Twelve
Why Would You Change Me
This place feels more and more like a prison with every passing day.
A week has passed by maybe but the mornings and nights have started to bleed into one another and I've lost track of time. The only times that I can go out are when those pesky maids come and go from the room to take me to dinner.
Sometimes I eat with some members of the family like the ones I met before; sometimes all of the ones I knew and others. It's either one or the other. But most times I would eat alone while under surveillance by those girls. Once I promptly finished my food, they would take me back to the room and leave me be.
The lost time I've spent exploring my room but that adventure quickly died out when I looked over every nook and cranny in that room after only a day and a half. And soon boredom set in pretty quickly.
They're going to drive me crazy in here!
But as I lay on the carpeted floor trying to entertain myself by recounting the lines on the ceiling, I can't help but lose my mind to the utter boredom that I'm feeling.
"I have to get out of here."
Forget escaping. I just need to see something other than these four decadent walls.
But you might get in trouble.
True, but I say it's worth the risk. It's either that or die of complete tedium. So instead of succumbing to that quick sand feeling, I get up from my languid position and decide to change before heading out.
Because they don't wish to see me in 'commoner's clothes', Sheril has given me a wardrobe full of clothes that oddly enough fit perfectly. I keep expecting to find just one blouse, skirt, or dress that won't fit but so far there's been no luck. It's creepy really that he got my numbers down to a T. Then again, I won't complain about being given clothes. So I choose a simple one piece dress; the skirt barely reaches a few inches above my knees and it has a neat deep, empty oval neck that lets the deep blue lace blouse's frills peek out. The short sleeves of it are quite a relief since the long ones are too stuffy for my taste. A petticoat underneath lifts the skirts of the gray dress to a nice puff.
I've always liked dressing up but I've never known what kind of clothes to wear. Eventually I gave up the notion that I would ever enjoy looking at myself in the mirror and being entranced at what a nice fitted outfit, make-up and hairdo could do with me.
But now with this, it's a little more approachable although it's not really welcomed from the people who gave it to me.
The last thing that I deal with is my hair. Ever since I landed in this place—world, in general— I haven't had a haircut. When I first came to, my hair was still barely touching my shoulders. Now after about a year, it's almost grown to the middle of my back. It grows stupidly fast for some reason. Now that it's longer, the waves in my hair are more prominent as curls and give more volume to it but at the same time are even harder to maintain.
All I do for now is pin some up into a half ponytail while letting the rest fall over my left shoulder. As a last touch, I pocket my knife in the neck of my dress. Once readied and done, I come up to the door and try the first thing that comes to my mind. And of course, the door isn't open.
Had to try it.
Opening it wouldn't be hard if I actually had something to pick at it with. My eyes scan around the room as I bite my lip nervously. They finally land on a few bobby pins that I had taken out of one of my pockets before my old clothes were thrown out.
That's something.
Once I have them and I start picking at the lock, I have it unlocked within a few minutes. Okay, one obstacle down a few more to go. Before I even open the door, I check underneath to see if any people are passing by. After a few minutes of silence, I deem it solitary enough to go out unnoticed. I'm a little worried about leaving since the maids tend to come in unannounced to take me to eat.
A glance at the clock in the room reassures me that I have about five hours to kill before they come even close to barging in. So if I come back before then, I won't be outed by them. With my determination to escape this monotonous room, I slowly creak the door open a few inches to look and make sure there's no one outside.
Once that's done, I venture out and click the door slowly closed before quietly yet quickly moving my way across the mansion. First I head towards a way that's a bit familiar, the one that the maids take me to reach the dining hall. But before the last turn that would have sent me there, I take the opposite side and go through it instead.
What follows are halls full of portraits and art pieces with numerous doors that are locked. It's starting to look like I risked my skin for nothing.
The sudden tingling of a bell takes my attention and almost gives me a heart attack. When I turn, all I find behind me is a black cat with a red ribbon and a bell attached—again? I've seen this cat before, haven't I?
It meows and trots over to me. Not wanting to call attention to myself, I try shooing it away but it won't go. "Damn it, puss!" I hiss under my breath and finally shove it away with my foot under its belly. I must've actually hit something sensitive because it jumped back while hissing quite loudly. A cringe comes out of me because of what I caused it but I can't get caught now because of a stupid cat. "Go away!" I finally hiss and walk away from it and check other doors.
The ones that finally lead me somewhere interesting are almost at the end of the East Wing. The huge double doors that I have a bit of trouble opening lead me into a huge library. If I didn't know better I'd think I just stepped into Beauty and the Beast because it was an almost identical replica of that library.
From my knowledge of what I've overheard the maids say, Sheril Kamelot is a Minister in this country and the title comes with hefty prize money. Not only that but Tricia Kamelot also held a large inheritance before she married so the family was actually quite prosperous. Such huge amounts of money can explain the large collection of books.
But this was heaven to me really. Books were always a way to pass time that I truly enjoyed. They allowed me to escape from my reality into worlds of fantasy and adventure. During my early years of therapy and even now sometimes, they are important pillars that sustain my fractured psyche.
Still in awe, I gander around the nearest shelf. There's not only non-fiction here but also many books on history, economics, and politics. Truly, it's to be expected since Sheril's a minister. But those are the books that interest me the least. My feet trot over to the small alcove that hides a cavern of books. At skimming some, I note that I'm in the right place.
Fiction.
But I wonder what kind of books they publish in this world. I'm sure I won't find anything about Harry Potter or Percy Jackson but it's pretty diverse for this age. My fingers linger at the rough backs of each book as if inspecting the inside through the cover. The scent of old paper and wood wafts into my nostrils like a heaven sent aroma.
Yeah, this is truly my place to be.
The sudden noise I hear behind me though breaks me out of my trance. When I jump back, all I see are some books that fall from the desk that isn't too far away from me and on the desk where the books were is the same black cat from before.
"God damn it," I hiss under my breath and glare at the nasty thing.
Cats aren't my thing. They hate me and I can't say the feeling's not mutual. It sits at the desk and simply stares at me with its gold eyes. It's unnerving really but I try to ignore it.
"What part of 'go away' did your minute brain not understand, you nasty feline," I groan at it but it only seems to ignore me. Tired of it, I come up and kick the leg of the desk to make it shake. At feeling it the cat jumps off and turns the corner of a shelf. "Dumb puss."
On the other side, I hear the cat briefly hiss and the patting of its feet as it goes away.
Finally, some peace and quiet.
