WARNINGS: adult themes, blood, content subject to change, death, disturbing content, Kanda (language), shounen ai/slash/mild "gayness", violence
So, new warnings have been added, most notably the shounen ai (soft yaoi). I've tweaked with my plans for this fic a bit. No major changes, but I am deciding on pairings. There will be one or two light gay pairings because it makes the story more dynamic and I'd hate to discriminate. The entire world isn't straight, after all; not even back then. Plus, it will really help build interesting minor conflicts throughout the ficlet.
I've also figured some relatively disturbing content in the future, mainly focusing on the relationship and realities between Cross and Maria. Just thought I should warn you.
The adult themes warning has been added because I'm going to expand on the past of certain characters, such as Allen and Lavi. There will be some adult themes in them but nothing so explicit as to warrant an M rating. There will be no smut or sex scenes, only hints at the occurrences.
Also, please make a note that all content is subject to change (example: I just completely revamped Chapter 1). When inflicted with writer's block, I have a tendency of printing out old chappies and editing them at school, fixing typos, and also altering wording, which may affect the story to come. So, if something you read references something you don't recall reading, just know that it is probably something that changed in one of the previous chappies. I will not announce if I have changed anything because everything that is changed, not just for typo and fluency reasons, is for plot development that is meant to be subtle. I don't want to point it out because that would mean giving away my plans (if you're a really good guesser). So, thus, the warning has been issued.
RECAP due to prolonged absence of updates:
Shoving Lavi off poor Johnny, Bookman spoke lowly, using Lavi's background ruckus as a cover: "Johnny, we meet at the docks 3 hours after sundown. Work as a runner and inform the others." After receiving a nod from the other, the panda stalked away, ignoring his apprentice's calls of "panda," "jiji," "old coot," and various other "endearing" titles.
Chapter 9: Stand In the Rain [Superchick]
Word was spread across the town quickly thanks to the dedicated runners sent out. Within just a few hours, all who were to depart on Bak's ship were informed and preparing to discreetly embark. Bak and his crew were prepping as well as dusk drew near, hurrying to be ready to set sail by the time their passengers arrived.
Kanda Yuu, mariner extraordinaire, was heading the operation as Bak finished departure paperwork up in the Captain's cabin. Kanda barked orders, allowing nothing less than swift perfection from the crew. His aura exuded domineering enmity—particularly for the sailor who had tied a half-assed knot that simply did not meet the Asian's standards—but at the same time a strange regal air hung about him; an odd thing considering he was but a sailor. As she observed from the shadows, Lenalee smiled. The Japanese mariner hadn't changed at all.
Deeming it fine to approach, she stepped into the light and headed for her old friend. "Kanda!" she called, grinning warmly.
The man turned sharply at the call. "What?" he immediately snapped. Yup. Hadn't changed at all. Even his residual discourtesy remained the same.
"You never change, do you?" the girl commented lightly. He scowled at her, roughly asking what the hell she wanted. "Well, I was just kinda wondering—"
"No. We're not ready yet. Now get lost until we are," the man snapped, turning back to ordering the crew around.
Lenalee frowned in return. "That's not what I was wondering, baka!" She sighed to cool down. He even still riled her up the same. "I was going to ask if you'd heard from Fou."
The Japanese paused, eyes flicking down in contemplation. "No," he replied after a moment. "I haven't seen her for a while. Why do you think I'm acting as first mate, here? There's nobody else for the job." He released a sharp breath. "We've been hoping she would turn back up but nobody's seen a hide or hair of her since she vanished off the face of the fucking earth." The scowl marring his features grew with each word until he was positively growling.
Eyeing the other, Lenalee nodded slightly. "Well, I'll see if any of our informants knows anything new. They might've caught something your people missed." She ignored his "fucking doubt it" and turned back to the alley to slip back into its ensconcing shadows. "If we catch wind of anything, we'll send a runner right over to you. Bak must be going out of his mind, I know," she called back.
"Yeah, whatever," was his only reply. Lenalee smiled to herself.
"Oh, come now, Marian. Surely you can allow such a small thing?" Maria intoned with a flirty lilt.
"No. And I stand by my decision." He glared at her, daring her to challenge him again.
