Chapter 14
At first opportunity, Kanda was going to kill Lavi.
He found it hard to stay still, holding an icepack to his face while Dopp fixed yet another ridiculous costume on his body. He had thought Halloween had been bad, but with no offense to Johnny, who is obviously the maker of both outfits, this costume was wilder than that of the phantom he had worn.
For one thing, he was half nude despite the obvious cold weather. The focus of the costume was the hakama like style of the pants, ripped and braided with skulls interwoven within the fabric. Bells hung from a looped belt that extended around his waist, rising to the sash that hugged his midriff. Cut off sleeves were tied around the rise of each of shoulder blade that flowed down to give the appearance of wings.
Right now, Dopp was painting an eight point star on the right side of his chest next to his already exotic tattoo. It was known as the fairy star and the symbol of the Tuuli Thea, the elite group of the Fae. Behind him, Tapp was busy brushing out his long hair, readying it for the complex style Dopp will be fixing it in.
"Stay still!" the African woman snapped at him for the eleventh time, as his flesh jumped whenever the ice-cold pint of the brush touched his skin.
He was already cold form being outside in a tumble that was supposed to be a fight. Now, Kanda felt like a freaking icicle.
"It's cold," he said as much to the buxom woman.
"Suck it up. You're a man, aren't you?"
Kanda growled and gritted his teeth. His one rule, his code of honor, involved to never strike a female. Never has he felt the strong desire to break it now.
Glowering, Kanda turned to Lavi, who had finished dressing while he had been tending to his wounds. Gone as the ridiculous outfit from before and he was now dressed in an elaborate costume that suited him to the tee.
Lavi wore hair extensions that reached his lower back that were a light mango color that almost looked eerily natural, the natural red of his hair blending into the strange orange. His bandana was gone, letting his bangs fall over his eyes to give him a mysterious look. Three strings of oriental beads had been braided into the strands on his left side, the first shorter than the last. These hung over his right eye, being the one with the eye patch.
Fox ears came out of the sides of his head and whiskers had been painted on each cheek, along with vines coming down like tears on his left cheek. He now wore a single gold contact, the pupil being the slit version of a snake's eye.
Finally, to finish his makeup and assortments, fangs, a fox tail (a real one that had been stuffed for the occasion), and claws were put on, with Dopp adding the green vines crawling up his arms.
Lavi's clothes were just as exotic as Kanda's: a maroon vest covered his bare chest, made out of vellum like material that gave the illusion of fur. He wore gloves that had been cut on the knuckle side, to show off the tattoos. It went to mid-arm, where the gloves had been tied tight to keep them on. They were also fingerless, to show off the claws.
The vest had a plunging V neckline, where his chest had been painted on, a whole canvas of a field of clovers that extended down to his waistline. Kanda had seen Dopp paint it while he got ice for his cheek.
Lastly, Lavi wore simple black slacks, with brown tweed rope hanging down the loops of where the belt would go, tucked into thigh high black combat boots. The same tweed rope wrapped around the high leather like thin, decayed snakes.
He now looked like Dagda, the fox sprite that was the Unseelie King's favorite trickster, the knight favored for his wit and obedient nature. Also, he was famous for his nefarious tricks on human and Fae alike.
Dagda fitted Lavi's personality like a glove.
Noticing his friend's glare, Lavi flashed his fangs in a grin at the sullen youth. "What?" he asked innocently. "Something amiss, Ankou?"
His style of voice and tone had changed, becoming more playful and mischievous. Apparently, the red head had gotten into character for the sole purpose of annoying him.
"Why the hell are you still here? You're done, aren't you?" Kanda demanded, wanting nothing more than to get up and go for a rematch. But a warning jab from the brush told him not to move again, unless he wanted some serious pain.
So he obediently staid put, but kept his glare on the red head.
Lavi pretended to think about this question seriously. (2) "Hmm… I don't know. Maybe to keep you company?"
It was both amazing and infuriating to see him keep in character. Of course, when dressing up to go to the festival, it is expected for the person to get into the role of whomever they chose to portray. It was a big deal and there were many contests going on for the best Costume and Actor, or whoever could act the best. The prizes varied, from plasma TVs to exotic trips. Kanda couldn't remember if there were cash prizes as well.
He gave his coldest stare, striving to destroy Lavi's amusement. "I don't need you to babysit me. I can take care of myself," he growled.
"Hmph!" Dopp scoffed, wiping off the excess paint from her brush. "I'll believe that when I see more empty plates from your room."
"She's got a point, Yu," Lavi pointed out, dropping his act. "Otherwise, you'll keep losing to this!" He smacked his muscled form, which the point would have been lost had Kanda never seen the red head eat.
Not nearly as bad as Allen (whom he could never understand where he puts it in that small body), but Lavi ate more than a normal person should.
