Dance 25: Offer

A seventeen year old British girl with long dishevelled blonde hair stared back at me with sleepy eyes. I was in the girl's lavatory, brushing my teeth. The bathroom was rather empty, but then again it was ten am. Everyone had probably already woken up and left to eat breakfast. Then there was me. The dark bags around my eyes explained why I had just woken up. I couldn't sleep.

Drying my face with a white towel, I noticed the drenched eye-patch. It's been there ever since Komui fixed my eye last week. My face paled at the thought of the surgery. Allen had used Clown Belt to hold me down while Komui lowered his strange death contraption on my eye. It was amazing enough that I didn't pass out. Well actually, I had, but it didn't take me months to wake up.

A smile crawled across my face as I realized that it probably meant I was becoming stronger. The possibility that Komui might be becoming better at fixing parasitic anti-akuma weapons wasn't even a plausible thought.

Throwing the soaked blotch of white into the trash, I stared at my left eye for the first time in a while. The dead skin around the eye that was once ripped all the way to the socket was now gone, not even a scar remained. The sphere of the artificial eyes showed no signs of puncture or cracking. Best of all, I didn't feel like an insect looking out of my left eye. There wasn't twenty of the same images but one clear large view of everything. Everything was perfect. Like it was never damaged.

All that remains was...Invocate!

The CROW had finally returned. In his imaginary hands - as his cloak's sleeves were longer than his arms - he held several sheets of black paper which he quickly passed to the Inspector, or rather the Interrogator. Leverrier quickly scanned the sheets of paper. He seem content with them as he gave the CROW beside him a nod, allowing him to return to his spot on the other corner of my cell. Both CROW now stood on either side of the only exit of the three-wall cell.

Finally finding the paper he needed, he pulled them out and placed it on top of the pile, before he resumed his questioning. Without taking his eyes off the medical scans of my innocence, he started, "Esme, you, much like General Cross, carry within yourself two Innocences. The first being your equipment-type fans and the second being your parasitic eyes. Like most parasitic anti-akuma weapons, they hold special traits. Your eyes are capable of fabricating complex illusions that allure and destroy akumas. However, it was later discovered that, with higher synchronization, those very same eyes have the ability to identify Innocences. Due to unfortunate events, your parasitic Innocence was damaged."- I paled, remembering Komrin II - "The activated form of your Innocence changed from an external projection of a visor around your eyes to a pair of compact contact lens when repaired, as if it levelled up. Additionally, the ability to identify Innocences developed as well. You were able to locate Innocences too."

Leverrier paused, flipping through the stacks of paper. "In recent reports, it states that you were able to forcefully deactivate Allen Walker's Innocence and attempted to assist new exorcists, Chaoji Han, in his first invocation." This was news to me. I held no records of doing any such things. Only the accomodator for the Innocence is capable of commanding their Innocence. "Would you care to elaborate how you were able to do this."

It wasn't a question, it was a command. It was a simple command with a very easy directive. But still all I could do was stared at the man, dumbfounded. There was just one problem. I have no idea what he was talking about! There was no way I could have forcefully dissuade Innocence from invocating. Much less, help someone with invocating. If I had no recollection whatsoever of the actions, just how exactly was I going to explain how I did it!

"I can't..." I muttered, still in shock.

"What do you mean?" His voice was stern. I could feel one of his skinny eyebrows arching. "Withholding information is on the grounds for heresy!"

"I'm not withholding information!" I shouted, before calming myself.

"Are you saying the reports are hearsays?!"

"No!...I don't know... I don't ever recall doing such a thing!"I had hoped my voice would have sounded with more conviction, but instead, it wavered as if I was on the verge of tears. Everything that I was learning from this so-called interrogation was getting to me. With all the information divulged, I was starting to wonder who was really benefiting from this interrogation.

Another period of silence. Neither one of us talked and the CROW remained silent, not that they made any sounds to begin with. The only noises were the shuffling of paper that too, seemed too long. It was as if Leverrier had grown a heart and was stifled by my voice, but I knew that wasn't possible.

"Explain to me how you were able to locate Innocence." He rough voice broke the silence as the paper ceased to move. He had stopped on an old report.

I could see the cover. It was on a mission I had with Allen when I was blind.. Allen and I had completed the mission days before, however I had misplaced the innocence. We weren't so sure on how to find the innocence until I started to hear it. It was also the first time I was able to feel the innocence cries so intensely.

