A/N: Hi minna-san! After my long and lazy rest, I'm back again! And…phooey. I left it till the last day of summer break to start this – I have NO motivation without classes to drive it out of me. Hopefully I'll be able to write more anyways :P
This chapter is dedicated to Tala1 and PinkDevil (whether they read it or not O.o)…thanks guys! You helped me more than you know…
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Enrique:
"Robert Ranulf[1] Jurgen, you are insane!"
He glances calmly at me from behind a shirt in the process of being folded. "Thank you for the compliment, Enrique. Your point is?"
I let out a frustrated growl. "Cut with the damned sarcastic act, Robert. Why are you going off like this? What's the big idea? Do you even have a plan?"
"As a matter of fact, yes." He tosses the folded shirt onto a small pile on the bed. "We'll be leaving immediately, as Gustav told you. Expect us back in a few days."
"Wh-wha-a few DAYS? ROBERT! What are you thinking?" I shriek.
He gives me a slow smile. "I am thinking, Enrique, that this is the best course of action for us to take," and before I can interrupt, he continues. "Listen. It's better if you stay here, you know. It's probably easier on Oliver if he's with you. And, there is still unfinished business you can help him with, remember? The pending case…?[2]"
I blink in dawning comprehension. "Oh. OH. That."
"Yes, that." He steers me out of the room. "I'll explain it all when we get back. Trust me. I've been thinking about this for some time!"
Ergh. I hate that. He ALWAYS has to be a few steps ahead of everyone else!
"Think of it as getting some quality time together-"
"ROBERT!"
----------
Oliver chuckles quietly as I recount what happened, sitting quietly in front of the mirror. Running the brush through his damp locks of hair, I glance at his face, happy to see him smile.
I see him peeking at our reflections from under heavy bangs, and resist the urge to laugh. Yes, I can read some of what he's thinking from his expression and the way he keeps glancing back at the mirror.
With his longish hair and wide, innocent eyes, the teen I used to know was, well…I called him 'cute.' Robert said 'androgynous.' Johnny? Johnny referred to him as - *ahem* - girly.
He should have realized that you should never, EVER insult the one who cooks your own dinner. You will regret it. [3]
Anyway…that's changed. Even though you can still see the boy-that-was, his face and body have grown into his looks, the longer chartreuse strands framing slender, fine-boned features that can only be described as – what was that word? Tyson once used it to describe Kai and Rei.
Oh yes. Bishounen.
"Enrique?"
I come back to reality to realize that I've stopped with the brush in mid-stroke, grinning foolishly for no apparent reason. "Mmm?"
"Thanks."
"No problem." I continue running the brush lazily through already-smooth hair, more for the feel of it than anything else. He closes his eyes quietly, enjoying the sensation, swaying slightly on the stool.
Of course, Murphy's Law dictates that someone starts rapping on the door at that exact moment. Oliver leaps off the stool and immediately doubles over, clutching his side and coughing horribly. Horrified, I start rubbing on his back, trying to still the spasms.
Doctor Montana's voice filters through the door, light and amused. "I'd better not be interrupting anything when I walk in there!"
I growl, and Oliver starts to laugh between coughs. The door clicks open, and the doctor walks in, immediately saying, "Enrique, what are you glaring at me for?"
I can't help it. I start laughing too.
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Two hours, one painful rib-rebandaging, and one examination later…
Oliver mutters, pulling at the sling around his arm. "Why do I have to wear this? It's not dislocated, or broken…"
"True," replies Ms. Montana, flicking her hair over her shoulder for the umpteenth time, "But it's strained and severely bruised. If you do anything much with it, you'll have more than dislocation to worry about." She loosens the strap a little, and then nods in satisfaction. "I think that's all right for now. Call me again if anything happens, all right?"
After we've thanked her and she's left, he turns to me.
"Now what?"
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She opened her eyes to a sea of green.
Aware, but just barely, she observed long, wild strands of her own hair bobbing in the gentle liquid, tangling with various wires.