But it's not actually peaceful…or quiet. The instant I turn my back after the sound disappears, a new one comes and this one rattles me to the core. It's a louder growling. Like an 'I'm hungry' kind of growl I'd here in Animal Planet.
My feet slowly turn me around to find what I'm dreading. Behind me just moving out of its place from behind the same shelf, is a large black panther. It growls and bares it teeth at me as it slowly stalks its way towards me.
Shit.
"Nice kitty."
It growls again before roaring. The loudness of it makes me jump back and try to keep my distance from it as it approaches. "Okay, not kitty. Big, angry panther." I try to reach my hand out in front of it to keep it from coming any closer, not like it'd do much.
But the thing won't stop coming any closer and I'm running out of space to back out of. Soon enough when I take another step, there's nothing but a shelf of books behind me and I press my back as close as I can. The panther won't back down though and it's only a few feet away.
There's no close turn that I can take to avoid the thing if it attacks me. And I'm no match for a panther even with my skills. My knife won't work at close combats with something that was born to hunt. There are no options out of this.
I'm trapped.
Someone…
Out of nowhere, the hard shelf that's behind me changes and instead I feel something taut and warm on my back. An arm comes around my waist and holds me closer while my hands grab ahold preferring the stranger's hand to the panther's killer claws.
"Whoa, Lulu—" That low timbre and husky voice is something I can never mistake now. Tyki's large hand keeps mine at my side while his other keeps an open palm out to stop the panther. "What's happening here?"
"Lulu?" my voice comes out as a barely audible whisper at the name. The panther in front of us suddenly goes into the shadow that's cast before the shelf. Because of its dark fur, it's completely engulfed in the darkness and neither of us can see it.
Until it speaks.
"It's out of its cage." The silk voice that replies is smooth and silvery, unlike any woman I've heard before. But the iciness of it just doesn't do it justice. It's so clear and nice but the monotonous tone just kills it.
The woman that spoke walks out of the shadows and just like her voice, she's beautiful. Tricia's beauty that I thought I'd seen dulls in comparison to this woman's. Her porcelain skin glows in the afternoon light that's let in through the windows. Her eyes despite not being able to see them through her shades give me a heavy impression. Her silky blonde hair tied to the side with a gorgeous golden sheen. And despite not wearing a dress like most woman I've seen so far, she's attired in a nice dress suit that fits the contour of her body.
In short, any woman pales in comparison to her.
Including me.
For some reason that just made me a little self-conscious. The woman didn't look any older than me but she definitely seemed like something that didn't belong.
This whole awe with her aesthetics completely throws me off from the fact that she just referred to me as an 'it'. And the fact that she just called me out for escaping my room.
How though? Besides the fact that I'm out of my room, she couldn't have known it wasn't because I was called for or something. She would have needed to have seen me come out—
But someone did see me come out.
The cat?
It's not that far-fetched, especially because she not only transformed into a panther but also into the woman that I'm seeing right now in a matter of seconds.
"Was there any need for the panther?" Tyki asks and brings me back to the matter at hand once again.
"I was assuring that it didn't escape." Her hands reaches up to her hair and starts to nonchalantly brush her fingers through it. "I was already on my way to alert the Master when it harassed me. What you saw was merely in my defense."
"Liar!" I hiss under my breath but Tyki's hand quickly comes over my mouth to restrain me from speaking any further. My hands come up and try to pry his off me but he's adamant on keeping me quiet.
"She wasn't out of line, Lulubell," Tyki assures her one last time. "I called for her. The maids must have left her here by herself."
"Is that so?" Lulubell's tone couldn't have been more monotonous but I could still hear the disbelief in it. She doesn't believe him.
"Yes. So you see, there's no need to alert the Earl." This seems to calm her enthusiastic—if you can call it that—attempt to snitch me out.
"Very well," she finally appeases us with that reply and walks off. Once the sound of the doubles doors closing is heard, we both heave a sigh of relief as he lets his hand fall from my face.
But before I can get any peace out of this, a huge hand smacks me upside the head. Grabbing it from the pain, I turn with a glare to Tyki who'd just bodily harmed me.
"What the hell was that for?" I hiss while rubbing the area he just smacked.
"You got out of your room," he replies in a contained whisper while he rubs the bridge of his nose. "Have you any idea what would have happened had Lulubell told about you escaping?"
"Chop, chop, chop," I mutter knowing well what the consequences were. He didn't hear me though and groans from his frustration. Now I know I have to defend myself. "What do you expect anyway? That I would sit patiently until any one of you called on me like a lapdog? Fuck that. If you're going to cage me, at least give me something to entertain myself with."
"Why didn't you just say that?" he protests.
"To whom?!" I screech tired of how oblivious he is to my situation. "Nobody besides you talks to me! No one else cares!" Once that's vented out, I cross my arms over my chest and turn around to keep from facing him. Seriously, the nerve he has sometimes just pushes me over the edge so damn fast.
And yet he's the only one that talks normally to me like when we used to live with the others.
I miss them.
It's been only a week or so but I'm already sick and tired of this place. I just want to go back to them and forget this ever happened. I want to go back to Eeze, Momo, and Clark. I just want Tyki back with us. The one that actually cares.
He cares now, too. Doesn't he?
Does he?
I don't even know anymore.
"It must be hard after living with me and the guys for almost a year. You got used to that, didn't you?" His voice somehow lost that politeness that he uses in this place and it just reminds me of before that much more.
"I want to go back," I murmur like a sulking child.
His hand comes over and rests on my head. It's a reassuring gesture that he not only did on Eeze but had started doing on me too. "I know. It's stuffy, this kind of job, and it does get kind of overwhelming sometimes. Keeping this apart from that is hard as it is, too."
That one sentence brings a very peculiar thought to mind. I spin on my heels to face him and I'm not expecting him to be so close but the thought doesn't go away. "Why haven't you told them about this?"
"Are you seriously asking me this?" he asks in disbelief and I can see where he's coming from. If they knew, they would think him crazy or just flat out don't believe him.
"I guess, you've got a point but what do you even do here?" I ask trying to wiggle as much information as I can to understand what this whole thing with the Earl and this family is about.
"Whatever the Earl tells us," he says while taking out a cigarette to put it between his teeth but abstaining from lighting it.
But I'm more stubborn than that if he thinks he'll shut me up with just that answer. "Like what? Certainly those freaky powers you all have aren't just for show."
"We kill."
A wry smile comes up to my lips at that. "You can't be serious?" But the stoicism in his doesn't disappear.
Oh.
That shuts me up.
