Disclaimer: I don't own DGM.

Chapter 21

Allen left, and Tyki fiddled slightly with the packet of cigarettes in his pocket. The Earl was indeed behaving strangely. What was he up to? Tyki lit his cigarette and blew a couple of smoke rings into the air.

Then he made his decision – he would talk Lulu Bell into spilling some dirt on the morrow.

:::

The alarm clock blared like an inconsolable child, and Tyki Mikk's ears hurt. The thing needed to be dumped – stat. Tyki groaned and a hand shot out from below the covers, groping wildly about the bedside desk. The long fingers found nothing, though, and with another loud groan Tyki threw the covers away and pushed himself out of bed.

He inched across the carpet, shivering slightly as the morning air tickled his bare thighs. Peering at the clock, which he had stupidly placed at the opposite side of the room, Tyki realised that it was only six in the morning. Six in the morning was not a good time to be awake. Six in the morning was the perfect time for sleep, and at six in the morning only sorry fools would be up.

Tyki put the alarm clock back where it belonged and walked back to his bed, thinking happily of being reunited with the warm quilt and his soft, soft pillows...

He pulled the covers back over him, and it was bliss, almost like the feeling that hit him every time he got a cigarette into his mouth after a long day, or the feeling when he had a glass of fragrant wine in his hands as he relaxed on his softest armchair, or even –

Wait. He had set the alarm clock for a reason. What was the reason, then? He didn't seem to be able to recall this fact too well. He'd met Allen in the corridor yesterday... then what? She had come in, and she had seemed tired. Then... it suddenly hit Tyki. He was supposed to question Lulu Bell on the Earl's real plans.

What a damper, Tyki thought, shrugging away the covers in a swift motion. He wanted to sleep the morning away...

It was seven by the time Tyki was done with his morning routine. Yawning, he opened the door to the corridor and stepped out. The house was still deadly quiet, and Tyki knew for a fact that most of the building's occupants were still asleep. Except dear Lulu Bell, of course, who was an early riser despite her penchant for and (rather disturbing) similarity to those lazy, pesky creatures called cats.

Tyki yawned again; he needed some good, strong coffee to clear his mind before he could sort-of confront his so-called sister. To the kitchen he went first. It wasn't often that he had to brew his own coffee, but since the servants were all busy preparing breakfast, he had no other choice.

Coffee cup in hand, Tyki strolled away from the kitchen. Glancing at his watch, he decided that Lulu Bell would most likely be in the garden behind her room at this time. He would probably be able to catch her before she went in to do her morning exercise. A woman, he thought, should not subject her body to such intensive training, for chrissake. On that note, though, Lulu Bell's training did give her a body most women would die for. He knew it to be true – he had had the opportunity to observe her flawless abdomen and beautiful curves one night some years ago.

Now, he reflected, he didn't really give a damn about Lulu Bell in spite of (or perhaps it was because of) her body. It didn't matter to him – anymore. Once he had worshipped her; once he had loved her –that feeling which his younger self felt for the woman went beyond lust – but now, now she was just another Noah (and one he didn't even particularly like).

And there she was – Tyki stopped in the corridor, standing just beyond the opening that led into the little garden.

Lulu Bell was sitting at the stone table that stood proudly in the centre of the garden, her eyes trained on the sky. She was dressed in a simple black dressing gown, her hair neatly combed and flowing over her shoulders. She was indeed exquisitely beautiful, but Tyki knew that under her winsome face and voluptuous body lay a heart carved of stone and sin, a heart which had cankered with the years.

Tyki again wondered how it was that he could ever have loved her, however fleeting that feeling had been. Sipping at his coffee again, Tyki braced himself for the confrontation. It would have to be subtle, because Lulu Bell was usually a woman who liked subtlety. Therein lay her strength as well as her weakness. If Tyki could just play his cards right, he might be able to worm the Earl's possibly dangerous plans out of her.

Tyki stepped out into the garden, his presence heralded by a whiff of the cologne he was wearing. His leather shoes crunched over the sleeping gravel, and he took another sip of coffee.

