x New Beginning x
She was blossoming. Haji knew she missed her father and that the events from that terrible night had only added to the trauma that was her life. They'd all gradually been able to come together again and laughter was becoming habitual even when discussing the chiropteran.
Haji was not fond of sitting still for long periods of time, thus while the others were grabbing lunch and Saya was at the hotel resting, he decided that his cello was long overdue for a song. He had walked to a park in the hopes of not drawing too much attention to himself. Playing in the streets always seemed to garner a crowd and while he appreciated the audience, at times he wished to be alone with his thoughts.
There was a bench under a tree, and it was there that he decided he could finally rest. He opened his cello case and carefully plucked out his instrument. Grabbing the bow, he expertly began to move his fingertips and could already feel the tension in his shoulders begin to ease. His thoughts began to race with their group's next move and he wondered when exactly they could expect a meeting with Diva.
Running into her and her chevaliers always conjured up painful memories for Haji. Perhaps because before her Haji's life had been relatively normal and he and Saya had been happy.
These were the thoughts that plagued him…memories of the past. After an hour or so he began to pack away his cello when he felt droplets of rain hit his nose. He looked up and noticed how the sky had darkened to an ominous gray as if foreshadowing something. He suddenly felt anxious and immediately began to make his way back to the hotel.
X
"There he is…Saya's chevalier." James eyes narrowed as he spotted the cello case from across the street.
"Yes…I would recognize him anywhere." Solomon calmly lifted his cup of tea to his mouth smiling as he noticed Haji's stance immediately shift.
The brunette had been walking swiftly to the hotel, gracefully slipping through the congested sidewalk. The minute the man stopped Solomon knew he could sense their presence.
"What should we do? There are far too many people here right now…and he won't go quietly that's for sure." James sipped at his black coffee, eagerly waiting for the chevalier to look in their direction. Instead, the brunette was just standing there, completely immobile—he was waiting…waiting for them to make the first move.
"Of course, Amshel will be displeased that we didn't recover him…but this can be our secret for now. Our time will come…soon." Solomon couldn't help but admire the way the rain was clinging to the man's suit, accentuating ever muscle and curve. Much of his hair had escaped the blue ribbon and lay curled around his face. Even from the restaurant's window, Solomon could make out the emotions marring his eyes. Confusion, anger, anticipation…and just the faintest hint of sadness? No…regret.
Saya's chevalier was worried that he had compromised his queen…but that's not what they were there for.
"He's going to be difficult…I don't understand why Amshel didn't send Nathan or Carl with." James watched as the man finally began walking away, shifting his cello case to his other arm as if to block their view.
"Yes he will be…but I want to see what this chevalier is hiding behind that mask of his. Nothing worth having ever comes easy, James." Solomon chuckled as James rolled his eyes.
"That's terribly cliché."
X
Haji could sense them; they were watching him as he walked away. He had to get back quickly to the hotel and immediately warn the others. They would have to relocate once more, and he knew that things had just seemed to quiet down.
He quickly bypassed the elevator and took the stairs three at a time making it to their fourth-floor suite. He barged through the door and was greeted by 5 pairs of eyes.
"They're here. Diva's chevaliers. They know we are here." As soon as the words left his mouth David and Lewis began scrambling for suitcases. Riku and Kai ran into Saya's room rousing her from her sleep and Julia was hastily unplugging her computer chords.
Within minutes they were out the door and packed into the company van, tires screeching as they bolted outside of the hotel parking lot.
"You guys okay back there?" David questioned as he merged into heavy traffic.
"Yup…just dandy. Ouch…dammit." Kai and Haji had been employed as baggage holders and both were unceremoniously herded into the very back of the van. The hilt of Saya's sword had managed to knock into Kai's head while Haji's cello case fell on his foot.
Haji's arms were full with Julia and Lewis's suitcases and he grimaced as they narrowly missed a mini cooper that pulled out in front of them.
"Jesus David! Slow Down! I don't think we are being followed." Julia was clutching her computers and couldn't quite understand why they were speeding away from the chevaliers. This meant that Diva was in the vicinity, right? Wasn't that their mission, to destroy her?
"That doesn't matter. They're here for something…Diva's not close by…they're here because they want something from us." Saya spoke softly and she turned to Haji, smiling sadly.
"They can only be here for Saya." Haji informed.
X
"Have you located him? The chevalier?" Amshel's voice broke through Solomon's phone.
"Yes…naturally of course they left the hotel after he spotted James and I. However, James is following them as we speak…I'm afraid he is going to make this rather difficult to which James is none too pleased." Solomon glanced around the hotel room. His hand ran gently over the dresser, as he closed his eyes inhaling the lingering scent.
"You must get him alone. Corner him by whatever means necessary…even if it means he comes to us with missing limbs. He's for us to use. I don't want another episode like that of the zoo." Solomon frowned at Amshel's words, for he would not go to such extremes. Something caught Solomon's eye and he smiled as he saw a lone blue ribbon lying partially hidden by the bed.
