Darkness in the Twilight
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
By Psycho Ferret and LunarCrystal
Brave New World
It was getting dark when they showed up again, Allen explaining just what a guymelef was. Ethan carried a few bags with him, helping Allen up the steps, grinning. "So... yeah, that's like in anime, man. Mecha. That's awesome."
"Hey," said Nikki from her chair as she watched Celena try to play Soul Calibur 2 - which was amusing as all hell, because the girl kept flinching every time her fighter got hit. She saw Allen and her brother come in, carrying bags of various assortments, and Allen carrying a wooden staff like thing . . . Nikki groaned, "Jesus Christ, Ethan - don't tell me you got him a sword."
Ethan waved a hand at Nikki, dismissively, taking the bags upstairs and then returning after a little They settled on the couch, Ethan grinning a bit. They'd had fun, it was obvious.
Allen shook his head a little, a faint smile on his lips. Yes... they'd had fun.
Celena dropped the controller and stood to approach her brother. She couldn't hide that she felt extremely snubbed, and that feeling created a pit of jealousy in her stomach. "What did you do today?"
Ethan patted Allen on the shoulder lightly. "I introduced him to Jazz and Kurt--two of the guys in the band I play in--and we went about shopping and such. We all just kind of hung out and talked and stuff."
Allen arched a brow. "I never once thought I'd have that much fun looking for clothing, really."
Ethan laughed, shaking his head. "Well... it's hard not to have fun with those two."
"And did you sell the ring?" she asked, looking over Allen's new attire, trying to determine if she approved or not.
"Yes, actually..." Allen nodded a bit to her question.
Ethan grinned, nodding a bit. "Yeah... it got you guys a little bit over a thousand. That's more than I expected, but what do I know about metal values like that?" The boy shook his head a little. "I'm an idiot when it comes to things like that."
"A thousand," said Celena, thinking to herself with a finger on her mouth, "Is that a lot?"
Ethan shrugged a little. "It's more than I've got. It's pretty high for a ring, I guess. I'm not very sure, really."
She nodded, already missing the ring. "I'm glad you had fun," was all she could think of to say. She hung her head a bit, turning and went upstairs to their room.
Nikki groaned, "Aw, shit. You made her cry. Nice work, idiot."
Allen sighed softly, arching a brow.
Ethan bit down on his bottom lip gently. Well, that just deflated the joy of the day. Allen unfolded himself from the couch, turning and heading calmly up after her. This was ridiculous... he pushed open the door to their room. "Celena...?"
"I've hired you a tutor." she said scathingly, sitting on the bed and putting on her earphones.
Allen frowned a little, sighing. Just forget it. Forget trying to reason with her. That was the easiest solution at the moment. He turned, padding downstairs and towards the door, waving over his shoulder. He'd only be just outside. Not going anywhere, really. He sat down on the bottom step, sighing heavily.
Chris was just coming home himself, from shopping at the grocery store. When he saw Allen sitting on the steps outside of his house, looking dejected, he grew concerned. He shifted the rustling plastic bags to one hand and set them down. "Hi, Allen. What's going on?" he asked, concerned.
Allen turned his head towards him, offering a little smile and shaking is head. "It's nothing... I think it's just from being all closed up the way we've been, it's getting to us."
"Well," he said, sitting down beside the knight, "Maybe you should get out then. This about you and your sister?"
"It is." Allen sighed a little, running a hand through his hair. "I think she was irritated because she didn't come along with Ethan and I earlier today."
"Hmm, you and your sister seem very close from what I could tell," said the older man, "You might like taking her out then, if she's feeling snubbed."
"I went to go speak with her, but she just brushed me off. It's... thoroughly irritating." Allen shook his head slightly. "Of course, I'm not blaming all this on her."
"Brushed you off? Did she say anything?" he asked.
"She said she got me a tutor. I assume regarding to Braille. Bu she just... it wasn't a very enjoyable tone. And then she just started listening to that music of hers."