Lulu Bell turned around. "Tyki," she said. "Good morning. What brings this you here this early?"

"Nothing much," he said, taking a seat by Lulu Bell. "Just enjoying the morning."

Lulu Bell scoffed at this. "You never do enjoy the morning. You hate waking early, period. Are you up to something?"

"No, sister mine."

"I find that hard to believe," she said, and then moved slightly closer. "You've changed your cologne."

"I got bored of the old one," Tyki said, waving his hand indifferently.

"This one smells utterly different."

"Felt like a change."

"This doesn't smell like you at all. You like flamboyant scents, don't you?" Lulu Bell stared at Tyki, her eyes narrowed. "Are you chasing after some girl who likes these ... these clean scents?"

"It's a fresh scent," Tyki said, rolling his eyes.

"Oh, I'm so sorry for offending your manly dignity by calling you clean."

"It's alright. I'm immune to your barbs, dear sister."

Lulu Bell shrugged, and glanced back up at the sky. Her red fingernails went taptaptap against the stone table, and Tyki saw it.

"Anxious so early in the morning, are we?"

"No," Lulu Bell said shortly. "I mean, no, I'm not. What makes you think so?"

"Nothing," Tyki said, "but do look at your fingers."

"My fingers? Oh, I'm tapping them." Lulu Bell sighed. "I – yeah, I am slightly worried about... work."

"Work?"

"Yes."

"You've never been much worried about work," Tyki said, affecting surprise. "You've always been far too efficient for your own good."

"Have I?" Lulu said, her eyes drifting away.

"The Earl's angry?"

"No, no, nothing like that..."

"Then what is it? There should be no secrets between family members."

"Is that so?" Lulu asked, her eyes dark and empty. 'Why do you keep so many skeletons then, Tyki?"

"I don't –"

"You don't have to lie. I know something of your past and your secrets."

Tyki had nothing to say in reply to this barb. He hung his head and fiddled with his now-empty cup. "Would you mind if I take a smoke?" he asked at last.

"No, no ahead," Lulu said. "Give me one too."

Tyki handed her a cigarette and lit it for her. Then he lit his one, and deliberately sent a ring of smoke toward the sky.

"I used to do that too," Lulu said, as he had known she would. "Before I quit smoking, I mean."

"Why did you quit smoking?"

"It felt wrong, somehow. But now... now I think I'll pick the habit back up again."

"Oh?"

"It de-stresses," she said simply.

Tyki nodded.

"You know, your little friend..."

"Who?"

Lulu Bell sent a pained expression Tyki's way. "Allen Walker. Who else?"

"What about her?"

"I don't see why you and Rhode are so hung up over her. What's so special about her?"

Tyki's eyes gleamed. He saw a subtle inroad into the hopefully indirect confrontation. "Are you jealous, Lulu?"

"Jealous? Me?" Lulu Bell scoffed. She tossed her pretty hair. "I see no reason why I should be jealous of a girl like that."

"True," Tyki said. "In terms of looks you win her hands down. You're hotter. Smarter too, I should think."

"Hmm."

"But at the same time, you're lonelier."

"I beg your pardon?" Lulu Bell's eyes were now frigid.

"You heard what I said. Where Allen is rich in terms of friendships, you are poor... you have no heart where a heart should lie."

"You dare –"

"Am I not right?"

A silence fell over them, and Tyki writhed inside at the awkwardness that stretched between them.

"You're right," Lulu conceded after a while. But her eyes were still cold and filled with something akin to malice. "Maybe."

"And you feel threatened by Allen's presence just because of this?"

"I... I don't know."

"The ever-composed Lulu Bell is made confused by the presence of a girl who she feels is inferior to herself in almost all aspects." Tyki smirked. "How amusing."

"That's not very kind of you, brother," Lulu said.

"Oh, I know that."

"Then – never mind."

"But if you must," Tyki said, "if you really need consolation, sister dear, then look to the Master for comfort. You are efficient beyond belief. The Earl prizes you more than he does me, that's for sure."