He picked it up and brought it to his nose, closing his eyes at the scent of cedar.
"That won't be necessary. I have something up my sleeve that the company has created…he'll be easy to handle once its administered." Solomon played with the ribbon imagining the docility that would occur once he encountered the man.
X
"I don't think we were followed. We need to stay together while we are here and avoid any suspicion." David laid his suitcase on the hotel table and began unloading his guns.
"So that means we can't go outside?" Riku pipped up as he dived onto the bed.
"No. I don't want anything that can jeopardize our position. Lewis is the only one permitted outside to grab supplies and food." David replied glancing over at Haji who was staring out the balcony window.
Haji was worried that they'd been followed despite David's assurance, as he could sense something wasn't quite right. It was beginning to rain again and he wondered if this was the world's way of letting him know to be on edge.
"Haji, is something wrong?" Saya rested her hand on his shoulder.
"…No. Everything is fine." Haji wanted to disclose his suspicion, but he didn't want to upset the group.
"Why don't you play your cello in the hotel conference room? It's right above us and I'll be able to hear it…it helps me sleep to hear that music." Saya smiled as Haji looked down at her. He felt himself smiling as Saya clutched his bandaged hand. He wished she would smile more, but he knew that their circumstances rarely allowed for that. It was so much easier at Joel's mansion; he wished they could go back. His memories were just as foggy as her sometimes, as he couldn't remember much of who he was before becoming a chevalier, but all the same he knew he was happy.
"Yes, if that is what you wish." He grabbed his cello case and walked outside their suite making his way upstairs.
X
"I hear him…he is on the third floor." Solomon and James were in the lobby of the hotel, and it was only a matter of time before Haji picked up on their presence.
"Block the stairway. I'll take care of him." Solomon ignored James' confusion and made his way to the front desk.
"Hello, sir. Are we checking in today?" A cheery blonde greeted him as he casually leaned against the desk.
"Hello there. I'm afraid I'm already checked in, but my friend in room 209 is requesting tea for the man playing right above in the conference room. He prefers Earl grey if you happen to have it." Solomon smiled charmingly and was pleased to note the blush that overcame the girl's features.
"Of course, sir. I can have room service send the tea right away. I'll just call—" Just as she had picked up the phone, Solomon had grabbed her hand.
"Actually, I was wondering if you might send the tea here first. I was instructed to give a note…but it's a surprise." Solomon motioned his finger to his lips and winked.
"O-Of course, sir. I'll have it down for you by the bar."
"Excellent."
X
'Crack'
Haji frowned as one of his cello strings abruptly snapped nearly slicing his cheek. That was especially peculiar…for he always took meticulous care to not stretch the wires too thin. A knock on the door caused him to jerk up.
"Excuse me, sir. I apologize for the interruption, but I was instructed to give you this tea from the young lady in room 209." A young man came forth with a tea set and promptly set it down on the coffee table beside Haji.
"She specified it was Earl Grey…your favorite." The man smiled politely before exiting.
Haji set aside his cello and couldn't help but feel touched by the offer. He assumed Saya was still sleeping, but perhaps Riku had roused her awake. The boy was terribly endearing, and he reminded Haji of himself when he was younger to some extent.
He calmly grabbed the dainty blue teacup and sipped slowly at the liquid. It was already sweetened and had just the right amount of milk. Saya knew Earl Grey was his favorite, but she somehow had miraculously tailored it just to his likening. He began pouring himself another cup and suddenly felt it…Diva's chevalier. He was here…way too close. Haji abruptly dropped the cup causing it to fall and shatter into a hundred pieces.
He stood and soon the room begin to blur. He grabbed his head as his skull felt like it was pulsating and seized the back of the couch for support. The sound of the door opening caught his attention, and he assumed it could only be David or Lewis coming to warn him that they had to vacate immediately.
"Hello, Haji. How are you feeling?" Haji's eyes widened at hearing that charming voice. Solomon stepped into the room clicking the lock as he closed the door.
"You're not…taking her." The brunette's throat felt like sandpaper, and he willed his body to move, but couldn't even stand up straight.
"Ahh…so you think I'm here for Saya, huh? No, Haji. I'm actually here for you…I knew you'd make it difficult and didn't want to hurt you too badly. Was the tea prepared to your liking? I remember how you used to take it and assumed not much had changed over the years. Don't resist…just lie down, Haji." Solomon stepped forward and easily dodged the man's deadly left hand before taking hold of his other one and pinning it behind his back.
The younger man's body was beginning to go slack as Solomon held onto him. He could feel how compliant he was becoming and drew him in closer resting his head atop Haji's.
The blonde could enjoy this simple moment for one more minute before the cavalry rushed in, "It's okay, Haji. I'm not going to hurt you or Saya…sshhh…just close your eyes. Everything will be fine when you wake up." Haji resisted and kept his eyes open as long as he could before he felt whatever had been in the tea begin to cloud his mind. He was completely paralyzed, and Solomon was holding his entire body up at this point and just before he passed out… the other man's lips were laid on his forehead.