The smells of the previous day's affairs lingered in the basement. The state of the operating table telling its own tale. Dried blood smearing a majority of it. The faint sight of sweat leaving traces of drying salt. Traces of iodine lining the sides of the table as a blanket draped over half the table. An empty IV bag, tools out of order, the operating table in the condition it was left in, a trash bin full of blood and iodine soaked gauze. All of it left a cryptic scene in Lisanna's mind. She could only imagine how many times that table must have looked like that in the past. "Looks like I made a bit of mess, huh sweet cheeks?" Bickslow laughed out. She faked a smile at him, as he began pulling out various cleaners and sterilizers from various cabinets in the room. He tossed her a pair of gloves before removing the blanket from the operating table and spraying down a series of cleaners. "Mind helpin' me get some of these put away?" he said as he opened an autoclave, gesturing at the surgical tools. Lisanna nodded and began handing him the tools. As she grabbed a pair of scissors, stained lightly, she quietly asked the Seith, in a voice that sounded as though it pitied the recipient,"Bickslow. Are you really not bothered by what's going to happen to you if you die?" Smiling as he put the tools in the sterilizer, he responded "When sweet cheeks. Not 'if', and nah. Not anymore. When I was a kid, it made me cry. I was pretty damn scared. I didn't wanna sleep because of it. Use to have nightmares about what would happen. Got older, and learned to just 'accept my fate', if ya will." Picking up a scalpel, she then asked, "Is there really nothing you can do to stop that? It doesn't seem fair. You aren't doing anything wrong." Bickslow's smile left his face as he gently grabbed the tool from Lisanna,"That's the furthest thing from the truth. I've done a lot of things. Still do a lot of things." As he shut the autoclave, Lisanna snapped out,"Yeah, but that's for the better! Evil souls shouldn't be allowed to exist! They are ruining people's lives!" Bickslow grabbed a few paper towels and as he wiped down the soaked table, in a dark voice quietly responded. "You think playing god is for the better? Ya think somehow getting involved in 'spiritual warfare' and removing souls or demons is okay?" She stared at him. Unsure of how to respond. He didn't look up at her as he continued. "...it's not. We humans have no fuckin' business meddling in that business." She blinked before asking him, "Than why do it Bickslow?" Finishing up the table, he stood up straight, smiling down at the youngest Strauss as he tossed away the last of the papertowels. "'Cause someone's gotta do it. And if you're blessed with the curse to do it, why not? Just be glad I'm on your side most of the time."
Bickslow picked the blanket up off the ground as he walked around to another part of the room. Loading the blanket into a washer. Lisanna took the IV bag off the hanger, tossing it into the trash bin. "Where did you manage to find blood for a transfusion Bickslow? Don't you need to work in a hospital?" After he had started the washer, he walked over to her. "Ya probably don't wanna know sweet cheeks. Ain't exactly the nicest conversation to have" he then muttered "...I was hoping to not have to use a transfusion last night. But between that stupid bitch who tried to take you over, and that demon asshole. Didn't have a choice..." as he proceeded to curse the woman he had exorcised. "Do you always need to do a transfusion when you exorcise things?" Lisanna asked, genuinely curious. "Sometimes. Just depends on how pissed off what ever it is I'm dealin' with is...or if something else causes me to start bleeding. Generally speaking though, it only lasts for about an hour or two. Makes me a little woozy sometimes." She looked down. Feeling a bit guilty about being the cause of it all. "I should have never opened the door" she thought to herself. Suddenly, she felt Bickslow's weight on her head. He rested an elbow on the top of her head. "Don't even worry about it sweet cheeks." the seith mage said, smiling at her "shit happens. Gotta get more blood though. That was my last one bag." A fake smile cracked its way across her face as he got eye level with her. With Bickslow now in her face, she was forced to look him in the eye, noticing his pupils fluctuating again. A smirk crossed his face "You can lie to anyone in the world with that smile of yours sweet cheeks, but you aren't gonna fool me". Before giving her a chance to respond, he grabbed her, flipping her over his shoulder before dashing up the stairs with her.