Why am I even surprised really? He almost killed me that day in the bathroom. Road hates me with a passion enough that she wanted to leave me mentally sick. For goodness sake, Lulubell just tried to have me her dinner and lied through her teeth to get away with it!
"But if you have such extravagances here, why spend your time with the others?" I inquire wanting to change the topic but not really expecting him to answer now.
"Simple. It's boring having just one."
Boring?
The moment I voice that thought he only shrugs and finally lights his cigarette. "Only being here or there would be too boring for me. This job is fun but it's too much sometimes. Over with them is quite peaceful and nice but it gets bothersome very easily. By keeping both, I can enjoy both and never have a dull life again."
"So living with us is just a game?"
"Not entirely. But think what you want," he replies and blows a puff of smoke up into the ceiling.
"You're such a dick."
"So I've been told."
My insults don't faze him. They've never really done anything besides fuel my own anger. It's just a game for him. Everything is.
Including those times after the kiss in the hospital.
He never took me seriously.
I've never doubted that I have a shitty taste for men. The first boyfriend and serious relationship I ever had turned out to be with my foster brother. And now I can't believe that I let myself even feel a tinge of anything for this man.
Yet something in me can't help itself. In this deep madness there's only a tiny spark of familiarity and it comes from him. The sanity I still have left is connected to the people I know and am close to. And for now the only one that fits that criteria is him.
But the more I'm with him the more I feel this alluring sensation that won't go away. Whatever he is, it's pulling me close with sharpened claws that dig into me. It hurts but I can't see myself being set free…or letting go.
I'm a masochist.
That would explain the tendencies Jaden and I had during our intimacy…and why I'm still talking to this guy that has killed and tried to kill me before.
"Fuck…"
"What's with you now?"
"Just speculating why I'm as fucked up as I am. No answer yet, just wondering." A heavy sigh escapes me and I step back until I hit the shelf behind me. Once there, I let the heaviness of the world push me down until I slide to a seat. "How long have you been doing this?"
"A while."
"Can't you give me a plain answer?"
"Can't you ask me plain questions?" he toys around with me like I'm a child. "Really, there's no other way I'll answer you."
Another sigh escapes me and this one just makes this situation that much heavier on me. "Why where you even here then? In the library..."
"To run away."
This one answer makes me lift my head up enough to catch the sight of him. Tyki's no longer glancing my way but instead has put his cigarette out and is glancing through the backbones of each book as if searching for one that might pique his interest.
He's so nonchalant about the answer he just gave but I couldn't be more confused. "Run…away?"
"The ball's tomorrow, remember?" he says still not meeting my eyes but instead pulls out a book and starts skimming through it just to keep occupied. "Those types of things are the ones that I loathe most. They're tiresome beyond measure."
"It's just a dance, isn't it?"
"It's more of a social gathering, for adults mind you," he replies while turning pages.
Adults?
"Why is Road going then?"
"She's technically not allowed, only those who have been introduced to society can. But since she loves watching from the balconies, the Earl and Sheril let her attend. She still gets easily bored though." I'm about to open my mouth when he speaks up again. "And yes, more than me."
"How did you—"
"I'm getting used to your incessant questions. Might as well try to answer as many as I can to safe my breath."
"You're a bigger asshole than I thought."
"Can you blame me?"
"Absolutely."
He scoffs and a smile forms on his face. "Pity."
We're talking so effortlessly that for a second there I forget what we started out the conversation with. I've noticed that he can do that. It eludes me if it's him being manipulative or if I just get that relaxed around him. For whatever reason, though, we always come back to this calm respite.
It's nice to have someone to talk this easily with…even if he's a psycho.
The whole family is, Reina. Get over it already.
You're asking for a pretty hard thing, brain. But believe me, it's not because of lack of trying. The turning of pages make me look up from my wallowing hole to Tyki who's still leaning back against the shelf and reading the book he got.
I've never seen him so pensive like that. His features calm and relaxed. Does talking to me do the same to him as it does to me? Or is it the book…?
To proof myself right, I have to give him leisure to ask for my question. If he answers then I'm right but if he ignores me then it's the book. "Say…"
"Mm."
Huh.
Curious. I'm not really prepared with a question so I ask the first thing that comes to my head. "What are you reading?"
"A book."
Smartass.
"I'm asking for a title, at least a synopsis. Throw me a bone here."
This unintended pun makes him crack a small smile and that just lets the feint sign of one on my lips. "Not much to tell so far that interests me. I might put it down."
This sentence piques mine, though, and makes me stand up from my pit of wallow and come up to stand before him with another question in mind. "What types do you like?"
"Types?" This time he ganders up from the pages to stare at me, the word having spilt from his lips with a melodic tone almost. He snaps the book closed and a mischievous smirk appears on his features as he sets it down on a nearby desk. "Well, I do like them nice and full. Curves are my thing. Nice long hair is pretty good too; gives me something to grab onto when doing some things."
The more he talks the more steps he starts taking towards me which aren't many as it is. When I start feeling him breaking my personal bubble, I take my steps back. It's not until my back hits against the shelf again that he traps me. He's just a few feet away and he keeps talking while slowly closing in on me.
"A definite favorite are a lovely set of lips." He licks his own for emphasis and I can't keep my eyes away from his every detailed action. My throat starts to run dry with every description he's giving.
He's not talking about books, Reina.
Yeah, I think that ship sailed off the moment that smirk of his appeared. But I'm unable to move on my own seeing as I'm too focused on what he's saying to watch out for anything else. His hands move to either side of me, placed right by my waist but not close enough to touch.
This is torture.
The smirk that he has only grows at watching my face. I must be beet red by now. This always happened with Jade too. His stupid flirting did this to me as well. There's no way to control my blood as it rushes to my face and despite my skin being not so fair, one can still see the tint of red that brushes against my cheeks and ears.
With this quite apparent, he leans in and bends down enough so that his face is right next to my ear but he's not stopping there. He keeps leaning in. Knowing how damaging any more proximity could be, I finally raise my hands and clutch them tightly on his chest to keep him from leaning in any closer.
And he stops. His lips are so close to my ear and neck that I can feel the hot air he exhales every time he breathes out. The warm sensation makes me shiver slightly every time and it soon starts to pool in me.
And it only gets worse when I feel one of his hands playing with the hem of my skirt. He plays around with it, his fingers barely brushing against my exposed thigh, until they actually touch me. And that it's just the tip of his fingers brushing slightly up and down just kills me.
What is he trying to do…?
Break me.
"And you know what I love the most…?" This time his lips are closer than ever and I actually feel them as they graze my lobe.