"Sound or beats." My voice came out steadier, but there was also a sense of resignation in them. "The Innocence would always call me, telling me where they are." I stopped, unsure on how to explain the rhythmic beats of the Innocence's cries.

"The Innocence calls you?" Leverrier repeated as if he couldn't believe it.

"It would be quiet after. But only for a very short while. Then I could hear the Innocence again. Then there'll be another pause, and then the Innocence. This cadence continues in an endless on and off cycle." I continued, ignoring his words. "It doesn't stop until I have the innocence. I'm able to determine its location through the amplitude and frequency of the beats. The further away I am from the Innocence, the hazier the beat, but the more erratic the beats."

"It's almost as if it's telling you where to go..." It was an inaudible mumble.

"For example, if I went the wrong direction, I could hear more rapid beats..." It was so hard to explain. I wasn't even sure if the man from Central could understand. I didn't understand it myself. "...like they're worried that I would leave them alone."

I paused, unsure where that last part came from. It did fit the part, and it was true. It sometimes felt like that but never had I thought of it like that before.

"Are you sure?" Leverrier questioned, raising a brow. His voice seemed fainted, but the look on his face was the exact opposite from faint. "By your description, it sounds as if you were having a conversation with the Innocence. The Innocence would call you then wait in silence for your response before replying to you. The Innocence would lead you to it."

Now it was my turn to be startled by my own words. Had it really sounded like that? I never thought of it as that. I always thought I was getting attacked by those beats.

My eyes widened and I could do nothing but stared up at the very tall man before me. His mouth was curved into a twisted smile and the glint in his eyes spoke of unheard plans. That look should have shivers down my spin, but it didn't. I was too focused on the words slipping past those thin lips. I had heard that thought before. It was something Father had asked me the same thing before.

"You can talk to the Innocence!?"

The sunkissed orange orbs swirled around before disappearing, replaced by a heavenly blue glow. The contacts formed over the now blue eyes slowly, piecing itself together like a jigsaw puzzle. Immediately, crosses started to poof into existence across the lens. Little pop-out signs appeared not long after. Each sign held a name and pointed at the named person's Innocence. If I was to focus my attention on a cross an opaque box would appear across the cross. In the box was the name of the innocence.

A sigh slipped from my mouth as I pulled back from the mirror. Everything seem fine. I thought happily as I ran a hand through my hair. A small jolt of pain occurred as my hand became tangled in the mess of my hair. Pulling my hand free, I grabbed a brush and started to comb my long golden locks.

My face contorted as the reflection before me changed. A seductively twisted smile on pump red lips highlighting the long blood red locks and contrasting the golden cat eyes. The image lasted but a second and I would have wondered if that image was even there had it not been for the rapid beating of my heart. A familiar feeling swirled inside me. My grip on the comb tightened, threatening to break it.

I placed the brush down, and reached for the blue ribbon laid out neatly on the counter. Looking at my reflection, I realized how much more awake I was now. My once dishevelled hair was now smooth and silky and reached down to the small on my back. My fair face look fresh and free from sleep's grip. A faint glow emitted me from me. It radiated a sense of urgency... urgency to protect... to outline surrounded me and gradually took a shape that resembled an all too familiar and hateful dog.

Immediately, I deactivated my innocence. The angelic blue orbs quickly dissipated , revealing the warm orange behind. The faint outline shattered, vanishing into the air around me. I quickly grabbed my things and stormed out of the lavatory.

"How far would you go for the sake of the power to exorcise?" Leverrier questioned rhetorically. It seemed to please him knowing that I would do everything that I can for the sake of winning this blasted war. "You released the Seal of Restraint for the ability to destroy a level three akuma without any regard as to why the seal was placed upon you on the first place."

"Or did you forget," Leverrier taunted, enjoying the anger on my face. "how you lost your rank as a the Order's youngest General?"

I gritted my teeth, and shut my eyes close as I look away. I wanted to forget it soo bad. Forget that nightmare of a night. To be gone from it forever.

"Esme Zillah, the Gracious Protector of Shade who shall lead us all to our deathbeds." Leverrier recited the prophecy that Hevlaska gave me years ago. "You did a good job on fulfilling that prophecy three years ago."

