Disclaimer:I do not own Soul Eater, much to my discontent. Also, special props go to all reviewers, you know who yall are.
Erik walked down the hall towards the cafeteria alone, his music blaring almost loud enough for everyone else in the hall to hear. More than once he was tossed a strange glance from someone he passed, and he had a feeling that it wasn't from his music. He noticed it right after the incident in class earlier; the way the other students looked at him and his partner, like they were monsters. Not that he really cared, either way, but Minora was different. She wasn't weak, by any means; on the contrary, Erik was sure that she was stronger than he was, but from what she'd told him of her past (which wasn't much) that wasn't surprising. Still, he didn't want her to undergo any more stress than she had to…well, other than the whole affair with Liz. The thought of it sent mixed emotions through Erik: worry that their synchronization would be off because she was obviously jealous; anger that she would assume he was that kind of person; nervous because, truthfully, he had no idea what he felt at the moment; and, lastly, somehow happy that he was getting the attention. He was starting to feel like the teenager he was supposed to be, and frankly…he didn't like it. It was then, as this crazy list of things were going through his head, that he felt a pair of hands cover his eyes, and a familiar voice say, "Guess who?"
"How can she jump from being the "tough girl" to….this?" Erik thought, and he said, "Speak of the Devil."
"Oh so you were thinking about me, huh?" she said mockingly, keeping her hands on his eyes, which he found increasingly annoying. Sarcastically, he said, "Yeah I was wondering how you can be so painfully persistent."
She released his head and pushed him playfully, saying, "Because I'm tough. And tough girls don't quit."
"Greeeeaat. Listen, I'm hungry so…can we move this to the cafeteria or something. Everyone else is already there, I think." She nodded, and they started walking, Erik ignoring the stares he was receiving while Liz glared back.
"God, what's with everyone all of a sudden," she said angrily, eyeing a girl that had given the two one frightful glare before hurrying past them, "I distinctly remember that girl staring at you before class started today.
"Well, this kind of thing happens when you almost kill a classmate" Erik stated plainly, receiving a strange look from the tall blond walking next to him. Quietly she asked, "What do you mean? You didn't almost kill Sarah. Hell most of the time you were avoiding her!"
"I didn't say I was talking about her."
"Minora then?"
"No, I almost killed you, Liz." Erik stated bluntly, and he heard Liz stop her next sentence short. He looked over to her, his eyes still dark and his canines still slightly elongated, since he hadn't had time to use the Dark Suppression to reinstate the released portions of the Seal. Then again, he had a feeling that, if he did, he would be on the floor again. Finally, he said, "Chances are, if I would have stayed connected with you in any way, the Dark Wavelength would have torn you apart. That's why I snapped our soul connection when you transformed."
There was silence between the two for a moment, and then Erik asked, "Where are Kid and Patti anyway? I assumed you'd be with them."
"Oh, Kid is still with Lord Death, as far as I know, and I think Patti is with him," she put a finger to her chin and looked up speculatively, "As a matter of fact…those two have been spending a lot of time together recently…hmmm…" After that, Liz and Erik just walked and talked about practically nothing until they reached the cafeteria, where the split, Liz going to pick out what she wanted and Erik went to find the others. After a few minutes of fruitless searching, Liz stepped up to him with a full tray and said, "Aren't you going to eat?"
"No."
"Oh, well…alright. Everyone else is outside, let's go.
"Right." Seconds later, Erik found himself sitting against a tree with his eyes closed, his music loud enough for everyone to hear, especially Maka, who was sitting on the opposite side of the tree, reading. Soul was leaning against the tree next to her, chewing on a toothpick with his arms crossed, his expression unreadable. Minora was sitting at the nearby picnic table with Black Star, Tsubaki, and Liz, laughing and talking up a storm, which surprised Erik. Usually, Minora was so quiet around everyone but him, but today she was so…lively. "Probably the Dark Wavelength," thought Erik sullenly, his mind slowly shutting down, "It changes our personalities…" He remembered the conversation they had the night after his fight with Kid and Black Star.
-"Erik, I think you should be more careful using the Dark Wavelength," Minora said as she sank into the couch, looking over at the little boy who was slowly falling asleep on the opposite end of the couch. Erik took his spot next to the door and let himself sink to the floor, his breathing slowing and his eyes closing as he began the tedious (for him, anyway) task of making the Dark Reaper Seal whole. Sure, during the battle he had only released one part of the Seal, but he had to admit that….he really sucked at using the Dark Suppression Technique. "Of course Death would make a Seal that requires me to use this technique."
"And why do you say that, Minora?" asked Erik almost sleepily, partly because he was trying to concentrate and also because he really was just tired. He opened an eye and looked at his partner, who had a sad look on her face.
"Well…it changes you…makes you more violent…more reckless. Almost like you don't care whether you live or die."