Chris couldn't help but grin, even though he desperately tried to suppress it, "Yeah, she - uh - got corrupted by Nikki, it seems. Even dresses like her now - only less make up, thank goodness." He let out an amused huff.
"Mm... she has changed a lot just in such a short period of time." Allen sighed softly, shaking his head. It was almost... disturbing, really. "Just so long as she still speaks like a lady." He'd be utterly offended if she started cussing.
"Well, why don't you take her to the beach, or something? So you can talk things out. Communication is always a good thing," he said smartly, his pscyh degree showing through.
Allen ran a hand through his hair, sighing a little. "It would likely be a good idea, yes..."
Chris nodded. "Plan for it, then. Tomorrow. Spend time with her outside. I'm sure she would appreciate it."
"Mm..." Allen nodded slightly, offering a little smile. "My thanks, Chris..."
He clapped him on the back, "No problem, Allen." With that, he picked up the groceries and went inside to start dinner.
Celena wouldn't come out of the room, and Nikki needed to bring her a plate of her food so that she would eat. Grudgingly, Celena accepted and ate the pasta she'd been given before falling asleep on the bed with a headache. Ethan smiled a bit, he was... animated, like usual. All happy-like and stuff. Talking on about Jazz and what was going on with them. When Allen had finished, he quietly excused himself, turning and heading upstairs. He pushed open the door quietly, sighing, making his way over to the bed, sitting down lightly.
"Do I treat you badly?" came a whisper from beside him on the bed.
Allen lifted his head a little, turning his head towards her. "No... I don't blame this on you. We've both been in here for awhile, with so little time outside. Did you not coming along really upset you that much?"
"A - a little," she admitted.
"I'm sorry. It was all supposed to be good fun, and it was meant to surprise you with what we got."
"Oh," she said quietly, "Well, I like your new clothing. I looked through the bags . . ."
"Oh.." Allen smiled a little, shaking his head. "It's... odd."
Celena smiled a bit, burying her face into the pillow, "I like it."
"I'm glad. It'll take getting used to, though."
She hummed in reply, tugging on his hand lightly, "Come on. Come to bed and sleep."
Allen sighed softly, loosening his hair from the ponytail, tugging off the t-shirt lightly. He slid into bed alongside her, leaning back softly against the pillows.
Celena was glad for his warmth, and his strong frame to snuggle against, glad to nuzzle her head into the curve of his shoulder. "Allen," she asked softly, "When will we . . . when did you want to . . . take me?" she blushed in the dark.
Allen blinked a bit, holding her close. He smiled softly. "Sometime special, that's all I know."
That was enough for her, and smiling contentedly in the darkness of their room, she fell asleep to the gentle sound of his heart beat.
~
As planned, Allen was to take Celena on an outing. With Celena has his guide, and his new bamboo cane, they strolled along down the city streets. They were really only a few blocks from the beach, and Celena had gotten so used to the strangely paved streets that it started to feel familiar to her - like her own home city, which wasn't exactly the most peaceful and quiet place on Gaea either. Salty sea air wafted along a gentle breeze, and the finally stepped into the sand.
"Why did you want to take me here, Allen?" she asked, enjoying the view of the beach and the sea, even though deep within her heart, it held bitter memories for her.
Allen walked along beside her, smiling softly. "It was a suggestion from Chris, actually. After that whole ordeal last night, he suggested both of us get a little fresh air."
The blonde had one hand resting on her forearm, the cane in hand. He wasn't complaining about it. He'd relented to his needing it, after all.
"So long as you don't clam up on me again, but I think I can safely say you're over that stage," she said, nudging him gently so that they were a 20 feet from the ocean. She sat down on the sand, wary of other people sunbathing and children playing, some of them staring at Allen.
Allen fell silent, his eyes closed, head tipped slightly to the side. It was like he could feel their eyes upon him, but he didn't turn to them, he didn't feel ashamed... not this time. Hair loosely drawn back--as he'd had a habit of doing recently--waved slightly in the wind, standing there. Even though he dressed differently, he still held himself as he had before--proud and knightly.