But that's just a distraction. Once I can focus again, I feel his hands are even deeper in my skirt, trailing up my outer thigh until they reach the hem of my lingerie. The instant he slips a finger underneath and touches my bare hips, my breath catches and the hold I have on his chest tightens as a very familiar sensation makes me shudder as it rakes through me.
"When I can make them sing sweet tunes."
God…damn.
When I can finally do something after the fact, I push him away to give myself a few feet of privacy again. But the deed is done and I can't believe I just came from his mere teasing.
"You...asshole." I'm slightly panting from that and it just makes me that much more embarrassed that he was able to toy with me so easily.
He scoffs and lifts his hand up to his lips and licks the finger he barely touched me with. "Wonder how many times I can make that happen again with a bed?"
"Fuck you, tramp," I hiss with a glare and straighten my clothes before storming away. I can't stay in here with him anymore.
Besides…I need to shower. His toying with me just wasn't enough but I'm tempted to restrain from doing it because I'm sure if I do all I'll imagine is his hands all over me and his voice just begging me to come undone.
God, I need a cold shower.
Now.
After the shower and all during dinner, I'm left to wonder how the hell I'm supposed to spend my time without dying of boredom first. I'm tempted to go out again but with what just happened a few hours ago that thought quickly dies off.
When I come back to my room, though, the thought is quelled by the sight that's before me. Atop my bed are a small stack of thick books and lying on them is a handwritten note. Coming up close and picking it up, I read the message.
For your boredom.
It's short and bland but when I glance down at the books—romance, mystery, and crime novels—I can't help but smile.
He might be a dick…but he's a considerate dick.
The rest of the night, I spend it reading the romance one and can't help but thank him in my head for alleviating this one plight in the mess of a life I have now.
The day of the ball comes the next morning and it seems to be a preparation of the whole day.
The maids came in earlier than before and gave me an even more thorough bath than prior days. Needless to say that by now I've gotten used to them so I just let them do what they want. It's faster and easier on both our sides if I don't struggle much. And once more I have breakfast alone but it's not much of a bother now.
When I get back to my room though the process continues. The maids spend hours—all through lunch too while I ate—trying to find an appropriate gown for the event and it's tiring me out how they're fixating over simple attire. It's not until another maid comes in with another gown and tells the others something that they finally stop.
Apparently the one that they've decided on is one that Road chose herself.
Shit.
I just hope it's all right. But when the maids bring it out to start putting it on me that I actually see it's not bad at all.
"We'll start preparing you now, Miss Pet," one of the maids tells me.
"Now?" My head turns up to the clock in my room that marks the time. The ball doesn't start until another three hours. "Isn't it early?"
"We are actually behind schedule so cooperate." That's the last she said before they attack me with everything they have. It isn't until a couple of hours later that I can finally breathe. "Mistress Road will be pleased. We're done before scheduled." She turns to the others and ushers them out before turning to me. "You are ready to go. You are assigned to wait until the time arrives to leave." After that she swiftly leaves after the others.
This leaves me alone to contemplate on the gown that now dresses me.
It has a nice color scheme of reds and details in gold. The neckline hugs my back barely over my shoulders and drapes over my chest just above my breasts and the corset that lies underneath. The center of it is decorated with a fabric rose while the necklace is decorated with zigzags of small gold beads that shine in the gaslight.
A sash comes from the rose and crosses diagonally towards the back of my hips. A neat sash of red goes over my skirt as part of the dress and is pinned up to the side of my hip with another rose. Another set of gold beads comes straight across, following the shape the fold of the sash has. A last detailing of faint gold rings shows when the light hits it over the front of my skirt.
My shoes are quite comfortable despite being heeled. And the fact that my necklace fits well with the attire is odd. I'd expect that because of the gleaming butterfly gem that it'd be weird but the gold chain and the amethyst hue give it a very ethereal look.
The first hour and a half was taken by putting this dress on me. The other hour were to style my hair and put some make-up on me. Luckily, my hair was so unruly at this length that they had to make due with a simple bun that rests on the nape of my neck with some strands of it coming out in front. The make-up is light as well, just some blush, eye-shadow, and peach lipstick.
Overall, the look I have now isn't half bad. I actually look quite attractive if I dare say so myself. But I'm guessing it's just because of what they managed to do with me. And I have to grudgingly admit that Road has some taste too.
It's some twenty minutes later that the maids finally reappear, this time they're accompanied by Lulubell who's dressed in a dress that is a bit more simple but does miracles on her appearance if that's even possible.
Without a single word spoken, she escorts me out to the second floor where Road and Sheril are already waiting for us outside of Road's room.
"You're late, pooch!" The girl that I haven't seen since a week ago has fair skin and dark eyes today. Her attire consists of a pretty dress of pastel pinks and lilacs. Her hair is held down by a matching hair band and nice heeled shoes as well. Her nasty personality is the only thing that hasn't changed, regrettably.
In her hands, she holds a rather odd umbrella. It's pink with a pumpkin head on the end. She twirls it around in her hand while she fumes at us being—huh?
"Late?" I repeat not understanding. "I was finished before time."
"Was it you then, Lulu?" Road asks but sighs in the end and swings the umbrella around. A sudden shriek comes to my ears but I ignore it when Road starts speaking again. "Doesn't matter. We need to hurry! We're going to be late at this rate!"
"Yes," is all Lulubell answers and we stand beside the brat.
"Have a nice night, darling," Sheril coos to her daughter in a mighty sickening way. He just creeps me out regardless of what he's doing. I'm biased that way.
"Bye, father!" she calls back and takes me by the wrist and drags me towards the foyer and from there to the top floors over the ballroom. This event is being held by the Kamelot family but the main guests—and apparent target—are the Monroe family.
To my knowledge, the Monroe family is another set of aristocrats that rank high up there with Sheril and his family. And to what I heard, they're friends of the Cristiano's too which I've also heard have come to trouble since the last time the media spoke to him.
I don't want to know more about that knowing that there could be a possibility that I'm involved with that disturbance. But as we enter the balcony that Road goes in and we overlook the ball that has already started, I can't help but stare in awe at what's below.
The ballroom that I've never seen before is littered with hundreds of people all dressed for the occasion. From up here, they look like tiny fancy ants. The thought makes me chuckle but that's quickly lost when I spot someone familiar in the crowd.
There on the floor, Tyki's talking to some men when a set of young women approach him. He's all smiles and charisma and it just turns my stomach for some reason. Even from up here I can see how fake his smile is.