"Hmm, that's true," Lulu said. "But still..."

"You can't wait to get rid of Allen, huh. Your self-esteem has taken a beating."

"I never knew Neah..." Lulu said. "But from what the Earl says, Allen Walker is as good as Neah Walker was in his day."

"Good at what?"

Lulu narrowed her eyes. "It's a secret, Tyki. I'm not going to tell you. Just their professional stuff."

"Professional? How can hacking be considered a profession?"

"You know what I mean, Tyki."

"I do. But why harp on it so much?"

"The Earl seems to think Allen Walker so very important. Is she that good at what she does? I find it hard to believe. Yet I trust Master Millennium."

"Dilemmas," Tyki agreed.

"Yes," Lulu said. "On the one hand I want to support my Master in his plans. On the other hand... I find it hard to accommodate someone like Allen Walker."

"She's a nice girl."

Lulu rolled her eyes. "Of course you'll say that – she's your damned friend."

"Hey –"

"No need to get so huffy about it, Tyki."

Tyki shrugged.

"And you know, Tyki, I want Allen Walker to succeed in her task so that Master Millennium's plans will come to fruition. But – but I also want to see her fail. I have this strange desire to crush her like – like a cockroach."

"I would never have imagined you saying this."

Lulu turned her empty, molten eyes toward Tyki, a questioning look spreading over her sharp and haughty features.

"The Lulu Bell I know is not someone who finds other girls threatening. The Lulu Bell I know struts around in a well-tailored power suit. The Lulu Bell I know stands tall and graceful and holds her head high... she never departs from the Earl's will. She is strong and cunning, and she doesn't falter before other mere mortals."

Lulu Bell turned away, and Tyki could see the sharp outlines of Lulu Bell's aristocratic cheekbones highlighted against the blue, blue sky.

"The Earl still trusts you, you know," Tyki said, his voice soft and silky.

"I... I certainly hope so. I wouldn't know what to do if he dismisses me from his service." Lulu Bell's voice quivered towards the end.

Tyki had never seen Lulu that vulnerable before. Her whole spirit seemed crushed, and the haughtiness that had once defined her seemed non-existent now. Tyki felt only pity for her where love and lust once existed.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"Why should you be?" Lulu looked up, her eyes flashing. In her eyes Tyki could see her fighting spirit revive. "Are you pitying me, Tyki?"

"No – Lulu –"

"Don't you ever dare pity me," Lulu said, her brows creasing into a straight line. She stood up in a fluid motion. "Your little Allen Walker will drown herself in self-pity and disgust when she's done what the Earl wants her to do. Oh, the little naïve girl doesn't know it yet, but she will help to create a catastrophe!"

With those sombre and dark words, Lulu Bell swept out of the garden, her injured pride still smarting.

Still, she held her head high as she sailed out of the garden.

Tyki rubbed his temples – a headache was on its way – but to be honest he didn't quite care. He had got what he came for, and now it was time to hie himself back to bed and pop a few aspirins along the way.

:::

"Are we about done?"

"Yes, Ms Walker. I would say we're ninety per cent done." Allen's deputy looked at her, smiling, her small, white teeth showing under her red upper lip. "We get things done so much faster after you came, actually."

"Really."

"Yes, that is so. The one who came before you..." the woman said, shaking her head. Her dark curls bobbed against her structured blazer. "He wasn't any good. The Earl sent him away."

"Oh... was he called Neah Walker, by any chance?"

"Neah Walker? Oh, no, no, not at all! Mr Walker was an esteemed member of the Noah clan... it's such a pity that he died so young. But at least you have his skills, Ms Walker. You're the best replacement we have yet, you know."

Allen scrutinised the woman's face. She seemed genuinely upset by Neah's apparently untimely death. There was no trace of any knowledge concerning the Earl's assassination of Neah. Allen sighed – this was another dead end in her seemingly futile attempts to clear the doubt and mystery surrounding Neah's death. None of the people working under the Noahs had any inkling of how Neah's death had come about.