When he reached the top of the stairs, Bickslow turned out the lights, kicking the door closed before walking into the living room. He stood there for a moment and laughed as he began to groan. Lisanna laughed, as she realized that the seith was immediately regretting moving so quickly with such fresh wounds. "I bet you feel pretty smart now Bickslow." she laughed at him. "Feelin' like a goddamn genius now" he responded as he slowly leaned over, placing her gently on the couch before slouching and shaking off the pain. His totems immediately coming over and mimicking the action as they repeated "goddamn genius", earning them a look of annoyance from Bickslow. They then proceeded to turn their attention to Lisanna, bombarding her and crowding her as they all attempted to find a proper place to sit and balance on her. All determined to be in her lap. "You flirty little bastards" Bickslow snapped at them. As if completely insulted by him, they all began bumping into him. Poppo and Pippi alternating which one of them bumped into his head, while Pappa and Peppe bumped him on the arms and legs. Puppu making attempts to hit the seith in a rather, delicate area.
"I REFUSE TO NEGOTIATE WITH TERRORISTS!" shouted Bickslow as he was slowly being overtaken by the totems, laying down on his side on the living room floor before he began playing dead. The totems all stopped their assault on him, all of them hovering near his face, inching closer and closer to him slowly. The house fell silent as Bickslow lay there. He then shouted, "BOO" at all the totems, sending them all flying in every direction as they squealed delightfully. He laughed happily as he sat up, his totems wasting no time demanding they receive hugs and special attention. Lisanna smiled at the sight. She would have never guessed that such a psychotic looking person could look even remotely human. She giggled at the site, feeling a slight tension in her chest as she did.
She watched Bickslow as he played various games sitting on the floor with his totems. The games were absolute nonsense at times. He would point at one of them, and it would topple over or do a flip, or even dash around the house. Other times, he would say a sentence in an attempt to get them to repeat the whole thing. Occasionally they would. Usually they would only grasp the last word. Another game consisting of them having a staring contest as he would make a ridiculous faces at them, making the totems giggle out. Bickslow and his small family of totems continued on like this for quite a while. Given the lack of day light outside from their very skewed schedule, Lisanna wasn't accurately able to even gauge time correctly. She wanted to look outside the windows to at least view the sky. However, the previous night's encounters had her hesitant to do so. While she sat their lost in her own thoughts, staring at the window, Bickslow had been watching her. Able to see the longing to go outside. Looking like a trapped animal in a cage. She felt to her, what was a gentle poking on the head. She looked back over, her eyes meeting Bickslow's. "Ya wanna go outside sweet cheeks?" he asked her. She nodded slowly, letting a smile creep across her face before responding. "I do...but..." cutting her off mid-sentence, he rose quickly to his feet "But nothin'. C'mon. Go get dressed." A nervous looked crossed her face. She did want to go out badly, but didn't want to be around what ever those things that were that existed outside of his home. "Get up sweet cheeks" Bickslow smirked, as hit totems began pushing her on the back, forcing her up to her feet. They continued their barrage until she was in the room. She smiled at them, and shut the door.
Lisanna opened up her make shift bag, finding a pair of shorts and a light sweater, she put them both on. Quickly running her fingers through her hair. Wishing she had a mirror to use. She saw Bickslow's mask on the mantle, and used her reflection in the mask to fix her hair a bit. When she felt she looked decent enough, she smiled. Feeling as though she were going on some grand adventure. Looking over, she noticed the moth in the frame. Picking it up, she carried it with her. Admiring the shades of brown and red that covered most of the wings with a thin lavender and gray stripe running down them. The bright white spots that were placed near the middle of the wings almost seeming to glow as they reflected any and all light they picked up. Reaching back into her bag, she fished out a pair of flats, putting them on, before opening the door and walking out of the room. "Hey Bickslow!" she shouted down the hall as she walked, still looking at the moth "This was in my stuff. Where did you find this? It's beautiful." Without changing his smiling expression, he walked up to her, taking it from her hands gently. "...this isn't hers..." he thought to himself. Realizing that she'd likely never seen the object before in her life. It was hanging on her wall. A bigger smile flashed across his face. "...looks like something else think ya need to be around Lisanna Strauss..." Looking up at her, he responded. "Found it. Thought it looked interesting." He then carefully set the moth on an empty space on his shelf.
