"Have you seen Timcanpy lately?" It's was a simple question really.
"I sent him away a day or two after we got to London," Allen answered from the window. Lavi lounged on the bed, Allen looking out the window at nothing in particular.
"Away? Any particular reason?" Lavi asked. Allen nodded to himself, as if validating his reasons.
"I know it's probably pointless, but I figured if anyone could find Master, Tim would have the best chance." Lavi sat up, sitting cross-legged.
"General Cross? You think he can help?" Lavi hadn't thought of trying to contact the man. Everybody knew he was AWOL. Probably dead, if they were being honest. No body had been found at the scene. A broken window and some blood were obvious, but the bedroom was in no disarray.
"Master never was much for helping others besides himself, but he always came through when it mattered. You know, like betting your survival on a poker game, being saved from from angry debt collectors." Allen laughed a little himself at the idea. He couldn't laugh about it before, as such reminiscing usually dredged up a scarred childhood.
Lavi fell back against the pillow, propped halfway against the backboard.
"Wow. With every story I'm beginning to think I got the better end of the stick, being saddled with the old man."
"You know you're jealous. You missed being thrown into the middle of akuma, no training I should add; paying debts, sitting in the other room while your womanizing master can be heard through the wall-"
"Are you serious?" Lavi sighed. "I don't think I want to picture the old man even a little, you know," Allen had turned around, sitting in the window sill. The cold felt good on his back. Lavi's face had turned a little red, and looked a little guilty. He was thinking about it. Allen grinned.
"You only picture it. Try walking in on it." He walked around the side of the bed, sitting against the headboard.
"Between Cross and his friend, let's call her that, I think my eleven year old brain grasped the concept pretty well."
"Not that this isn't interesting. It is, and slightly concerning, I was wondering about yesterday." Lavi had remembered something. Allen was muttering something before he had realized Lavi's presence.
Allen's curiosity peaked, he asked:
"About what?" Lavi sat up straighter.
"I couldn't make out what you were saying when I stepped around the corner." He didn't have to ask. Allen knew he was simply curious. It was one of Lavi's qualities that Allen liked.
"No laughing?" Lavi smiled. Not his usual goofy grin, but a sincere one.
"No laughing." Lavi turned more, facing his friend.
"I like to sing, when I'm by myself, or I need to think," Allen answered. His usual hesitancy wasn't there. Allen knew Lavi wouldn't laugh.
"What song was it?" He said. Allen smiled.
"You already know. You've just never heard the full thing. Not that I know any other tune."
Lavi took a guess: "The Arc's song?" Allen nodded a 'yes.'
"It's supposed to be a lullaby, but It's a little more dark than most songs mothers sing their children to sleep with. But the words are real, and they've always been something Soothing when everything seemed too much." Lavi sat up, crossing his legs again.
"Thank you for telling me that." Lavi stood abruptly, catching Allen by his sudden movement.
"I want to see something." Lavi moved to the biggest space the room offered. Allen sighed, but figured indulging the boy's antics might be fun. He met Lavi, opposite the bed, closer to the door.
"What did you want to see then?" The younger inquired, interested now. Lavi reached for Allen's right hand, holding it away from themselves; he placed Allen's left on his shoulder. Lavi's still free left hand found the others left hip.
"Now what?" Allen asked. Lavi still smiled, but more serious.
"You really haven't danced before. Ok then, the Waltz is a good place to start."
"I never-" Allen started to defend himself, but decided the comment hadn't been meant as an accusation, but an observation.
"Follow my feet." Allen did, or at least he tried. The four-wall dance was simple enough and he soon was following the red head with ease.
"This is nice," Lavi said softly.
"And I'm about to be sick." Both heads turned to find a food-baring, sarcastic, samurai closing the door.
"You are only jealous because I have the best dance partner, and you do not," Allen threw back, taking his right hand from Lavi's wrapping it around his shoulders. Kanda sat the bags on the desk, pulling his chair around to sit down.
"I'm flattered. I don't think Kanda could dance circles around us if he tried," Lavi laughed at his own attempt of sarcasm.
"Dance to your hearts content. I won't stop you," Kanda retorted smugly.
"Anyways, I'll start dinner. I hope a simple stew is ok."
"Stew sounds great. Let me know if I can help. I have to say though," Lavi guided Allen by hand back to sit on the bed.
"I really expected you to say soba." Kanda continued preparing ingredients, but taking the time to give Lavi a look that said 'are you stupid.'
Allen answered: "Were in London. Jerry might have the variety of ingredients to make soba noodles, but we only have what's available in town."
"The bean-sprout does have ideas," Kanda added. Allen made to combat with something of his own.
"Do you want food?" Allen sighed in defeat. Lavi laughed at both of them.