"So – Ms Walker, I'll just leave now? I have to attend my son's graduation ceremony."

"Oh, sure! Congratulations!"

"Thanks," the woman said. She smiled again, and now her smile didn't seem quite so sinister as it did in the past. "I'll just leave the files here, then."

"Go ahead," Allen said, "and thanks."

Her deputy exited, and Allen swirled absentmindedly in her chair, tapping a gold-tipped pen against her chin. Sometimes, she reflected, it was hard to remember that those who worked for the Noahs did not know the Noahs' real faces. These workers were human too; they, like her, were being manipulated by the Earl and his craven family.

She sighed, and reached for the files. This task would soon be completed, and maybe she could then take a good, long rest.

:::

Allen fell asleep in her office around five in the afternoon. At eight there came a knock at her door. Allen jolted awake, self-consciously wiping at the edges of her lips to remove any accidental drool.

"Come in," she said.

In strolled Tyki, looking crisp and handsome in his tuxedo.

"Are you going somewhere?" Allen asked, eyeing her friend's clothes. She wrinkled her nose at his cologne.

"We are going somewhere."

"Pardon?"

"I said we are going somewhere. Come on, wipe your drool and we'll leave."

"I didn't drool!"

"Are you sure?" Tyki asked, smirking. "You just woke, after all. Even I drool once in a while. A mere mortal like you would surely drool more often."

"Can we please stop talking about bodily fluids?"

"Goes against your British sensitivity, eh?"

"I'm not sure I have this sensitivity you mention to begin with..."

"In denial," Tyki said, shaking his head. "Now move, my dear girl."

"Where are we going?" Allen asked. She switched the lights off and locked her office door. "It's not yet time for me to invite a friend over, is it?"

"Nope, it's not that." Tyki led her toward the car-park.

"Where –"

"In you go."

"I – "

"Yes?"

"Finally you deign to answer my questions," Allen said, affecting a mock sigh. "Where exactly –"

"– Now do be quiet, amiga. I can't quite remember how to drive there," Tyki said.

Allen kept quiet – in the darkness of the trees flying by she saw shadows of things long past; she thought of things she had long forgotten or relegated to hidden corners of her mind. Once again her dead baby came a-walking, its little feet going pitter-patter as it ran alongside the car, going miles in her imagination. Narein's face, too, came to mind, his dark eyes and bright smile clear as day in her mind's eye.

Then she seemed to see a couple walking in the shadows dotting the road, the lady's hair long and flowing, and the man's a deep, bitter red. Before them skulked a figure cloaked in the cloak of night, his bearing tall and erect and so very graceful, his hair, dark as night, skimming the branches on the waves of the wind.

Kanda, Allen thought, and felt her heart wrench even in her self-concocted fantasy.

The car passed this shadow-figure, and Allen's eyes strained to catch his expression, to look into his eyes and discern the depths of his pain. But Tyki drove too fast, and her eyes passed him by – and then –

"Allen!"

Allen jerked out of her reverie and glanced at Tyki, bemused.

"We're here. Get out, amiga," Tyki said, looking at Allen with glinting eyes.

"Oh, that's fast," Allen said, glancing around as she stepped out of the car. There was no sign of any ghost-baby or shadow-friends.

"You seemed lost in thought," Tyki said. "What about, I wonder."

"You may continue wondering" – and this was accompanied by a wry smile.

"If I may presume to understand your psyche," Tyki said, nodding at the maître who greeted them, "I would venture to say that you were thinking about Kanda Yu."

"You..."

"I am right? I thought so, amiga."

"I..."

"You are surprised? But – of course. You didn't know I knew so much?" Tyki leaned in. "Allen, we all know."

"Pardon?"

But Tyki had moved on, swiftly following the maître (who seemed to know him quite intimately). They passed candlelit tables, shoes stepping onto the soft faces of eastern carpets, and entered a softly-lit room set for two.

"What's this about?" Allen asked.

Tyki gestured for her to sit. "The food here is really good."

"Are you sure your wallet can handle my stomach?"