It irked him, made him twitch.
"No one asked you, Dopp," he snapped at her unwisely.
She tugged on his ear like a bad child, frowning. "Now don't take that tone with me, young man!" she scolded him. "I'm still not pleased with either of you. In fact, the only reason I'm even helping is that this is Miranda's first festival. So behave and don't ruin it for her. I'm taking to the both of you!" Dopp glared between them, emitting a fierce fury that instantly made the two young men submit readily.
"Yes, ma'am."
Tapp laughed. "And this is why I don't need to worry about my sister," he said proudly. "She takes care of herself!"
She snorted unladylike and watched her younger brother layout Kanda's long dark hair, so black that it shone blue. It had been brushed so it wouldn't tangle in her work, infused with special oil that made it fine and pretty, flowing smoothly through one's fingers, how Dopp is going to need it if she was to do this style.
Kanda felt his face flush in embarrassment at having his hair be treated so delicately and fine like a girl's. He wanted to protest, to make a fuss that would make him a typical boy, but his body stayed put, both out of apprehension of facing Dopp's wrath and something else.
An image of Miranda appeared in his mind, her gentle smile near haunting him, her scars near tormenting him. For her, he stayed still and waited for the torture to begin.
Dopp looked at the design drawn on the paper with a foul look, before she scowled at Lavi with a raised eyebrow. The question was loud and clear: Really?
The red head shrugged, the beads by his right temple clinking in response. "Johnny said it would suit him and the costume. If you don't want to do it or if you can't-"
"Don't insult me. Of course I can!" Dopp interrupted. She glanced over to the brooding Japanese boy. "But in order for it to work, I'm going to have to cut some of your hair, Kanda. Are you sure about this?"
Kanda was silent. The length of his hair was nothing to him. He could do without it. But…
He sighed. He could not deny that it had some special meaning to his grandfather, Zhu. The old man had gotten both extremely emotional and sentimental after what had happened.
"Damn it!" he swore angrily. "Do whatever you want. I don't give a damn."
Dopp shrugged. "Alright then. Tapp, pass me those scissors, will you?"
In the middle of the bustling festival, Miranda was swept away with awe.
At first, she had been a little overwhelmed, with the cold and the rigorous activity going around them. But the longer she stood there with Allen, the more she could see the magic around this place.
For one thing, she and Allen were not the only ones dressed up. Numerous fairies walked around them, some wearing so much glitter that it made them literally sparkle underneath the soft glow of light. Some were almost half naked or near entirely, making Miranda give out a yelp and cover her eyes, while wondering how they could withstand the cold in such little clothing.
"It's okay, Miranda. They're gone, so you can open your eyes now," Allen soothed her with a smile.
Out of everyone there, she believed it was Allen who gained the most attention, the most stares filled with awe. There had been plenty of people whom stopped by, asking the English boy for pictures, some even asking for Miranda to join. Some of the other fairies asked who he was.
"Try to guess please," Allen would say, with a wink towards his friend.
The two of them were standing together, near the closest entrance where Allen had said they would meet the others at. They had created quite a crowd, to the point where one of the festival employees had to regulate the flow of traffic.
At first, the man had asked them to move further in, suggesting a platform where they could wait for their friends. But Allen explained to him that his friends were new to the festival and wouldn't know where to look for them. After more convincing, the man finally gave in and allowed them to stay where they were; instead he began to direct the flow of foot traffic so the entrance wouldn't be crowded. They could hear him over the crowd.
"Excuse me! Little lady!" a heavily accented voice asked for Miranda's attention.
She turned her head and looked up. And up. And up.
The man was huge, with a full red beard that seemed to nearly engulf the lower part of his face, with similarly thick eyebrows. He fit the costume of the Viking he wore, complete with a horned helmet, as though he had come from the very past for this event.
But unlike the stories she had read about the fierce people, this man's eyes were kind and sparkling with good cheer. Also, there was gray in his beard and he was stooping in his height that spoke of his age. An elder woman stood behind him, holding a camera and wearing a simpler dress, much like a peasant woman would have worn back in the day, complete with fur trimmed boots.
"Um, yes?" Miranda asked, intimidated by the large man even though she knew that he meant her no harm.
"May you and yer lad be in a picture wit me?" he asked, almost excitedly like a child.
She turned to Allen, who had stepped beside her. He shrugged and smiled.
"It's alright with me," he said.
Miranda turned back to the man and nodded. "Sure," she said. "We will be happy to."
The man let out a roar of contentment, startling both youths before he tugged them both to his side, facing the woman. "Get a good shot, Martha!" he told her, whom was presumably his wife.
Martha bustled forward, quickly releasing her husband's hold on the two bewildered youths. "First, Jona, let the two dears breathe," she scolded him, in a lighter accent than the man's. "Right here, sweet pea. You stand here." She led Allen to a spot on Jona's right, making him stand in a way that showed off the complex horned headdress. "And you, my beauty, will lie right here."
