*
Tyki: *ruffles Layla's hair*
Layla: Why do you always do that?! *hold head* I am surrounded by loonies!
Raizel: like you have room to talk. -_-
Road: R&R! OR FACE MY SUGAR-HIGH WRATH! *laughs hysterically while running on the ceiling*