He looked her up and down for a moment. Her wounds now all beginning to look far less intrusive on her pale skin as they were healing. The root connecting her soul to her aura, appearing to develop strong threads, connecting more of itself back to her. "Stop staring weirdo" she laughed out. Blinking quickly at her, he laughed out, "Says the one who stares the worst." They headed towards the back patio door before Lisanna stopped them. "Wait...what about those...things. Those manifestations?" His tongue fell out of his mouth as he remarked "I'll show ya something. I got it under control." As he reached for the handle, Lisanna shouted out again. "WAIT!" Smiling in an annoyed fashion he looked back at her. "What now sweet cheeks?" She then pointed at him. "Aren't you going to put on clothes or something? You're just wearing sweats." Rolling his eyes, he walked towards the bedroom. Shutting the door, before opening it again. Gesturing at his feet, he was now wearing shoes. She giggled at him as he walked back over, opening the patio door. The air from the world outside filling her lungs with happiness and fear. Extending a hand out to her, Bickslow grabbed hers. She hesitantly grabbed hold as he pulled her outside. Nervousness starting to loom over her. "Relax sweet cheeks. I'm here."
She was able to clearly see dark shadows and figures beginning to form in the corners of her vision. Lingering in the shadows of anything that cast one. Her breathing was becoming labored as fear was slowly beginning to creep its way into her mind. Bickslow turned her around to face him. "Hey. Relax. See how they are way the fuck over there? They are a lot more reluctant to come over." Trying to slow her breathing she asked him "Why?" Pointing to his mark, he laughed out. "Well, they just watched their friend get smoked out permanently, and they watched her fail at taking you down. An easy target as far as they're concerned. Even evil recognizes when it needs to formulate a new plan." Lisanna turned back around. Watching the manifested figures closely. They were definitely there, but they weren't moving closer. Just standing ominously. A thought crept into her mind, and she jolted her body forward in the direction of one of them. The figure backing up quickly. She tried it to another figure, and she got the same reaction. A smile then crept over her face, turning into her cat form, she quickly bounded towards another figure, growling at it as she did. Laughing as it retracted. She was turning around quickly, and bounding towards any that appeared in her vision. Bickslow leaned against his home, reaching for a cigarette in his pocket, lighting it and taking a drag. Watching her act just as insanely as he once did as a child, or perhaps acting as he still acts. Learning about what fears truly were. Learning about how strong a person can be with just a fraction of belief in themselves. The sight made him smile. Focusing his eyes to view her soul again, he could see the bright flashes of blue dancing happily. All layers in sync with itself. The occasional sliver of green and red surfacing again, before disappearing. The roots of her soul starting to reach and expand slowly. Changing back to her true form, she smiled, flopping heavily onto the grass. Arms extending to her sides. Staring into the sky, she could see the moon as it was beginning its decent west. Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes, she smiled as she accepted the embrace the tiny blades of grass offered.
Bickslow continued watching her quietly. The smoke from his cigarette, climbing higher into the air. As he sat there, a dark figure manifested quickly. He immediately turned his attention to it. "Get up sweet cheeks". Lisanna sat up, noticing the figure looming in the shadows. This one was different than the others, something she immediately realized. It began walking towards her slowly, still fully embraced by shadows. She watched it, frozen in place. "Stop staring at it and get up." Bickslow said to her, no longer leaning against the home. She slowly stood up, and no sooner than she was on her feet, did the figure sprint towards her. Her stomach dropping at the sight. Crossing into the light, the figure showed its true colors. The figures skin appearing gray and writhing clinging to nothing more than bone while a static energy radiated around it. It's face, lacking in any features. Bickslow immediately ran towards Lisanna, placing himself directly in front of her. She screamed out at the figure "Go away!" causing it to pause momentarily. It breathed heavily as it stood there, facing the two mages. In his peripherals, Bickslow could see the previous figures Lisanna had been toying with begin to creep in as her focus was on the current manifestation in front of them. With breaking his stare at the figure in front of them, he reached behind him, moving Lisanna forward to stand by his side. She was sinking in on herself. Bickslow placed a hand on her lower back, pushing her forward slightly. The figure weaved its head, alternating which one of them it was looking at. The other figures no longer daring to take a step closer. As quiet as a mouse, Lisanna again told the manifestation in front of her to "go away". Focusing its attention solely on her, a deep laugh could be heard leaving its body as it stepped towards her. She stood her ground for a moment before taking a step backwards. The moment she did, everything shined a bright green and unearthly scream ringing in her ears. She felt Bickslow standing in front of her, backing her up slowly back to the patio, until she was pressed between him and the patio door. "Open the door please sweet cheeks." She immediately did so, dashing inside, watching as Bickslow slowly back into the home.