Poor boy.
But let him suffer. It's karma for what he did to me at the library.
"Tyki's looking fly as always," Road mentions while glancing down at the crowd and particularly at her uncle. She toys with her hair with one hand and holds the closed umbrella over her shoulder with the other while she watches. "It's always the same. He's been a lady's man ever since he started attending these events. Great asset, really."
"Asset?"
"He is on a mission from father and the Earl," Road replies to my question. She chuckles at remembering something that she's quick to mention. "Tyki hates these events. Too stuffy, he says. But it's fun to watch him dangle woman around him like puppets."
The orchestra that's playing in the background takes my attention when I recognize one of the few classical songs I know but can't remember the name of. My eyes go down to the people until I spot a gentleman that's surrounded with as many women as Tyki is if not more.
"And that's the target."
Road's sudden comment makes me turn to her and it catches me by surprise that she's staring straight at me with a mischievous grin. "Target?"
"For his mission~" she coos and goes back to gawk at the crowd. She spends a few minutes silent before she speaks again. "Lulu, mind getting me something to eat? I'm famished."
"Dinner already?" she asks a bit incredulous.
"Skipped lunch." That's all Road has to say to get Lulubell to rise from her sit and go on outside.
It's once the shape shifter is out of earshot that Road speaks again. "His name is Elijah Monroe. The oldest son of the family. Father's trying to topple them down along with the Cristiano's but the Earl parted the work in two instead of making them work together. He gave the Cristiano's to father while giving the Monroe's to Tyki."
"And what exactly is he supposed to do?" I ask a bit curious about what this is all about.
"Control. The little plan you gave the other time is working. Now all that father needs is an excuse to let the Monroe's and Cristiano's duke it out so as to not implicate the family. Or something to that extent at least." She toys with the ribbon on her dress, adjusting it before continuing. "And all he needs to put that war in motion is for both families to be in the same room."
"How's he supposed to help then?"
"Get the widowing Mrs. Monroe to visit the mansion out of her own volition." Road points at the crowd where Tyki is and where he's speaking to a woman that's gorgeous but almost in her mid to late-forties. Despite that, though, one can still see the beauty that she once used to be and to which she clings to. "Once that's done, father can easily bring Mr. Cristiano in and the rest will just unfold by itself."
"So complicated…" I mutter under my breath as my eyes cross over to watch the Monroe son chatting away with more ladies.
"Well, it would be easier if Lulubell went after Elijah but the mission was given to Tyki. He's supposed to hold his weight in the family just as much as all of us do."
This is getting mighty interesting, really. "So Elijah's an easier target?"
"In a matter of speaking, yeah," Road replies with a grin. "He's more into younger girls too. Not my age young but pretty young if you ask me seeing as he's already hitting his early thirties." She taps around with her heavy heels until she jumps in place startling me in the process. "I know!"
"W-What?"
"You could help!" the glee in her face doesn't go away.
"Help?"
"Sure, just go down there and do something that catches Elijah's attention. Surely if you keep him hooked good enough he'll chase you to our home," Road suggests with a grand smile.
"I-I don't think I should," I mumble while scratching the back of my neck.
"But you have to," Road retorts in a honeyed voice that makes me look up to her. This time she's staring at me with a devilish grin. "I'm ordering you to. Go down there, and get him to want to come visit us."
Well, damn.
Even if I refuse now, I'll surely get in trouble since she 'ordered' me to do it. But then again—
"Pull his weight as much as we do."
That one comment makes me wonder…if I capture the Monroe's attention instead of Tyki's, will he be the one punished for his incompetence?
Now that's a prospect that lifts my spirits.
And if I'm good at anything, it's catching people's eye.
"It's just a matter of getting that Elijah guy interested enough to visit, correct?" I ask to assure myself of what I'm doing.
"Yep~" Road says with a grin. "Sounds simple, right?"
Child's play, really.
But it wouldn't do good to tell her that. I must act like this'll be a hard task or else she won't let me. "I'll be doing just that then."
"Have a nice trip~" she coos while waving her hand at me as I leave her side to climb down the stairs that lead directly to the ballroom.
Parting the curtains that separate me from the room, I take one peak out and am instantly overwhelmed by the amount of people here. There's too many. Quickly shaking the thought out, I'm more determined to see this through. If I can outplay Tyki in this game then I'm surely to be given some leeway in this family.
In the very least a pass to go about on my own.
All for my freedom.
Taking a deep breath, I take my first step outside and try parting my way through the Red Sea. I'm careful not to hang close to where Tyki is. If he sees me now there's no telling what he'll do. But with how many girls are swarming over him, it'd be impossible for him to see me.
Especially when they're all taller than me.
Throwing that thought aside, I go away to look for the other pool of females that swarm around the only other man available and my actual target. Once I do find him, though, this seems to be a much harder task than I first thought.
The halo that surrounds Elijah is thick and every time that I try to even get close to him, I'm pushed back by the crowd. Shit, this is feeling more like a damn mosh pit than a ball seeing how they cling to him.
Disgusting.
But I have to concentrate. How can I get to talk to him?
My eyes wonder around the place and find the stage where the musicians are at again. They're on a small break so they're just loitering around nearby it while drinking and whatnot. They have a lot of instruments: violins, cellos, even a grand piano.
Piano?
Ah, that's it!
My feet are already on the move before I can even think the plan through. But it really doesn't matter. I've done this before at that pub. They were so entranced by the music from my era that maybe it can work with these people too.
I'm already talking with the pianist while my brain goes through what I'm going to perform. When I mention that Minister Kamelot had hired me for entertainment at the last minute, they didn't hesitate and listened to what I had to say.
Nice.
"What piece will you perform, young miss?" the leading violinist asks me.
There's a split second where my mind goes through every song in the repertoire of my brain. They're mostly Disney ones with a few classical ones but none that I can sing along with. Jazz, maybe would work, but what would be an appropriate—
"Ah, I know," I reply with a final word. "Don't worry, I'll just need your pianist and some percussion, if you have it." They round up to listen to what I have to say.
Yes. If I work this just right I'll have Elijah wrapped around my finger.
Ugh, I'm starting to reach my limit.
It's been almost two hours since Tyki came in to welcome guests into the ball. He's spent most of his time talking with Ginger Monroe, his target, but that she's such an older woman makes it a bit harder. And the lot of broads hanging around trying to get a chance to talk to him weren't making it any easier on him either.
And the worst was that he only had that one night to get her out in the open without her family present. If the night went on without him making any formidable progress, he'd have to go on to the Monroe's where he'd have to play nice and coax her their way.