"Huh?" Miranda squeaked, allowing Martha (though very apprehensively) to pose her like one would do in a modeling shoot, positioning her on the ground before them. She was half lying on her side, lifted by one arm. The pose allowed the fake wings on her back to flutter prettily, the robes of her kimono giving an alluring view of her legs, revealing the fairy sandals, or sandals that had vines crawling up her legs with fake leaves, she wore.
This pose made her face flame red and she staid still as Martha brushed some of her hair over one shoulder as much as she could, without destroying the hairstyle and managing to show the accessories she had in her hair.
The floor was oddly warm, heated by the same thermal energy that made the hot springs. Still, it made it no less embarrassing to be lying down like this, especially in public.
Martha posed Jona next, managing to make him like a mighty Viking after all, having him bend down to one knee and raising his arms as though he was getting ready to bellow.
"Now, that's a picture!" she said with pride. "Sorry for the wait, but a good photographer must always ready her models to make them shine!" She grabbed the camera from her neck. "Now, say Fairy!"
"Fairy!" they said and Martha shot several photos of them, in different angles. Around them, other people took the opportunity to snag their own of the alluring poses, giving out comments of impressed views.
At last, it was done and Jona helped Miranda up. He thanked both her and Allen for their kindness and Martha offered to make arrangements to send them a copy of the pictures once she got them developed in her studio. It turned out she was a professional photographer from Ireland, on vacation in Scotland with her husband.
"That will be great," Allen said and he looked embarrassed. "I don't know if the others we're waiting for remembered to bring their camera with them."
"What are you talking about? Of course I did!"
Allen and Miranda were blinded by a flash of light, making them blink their eyes to rid of the sudden spots. She rubbed her eyes and nearly jumped at the sudden cries and squeals of the females around them. She thought something was wrong at first, looking around terrified in case someone was in trouble. But then she followed their gazes, towards where Allen now stood, scolding the newcomer, and she saw what made it a perfectly good reason to cry out and to even squeal.
Lavi… was amazing. No words could describe just how perfectly the costume fitted him. It was almost hard to imagine him as before, as himself. He looked every inch as a fox fairy, a mischievous creature whose enjoyment was playing jokes of all kinds. He held a very expensive camera, a Nikon D5000 that looked brand new. She wondered how he managed to hold it with those claws he wore, or how he managed to keep those gloves on his arms.
Lavi caught her looking and gave an impressed sound. "Mir-an-da! Looking good!" He whistled appreciatively, going around her as he surveyed her appearance.
Miranda blushed and ducked her head. She began to sputtered, trying to deny his compliment. "It's only because Dopp and Tapp has done such a good job," she tried to convince him, but it didn't work.
Lavi took her hand and bowed deeply over it. "Nah, it's all you, sweetheart," he said flirtatiously and she thought she would faint.
"Dagda, knock it off." Allen smacked Lavi in the back of his head, using what must have been Lavi's fairy name. "Ainsel is not yours to pay around with."
"Eh?" Miranda looked between them, wondering about the sudden change in mood. Had the role-playing already begun?
"Why? Are you jealous because I'm having fun, Fauni?" the red head asked, stressing on the name.
The English boy didn't look the bit angry, only annoyed. "No," he said. "I'm only saying this 'cause Ankou looks about ready to kill you."
It was then that Miranda was suddenly pulled back, to stand behind someone's tall and angry figure. She did not recognize him, not at first. Then she saw the dark scowl and the familiar dark hair, but the rest of him was… different.
It was more than the outfit he wore, the costume that suited him so perfectly that her mouth went dry with unfamiliar sensations, a deep burn of desire that gathered in her chest.
Kanda was magnificent, looking every inch of the Unseelie warrior he was supposed to be. His dark temperament bored down on them, creating a persona that became the dark fairy Ankou's ego, the fairy of death.
Miranda could not tell if he was in character or not. Her hand lifted to his face, startling him with her touch. When he looked at her, she saw that he wore kohl around his dark eyes, shadowed by the feathery bangs that hung over his face. His hair had been changed, the style being feathery and light, to blend with the real feathers that had been inserted within the strands.
It was more than a headdress of feathers, which extended down his back in a French cornrow sort of style that left two long strands of hair to frame his face, curtaining the exotic tattoo and the added star on his chest.
The hand that held her arm was clawed like Lavi's was, with a sort of leathery arm band that extended from the wrist to the elbow. From there, more feathers had sprouted, black like a raven's wing.
Ankou was death, which is why in many stories and images of him, he is most portrayed as a crow, which explains Kanda's birdlike appearance.