Cigarette still in his mouth, Bickslow stood a few feet from the door in his home, leaving the door open. The gray figure standing just on the other side. "Do it" Bickslow snapped out at the figure. His arms gesturing for the creature to step inside before crossing over his chest. A maniacal smile dividing his face. As if hesitant, the figure stood there. Mocking the manifestation, Bickslow took another drag off his cigarette, before flicking it at the figure, hitting it in the chest. "I said do it ya fuckin' coward" Bickslow said, his gaze never leaving its face. The figure reached its arm in, grabbing him by the throat. The smell of burning immediately filled the air as the figures arm began to smoke. Its skin peeling back as it burned. It retracted its arm immediately letting out another unearthly scream. Cradling its arm, it turned its gaze back on Bickslow as the seith laughed out "Please" as another bright green flash filled the area, and the figure appeared to drop into the Earth. Laughing to himself, Bickslow shut the door.
"That was really good sweet cheeks!" Bickslow said as he got down to her level, smiling at her. Lisanna was visibly a bit shaken."W-what?" Patting her back a bit harder than he'd meant, he complimented her again. "Ya did well. Scared the little shits, and stood up to that idiot." Shaking her head she responded. "What? Are you kidding me? That thing still tried to get me!" Nodding his head he didn't deny what she said. "You're right. It did try. Key word there bein' try. Ya made it nervous. It wouldn't have stopped otherwise. I'd say that a job well done sweet cheeks." She thought on the statement for a moment before smiling. "Yeah. Yeah I guess you're right haha! Why did it smolder when it reached in the house though?" Bickslow smiled "Because it's stupid enough to think it can reach in a purified house, just like its dumbass friend yesterday. They can't reach in here." A light registered in her head. Realizing that the woman from yesterday must have begun having the issues she did because she was foolish enough to come in. The thought then brought her to the demon that entered. "Wait, if they can't get in, how did that demon thing get in." Bickslow's smiled turned into wide eyed annoyance. "Because it's an asshole and is a lot ballsier. That things gonna be a fun little thing to deal with. I can use any oils and herbs I want to purify an area, but with assholes like that, ya gotta play on their level 'cause they do not give a shit. By the way. Ya hungry yet 'cause I am!" Standing there a bit stunned at the sudden change of conversation, Lisanna nodded. "Fantastic!" he said as he walked to the kitchen and started preparing a meal for them.
Their meal was nothing huge. A simple salad with toasted breads, and some fruits and of course, that horrible tea. As composed as ever, Bickslow finished his meal. It was one of the few times, Lisanna saw the man being what others considered normal. She genuinely couldn't help watching him. She on the other hand, likely looked like an animal with her food. "MMMkay sweet cheeks. You. Eyes. Daggers." Laughing at him she poked fun at him as he staked up their dishes and took them away. "Oh please Bickslow. It cannot be that bad" opening her eyes wider as if it make her stare more powerful. Noticing that, he cringed. "Why? Why're ya doin' this to me sweet cheeks. Do you seriously wanna play the 'stare at the most handsome guy on the planet game? Like, I get it, but c'mon." Lisanna laughed at him as he pouted around the kitchen. "Well if you're really the most handsome guy on the planet, then you should be used to stares." He shook his head "Not the point! Now c'mon. We are going to bed early. Preferably before the damn birds wake up. We've got things to do tomorrow. I'm sure everyone at the guilds been missin' ya too." She laughed at him as she got up and followed him to the bedroom.