And that's something he's trying to avoid at all costs.
Only an hour to sink or swim.
But really, could this night get any worse.
His train of thought suddenly stops when the lights from the hanging chandeliers above them dim to a mellow orange that casts a nice and calm atmosphere around the room. Because of the sudden change of lighting, all eyes suddenly turn to the one place were the most light was lit: the stage.
There's no introduction; the pianist only comes and bows before going to sit before the grand piano. From his place in the middle of the ballroom, Tyki can see how the man brushes his fingers across the ivory keys before starting a rather savory and serene tune.
It's the moment that a certain slender figure steps into the dim light that he can't help but stare in awe at the gorgeous petite thing he sees in a red and golden gown.
I had to open my mouth, didn't I?
The melody grows quieter to let Reina's voice boom through the room as she begins to chorus the song.
"I'm sentimental
So I walk in the rain
I've got some habits
Even I can't explain
Go to the corner
I end up in Spain
Why try to change me now
I sit and daydream
I've got daydreams galore
Cigarette ashes
There they go on the floor
Go away weekends
Leave my keys in the door
Why try to change me now—"
The whole image that she gives is something that Tyki can comprehend. The way she's languidly walking through the stage while letting her voice boom through the silent ballroom is incredible. It's just like the time at the tavern where everybody was mesmerized through the bone.
No, this is different.
The whole sensation of the piece gives a more mature aura than the childish song that she sang that night in the pub. The way she walks, her attire, and her hazed over look and soft smile just add something to her demeanor that he'd never seen before.
And it's something that entraps him along with all the others who watch and listen. Her voice isn't high-pitched or annoying. It follows the mellowness and relaxing sensation of the melody. And as she continues to walk about the stage, her eyes wonder about looking nowhere in specific.
He recognized that look.
She's acting.
But…to what end?
"Why can't I be more conventional
People talk and they stare
So I try—"
Her aimless, slow meandering finally takes her off the stage as she climbs down the small set of steps that lay on either side of it. As she reaches it, the crowd seems to seamlessly part and give way to her. It's too much of a similarity to what he does.
Sweet words and a coy smile that has them eating at the palm of her hand.
"But that can't be
Cuz I can't see
My strange little world
Just go passing me by—"
She's parting the sea of people and wanders yet not far from the stage. It isn't until she continues on to the next verse that she goes on to her intended point that he catches the drift of what her intentions are.
She's after the Monroe brat?!
"Let people wonder
Let 'em laugh
Let 'em frown
You know I'll love you
Till the moon's upside down—"
The mob of women that seemed too enthralled are parting ways to let her cross the floor as she continues to sing. Her languid steps finally take her to Elijah who's as dumbfounded as the rest.
Precariously, Reina sets a finger upon his chest and runs it across getting his eyes wide and staring in awe at the daring woman.
This, however, only ignites something in Tyki that burns low but starts picking up heat as she stalks around him and continues her ballad. She's trying to catch his attention and she's doing a mighty fine job at it.
Too good a job.
She's going way too far with it. Touching him, smiling coyly at him, it only fuels the pit that burns like hell in his stomach. The more she goes on the more he feels like ripping the guy to shreds. But he restrains himself and simply balls his hand into a fist.
"Don't you remember
I was always your clown
Why try to change me now—"
The worst though is when she takes the small piano solo to her advantage. Reina swiftly grabs Elijah's hand and pulls him over to a dance as the piano continues. The girls part a bigger space to make their dancing easier.
But this just makes the qualm in Tyki that he just can't quell grow immensely. This is too similar to when he did the same and took her out to dance in the tavern.
She's becoming too cheeky.
But before he could even start storming in, more people start to move too but with whole other intentions. Pairs start to dance along with them as if enticed by Reina's first move to follow after. She was such a natural born leader that they followed at her every move and tune of her song.
And even continue on as her singing does.
"Why can't I be more conventional
People talk and they stare
So I try
But that can't be
because I can't see
My strange little world
Just go passing me by—"
The pairs that had started dancing suddenly stop when Reina's voice grows slower and smoother. Tyki, along with the rest, watch as Elijah dances her towards the stairs. Suavely, she parts from him but doesn't let go of his hand as he walks her up the steps and onto the stage where she finally releases him. The piano then crescendos into a high note then quiets and slows to a much smoother tempo than before.
She walks up to the piano as it continues to play and brushes her fingers across the raised top with a smile as she sings. She twirls one last time before facing the crowd to sing the final chorus but fixates her gander upon Elijah who hadn't move an inch from his place before the stage.
"So let people wonder
Let 'em laugh
Let 'em frown
You know I'll love you til the moon's upside down—"
Her eyes stay stationary all the while on him until she reaches her hand towards him. He takes it and softly plants a kiss on the back of her hand. She smiles coyly but Tyki can see just what she had done.
He's hooked.
Reina slowly pulls her hand away and faces the crowd. Not intentionally, it seems, she found his gaze and the sudden coyness in them changes in a split second. All he sees in them then is a heartbroken expression that she hides behind a small smile.
It's an expression that wrings something so hard that his hand travels up to his chest where the pressure felt the worse. What on earth…?
"Don't you remember
I was always your clown
Why try to change me
Why would you want to change me
Why try to change me now—"
But just as fast as he sees it, it's shrouded by the lights dimming again just as the piano finishes its chords in darkness. A few seconds pass by before the lights come back on and the performers come up to the stage and bow down to receive a thunderous applause from the crowd.
And once that trance is broken, it takes everything he has to restrain from bashing the face of the bastard of Monroe that still lingers close to the stage and won't stop staring. And most of all, he can't keep the pit that's boiling in him at seeing her smile down back at him.
That stray needs to be taught a hard lesson.
Right—now.
Really, that was much easier than I thought.
The moment I come down the stage, people are hoarding around me to ask me questions I can't even begin to answer. But one that I'm eager to answer is when Elijah comes closer to me with a smile.
The crowd disperses when he asks for a second to speak with me. At accepting he takes me aside where we're hidden a bit from the rest of the ball as it continues.
"What a wonderful performance…" he compliments and lingers on the sentence.
"Reina," is all the answer I give him with a smile.
"Beautiful," he adds and I'm not sure whether he referred to the song or the name. But whichever it is, it's not a problem. I've got to get him to agree to a meeting back here.
If I can get that…
"Never had the pleasure of meeting such a pleasant yet daring young lady. It is such a breath of fresh air that I don't believe I would ever forget meeting you. Have you lived here with the Minister not long, perhaps?"