In retrospect, it was a stupid idea, making a fourteen years old a general. But that's in retrospect. Whatever happened, already happened. There was no changing that. No matter how badly I wanted to.

It was about five months after I had became a general. I had activated my innocence. I summoned the gates - physically - a phenomenon that occurs when I reached Critical Point Breaker. That was when I've lost it. Everything was fine before, there wasn't anything different about today than any other day when I was off at a mission. Maybe it was because it was my first long mission as general with the weight of twenty-six lives on my back. Maybe it was because I was too young; I had only turned fourteen seven months ago. Maybe... just maybe... there was no excuse though.

I had lost control over... my innocence. It went on a rampage. I couldn't remember much after I lost control. Just blood and screams. The mission? It was a success. However, when I came to, I was subdued by several CROW. Under heavy restriction spells, I witness the horrible sight around me. Not only were the akumas pierced by my still activated innocence, I had stabbed all twenty-six disciples and finders. That incident was then recorded as The Black Massacre.

Since that day, many plans were placed into action to prevent another massacre from happening. One of the plans was the Seal of Restraint. I resigned from my rank as a general and vowed from that day forth to never lose control again. I also received a standing order from Central that forbade the use of that power again. Since then, I never dared to go past critical point.

"I'll ask again, how far are you willing to go for the Order, for the Holy War, for the power to exorcise the Noahs and Akumas, for the power to protect your comrades?"Leverrier questioned, his voice challenging. It was obvious what he was getting at now, but at the same time it was shocking. Was he really going to cancel my standing order?

I snapped my head back and glared at the man. My eyes did not move, they did not sway. They stood still as I scowl menacingly at the man who dare to revoke that standing order.

The determination in my eyes seem to delight him.

He smirked.

"How would you like full access to your powers?

Releasing a puff of air from my half-closed lips, I pushed my head back against the cold stones on my back. Full access to my powers? I thought, my eyes closing. Chewing, my bottom lip, I slammed my hands against the wall and bounded off it. I continued walking down the empty hall, about to turn the corner when something toppled me over.

"Ittaii..." I mumbled, trying to get up and realizing I couldn't. There was something looming over me. Placing a hand on the strange figure's abdominals, I gave it a push, trying to give a hint to get off. The figure above me didn't move, didn't even budge. With that a failure, I asked, "Can you please ge-" The rest came out in muffles as a hand covered my mouth.

"Shh.." The familiar voice whispered.

My eyes snapped open, trying to see the figure above me. Instead all I could see was the dark shadows of the stranger's neck as he turned back into the adjoining hallway. Glancing down through the space between our bodies, I saw what the boy was trying to avoid. A man of average height with his blonde hair tied as a braid down his back ran across the opening, looking for someone. That's Link, Allen's watchdog. Which means this is... I thought, slowly glancing up at the man keeping me down. "Allen?" I said through his hand.

"Hi," he panted back. The silly smile still on his face.

"What are you doing?" I whispered back. He had removed his hand from my mouth to wave at me when he greeted me.

"Running away from Link." He said, innocently as if there weren't going to be any repercussions.

His simple straight-forwardness brought a smile to my face and before long I found myself laughing for the first time in a while. It wasn't long before he joined in and started to laugh along with me. I stared happily at the smile on his face. How long has it been since I saw that smile? It was comforting to see that even though his situation was so dank, he was still able to smile like that.

"Esme?" Allen questioned as my hand cupped his cheek.

"Huh?" I responded, completely unaware of my actions. Seeing my hand on his cheek, I pulled it back quickly, while my face tint pink. What was I doing? Peeking through the corner of my eye, I realize just how close our faces were. I felt my face glow warm instantly.

Stay away from Beansprout. A cursed boy will only bring bad luck. Yuu-nii's words suddenly resonated in my head.

I placed my hands on his chest and gave it a harder push. Allen seem to understand as he quickly pulled himself off me. A little too quickly though.

The two of us sat on the ground, our backs against the stone wall. Our face were flushed as we faced away from each other. Not yet ready to look at each other in case our faces were to explode into another tomato red mess. It seemed that I wasn't the only one who noticed our close proximity.

"S-so, what are you doing here?" Allen questioned stilling looking away. His left arm had reached to scratch his cheek nervously.