The only part that had not been painted on was his scowl, though his look somewhat softened into a blank stare as he stared down at her intently. Miranda jumped as she realized what she was doing and hastily stepped back, though with his hold she didn't get very far.
"I-I'm sorry, Kanda! I was just so surprised. I didn't know you were going to cut your hair. I mean, it's still long, yes, but the style," she was babbling in her nervousness, looking down to the ground and anywhere else but his impressive build.
What is wrong with me? She demanded of herself, but didn't receive any answer. Not that she would, of course, but she couldn't stop that foolish hope. That pitiful desire.
Kanda silenced her by covering her mouth, careful with the way he did so that the claws wouldn't nick her or anything.
"You didn't do anything to apologize for," he grumbled uneasily, his voice speaking very low. He quickly released her, both of his hold on her arm and his hand on her mouth. But he didn't turn away, continuing to stare down at her with an unreadable expression.
Miranda didn't even try to decipher it, too afraid of what she would find in those dark eyes of his.
Snap!
"Gotcha!" Lavi announced happily, grinning at them from behind the camera. "Sorry. That was totally a Kodak moment and I couldn't resist." He draped an arm over Kanda's shoulders, mindful of the feathers. "So, what do you think? Pretty sweet, ain't she? Dopp truly did her job!"
Kanda looked away, while Miranda covered her face with embarrassment. Any more of his compliments and she was sure her face would catch on fire.
But none so what the dark boy's words did to her. Even as softly spoken he did, she still heard them, almost as loud as the roar of the crowd.
"She looks beautiful."
"Oh my dearies!" Martha came over to where they stood, her eyes glowing with excitement and near hysteria. "The two of ye are magnificent!"
"Bloody brilliant! I cannae wait to see your procession," Jona agreed, looking at the two arrived boys with pride. "Course, I won't say anything before the contest that would ruin your chances."
"Thank you, Jona," Allen smiled gratefully. "We want to keep it a secret until we start. Hopefully, our acting wouldn't be that bad and people will be able to guess who we are."
"Donnae worry!" the huge man assured them. "Yer'll be great!"
"But first," Martha interrupted, lifting her camera. "May I take a picture of ye boys as well?"
After a second mini photo shoot, the role playing began.
"MOVE OUT OF THE WAY!" Lavi growled loudly, scaring a couple of children on his left side.
They ran away squealing with delight, some even running back to bug some more.
"Um, guys," Miranda's voice trembled, more with embarrassment than the cold. "Is this… really necessary?"
She had been swept up in the boys' arms, where she now sat on their shoulders. Lavi and Kanda held her up while Allen led the way to somewhere. They didn't tell her where, only explaining that it'll help with her acting if she was kept clueless.
"Pipe down, pixie!" Allen snapped at her, surprising her so much that she nearly fell forward.
Kanda used his free arm to catch her quickly, allowing her to use him as a leverage to keep her balance. The English boy gave an apologetic look, coming closer to her so that she could hear him over the crowd's chatter.
"Sorry for scaring you, Miranda," he said, "but in this acting, we're going to have to be mean to you. We are your abductors after all. But please don't take anything we say seriously. Everything is faked."
"And we need you to act more like a captive," Lavi added, looking up at her. "Don't worry. We'll put you down in a little while. We only need to act for the first ten minutes of arriving. It's the rule of the contest for some reason."
"I… I see," she said, following their whispered tones. "Then, I guess I'm supposed to be screaming?"
"Yep," Lavi nodded, the beads by his face tinkling in response. "Also, try to struggle a bit. The people will love it!"
"I-I'll try," she said uneasily.
She wasn't sure how to start, never really being in this sort of situation before. She moved her legs, aiming to kick but not to strike while keeping a firm grip on the boy's shoulders.
"That's it! You're doing great!" the read head praised in his normal voice, before it became high and playful. "Oi! We got a fighter!" It looked like he was restraining her, but really he was keeping a tight hold. "Come on, Yu, join in," he whispered to the dark haired boy, who staid stubbornly silent.
Miranda gave a faint squeal, breathlessly saying to let her go. She flushed, never having to act in this manner before in her life and she wasn't even sure if she was even doing it right.
"Quiet that wench! We don't want her kin following!" Allen barked, again surprising the German woman with his brilliant acting, making him seen like a true cruel fairy with no regards to the tears or screams of a female.
She blinked, as an unwanted image flushed through her mind.
Dark hair.
Gold eyes.
A maniacal smile.
"Se quer gritar, grito! Eu só somente estou sendo começado, cadela pequena!"(3)
Miranda stiffened at the memory, the scars on her hands beginning to burn. Her struggles became real, her hold forgotten as she fought to get away.
"Huh? Wait, Miranda!"
Lavi blinked as suddenly the weight on his shoulder disappeared. He whirled quickly, the snow spraying around his feet, as he searched to see if Miranda had fallen, cursing his loose grip. But he hadn't expected her to go into depth as she did, or the force she had begun to use really surprised him. Who knew she had that much strength in her?
