-Chapter 36-
Rose's Brass and Bronze
Death's city belies its name
Puts all others to grave shame,
None so great as we are now
But this not reached without sweat on brow,
Work hard, work long
Give your life unto this song,
For when you're old and dead
This city will walk on ahead,
Beneath its heel we all shall rest
But only at Death's sincere behest.
Blackstar's lips moved quietly as soft sounds treaded through the small gap of his lips, the radio was louder than he as his eyes gently closed. He was sad as the recording came to an end, knowing he would have to wait for another week before hearing the familiar voice that sanded away his worries. Many would be in the same position as him, sitting beside their radio listening to Sid's enigmatic voice. The Keeper of the City – He had been here since the beginning, and was one of the commanding families that had the ear of Shinigami, the benevolent leader.
Star had walked slightly ahead of Soul and Maka, and after persuading himself that they'd find their way back to him, had side-stepped into the back-alleys to return in time for the regular announcement. He didn't know why he cared so much, there was no reason to, bar the small ache of familiarity it placed in his chest each time he heard that gruff voice come over the static background.
Blackstar shut his eyes and leaned back into the wooden chair, his spine slotting between the small columns of wood that held the backrest. He was at his work desk, looking at the front door from over the pile of envelopes and papers he had to deal with. "Later, I'll do them later." He husked to himself, knowing that he'd regret it.
He watched the back of his eyes and felt himself being swallowed by sleep, the pools of black slowly approaching from the edges of his vision and blocking out that dark red that the hall lights burnt through. He had to be careful, had to keep his eyes very still, lest he scare the darkness away.
BAM BAM BAM
The door's metal knocker exploded with each impact of the hand that brought its metal ring down to the plate. The sounds went straight through Star's head, and agonisingly pulsed in his skull.
Covering his ears to hide from the echo he groaned, his mouth was dry and his lips had become parched.
How long was I asleep for? The thought dodged each painful heartbeat that sent blood rushing around his brain much too loudly. "Coming" he groggily answered the door.
An absolutely knackered pair of bodies flopped inside, trekking dust with their footfalls. The sharp wake up hadn't put Star in the best of humours, so he snapped at them for making a mess before actually opening his eyes properly.
A head of white looked up at him with such physical exhaustion displayed that Star instantly regretted his tone.
"I'm sorry, just have a headache, what took you guys?" He tried to mend the situation as he closed the door. A pale arm was drooped around Soul's neck, its hand lightly holding onto his shoulder, pulling the material up in a small bunch.
Soul swallowed before rasping with a hopeless grin "One wrong turn, this bloody city I swear." A dusty laugh was attempted but faltered into coughs. Soul's patience was fine.
"We must have walked around this city twice, Maka got confused in the dark."
Looking at the limp body that Soul was supporting Blackstar's feelings of regret compounded, he hated himself for being so selfish as to leave his friends just to hear words that would be repeated later. What if something had happened?
Soul was tired, but still noticed Star's expression "Don't worry, we've got to learn our way around hear one way or the other" he attempted to console Star. It had the opposite effect, serving to compound the guilt Star was feeling as he read into it as saying "You shouldn't have left."
"Soul, I'm so sorry, I really am. I shouldn't have-" Star started to apologise again before being cut off by Soul.
"Dude, shut up and help me get Maka into a bed, are there any here? Can we even sleep here, you said something about this just being an office or?"
Star's face dropped as he remembered his tiny apartment was on the other side of town. A hand hid his face before traveling down his neck to rest loosely grasping at his collar.
Blackstar stepped around them, shutting the door while trying to figure out what he was to do with his friends. Soul and Maka were leaning against the wall, something that Blackstar had to stop himself from requesting they didn't. The wallpaper was textured and would be dented with their weight.
"My apartment is on the next side of town, you guys probably walked straight past it" Star laughed to dispel some embarrassment.
Soul, with a heavy breath, looked up in a way suggesting that it was not the time for jokes. The air conditioning was having a positive effect and as the wafts of air from the ceiling chilled them, it also woke them.
Maka brushed the hair from her face, and assured Star that they'd be fine to sleep wherever.
"It's not about being 'fine'" Blackstar exasperated, "I could cut your leg off and once cauterised and stitched, you would be 'fine'. It's about being comfortable."
Star knew that to sleep in the office would be sorely reprimanded, more than just a slap would follow.
"The lower districts!" He exclaimed; his relief evident on his face. "I know some people who you could definitely stay with, they owe me after all."
Star glanced at the grandfather clock that stood in the hallway. He'd slept for around an hour and a half and wanted to make amends for his poor conduct.
"Are you guys up for more walking?" Star joked as he opened a phone cupboard. Winding the machine to the familiar sound of grinding cogs Soul and Maka listened.
"Operator?"
"Taxi services please"
"Yes, that's the address"
"To the lower district, Rose avenue."