She happily obliged. "Really? Now, we'll just have to see about that, Marian. After all, it's such a simple little thing you are denying." Her voice suddenly grew sultry. "Wouldn't you agree—"
"Oh, shut up!" Allen snapped from his cot. "I'm in the room, you know!"
"Yeah, yeah, brat. We're perfectly aware. So make good on what cheap skills you have and vanish. We're busy, here."
"Foreplay~" the woman purred, meowing and clawing the air in Cross's general direction.
The white-head glared nauseously at her before turning on the cot and shoving the pillow over his ears, softly singing an inane song to himself in a vain attempt to drown out the innuendo.
Disturbing conversation flitted back and forth across the room, driving the rating higher and higher with each inappropriate phrase, until suddenly Maria cut off midsentence. "What are you singing, Allen?" she abruptly queried. Cross scowled at the end of what was developing into something far more fun than the underdeveloped brat.
Allen quieted and lifted the pillow off his head to send her a confused look. "I don't know. What does it matter?" The woman remained silent. "Maria?" When still no response was generated, the boy sighed, replaced the pillow, and hummed a different tune.
Cross and Maria shared a look weighted with one word: Mana.
As night swept its shadows over the city and its docks, the hired cabbies arrived at their designated pick-up points across the city. Lenalee stood a few blocks east of Leverrier's mansion as Chaoji pulled up cloaked in his darkest attire. "My lady," he murmured, jumping down to stow her bags on top of the carriage. She nodded in thanks. "Any more passengers tonight?" he asked, sending an inquisitive glance for the idea of such a lady alone at night.
"No. I'm the bait so that the Crows don't find the others." She smiled. "It's nice being useful, you know?" Confused, Chaoji nodded politely. "Am I your only rendezvous or will we picking up another group?"
"I'm afraid you'll be riding alone if the others will not be joining you now. I had been expecting a full load from this one stop."
"Ah, my apologies for misleading you, then. The deception was not meant for you, merely the Crows." She smiled disarmingly at him. "Besides, now you get my lovely company all to yourself. Where's the downside in that?"
The cabbie laughed sheepishly. "I don't suppose I see any," he chuckled. "Well, shall we depart?" Opening the door, he held out another hand to help her in. "We should arrive at the docks in less than ten minutes," he informed her and hopped back up on his seat. With a snap of the reins and a quiet "hyah," the carriage set off for the docks.
Inside, Lenalee pulled a small bag out from her oversized sleeve. With a quick glance to ensure that the cabbie was otherwise occupied, she quickly pulled the bag open to withdraw a tiny jar filled with bright yellow paint and a palm-sized paintbrush. She quickly brushed her hand with a light coat. Keeping her eyes riveted on Chaoji, she slowly raised her hand and swiped a trace amount of the paint above the door with her fingertips. Drawing her hand down, she asked, "You wouldn't happen to know which side of the carriage we'll be pulling up on, would you?" When he glanced back, she beamed at him. "I just like to be prepared," she said with a shrug.
The cabbie looked dubious but answered nonetheless: "The left, I believe."
"Left. Well, thank you!" With another smile, she turned away to stare out the other side. He's no doubt lying, she snorted. And so, she waited for an opportunity. Said chance arrived when another carriage passed by and sparked one of Chaoji's horses to engage in a vain flirt. Lenalee, lightning quick, put her hand through the open window and grabbed onto the handle of the left-hand door before withdrawing back inside and leaving behind her mark.
Up on the city's great clock tower, a woman sang a haunting lullaby that spread across the metropolis.
AWI: And so, I know you're all very angry with me (or just don't give a crap) because I haven't updated since… holy crap! February! And you want to know what the worst part is? I've had this chapter half-done since February 17. Yeah. I'm horrible. I have an excuse, though! You see, I started it on a plane, but then I ran out of battery, and then the flight arrived super late, I passed out, forgot that I'd started the chapter, time passed, I finally felt guilty enough to try and write the chapter again, discovered it half-done, and realized that I'd forgotten all my plans for said chapter. So, it's been a hectic ride and I just made everything up. It seems that plans have changed now that I have no clue what I was going for… Sadness…
And PLEASE review! I still haven't received one review for the last chapter! This makes me sad! Also, Vote in the POLL to give your guess on the main antagonist! I'll give you a hint: it's not as obvious as you might think but at the same time it is (helpful, no?).
Word count: 1,165