"Of course," Tyki said, smirking. "I have enough cards here to pay for all you can possibly eat."

"That's great."

"Have a look at the menu. I like their steak."

"Hmm, is it any good?"

"Juicy."

"Alright," Allen said. "I've decided."

They placed their orders, and Tyki chuckled at the waiter's poor attempt at keeping a poker face.

"He probably thinks you're strange or afflicted with some sad disease."

"I know," Allen said, her expression rueful. "I get that a lot."

"I'm used to it."

"So what's the occasion?"

"I just needed a quiet place to talk to you."

"What about? What's so hush-hush that we can't discuss it at home or in the office?"

"Do you know exactly what you're doing for the Earl?"

Allen shot Tyki a blank look. "Excuse me?"

"Do you actually know what will happen after you complete your current task? Do you know what groundwork your task will set?"

"The Earl's going to accomplish a long-held plan of his, isn't he?"

"That's right."

"What about it, then?"

"Are you really that naïve, amiga?" Tyki sighed.

He paused while the waiter brought in their appetisers, and then shot Allen a dark look when the waiter had bowed himself out of the room.

"A catastrophe is waiting to happen."

Allen blinked. 'I don't quite comprehend..."

"I talked to Lulu today... this morning, in fact. Caught her while she was out admiring the sunrise or something."

"What did she say?"

"There's something fishy going on – and I think you should know."

Allen nodded.

"So, Lulu and I had this conversation. It was rather long, so I'll just leave the irrelevant portions out. The important thing to note is that in her jealousy and frustration Lulu let slip something... and I found her behaviour to be rather suspicious."

"Okay."

"Be calm," Tyki said. "Although I suspect it's not easy to stay calm at hearing this. Lulu didn't actually say anything concrete. She just spat fire at me and said that you'd eat yourself up in self-disgust and pity when all is said and done."

"That's vague," Allen said, frowning.

"I guessed that it meant that you had been tricked into doing something that would harm others... so after I took a nap I tackled Cyril."

"Why Cyril?"

"The Earl usually entrusts Cyril and Lulu Bell with the weighty tasks. He trusts Rhode too, but she's too close to you so I ruled her out for this."

"Then..."

"The Earl is using you, amiga."

"No..."

"Yes. He's manipulating you through your friends. Do you know what he intends to do once you complete your work?"

"What?" Allen's voice was soft and her face pale and dotted with beads of sweat.

Tyki leaned across the table, his elbows brushing aside his soup bowl. "He intends to use it to access a government website so that he can annihilate some few million people."

Allen felt her heart clench as she heard those terrible words. Her breath seemed stuck somewhere within her chest – where exactly she didn't know. What she did know was that it was painful to breath. "No... that's not possible..."

"Is it really that hard to believe, Allen?" Tyki asked. He stood up and walked over to her. "Here, lean back and try to breathe. We don't want you dying now, do we? You haven't reunited with Kanda Yu yet, remember."

Allen tried to ease the pressure in her chest. Breathe in, breathe out.

"Better?"

"Yes, much better," Allen said. She turned in her chair to face Tyki. "Were you trying to trick me just now? Is this for real?"

Tyki snorted. "Trick you? What for? Believe me when I say I would never lie about something like this."

"I... I can't really believe it."

'Is it so hard to believe that the Earl would refrain from killing simply because it is morally wrong?"

"The Earl – he's part of your family! I can't – I just can't see him in the role of a ruthless murderer. And he did help me in the past. I can't – I just can't – I can't see him as a killer! He was so kind..."

"He was so kind, you say. The Earl is a great man, I will give him that, and I respect him. But he's heart is black and cold, and he knows how to win people over."

"No, you must be kidding, Tyki. Even if what you say is true, the Earl must know that the law will get him if he dares do something like this."

Oh, he doesn't do the dirty work himself, of course."

"No, I mean it's... it's just not possible to think of him sitting at his desk planning how best to murder millions of people in cold blood."

"He does that pretty often," Tyki said. "Mind if I smoke?"