Removing her shoes as she entered the bedroom, she grabbed her pajama shorts and another tank top to wear before walking into the bathroom to change. She could hear Bickslow on the other side of the door, opening a dresser drawer, shuffling about, and what she imagined was doing his nightly rituals. When she was finished in the bathroom, she opened the door. Bickslow had already turned out the light, and was merely waiting for his turn. The candle light from the diffuser burning the water and oil away lighting the area slightly. She awkwardly walked out and made her way to the bed as she tucked herself in. Shortly after, Bickslow exited the bathroom. Moving the blankets out of the way before planting himself face down into the sheets. He took a breath in and closed his eyes. Lisanna rolled to her side, watching him carefully. Disappointingly, he was facing the other way. She was becoming accustomed to seeing his features when they were relaxed. Something she's sure very few had seen. "...you're really gonna do this Lisanna. You're actually gonna do this to me now? Ya know this isn't a game you're gonna win, right?" She smiled. "If it's anything like the games you play with the babies, I think I'll be fine." Turning his head to face her, a smile split his face. "Oh you really think so?" She nodded as Bickslow gestured for her to sit up. "Okay sweet cheeks. This is a simple game. Rules. Whoever breaks their stare, loses. You can blink. But you can't look away. We do this for 30 seconds reason being? After 30 seconds, you'll know if ya wanna kill the person you're staring at, or if ya wanna love 'em. Real simple." She giggled out, rolling her eyes "How do I know you won't take over me?" He thought for a moment,"Ya know that's a great point haha. But I'm not one to play a game like this if I think I need to cheat. Count of three we play. You ready?" She laughed and readily nodded. Getting herself into a readied stance.
"One. Two. Three"
They both began the game. Sitting there simply staring at each other in silence. After a three seconds, Lisanna had begun to smile. Bickslow maintaining the same smile he always had as his tongue rest in its usual place outside of his mouth. After ten seconds, Lisanna felt herself becoming shy, nervously giggling as her pale skin shown shades of pink and red. After twelve seconds, she broke her stare. Bickslow chuckled out, "Aww. So close. So. How are you feeling?" Unable to even look up at him, Lisanna stuttered and tripped over any words she tried to formulate, her skin now flushing red. "Ooo. Looks like I win." Bickslow said lowly. Annoyed slightly she asked him back. "How do YOU feel?" turning to face him again. "You remember what I told you about getting another soul?" he said lowly. Her eyes widened as his became more manic. "You...You want to kill me?!" she said looking down shocked. Bickslow laughed out a single puff of air as he dropped his head, closing his eyes before looking back up. Placing his forefinger under her chin, and his thumb directly on it, bringing her face back up to look at his. Closing the gap between them, he smirked. "Not. Even. Close". He moved into her, pressing his lips against hers softly. She sat there stunned. Eyes wide from the shock, before relaxing into it. Vertigo setting in as her heart felt as though it were going to explode out of her chest. He retracted back from her only slightly, resting his forehead on hers. She slowly moved her hands to his head, locking them in his hair. His eyes shutting, as his breathing began to slowly speed up. He moved his hands, resting them gently on her hips before his fingers tensed. The sensation making Lisanna hitch her breath, dragging a smile across her face. Summoning all the power within herself, feeling the world around her spinning, she pressed her lips back into his, feeling him smile as she did. He wrapped an arm around her, as he slowly pushed her back down on to the bed, removing it only to let it wander on the soft skin of her leg. She tensed under the sensation of his fingers. Immediately, Bickslow deepened their kiss. No longer soft gentle caresses from his lips, as they both let the ecstasy of it all drag them into bliss. She dragged her hands down his sides, as he broke their kiss. The neglected space on her neck needing attention, he immediately found a place for it between his teeth. She arched up into the sensation, body begging for more attention. Her fingers digging into his sides, as he pressed his hips into hers. He inched his way down, lifting her shirt slowly, and kissed every inch of exposed skin as it came to light. Biting lightly as her torso flexed at the sensation. Making is way down to her naval, as she arched into him more.
Without warning, his totems came flying into the room. Screeching happily. Bickslow immediately dropped his forehead into Lisanna's stomach. Audibly pouting. Lisanna sat stunned for a minute before laughing. "FUCK. OFF." Bickslow shouted at the totems as they became even more excited, bouncing off the bed. The annoyed man sat back on his knees, letting his head drop lazily to the side glaring at the totems. Moving his gaze back over to Lisanna, he rested back down to his hands, looming over her. She smiled shyly. He let a smile divide his face. Kissing her lightly again, he whispered, "We'll make this an IOU." Glaring at his totems before sending them off, and rolling off of her. He lay on his side, dragging her into him. "Oh! I get to be cuddled tonight?!" she exclaimed. "If it keeps ya from staring at me while I sleep, hell yeah you get to be cuddled." he laughed back. She pressed herself harder into his chest, as though she couldn't be close enough. Their heart beats slowly making their way to a safer pace.
"Hey Bickslow. You should stop smoking. Your mouth kinda picks up the smell."
"Coming from the girl who hasn't brushed her teeth in three days..."