He relaxed, though, in relief. He even cracked a knowing grin.
"You know, if you wanted to hold her all by yourself, you should have just said so, Yu-I mean, Ankou," he pointed out, snickering.
"Shut up," Kanda glared.
The pose was surprising. He held Miranda nearly over his shoulder, the position forcing her to grab hold of his neck lest she fall and have her weight bring them both down. Her eyes were wide as she felt the softness of his hair and the coarse feel of feathers against her cheek, the velvety skin of his broad shoulders beneath her hands.
Her entire face has gone red, feeling the strength of his hands against the kimono covering her legs, dangerously close to her rear end.
Allen jogged back, a worried expression destroying his mask of the ruthless fairy. "Did something happen? Was Miranda hurt?" he asked almost fiercely.
"Oh, she's fine," Lavi assured the younger boy, waving his hand his a carefree way. "Kanda just couldn't wait to get her hands on her."
Miranda jumped. "Um, uh…" she stuttered, drawing away from the sudden close proximity of their faces, looking at anything but the boy who held her in his arms.
"K-Kanda. Y-you can p-put me down now."
He shook his head, surprising her with his refusal. "You're supposed to be our captive," he reminded her. "I won't put you down until it's done, so just… bear with me, alright?"
She gave out a shriek of terror as Kanda lifted her even higher, now literally putting her over his shoulder like sack of potatoes. She was amazed by his strength; surely she was a bit heavy? But then, Miranda remembered that he had carried her before, back when she had fainted in his doorway the day she received Tyki's phone call.
Her face burned when she thought about that moment. She had been more than half naked than she was now, yet this time it felt more intimidated, strangely more personally.
Kanda, too, was struggling, struggling not to move his hand from its spot on her thigh. The skin felt exquisite underneath his fingers, making him burn with the desire to feel more, just like the last time had. It didn't help the fact that her breasts were right there by the side of his face, nearly for his viewing pleasure. He felt like a pervert for thinking that but the thoughts wouldn't stop. And he had to stop, because these pants were already as tight as it is.
"You all right, Miranda?" Lavi asked, looking at the woman in case she needed assistance or if she fell again.
Blushing, Miranda nodded. "I-I'm fine," she told her friend, her voice shaking.
Someone held her hand and gave it squeeze. When she tilted her head, she saw that it was Allen, who gave her a small smile.
"It's just for a little while, 'kay?" he promised.
She sighed. "I… I know."
They resumed their acting, this time Kanda participating. Miranda felt greatly intimidated, as she thought the fairy Ainsel would be and managed to give a decent performance of a kidnapped fairy who was about to be sacrificed would act.
Lavi and Allen were both great. Allen played the part of Fauni brilliantly, acting both as a majestic god and a cruel demon of the forest, yelling at her to shut up and often suggesting that she be gagged. Of course, his eyes were always apologetic when he did and say these things, and whenever he touched Miranda, he did it gently and carefully, as though he were handling fragile glass instead.
Lavi, on the other hand, had a blast being Dagda. He played tricks whenever he could, pulling on people's hair as he passed them by and even braided some of them, many un-expecting it. As he left them behind, cries and outbursts would follow when his handiwork was noticed at last.
Out of all of them, the red head had the most fun.
Kanda did his own performance the best way that he could. Ankou detested children, so whenever they would approach to gawk at them, he would swipe his claws at the kids in a threatening manner, giving the best glare as he could and kept a good hold on Miranda when he did.
Of course, he would miss the damn brats but his attack seemed so real that the children would cry and run away in tears to their parents. One even began to bawl loudly on the spot, forcing the Japanese boy to lower Miranda reluctantly to her feet so she could hush the fussing child, while Lavi laughed at their expense.
Finally, the boys got what they were after, when a man detached himself from the crowd of admirers and asked for their names. He revealed himself as a Scouter, the person who was responsible for picking the best candidates for each specific contest and entering them in, after watching them for the ten minute time that was appointed.
He wrote their names on a small notepad furiously with a lengthy scrawl. Then, he gave them a bow and thanked them, before going on his way.
"No! Thank you!" Lavi called out to his retreating figure, waving his arm in the air in goodbye.
Without a word, Kanda turned around and began walking.
"Hey, hey! Hold on buddy!" Lavi ran after him, trapping the dark haired youth with an arm around the boy's neck. "Where are you going? The festival's just getting started, Yu! Surely you remember that? There's a lot to do while we wait for the results."
He glared. "The acting thing is done, so I no longer have a reason to stay. And you know full well that I hate the festival. I'm leaving."
"But !"
"Stop calling me that before I beat the shit out of you!"
"They're fighting again," Miranda said out loud, standing next to Allen somewhat away.