"No, go ahead," Allen said. She knotted her fingers in her lap.

Tyki placed the end of his cigarette into his mouth, his shoes lightly tapping against the carpeted floor as he paced the room. "He did kill Neah after all."

"But – Neah's one person. It's not the same as killing millions. Or is it?"

"There's no difference, Allen."

"I – no – "

"I've killed before, Allen. I know how it feels. When you've done away with one person it doesn't matter how many more you kill. The number is irrelevant. You get numb."

"Tyki – you..."

"I had to. I don't anymore, though. I badly regret my past..."

"You poor soul," Allen said, trying to smile. "It's good to hear that you're trying to make penance now, though."

"You know, Allen, the Earl killed Neah because he left. Do you know why Neah left?"

"No... I was never acquainted with Uncle Neah."

"Nor I," Tyki said, "but I've heard rumours. People here say that the Earl sent assassins after Neah because Neah knew his secret. Neah knew that the Earl wanted to wipe out millions to further his own agenda, and Neah didn't want to be involved in something so immoral and wrong. He left and died on his own terms."

"He was brave."

"He stood up for his beliefs," Tyki said. "I admire him for this."

"Yes..."

"You're still rather pale," Tyki said. "Shall I call for some whisky?"

"No," Allen said. "Please don't."

"Fine," Tyki said. "But you do understand the implications of this? If you object to completing your tasks, the Earl will surely kill you. He will find some way to torture you."

"I – but I cannot let those people die."

Tyki grimaced as he saw pain flit across Allen's dilated eyes. 'I'm sorry, amiga."

"What should I do, Tyki?"

"I don't know, amiga. I don't know. I just thought it would be good to let you know what you're getting yourself into."

"Yes, thank you, Tyki. But this decision is too... tough."

"I understand your pain, Allen. You have to make a choice, though."

"I – I don't feel so well. Maybe I should head back first."

"I'll drive you back," Tyki said. "Come on."

Tyki helped Allen from her chair, supporting her to the door. He nodded at the maître as they passed through the lobby. "Place the bill on my tab."

"I'm sorry," Allen.

"You shouldn't be," Tyki said. 'This is not your fault in any way."

"I –"

"Rhode and I will always be here for you. We may not be the best or most moral people on earth, but we do know how to draw the line at certain things. Or at least I do."

"Thanks, Tyki."

"And I never thought I'd see the day when you leave a restaurant without eating."

:::

Allen had rather a restless night. She tried to sleep, to banish images of dead, grey people from her mind, but their empty eyes had followed her through the land that lay between wakefulness and sleep, and she dared not tread the path that led to sleep. In her semi-wakefulness she saw again and again that little dead child, and it wrung her heart to think of all the other children who might die if she accomplished her task.

Then Kanda's face swum into her mind, and she felt a pang in her heart – if she did not complete the task, if she left – Kanda would suffer. Was it fair to make him suffer because she wanted to save a million lives? Was it too selfish of her to sacrifice Kanda because she did not want to live the overwhelming guilt for the remainder of her soon-to-be-very-short life?

When the clock finally struck seven in the morning, Allen crawled out of bed, skin pale and eyes red. She took a long and leisurely bath, resolutely pushing all troubling thoughts out of her mind, instead enjoying the feel of soap and warm water on her skin. She lingered in the bath; when she finally came out, she dressed and dabbed concealer all over her skin to hide any blemishes which would give her sleepless night away.

Breakfast came next. Allen betook herself to the ground floor where the dining room was; to Tyki's surprise, she managed to wolf down an enormous breakfast. After breakfast, Tyki caught Allen's arm as she made to walk out the room through the French windows on the far side.

"The café?"

"Pardon?"

"Are you heading to the diner soon?"

"Oh, the diner."

"I need to get ready if you want to go now. Need to change, see?"

"What's wrong with what you're wearing?" Allen asked.

"It's not nic enough for a trip to the mall," Tyki said, smirking. "Unlike you, I take tremendous pride in my appearance."

"You're too vain for a man."