"Nothing really." I responded, drawing my knees to my chest while I glanced up at the ceiling way, way above us. I could feel the boy's eyes on me. "I was thinking and when I came to, I had wondered here. What about you?"

"I was trying to lose Link," Allen started, "then I got lost and he wasn't with me anymore." Then as if he needed to explain himself, "I don't mind Link, he's a good guy, but sometimes he's overwhelming."

Somehow it felt like an understatement. That last sentence.

"Only you can get so lost that you lose your own watchdog," I said, chuckling lightly. The sound was hollow though.

Allen seem to have caught on. "Are you okay?"

"...I don't really know." I muttered. I ran my cheek along my knees, burying my face into them as I contemplated another problem. Should I divulge Allen on my predicament?

Leverrier had said that Allen was the player that the 14th had left behind to control the Ark. If that's true then wouldn't Allen be... a Noah's henchmen? Rolling my bottom lip, I decided. "Allen, if you given the choice to get more power, would you take it?" I trust in the boy who led me around for months. If he really was a Noah's henchmen, then he would have gotten rid of me way back when I was still blind.

"Yep," Allen said without a second hesitation.

"W-what?" I exclaimed in shock. "J-just like that? What if you can't control it though?"

"Esme, why do you train?" I stared at the boy who was just gazing at the dark sky. "When we train, we're doing just that. We train to become stronger, become better at controlling our power. That way we become able to protect those close to us." Allen was right. "But," Allen continued, "I don't want you to take it."

What? I thought slowly. My mind frozen by the look in Allen's eyes. His silver orbs held a sense of worry for my sake but also determination. But determination of what? "I was asking about you, not me." I said weakly. Was I that obvious?

"We both know that hypothetical question was actually about you." Allen stated.

I stared at him, dumbfounded. "... Did you... that... Who are you and what did you do with the real Allen?" I questioned, gripping the imposter's shoulders.

"I am Allen! What are you doing, Esme?" Allen shouted back.

"Y-you can't be Allen!" I retorted. Before he could ask why, I blurted, "Moyashi isn't smart!" There was no way the guy who was ranked dumber than Yuu-nii could have realized that I was talking about myself.

"Hey!" Allen shouted back, offended. "My name is Allen!"

I paused, slowly, slipping my hands off his warm shoulders. My eyes never left the silver orbs. "That response... maybe you are Allen."

"Of course I am!" Allen cried. Now it was his turn to grab my shoulders. "Allen?" I questioned, looking down at his bright white locks. They were the only part of him that I could see from this angle. "You're quiet."

"I know about the Seal of Restraint..." Allen muttered quietly as if he wasn't sure to tell me or not.

My heart stopped. What did he just say?

"I got lost that night, looking for the washroom." Allen explained. He stared at the ground, unable to meet my eyes. "I heard a scream. Your scream. That's when I stumbled across the room." A pause. "Fou stopped me." He trailed.

He wanted to rush in and stop it... I thought, recognizing the bitter look on his face.

"You passed out afterwards. You were in so much pain." Allen stuttered, hiding his face in his hair. He bore the weight of not being able to stop the ritual.

A scowl matching Yuu-nii's crossed my face. It wasn't that I was disappointed in the boy, no, I was disappointed in myself. I was the older one, and yet, Allen held so much more resolve than I did. He carried a weight larger than mine. It was so unfair, and yet, I couldn't help but add my burdens, my worries on his.

"I don't want you to go through that pain again. That's why you should say no." Allen shouted, gripping my shoulders. His determined eyes bore into mine.

"I promise I'll protect you!"

My breath came out ragged, short gasps. My face was covered by my blonde bangs. Sweat built on my exposed skin while my soaked clothes clung to my body. My body laid limp in the corner of the cell. The black stockings I wore were ripped, exposing my fair legs. My cardigan had fallen off my shoulders, clinging helplessly around my still-bound arms.

"Are you ready to talk yet?" The voice boomed across the empty room, echoing in the isolated chambers. The tall snake-faced man scowled at the body before him. Receiving no response, the usually composed man attacked the barrier wall keeping me isolated inside. "I asked you a question!"

"Sir," a CROW spoke. It was the first time any of them had talked since the beginning of the questioning period that seemed more and more like an interrogation by the second. "I do not think she can hear us yet. We had just finished another sensory bombardment. It should take at least ten minutes for her ears to stop ringing."