"Yeah, I'm really not surprised," the English boy said with a frown. His voice was loud, meaning for it to be heard from far away, specifically where the boys were.
"Kanda's never really lasted at the festival for a long period of time," Allen continued. "He simply can't handle the festival and the hard games of chance so before he makes an ass of himself, he leaves. It's happen before, so it's not surprising how pathetic he is."
"Um, Allen." Miranda took a step back behind the boy as there was a sudden rush of ominous aura, filled with the hot air of anger. She could see her school partner literally twitch in an attempt to restrain his fury, to not lash out and hurt something like he so obviously wanted to do.
The boy beside her, however, turned to smile at her reassuringly. "Not to worry, though, Miranda. Lavi and I can show you around instead. Better than Kanda getting us lost again like that last time. Remember, Lavi? All those dead ends he led us to?"
"Oh yeah," Lavi agreed, removing his arm to cross the both of them over his chest. "And how he refused to ask directions, even when he had to go to the bathroom. I think it had gotten so bad that he had to go in the-"(4)
SMACK!
Kanda stomped his way to where Allen stood, leaving the fox fairy on the ground where his punch landed him. Face to face, the two boys glared at each other, Kanda with the fiercest and coldest scowl and Allen with a smirk, transforming his otherwise innocent face into a malevolent being.
"Anything else you want to say before I break your mouth, Beansprout?" the dark haired boy demanded.
"Sure," Allen grinned. "Kiss. My-"
GRROOOWWLLL!
Miranda jumped before stepping between the boys, the sound startling her greater than the immediate fight that was about to happen.
They all turned to Lavi, where the red head has sat up with a grin, rubbing the back of his head with embarrassment.
"Oops! My bad," he apologized. Surprisingly, none of his accessories dropped or was askew in the fall or affected by the blow Kanda had given him, still looking as he had when he first came.
Again, Miranda felt impressed by Tapp and Dopp's talent. She wondered why they didn't show those skills often and why they had become innkeepers instead. They could really make a fortune out of their skills, she thought.
Lavi stood up, brushing the snow from his pants before walking towards them. "Can we eat first before you kick each other's asses?" he asked cheerfully, not serious to the situation at all.
Then the German woman gasped as she realized something. "Oh no! I didn't bring my wallet!" She mentally cursed herself for not remembering or to even have the insight to at least stuff some money in a sleeve or something.
Even though she had been occupied with other things –like putting on the outfit and the things in her hair- there really wasn't any excuse. She still should have been responsible to remember to bring her own stuff. Maybe Kanda could take her back and- but she didn't want to be a bother.
Oh, what she do?
"Not to worry, Little Ainsel!" Lavi reached inside his vest and pulled out a small pouch that was connected to a string. "I brought enough for the both of us!"
"What about us?" Allen asked, crossing his arms and raising his eyebrow, the argument momentarily forgotten.
"You two can feed yourselves," the red head said, taking hold of Miranda's arm lightly and tugged her along. "That's what you get for being complete asses. Come one, Miranda. Let's go try to fineness of the Winter Festival's specialty!"
"What are you? Five?" The English boy followed along, shaking his head at the red head's antics. He glanced back to the brooding Japanese boy, who hadn't moved since Lavi's stomach interrupted. "You coming or do I have to spread another rumor?"
Kanda glared at the younger boy. "Why do you care so much whether I come along or not?" he demanded, sick at the games and tasks the two do in order to get their way with him.
"You're right. I don't," Allen admitted. "But I care about Miranda and believe it or not, she wants to spend time with you. As her friend, I will do anything to make her happy, even if it means hanging out with you." He left the dark haired boy behind, to jog until he reached the two in front of him, joining their conversation.
Miranda looked back and waved at him. "Come on, Kanda!"
Sighing, he followed, not really sure why he did. All he did know that he could not resist that smile, and he did try.
"It's snowing," Miranda nearly whispered, watching the sky as puffy white balls fell down steadily.
She wasn't the only one looking up. Many of the people were exclaiming in delight, some in their own native language that together became a colorful blend of different cultures. Children ran around freely, trying to catch the snowflakes with their hands or tongues or both. Their laughter surrounded the German woman and she felt at peace with everything. No longer did she feel the cold, as the warmth from the festival beat it away despite the snow.
"This is the big one, the main event of the winter season," Lavi explained, following her gaze. "Once this storm starts, it'll last for seven full days, so we'll be cooped up at the inn until Thanksgiving break is over. According to the local legend, this winter storm is actually the Snow King's banquet."
"Snow King?" Miranda repeated, looking at him a bit confused.
He grinned at her. "Ainsel's future master. It's another name for the Unseelie King among many. It's also the one most commonly used in all the romance stories and stuff."