"Almost a week ago, actually." I give him a quick and vague explanation about my orphan status and how 'Uncle Sheril' took me in at seeing I had nowhere else to go. "And he allowed me to come tonight to forget about those horrid occurrences."
"That's travesty," he agrees with a somber tone of voice.
Pity. Great, he's getting cornered.
Just one last push.
"Quite so," I reply. "But it is also quite lonely around here since I have yet to make acquaintance of such an estranged family."
"Is it now?" The beaming smile that he gives me and the enthusiasm he says those words with are enough to let me know what he's about to say next.
Check.
"Then if it's not much trouble, would it be possible for me—"
"There you are, darling."
At hearing that husky, baritone voice, I freeze in place.
No! I was so…close!
Before I know it, Tyki's hand is around my waist and resting on my hip. The fake gentleman atmosphere that suddenly surrounds me makes me turn the other way.
"Ah, Lord Mikk." Elijah's sudden naming of Tyki, though, makes me glance toward him then at Tyki. "Mother has told me quite the stories about your conversations."
"Lady Monroe has always been a delight to be around. But I must say that I am here to take this child away."
What?!
"R-Really?" Elijah hesitates at hearing the same thing. "But the ball is far from over."
"I'm afraid it isn't a matter of choice. Minister Kamelot has asked for her presence and I was given the task to escort her."
"Well, I could escort her to the Minister. I just need to have a word with Lady Reina."
Wow, persistent.
And that has a nice ring to it…Lady Reina.
"Excuse me…Lord Mikk." Ugh, that has a nasty one though but I can't seem to refer to him any other way before Elijah. "I'm sure that the Minister will not mind if it's a few minutes."
"Now, young lady, ignoring the Minister's request will not bode well," the grip on my waist tightens slightly and the honeyed tone in his voice just makes it that much clearer that he wants to get me out of here and fast. "Let us head back."
He turns and grabs my hand to tuck it over his arm as he starts to escort me away. I try to pry his hand off and delay our walk as much as possible.
I can't leave now! I'm so close!
"Lady Reina!" Elijah's sudden call makes both of us stop but it's only me who turns to look at him. "It will be some other time then. I'll be sure to come visit some other time to continue our conversation with more leisure."
A smile creeps to my lips at that.
Checkmate.
"I'll be looking forward to that day," I say with a coy smile. Tyki suddenly tightens the grip on my forearm rather painfully and that makes me turn to try and pry it again as we go on with the walk. Tyki disses the girls that come to speak to him with a smile but I can see what lies beneath it.
He's furious.
Why the hell is he mad, though?
I just made his job easier, didn't I?
But there are no answers for me, only harsh manhandling as he takes me up to the balcony in the second floor back to where Road is. But instead of only Road and Lulubell being there, Sheril sits on the table drinking tea but looking rather impatient. Road on the other hand has the most mischievous grin on her face.
This does not bode well for me.
The moment Tyki closes the door behind us, Sheril gets up from his chair with a glare that just stabs daggers onto me. "What on earth did you think you were doing?"
"Doing my job?" I try but the cutesy way won't do me any good here.
Sheril's expression changes into one that scares and creeps me out all at the same time in the span of seconds. Before either of us says anything a horrible sensation comes over my legs that makes them both buckle. All I can do not to fall is grab ahold of Tyki as tight as I can. Without intending to, he grabs onto my waist and arm to help me get to my feet but I can't.
The pain—the muscles on my legs feel like their churning from inside. It hurts so much that I can't scream.
"Sheril." Tyki's stern voice follows an aggravated sigh from Sheril before the ravaging pain goes away. When it finally does, I'm barely standing with the help Tyki gives me.
But the fact that it was Sheril who caused me the pain just made me livid. Especially when there's no reason to be hostile against me. "What's the problem, anyway? I got Monroe's promise to visit the Kamelot's. Wasn't that the point of Tyki's mission? I just made it easier on all of you."
"Giving excuses is useless, mutt," Sheril spits out angrily. "You were given specific orders to not call attention to yourself from the Earl."
"But Road said—"
That it was an order.
She ordered me to go down there and get Elijah's attention despite knowing fully well that I wasn't supposed to. Road was being so detailed about everything and so helpful and I got my hopes a little too high about beating Tyki that I didn't pay rightful attention to what needed to be seen.
Road ordered me to go, which if I had refused, I would have been punished.
But by obeying her, I disobeyed the Earl's order to lay low during the ball.
I was bound to lose either way.
My eyes look up to the girl that sits on the table, twirling her umbrella while having a wicked smile on her porcelain skin.
She set me up.
"Regardless of the reasons—" Sheril's voice calls me to attention once more. "You disobeyed orders and have to be punished for it. Road will be the one to deliver it—"
"I'll do it."
Tyki's sudden interference makes Sheril glance up confused and Road glare at him with a pout. "That's not fair!" Road calls throwing a tantrum. "Father said I'd be disciplining her!"
"But she's mine," Tyki retorts with a finality that even I hear.
"Tyki's right, darling. He should be responsible for the stray he brought in the house," Sheril tells her. Road doesn't argue any further but sits there in a pit of pouts.
"Then I'll be leaving with her." That's the last he says before he drags me out of the balcony and back into the mansion. We go so further in that it's hard to keep up with where we're going.
It isn't until he opens the door to my room and throws me inside before slamming the door closed, that I can finally see just how livid he is.
Shit.
"What the hell were you thinking?!" he yells at my face.
I start backing up but then remember that doing that only shows weakness. And I'm not about to let them see that. So instead I glare the daggers back and yell. "I was tired of sitting around!"
"And blowing off an order from the Earl is your idea of fun!"
"You really expect me to lay low and answer to your beck and calls?!" I inquire louder than him. "I'm never going back to being anybody's bitch! Not yours, not Sheril's or Road's, and especially not a big fat bully like the Earl!"
"Are you out of your mind? Another mistake like that will cost you! Does death really sound that grand to you?!"
"Anything sounds better than forced servitude." My voice isn't above a yell this time. It's serious because of how close it hits home this time.
The fact that I'm not screaming anymore calms his own volume but not his anger. "Why are you being so stubborn about this?" he asks with an aggravated sigh.
"I'm done serving others," I hiss and glare at him, wishing I could convey just how much this burns me. "If you or any other wants to own me then you'll have to break me beyond my mind. When I'm no longer able to think and fight for myself, that's when I'll finally submit. But any second before that I'll continue to fight. I've learned that lesson before and I'll never make that mistake again."