Straining, I looked at the man who spoke. I was curious. I thought the CROW were mutes though their occasional chants of attack should have proven me otherwise. I strained to hear what the vocal CROW was saying. I couldn't, my head was pounding too much. Though I couldn't quite make out what he said, his voice seemed rather unique. Then again, I couldn't be sure, it could just be the ringing.

It's been two days since this style of questioning started. I haven't eaten since nor had I have much sleep. The only times that I had was when I lost consciousness. Even then, it'll be short-lived. Sometimes, it'll be better. Leverrier didn't stay down here all the time anymore. He went back up sometimes to do... other work, I guess. Then it'll only be isolation and that I could take easily.

"WHERE IS SHE HIDING?"

How many times was he going to ask me that?

"WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT HER?"

I've already answered them. Does he think that the more he asked me the more likely I'll change my answer? I already told him.

"I... d-don't know... any...thing..." I croaked. My throat was so dry.

Leverrier gritted his teeth.

He didn't understand. He didn't understand that I honestly don't know anything. When was he going to get it through his thick head that there is nothing that I could possibly tell him.

A scream filled the desert halls as light danced off the darkened walls. It looked as if tiny imps had taken over the place, living in the walls lit with fire.

"WHAT HAVE SHE TOLD YOU?" He shouted as my screams quieted down.

All was silent except for the rhythmic drip of blood slipping from my battered and burnt body.

"Nothing!" I wanted to say, but nothing came out as I opened my mouth. I tried again. Opening my mouth only lead to a strangled wheezy sound as I strained my vocal chords. My voice, it was gone! I couldn't' even reach my throat in an attempt to gesture to them that I had lost my voice as my arms remained uselessly bound, hanging between my legs.

"We know She has told you about the Noahs already." Leverrier started to my disbelief. "You called Tyki Mikk, a known Noah, 'the third Noah, Joyd,' and 'the Noah of pleasure' and were able to list his abilities without having ever seen them."

When had I done such a thing? I wanted to rebuttal. To say that this never happened. But my elusive voice remained missing. Also, with my arms weighing like a ton, there was no way for me to use sign my way through this. I was voiceless to voice my opinions.

"Cat got your tongue?" Leverrier smirked smugly, still adorned in his freshly clean and pressed uniform. He enjoyed the way the panic seemed to spark life back into my orange eyes. The look on his face resembled the look a predator makes when he finally trapped his prey.

Did he just sigh? I thought as he grabbed a nearby chair and took a seat. I should have been the one to sigh. To grow tired of this interrogation.

"You believe safeguarding that exorcist is a noble thing." My eyes grew larger. This girl was an exorcist too? "But, it isn't. She may seem like an exorcist but she lost that right long ago. She was assigned the Noahs elimination mission."

One person. Alone. Against the whole Noah family?

"She completed her duties diligently. Even going as far as destroying five Noahs."

Five?! I stared at the ground, horrified. Just who was this girl! How strong was she to be able to stand against five Noahs all by herself?! I couldn't even handle one Noah by myself!

"But then She lostall contact with the Order. All communication between the Order and her was terminated."

Officiousness overcame me, I couldn't help but feel curious about this girl. If She really had been able to single handedly defeat five Noahs, then She would be a great addition to the remaining exorcists. Especially since our numbers dwindled so much after the General search mission.

"When we finally managed to re-establish contact, it lasted only for a brief moment, but one thing was for sure. She..."

Consternation couldn't have flooded my system any faster. I watched his toothbrush moustache moved as his lips formed words that rang in my head like a loud bell. My eyes grew larger and my bubble of hope shrank with every syllable of every word.

"...Joined the Noahs."

Author's Talk:

Hey guys,

As you guys probably notice, I've finally decided to take Forever Trapped out of hiatus. I am currently working diligently on it. Thank you to all the fans who continued to read on since the beginning to now, I apologize truly for the long pause. Also, thank you to all the new fans who picked up this story and has read it! And finally, thanks to all the people who has followed and favourite my story. It makes me happy just getting the emails that let me know.

Please don't ever hesitate to review. That way I can truly know what you guys think of the story so far. (I can only inference so much from the follows and favourites.) I truly would love to hear some feedback of the story and your takes on the story! It has been such a long time since it was updated after all.

Thanks

-Airi