"Oh." She was startled when something cool grabbed her hand to enclose her fingers around a warm object that literally defrost the chill of her skin. It was a cup of brown liquid that didn't look like coffee because the brown was lighter and richer. Then she remembered what it was, the delicacy that she never was able to share, but had served it in the houses she worked, to the people she worked for.
Hot chocolate.
Miranda turned to smile as Kanda stepped beside her, a cup of his own in his hand. "Thank you, Kanda," she said.
"It's nothing," he said, taking a sip to look busy.
"Hey, Lavi! Check this out!" Allen called out from a strand nearby, looking excited.
"Excuse me." The red head went over where his younger partner was nearly prancing around like a child.
Miranda watched him leave, feeling happy. The day had been fun, much better than she expected with the cold and the odd state of dress that she, that they were all in. They had enjoyed a lunch of turkey legs and chips (fries, she found out), Lavi caving in to buy the others lunch as Kanda's costume gave him no room to put anything and Allen wouldn't stop whining.
Afterwards, they walked throughout the festival, the two school partners pointing out various sights and booths to her while Kanda followed quietly behind. Often, they would be stopped to ask for a photo or to have a photo taken with. Mostly, though, they were female admirers who would ask for a couple sort of picture. The favorite pairing of the three was Kanda, of whom even Miranda had to admit looked dazzling in his costume. Of course, he didn't like this a bit at all and it was only because of Allen's intervention that he would do this at all.
Miranda sniffed the brew, smelling a vibrant blend of sweetness and warmth. Her brow furrowed as she blew on it, the smoke flickering as it rose from the surface.
"Just drink it already," Kanda said, sounding annoyed. He was already finished with his and he crushed the paper cup in his hand.
"Oh! Uh, yes." She blew on it again, and took the tiniest sip, in case if it was still too hot. The flavor burst on her tongue, both a sweet and bitter taste that made her cheeks fell warm. "Mmmm…" The moan left her mouth before she could stop and she was smiling ridiculously, but it was something that she could not stop it.
When she turned back, she saw the Japanese youth staring at her and could not stop her blush. "Is… is there something wrong?" she asked him.
He lifted his head a fraction. "Is this your first time?"
She was confused, but followed his gaze to the cup she still held. "Eh, yes. It is. I've never tasted chocolate before. It's how I imagined it to be, sweet with a hint of bitterness. Just like the taste of blood," she told the solemn boy with a smile.
"Blood," he repeated softly, looking far away for a moment. "That's not how some people would describe it," he mentioned.
Miranda flinched at that. "Really? I mean, I know that's strange and all but…" she sputtered, trying to find the right words but drew a blank.
Why had she said that? That was a strange comparison, for she knew that she has never tasted blood before, was sure that she hadn't. Had she? Care to think of it, she did have some holes in her memory.
Spots of blanks of her time in that house, several that made her shake in terror without knowing why. Miranda was shaking now at the cruel reality. She had a flawed memory and she had the feeling that she also had forgotten something important. Something precious to her.
Unbidden, the image of a smiling Tyki came to her mind.
"Miranda, fez me um homem feliz."(5)
"Miranda-"
"There you are, my little Fall. I've been anticipating your arrival," a dark, silken rumble of a voice whispered in her ears and a different sort of shiver went down her spine as strong arms encased her figure in a gentle but confining embrace.
She stiffened and the stranger chuckled mischievously. "You look marvelous, delicious," he praised. "I can't wait to devour you."
"E-EH?"
"Oi!"
Suddenly Miranda was dragged away by a forcible tug on her arm and held instead protectively by Kanda, who was glaring at the newcomer.
If looks could kill, Kanda would have murdered him plenty of times already to give him ten lifetimes in prison or more.
Looking at the man, Miranda gasped as a blush covered her face. "Pro-Professor Cross! What…What…?"
"It's good to see you, Miss Lotto," the red haired man said, smiling softly.
She could scarcely breathe. He looked so dangerous, so monstrous. Horns swirled out the side of his head, with his feathery red hair brushing against them. He wore a pitch black outfit that looked similar to his normal wear. Wisps of boa feathers covered his broad shoulders, giving him an elegant look that matched his smirking face, creating an exotic effect that looked entirely fey. (6)
He didn't wear his spectacles, revealing gray eyes a darker shade than Allen's. (7) They peered down at her appreciatively and Miranda had to remember to even breathe. It was a teasing look, however, obviously meant to not mean anything serious, or to show any interest of that nature, only praise. However, it was more obvious that Kanda didn't see anything more but that look and from the way his arms strained against her, how his fists were curled and shaking, it was clear that he was doing his best to hold himself back and not strike the professor for his leer.
"Kanda," she breathed quietly, her hand touching his arm in an effort to calm him. She tried to give a reassuring smile and tried to sound positive and believable when she said, "It was only a compliment. There is no need for you to be angry, Kanda."