Dimly, she noted that several of those wires were attached to her nude form, snaking out of her arms, her legs – even her head. She knew she should be struggling, or in pain, but…
She drifted muzzily, listening to the voices that passed through the opaque wall of the chamber, sound trickling in through the spaces between rising bubbles.
"Is it complete?"
If she could, she would have stiffened. The cold voice summoned hate, a bright shard piercing the haze surrounding her brain. Balkov.
She listened.
"N-not quite, Sir," replied another voice, male, fear reducing his voice to a nervous stutter. "The cybernetic implants a-are taking extremely well…"
"Of course they would – we have already tested that fact on numerous subjects. The bodies are as human as anyone's, so get a hold of yourself. I was referring to the mental implants."
"They are incomplete, sir…we have found ourselves at a loss to remove their memories completely. Doing so would destroy their minds."
"Hmmm." Balkov's voice hummed into her ears, speculative. "It won't matter in the long run, since they will have no chance to recall…"
"S-sir, there is a two point sixt-"
"Don't quote me the figures. We will have our own ways to deal with these…specimens…should the need arise. Proceed."
A faint series of clicks, and the thrum that ran through the liquid redoubled. She fought to quell the growing sense of panic and move her limbs, but they continued to hang limply in the liquid, unresponsive.
And then something roared through the coils of wire surrounding her, directly into her brain. Something white and electric-hot and agonizing; she was aware of her soundless scream and the liquid flurry of bubbles frothing around her face-
And then it was over, and she slumped, brain already reeling.
I am taste of light filling my jaws and the joy of simply running simply being - am just one among so many struggling to prove my individuality
I am herd-song and blazing through starfilled space – am one who battles with mind as much as blade in the battle only the battle nothing else
I am one of the race of –the weak flesh and blood and bone and muscle and shallow emotions
I am I am
She fell into blessed darkness.
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[1] It just seemed to fit! Not a German name, but close 'nuff
[2] Will explain in a later chapter, just like every major plot pont in the story *snorts*
[3] Johnny excused himself to the bathroom afterwards. He stayed there until morning making horrible noises, and then gave in and let Robert cart him off to the doctor. Oliver would never admit EXACTLY what he put into the appetizer, and Johnny claimed that the food had seemed all right. Moral of the story: Never underestimate the effeminate pretty-boy. After insulting, do not accept anything from him, especially not food. O_O;
[Jorntil: Guys, you know what? I think I could use some takeout for a change…]
A/N: Mwah! Another filler chapter…and it took me…*sweatdrops* eight days. Schoolwork likes to crop up on me. *decides not to think about high school*
[Maroku: Well, you're lazy.
Shut up.
Maroku: Make me.
Jiaan and Jorntil: Okay!
[scuffle ensues]
Oliver: O.o;;;
Enrique: That chapter was odd.
Robert: *grumbles* My name…you screwed with my NAME…
Shaddap!]
Mistress of Anime: I learned a little bit of French over the summer ^_^ And I've found a better translator, too!
Anime the Fallen Angel: Whee! I luv your Olli-fic! Oliver forever! Whee!
The Terminaisha: Oooh, you changed your pen name…Yeah, I freed myself from writers block…after almost what, two months? -_-;
ClowSword_Wielder: O.O; Glad you liked it! I'm going for more humor in the later chappies!
Tala: Heh…I wyke your fwics! XD Tala forever! And of course Kai got Rei…*snorts* Tala/Kai ROCKS, but it don't fit into this. *stamps foot* Dammit.
Maria Christina: Thanks ^_^ Hope y'allcan update some of your fics soon! (Yeah…look who's talking…ME, telling you to update?) *watches muses give her 'duh' looks*
Robbies Gal: Thanks as well ^_^
I'm goin' to sleep now! Ja ne everybody till I come up with chapter 14! There will be some REAL plot progress then!
Muses and Majestics: *very unenthusiastic* Yaay.