"What's that?"
"Oh yes, that's fine, enjoy your evening ma'am." Blackstar replaced the two phone pieces back into the cupboard, shutting the doors on the quickly retreating 'ding' the phone had made as the call finished.
"They won't be a moment; 5 minutes at most, can I get you a coffee?" He looked at both of them and decided he'd make enough regardless of their polite denial. It was a fortunate prediction as he took their empty cups from them and accompanied them to the door, having to lock it carefully as they departed.
A small carriage coated in heavy black varnish that hid every speck of wood beneath awaited, coupled to an albino pony. The driver flicked his whip at the moon as the trio joined him. "Allabawd me jolly mates, way to, way to?" It was a question designed to start small talk as the driver knew exactly where he had to go.
Soul and Maka were enjoying the rhythm of the carriage as they sat together in the back of the open top structure, atop the dense cushions. The relative lack of width on the sofa meant it more comfortable that they sit against one another, and together they sat in an easy, comfortable quiet, both listening to the pony's trot as each other's warmth seeped through their clothes, into one another and the quickly cooling night breeze.
Star was sat next to the driver, who had yet to realise that Star wanted neither conversation, nor to share his thoughts.
"Wew, (the driver pronounced his L's with just his lips) oi fink ih ain't awl bid, yuknow, what dem suvvners is doin. Once they keeps thems to themsewuhves we's only gunna benefit, roit? Cuzza them needin money we's get more for our money so iss all balance, wiv us more balanced than them!" He laughed too loudly at his awful joke, ending in coughs as Star winced a smile.
Star politely nodded along, not wishing the discomfort associated with telling another that their words are falling on deaf ears.
They all suffered a jolt as they changed tiers, which were separated with raised bricks, and as they journeyed further into the night under the incessant chatter of the driver Soul started to feel the familiar taps of the Imp.
Knock knock. How're we feeling Soul? Good? Comfy? Content? I hope you're enjoying it. Don't think I've forgotten The Imp let the final word slink back into the darkness with him. Already Soul's mood began to fall, plummet in fact. He kept his face still as he watched his emotions drop away once more, leaving nothing but empty exhaustion and the husk of how he felt.
They arrived at a crimson establishment, a burnished brass sign hung large above the door, the wrought metal titling itself "Rose's B&B".
"The bwass and bwonze, we're 'ere." The driver gesticulated with his thumb. He seemed nervous, as though the area gave him chills. Star noticed and whispered to him, whatever he said seemed to reassure the driver considerably.
Star helped Soul and Maka off the carriage and led them to the door.
"The owner is called rose, ask her for a room and put it in my name. I need to leave now, I'll find you later."
Soul just nodded as he turned away with a passing farewell. Maka smiled and expressed her gratuity much more properly. Soul was impatiently holding the shaking wooden door. The old planks were chipped at the bottom and the ring window in the centre was barred with protruding bronze bars.
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Inside red bulbs haunted the space, the thick air laden with smoke and cheap perfume. The fire blazed in the corner, though the weather didn't warrant the masses of logs piled upon it, almost suffocating the flames beneath the weight. Behind an old bar a large red haired woman chewed on gristle loudly, as her long dirty nails plucked the peeling surface of the bar; she flicked the small shards over the counter to join the small remnants of prior evenings.
She hardly looked up at her customers and as they walked to her she pulled up a large book from beneath the counter that had a slowly burning cigarette resting in a long holder. The burn marks on the surface suggested this was a common occurrence and she used the plucking hand to lift the cigarette to her mouth and the other to flick open the book.
She carried her weight well, but stress had made her cheeks heavy, her eyes sullen, her face creased with grime and age and her lips thick with strong red lipstick.
Soul ignored the smell of must that she exuded from rippled muslin clothes and as she turned to fetch their room key they saw the stretching stiches of the corset and the flesh bulging over.
A fat hand pointed them in the direction of their room and they walked. Hardly a word had been spoken between them.
Their room was expectedly dreary, a series of small square glass plates sat in a badly shaped window let the stench of the alley way behind the building waft in and its surface blurred the outside from soot and dirt.
Soul pulled his nose up with disgust as he walked to the window. Drawing a finger across left a slightly clearer streak, but dirtied his fingertip. He flicked it and felt the glass tremble, a hiss of distaste left his mouth.
Looking around he finally saw what had Maka standing uncomfortably in the doorway behind him.
There was one grey bed in the corner. One, old bed that was so small it hardly justified being called a single. To compound this issue, the wood planks they walked on were splintered and dust ridden, no doubt rats ran beneath and there quite literally was no place else to sleep.
They would have to share this night at least.
A/N: So my exams are over, and just wanted to get this update in before I go on my eurotrip - no laptop ergo no updates again for another several weeks, but come summer I'll be getting them up every week. I've missed doing this. And as always, I'm incredibly grateful for your favourites and follows!