"Right," Cross agreed, crossing his arms over his chest. Miranda saw that the sleeves were cut and they fell to reveal muscular forearms with painted tattoos that were similar to the ones Lavi had, only Cross's were more intense and complicated with strange looking letters. They looked time consuming and she wondered how long did he have to wait for the paint looked old, but it had the resemblance of tattoo ink.
He, too, wore claws and they looked natural like the others, sharp as well. On the center of his forehead, nearly covered by his long red bangs, was the fairy eight pointed star in the same ink that coated his arms.
The Professor looked beautiful and deadly, she couldn't help remarking once more quietly.
"Master!"
"Ah, Allen. It's about time, my stupid pupil," Cross frowned lightly, not out of affection but more to not create wrinkles. "I've been waiting for-"
Allen grabbed hold of the collar of the man's shirt, trying to lift him up but failing due to his short size. He glared at his foster father angrily, looking ready to attempt to throw the man.
"What the fuck are you doing here?" the English boy demanded.
"Language, Allen. We have a lady present," Cross remind the boy with a droll expression, not at all minding his present situation by being manhandled by his pupil.
Gray eyes sought Miranda's and she jumped at the hysteria she saw there. She had already been shocked by Allen's cursing in a loud manner that was so out of character for the soft spoken boy.
His crazed eyes softened and Allen let go to bow deeply to her. "Forgive my outburst, Miranda. I let my anger get the best of me," he apologized sincerely.
"Ah, um, no. It's alright. I was a little shocked by it, but it didn't bother me," Miranda assured him, waving her hands. Her movements were limited, however, due to Kanda's continued hold on her. And it didn't seem like he was going to let go anytime soon.
Her face turned red, but for another reason than embarrassed awareness. She was aware of his angry heat, his strong arms encaging her to his side. She didn't fail to notice that she fitted quite nicely in the crook of his arm, the top her head barely touching his cheek.
"Hey, Yu. Do you mind? I don't think Miranda can breathe," Lavi remarked as he joined them. Though he was smiling pleasantly, there was a big threat inflicted on Cross in the shape of a plastic knife at the man's throat.
The older red head looked at it with a bored expression. "Don't you think this is a bit childish, Lavi?" he asked.
"Just a precaution," Lavi said cheerfully, a threat sugarcoated by his tone.
Cross sighed and looked at each of the boys. 'Don't tell me that you're all still mad about what happened last year? I did warn you that King's Pool was not an easy game to play, especially for green horns like the three of you."
Miranda looked up questioningly as the dark haired boy stiffened. Kanda had lost his fearsome expression and was replaced by a horrified one. She looked back to the Professor and asked quizzically, "What is King's Pool?"
Both Allen and Lavi stiffened like Kanda, while Cross gave an easy smirk.
"It's a simple game," he explained, "one that's fun if you can hold your liquor. Nothing is more amusing than to be the observer of your drunken partners' descent into insanity." He looked knowingly at each of the three boys, whom all gained a murderous air, one that made Miranda feel very nervous. "So do you want to play, Miranda? I bet you could beat these fools. How about it? Want to try?"
"NOOO!"
All three of them yelled their denial, making Cross cover his ears with an annoyed yet amused expression.
It seemed as Kanda had reached his limit for he grabbed Miranda's arm and dragged her away, despite her yelp and protest to stay.
"So Freidoll was right. He has become attached to that woman," the red haired man mused, reaching into a pocket and took out a cigarette. "Here I was hoping that it was just a silly rumor of his." He lit it up and took a deep breath, blowing the smoke out in a satisfied manner.
"Now then boys," he turned to the two with the semblance of a cruel smirk. "Can you guess why did I came here?"
(1) For a reference to see how Lavi look, search on YouTube the doujinshi called Pumpkin Party. Watch both parts and you'll see a glimpse at what I imagined him like or similar to it.
(2) I will admit. I was watching Gir when I wrote this scene. I needed inspiration for a fox's personality.
(3) Portuguese for If you want to scream, scream! I'm only just getting started, little bitch!
(4) All lies, made by Allen and Lavi to make fun of Kanda in order to get him to stay and prove otherwise.
(5) Portuguese for you have made me a happy man
(6) Costume reference for Cross can be seen at http(semi-colon, double slash)shadowsoffended(dot)deviantart(dot)com(slash)art(slash)Unseelie(dash)King(dash)26675670
(7) Okay, I looked everywhere for his damn exact eye color and all I could see was either gray or black. But I wanted Cross to be a little different so I made them a darker gray. Anyone who can tell me the right color, PM me and I'll change it.
A/N: Next time will be Part 3 and the end of this little arc of mine. Important revelations and finally a kiss scene, I promise!
Fan art contest is still going on, guys. Even if you are discouraged by your skills, a little doodle will be just fine.