"I second that!" Rhode said from behind.

"Don't do that," Tyki groaned.

"Why not?"

"Don't push it, brat."

"Call me that again and I'll tell my daddy."

"Urgh," Tyki said, hiding his face in his hands. 'Go away, Rhode. I'm not in the mood to play with you."

"I was looking for Allen, actually. You have too high an opinion of yourself, Uncle Tyki."

"Why are you looking for Allen? We're headed to the café now, remember?"

"Oh," Rhode said, wrinkling her nose. "I wanted to go shopping with Allen..."

"Don't pout," Tyki said.

"I'll go shopping with you tomorrow," Allen said, putting an arm around Rhode's slim shoulders. "That okay with you?"

'I can't say no, can I?" Rhode asked, crossing her arms. "I suppose it'll do too."

"Thank you, Rhode," Allen said. 'I'll wait here for you, Tyki. Don't take too long, will you?"

"I won't."

"He will," Rhode, looking at the retreating back of her uncle. "He takes longer to change than an average girl does. I timed him before just to be sure."

"Oh, Rhode," Allen chuckled. "You..."

"I'm just awesome, ain't I?"

"You're a cute girl," Allen said, smiling.

"Who're you gonna see today?"

"I... don't really know. Either Lavi or Komui, I should think."

"Lavi Bookman or Komui Lee? Not Lenalee Lee?"

Allen shrugged.

"I'm back!"

"You're fast today, Uncle Tyki. Your old bones not troubling you?"

"Rhode," Tyki said, leaning over his niece, "you're an annoying brat."

"I'll tell daddy."

"Go ahead."

"Don't fight, you two," Allen said, stepping in.

Tyki laughed and ruffled Rhode's hair. "See you later, squirt."

"I'm not a squirt," Rhode called after them. "I'm a more useful member of society than you, Uncle Tyki."

"And more sadistic," Tyki muttered, leading Allen out the front door.

:::

"So who do you want to see?"

Allen glanced at the ceiling, twiddling her thumbs. "I'm not too sure, actually. Either Lavi or Komui, I think."

"Why them in particular? I don't remember you being that close to Komui Lee..." Tyki said, sniffing at the coffee latte that had just been set before him. "This diner needs to be closed down, pronto!"

"You tell the Earl that."

"I will. He'll have to rebuild this, do something to the deco and most importantly, improve the quality of the food." Tyki shook his head. "It's no wonder this diner isn't making any profits."

Allen laughed. "Aren't you in charge of it?"

"Am I?" Tyki asked. "I can't remember. I'm not interested in running eateries, anyhow."

Allen nodded, poking at the lemon tart that sat on her plate. "It doesn't look all that appetising, that's true."

"You think?" Tyki rolled his eyes. "Let's get back to the topic. Who do you want?"

Allen considered the tart for a few more seconds. 'I think it looks edible enough, actually. And, to answer your question... probably Lavi."

"Bookman, huh. Good choice. You two can talk in riddles and I'll just entertain myself by smoking somewhere over there."

"You don't have to remain here, actually, if you don't want to..."

"I see you want to get rid of me, eh?"

"Well, I –"

"Going to tell Bookman about the Earl's big bad plan?" Tyki cocked an eyebrow at Allen.

"Uh, yes, actually. You saw right through me."

"Uh-uh. You're easy enough to read, most of the time."

"Do you mind if I share it with Lavi?"

"Hmmm."

"I won't actually tell him what might happen. I'll just sya that it's a possibility, that I've a niggling feeling about it. Then I'll ask him to check it out for me, and see if there's any legal recourse."

"You've given this some thought, eh?" Tyki's almost-golden eyes were inscrutable. He tapped a finger against his upper lip, where day-old stubble already grew. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt. Just, you know, make sure Bookman knows to keep it secret-ish and not to make a huge fuss about it, or we'll all be in trouble. And in danger."

"I understand."

"Alright, so I'll go get Bookman now. Enjoy your lemon tart, if you feel like you can eat it. You can drink my coffee up too, actually."