He's so irritated that he has nothing to say for a few minutes. He finally just sighs and turns to leave. Before he closes the door behind himself, though, he finds the voice to speak. "Do what you want. If you want to go ahead and kill yourself then be my guest. I'm done sticking my neck out for you." With that final reply he goes and slams the door hard enough to make the walls shake.
He's done…with me?
Those words struck something in me that I can't point out.
It hurts. That's all that I can tell. It hurts much worse than the pain from him choking me or the pain Sheril caused me. This goes beyond physical pain.
This just…hurts.
Damn brat.
Tyki tosses the items of clothing that he undressed from around his room in an angry stupor. But he couldn't stop there. He threw everything he could around. Anything to keep his hands occupied from going back there and doing the girl in himself.
He just couldn't believe that such a small thing could infuriate him so easily. Every damn thing she did just mounted on itself until it made him explode in anger. This was no different. When they fight, it's hard and loud. Nothing's held back and neither knows when to shut their mouths.
She's just too much.
Forget her.
Like he said, he was done babysitting her. He tried his damn hardest to keep her safe and away from Sheril and the others; to try and keep her alive so that once he returned to his light side, he could just toss her back and leave her there.
But she's too pig-headed to bow down. She's adamant to never be submissive to any of them but he knew his family. Once she went too far, they'll kill her off. And once that happened, he wouldn't be able to stop them.
But he's done.
Never again. Go kill yourself while you have the chance and good riddance.
Languidly undoing his tie, the last of his stuffy clothing, he drops on his lounge chair and simply stares at the embers that burn in the fireplace in his room. But no matter how much he tried to forget it turns harder by the second.
The fiery pit in his stomach that hadn't quelled after the performance doesn't allow him to think of anything else. He's livid but can't help but think that it's just how Reina is.
She's stubborn, stupid, and selfish.
And she's beautiful that way.
What?
"What the hell…?"
Where the hell was his mind going? Reina…beautiful?
The girl that can't seem to care whether her head remains on her shoulders? That stubbornly idiotic woman that won't back down from any kind of fight? The immensely selfless fool that risks everything to stay free and true to herself?
The one that actually remains herself true.
So unlike me.
Exactly what makes her so different…and special.
"Fuck…" he groans and slumps down on his chair. This fucking mindset won't go away and he can't loiter much in it when he hears the door to his room open.
"Aw~ Where's pooch?" Road's voice pouts as she comes and climbs over the chair to look down at Tyki. The latter, though, won't meet her eyes and instead watches the hearth of the fire.
"In her room," he simply answers.
"And her punishment?"
"Too tired. I'll do it later."
"Boo~" she mopes around and puffs her cheeks in annoyance. "But I was looking forward to it. You know strays learn better if punished right after the deed, right?"
"Drop it, Road."
"Huh?" The sudden hostility that Tyki voices makes Road glance down at him. "Tyki?"
"Road's right, Tyki-pyon." Oh, this wasn't getting any better. "And if punishment for pooch is what you want then it's lucky that I'm here then."
"Why lucky?" Road asks while turning to the Earl.
The Millennium Earl holds a trump card in his hand and tosses it to Tyki who catches it without hesitance. With a glance at it, the sudden gloom around him changes and a smirk appears. At seeing this, Road only smiles as well knowing that this is Tyki's actual disposition.
The Noah side of his that loves to hunt and kill.
"His name is Kevin Yeager, a general of the Black Order."
"General, huh?" Road says eyeing the card. "Are we hunting it down again?"
"Yes, you've loitered around enough as it is, Tyki-pyon. Do this job with Road, verify whether he has the Heart or not and I'll allow you some leeway before your next job."
"Really?" Tyki asks as he twirls the card in his finger.
"Yes."
"I'm all in then."
"Good," the Earl replies and starts sneezing. He wipes his nose before continuing. "And as I said, while you're at it teach pooch a lesson or two. Most of all, she should learn not to bite the hand that feeds her."
Before Tyki can say anything about that, Road answers him. "Of course. I actually have the perfect punishment in mind. Oh!" As if suddenly remembering something, Road looks down at Tyki. "But I need your permission first, Tyki."
Let Road punish her?
"I'm done serving others…I've learned my lesson before and I'm never making that mistake again."
And neither would he.
"Go right ahead."
"Yay~" Road cheers and clings to him from over the chair. Tyki ignores her but Road just continues like she always does. "Thank you, Tyki. And don't worry, once I'm done she won't ever want to bite back."
A/N:
Another long chapter -w- And a very interesting one at that too ;3 Why do they seem to be increasing in word count cx But anyway, how was it? It's got a little bit of everything that everybody's been asking about. Some tiny lemon ;9, some romance, some jealousy, and finally a hint of the plot xD That's the first part of my surprise that I promised last time.
The second is this! Thanks to KomodoLass, we've got the most awesome drawing that correlates to this chapter. The gorgeous dress was drawn by her and it's something that I just can't stop ogling at TwT Here's the link: authoringwhatnot. tumblr post/ 128888627027/ xeveningx-its-done-its-finally-done-k-so-if (just take out the spaces that are in between.) If not, look at authoringwhatnot on Tumblr. She's a grand artist that I love so much because of this c:
As for the song used on this chapter, it's Why Try to Change Me Now by Fionna Apple. Great song, loved it -w-
Now let's get to some thanks for our Favorites and Followers:
-Crimson. Haven
And now to the reviewers that I couldn't reach:
-Niska: Not necessarily -w- When they're parents married, her mother changed to her father's last name and is why she has only one. And as for the Ark, they have an inkling but don't really see a need to find out since she's a human who can't do much.
-Neko: Haha, that goes to show that you never know c: And I take all opinions to heart, good or bad c: They're always help to make me a better writer. And they're my cute children; I'm letting them play on the pen until they learn to get along cx And I'm glad that Tyki wasn't OOC -w-
-Schmetterling: Funny, your review got to me just in time to answer it before I updated, so lucky xD But anyway, yeah, that's her life. At least three years cx She decided to skip a few years to go into military boot camp to get a feel about the medical unit which was what she wanted to study. She was barely going when the accident happened. There was a fight that night that caused it and let's just say that it was concerning her wanting to join cx
Well, that's it for now. Since I'm going back to school next week, I'm telling ya'll right now that I'm not going to be able to update much in the next three or so months. But if anything I'll be able to write the outline there. So thanks for reading this :D I hoped you enjoyed and that you have enough patience to stay tuned to the next chapter! :D