"Truthfully I should have died a long time ago." Minora opened her eyes wide and stared at him, shocked that he had said something like that. He returned her gaze for a moment, and then went back to closing his eyes, saying, "I got into a fight a long time ago with Death, and I should have died. But he took pity on me or something and put me in a crystal," he said before coming back to what she had been talking about in the first place, "And I know it makes me more violent, but in a tight situation that can be a good thing. Don't worry about me, okay?" Silently, Minora nodded her head and stood, walking to her room, glancing back only once at the door. Erik went back to concentrating and heard the satisfying click in his soul, telling him that he had successfully fixed the Seal.
"She's right. You should be careful, Erik," Danny said quietly, taking Erik by surprise; he had thought the boy had fallen asleep. Danny stood from his spot on the couch and looked at Erik a piercing gaze.
"Your soul is corrupted by darkness…without the full power of the Seal in place, your soul will slowly break until…"
"I know Danny," Erik interrupted, the boy starting to scare him a little; he knew that Danny was different, but it was still disturbing when he was like this.
"I was just saying. Anyway, I'm going to bed now, nii-chan."
"I'm not your 'nii-chan.' Night."-
Erik had never noticed the way his partner changed, but then again, her Pure Soul was probably part of the reason, as well as the fact that she didn't use the Dark Wavelength often. And who would blame her for it, honestly? After being under the influence of Count Dracula for so long, doing terrible deeds with such a terrible power, who would actually want to keep using that power? But looking at her now, he could easily see it.
"She becomes more outgoing, opens up more. That's good, at least here. It probably makes her a lot stronger as well," he thought before closing his eyes again. Truthfully, he was more surprised at what he wasn't hearing; the loud guffaws and hollering of Black Star. It was strange, but he didn't worry about it as he quickly fell into a light sleep. It wasn't long before he found himself standing in the Inner Chamber. The darkness gave way to reveal his soul, and he had to admit that he was just a little surprised at the state it was in.
"It just looks so pathetic, doesn't? Ready to shatter at any moment," came the dark voice of Dracula nearby, and sure enough he emerged from the shadows, looking smug, almost triumphant.
"Sure," Erik replied, just wanting to go into a deep, or deeper, sleep.
"No smart-ass comebacks today, Erik? That's a surprise," said Dracula, the smile never leaving his face, and finally Erik asked, "Why so bright and shiny, Count? Thought vampires hated the light."
"Ah, there he is," Dracula replied with what sounded vaguely like laughter in his voice, "Why, don't you feel it Erik? The power? Only a matter of time now."
"Only a matter of time before what, Count?" Erik asked, but was answered only in a silent grin, and then the Count was gone. Erik stared at the spot the man was just standing, and then let out a long, frustrated sigh before saying, "Whatever. Don't tell me then. Now maybe I can really get some rest…" Unfortunately for him, this wasn't going to happen, as he felt a hand shaking his shoulder. He blinked open his eyes to see Kid, Liz, and Minora standing over him.
"Why…?" Erik asked, refusing to move from his position, despite the Reapers outstretched hand. Kid just moved his hand back and shrugged while he said, "My father wants to speak with you about….your condition." He looked around, not wanting to be overheard. He had done this any time he talked about the Dark Wavelength, and it was something that Erik had tolerated, until now.
"Kid, after this morning I'm pretty sure every person in Death City knows about the Dark Wavelength, and if not I'm pretty sure there will be a bulletin or something on the mission board, so you don't have to bother being all secretive about it, okay?"
"Oh…well alright. Anyway, my father has requested your presence either way."
"And what about Minora? She has the Dark Wavelength too."
"Oh I've already been to talk with him…you've been sleeping here for an hour now. Besides," she blushed a little and looked behind her toward someone, "I'm going to go hang out with Black Star and Tsubaki tonight." Erik took a look to his left, catching Black Star standing against a wall nearby, before Kids leg got in the way, and he said, "Yeah, no problem. Anyway, Death wants to talk to me…right now?"
"The sooner the better."
"Fine," Erik said forcing himself up, cracking his back routinely as Kid began to walk away towards the school and Minora went to meet up with Black Star. Erik couldn't help but feel just a little bit jealous at the sight, but immediately dismissed the feeling.
"Nice that she's getting to know you guys, too. Wouldn't want her to become a hermit or something," Erik said, looking over at Liz, who was now walking next to him with a concerned look on her face. Finally, she said, "You still look terrible." Erik laughed and said, "Yeah, can't keep asleep for the life of me."
"Maybe it's 'cause you haven't been sleeping in a bed. Couches and trees don't seem like the most comfortable places to sleep."
"You kidding? That's the best way to sleep, if you ask me. I don't even have bed at the apartment."
"Oh, well then maybe you could sleep in mine," Liz replied, seeming to take a chance, to which Erik said, "Ha! Persistent to the end. Nice try, though." They bantered like this the entire walk, even Kid joining into their conversation after a while. Erik actually enjoyed himself for a while, but deep down he knew that it wouldn't last. Nothing good ever lasted, after all.
Strange ending, I know. Just an FYI, updates on all of my stories are probably going to slow down now that I'm back on campus. Busy semester, you know. As always, Read and Review, they're much appreciated.