Tyki left Allen with the food, and made his way to Lavi's office.

"Mr Bookman in?" he asked the receptionist.

The girl pulled her earphones out and looked at him. "Can I help you, sir?"

The girl was pretty, Tyki thought. He smirked at her and leaned over the counter. "Nice dress, this. Plays up the colour of your eyes."

"Trying to flirt with my receptionist, Mikk?"

Tyki looked up; Lavi Bookman stood outside the door of his office, a thick file cradled in his hands. "Why, hello there, amigo."

"I don't really think we're friends, y'know?"

"True enough," Tyki said, smiling widely. "But come now, Bookman, you are required to attend to Allen right now."

"Attend to – oh, for the love of – why me?"

"That was what I was wondering as well."

"Oh..."

"If you would be so kind as to follow me?" Tyki said, nodding at the main door.

"Uh, just a minute, yeah? Need to dump this file somewhere." Lavi disappeared into another room and emerged a while after with his wallet.

"Come on."

"Be back soon," Lavi told the girl. "You can take a break for a while if you like. Panda won't be in today, so no worries."

"Where's your grandfather?" Tyki asked.

Lavi looked at Tyki, and Tyki could feel Lavi's intense gaze. "He's out playing golf with some friends."

"Ahh, the high life."

"Says the one who drives around in a big, expensive car."

"Snarky, aren't we?"

"You're the 'enemy'; I have to keep up appearances, y'know."

"I see. So, if we were not enemies... then you'd totally dig me?"

"Are you trying to hit on me?"

"Not at all," Tyki said complacently. "I prefer them with boobs, if you get what I mean."

"I expected nothing less of you."

"I think we could be friends though, if we were not on opposite sides."

"Then why do you align yourself with the Earl?"

"Why?" Tyki looked mildly surprised. "To be honest, I have no idea, Bookman. Why indeed?"

"Don't ask me. How would I know?"

"True. Anyway, we're here. Take your time. I'll be around, so tell Allen to text me when she's done so I can drive her back."

Lavi turned to enter, then changed his mind. He reached out to grab Tyki's wrist. "I... I do not approve of the Earl's methods. But – I appreciate how you take care of Allen."

"It's nothing," Tyki said, smiling. "Allen is my friend. I have every reason to take care of her."

"That's a relief."

"Now go on in and stop yakking around like a granny."

Tyki watched as Lavi walked in and was swallowed behind the door. With a sigh, Tyki realised that he had few friends who would care about his wellbeing the way Lavi did for Allen's wellbeing. There was Rhode of course, and she was more annoying relative and less caring friend, and she was very immature at times.

The rest of his relatives were idiots with warped mentalities... and Tyki wasn't sure if any of them cared for him the way Lavi cared for Allen. Allen probably did worry about Tyki, but other than Allen and Rhode, he didn't have many close confidantes. His coal-mining friends did care, but they did not know Tyki Mikk, Noah scion; they only knew Tyki, miner.

His double identity was wearing him down, and the lack of close connections between the Noahs made Tyki's heart clench a little. Was he missing out on life by choosing to remain with the Earl? Was he going against his own morals?

Tyki sighed and walked away, his footsteps heavy and loud against the smooth floor. His right hand reached down and pulled out a cigarette.

A/N: This is up far earlier than I thought it would be! I actually do like this chapter; I was on a roll when I wrote it. The next chapter is trickier, though :\ Besides, school is really busy atm, and it's kinda tough, so the next chapter might be up as late as April, though I hope not (:

Happy CNY to those of you who celebrate it, by the way!

And, vampire-charmer-101: thanks for reviewing as always! Couldn't reply you through the PM system though, so sorry! Glad you liked the previous chapter and well hmmm the baby I'll think about it (:

Oh, and if you have the time to, do check out leafyaki's Mad Boy's Love Song! It's a beautiful and somewhat tragic-ish piece and I absolutely loved it (:

Right – thanks for reading, I heart you guys! All reviews/comments/criticisms/suggestions are welcome!