Author's Notes: This little chapter is so full of symbolism and cryptic conversations that it just might burst. o.O More than what's being said is being done. Set relationships changing dynamics, for no apparent reason. Freak outs on window ledges and people babbling on about the color blue.
Not much to this chapter, but I figured I should post it 'cause I have no figgin clue when the rest of it would be written. Can you figure out they're all talking about? If you can, I'll give you a cookie. ^_^ Well, no... Sorry, I wouldn't. I just like saying/typing the word cookie. I would really like anybody who's figured out who the killer is not spoil it for the 'others'. If there are others. You know us fan fic writers; never have any ego to speak of what so ever.
Blame my absences on Cowboy Bebop this time and Spike Spiegel's wonderfully, wonderfully hot bod. ::starts to drool spontaneously::
Warnings: None. And I seriously mean it this time. But I'll make it up in the next chapter.... A hint of gore to come.
After the Outing - Chapter IX
Luigi gazed upward.
Blue skies gazed back.
That was what he liked about it. The unfetted view. The harsh wind whipping about his body, tugging on locks and thin clothing. A steady, unwavering form in a world of kaleidoscoping swirls. He was blinded, with his craned neck stiff and unnoticed, by the blue.
Why hadn't he brought out a coat? It was cold... And common sense decreed that the usage of a coat was allowable. But, did he deserve a coat? Who didn't deserve a coat, anyway? Only someone who did something very, very bad. Did he...? No. He, if not deserving of a coat, at the very least could have one. A blue coat.
Blue skies gazed back.
Wasn't blue the color of oblivion? Clear...
The radio was fuzzy static in the background, faint musical strains wafting out the window. His bed was unmade, with his slippers still sitting beside the side dresser. Right where he left them.
Who needed slippers in the snow?
He cletched his bare, frost bitten toes on cold concrete.
Clear blue oblivion.
Blue skies gazed back.
Impassively.
Had he forgotten how to die? He did it before... Was it so hard to do it to yourself? He found he really didn't care. After all, wasn't it crueller to be always afraid of dying than to die? He had forgotten how to die, and couldn't remember how to live.
He thought he heard his name being called.
A step forward into the snow. Blue oblivion, white as snow...
"...Luigi..."
He had a goal, for those who didn't deserve. He would make them see, as he saw.
"...Luigi, what are you doing?!"
He breathed in for the first time in hours, and placed his outstretched foot back on the window ledge. The midday sun warmed his skin to the point of burning.
Mario stuck his head out the open window, one head shielding his incredulous cock-eyed stare from the bright light, and the other bracing against the sudden vertigo. "Weegee?"
Luigi gazed down at the green grassed, four story drop below.
Bli-
snow cruntching underneath booted feet hands chaffed from bitter winds axe in hand the trees the white deep breaths blue sky
-nk.
He could feel the faintest trace of sweat cooling under his hospital gown. Hands shaking, eyes too dry, hair grimy from too many days laying in the same bed.
He felt... good.
Luigi grinned, an upswelling of something precious releasing the tightness of his chest, and he coud breath once again. "Care to join me, Mario? The water's fine."
Mario shook his head, and grinned back. "I think you've been cooped up for much too long. Trying to fly?"
Luigi laughed, lightly and real. "Of course. Nothing better."
"Then fly back inside. You've got the Princess scared half to death."
Luigi captured the blue with a quick glance upward, and, with a grace the belied his healing wounds, ducked through the square opening and hopped onto the tile floor. The little single unit air conditioner hummed laboriously to ward off the summer heat. The radio switched to commercials.
Peach's head shot up, fingers still ceaselessly picking at lint from the bedsheet she was sitting on, golden hair glowing in the yellow sunlight. She smiled nervously.
Luigi's dropped in response.
"Hello, Luigi." So formal. A shuddery breath betraying her distant coolness. "I see you're feeling better?"
"Much." Dark eyes dropped from her struggling facade of indifference, to ticking fingers, and back up again, pointedly. Mario stood to the side in silent curiousity. "And you?"
Peach stilled. "...Much."
The slender plumber titled his head to the side, closed his eyes, and gently smiled. "You sure?"
Mario began to speak, then closed his mouth without uttering a sound.
"...Are you?" Peach broke her forced stillness, and began picking at her simple cham braclet, gaze not drilling into Luigi, but into Mario instead.
Luigi's smile, without moving a muscle, became rueful. "No."
Mario flinched when something painful flittered across the Princess' eyes.
Peach gulped down some air. "Then neither am I."
Luigi's eyelids slide open, and he took the last few steps across the room, flopping down onto his bed. The delicate beauty stared at the back of his dark head. "What did you mean by that, Luigi? I'm not dead..."
Mario took a catious step toward the Princess, whom he could have sworn had tears glittering in her clear blue eyes, but was stopped by Luigi's voice. Harsh; uncharacteristically sharp.
"Leave it, Peach. Just... leave it."
And Mario noticed Luigi never looked away from his slippers the whole entire time.
Bowser, Peach, Mario and Luigi: I... don't get it.
Pisces: ::beams:: Good! I don't either. ^_^
Bowser, Peach, Mario and Luigi: -_-
Luigi: And what is up with me and blue, anyway? I'm a freak!
Pisces: ::beams:: Get over it!
Bowser: ...I'm not even going to get into this... ::wanders off, grumbling::
Pisces: ::beams:: Good! Get over it!
Peach, Mario and Luigi: o.O
Pisces: ::beams:: Good! Get over it!