"Sit down, Allen, you're making me nervous." she said playfully, tugging gently on his pant leg.
Allen arched a brow slightly, resigning, sitting down beside her. "Howso?" He murmured softly, turning his head slightly towards her.
"Well, I was sitting, you were standing and you're really tall. Not to mention intimidating . . . I still have a little trouble being alone - with men that could easily overpower me." she admitted quietly. Her silver hair blew in the wind and shined, and she took in a deep breath of the sea air.
"Mm... my apologies, then. I hadn't thought of it like that before." Even though he knew she trusted him, it was still a little painful to think that he was still grouped among other men, that he intimidated her. He understood completely why, really, and didn't fault her for it.
But it hurt nonetheless.
"I'm sorry," she said, leaning her head against his shoulder and closing her eyes. How she loved to feel him and nuzzle him. How perfect he was for her, that not even all the men she'd seen on the street, or Chris or Ethan, could ever touch her heart the way Allen did.
"It's alright, it's just me being overly sensitive," he murmured softly, putting an arm around her. "I understand why... there's no reason to apologize."
"Okay." she replied, snuggling into him some more. "I told you that I'd hired you a tutor . . . She seemed nice on the phone. She mentioned that she teaches at the library. You'll go, won't you?"
"Of course. Reading was a large part of my life when I had time for it. I'd be more than thrilled to learn it all over again."
"Just - try not to get too frustrated. I saw what one of those Braille books look like . . ." she hung her head, "And honestly - I can't imagine how anyone could read it."
"Oh, I'll be fine, Celena, don't worry about it." Allen shook his head slightly, a faint smile on his lips.
"Then you won't mind starting today?" She asked, perked up a bit by his reassurances.
"Would I really?" Allen arched a brow slightly. Of course, he'd love to.
"This afternoon at the library, she told me. Oh, her name is Sarah Mills." She kissed his cheek tenderly, leaving her lips upon his skin for longer than a kiss was necessary, brushing her hand through his hair gently before pulling back. "I love you."
"And I you, of course." Allen smiled softly, his arm still loosely around her. The smell of the salty breeze was comforting, soothing in some odd way, as was the cool wind that brushed against his face. "Is it beautiful?" he asked of the water, the rolling waves, the beach before them.
She leaned her head on his shoulder again, letting her curls whip about her in the wind as she gazed out towards the sea. "It is. Cloudy dark blue water, gentle waves. You'd like it."
"I already do... but I suppose I would more if I could see it. It sounds wonderful. Though I doubt it compares to you." He brushed his hand lightly against her cheek. It was odd to feel his fingers without gloves, to see him without them after he was rather anal about wearing them.
His touch had driven little electric shocks through her, feeling the feather softness of his thumb even though it was slightly callused from so many years. The day was beautiful, yes. The sky a streaking vivid azure that day, hardly any clouds. The breeze blew gently around them, swirling and making Allen's hair dance about like golden banners. He was – so beautiful. Before she knew what she was doing, Celena lifted her hand to meet Allen's face.
She closed her eyes to the beauty that surrounded them, the peace and happiness of the people filling her with the darkness as her eyelids shut. Gently, she traced her hands along his jaw, slowly making sure to find every curve, following the line to his neck. The back of her fingers smoothed his cheek affectionately, her fingertips finding the bridge of his nose, memorizing the line down to the tip, down to his mouth and how beautifully it curved into that slight smile of his.
As her fingers touched and felt their way about his lips, she already felt herself leaning forward, ever so slightly at first, eyes still closed – a kiss. She had kissed him so many times before, but this kiss . . . tasted of sweet fruits and was moist, plump, and delicious. It rivaled all the kisses she'd given him, finding that she did not want to leave the safe comfort of its softness.
Allen turned his head towards her at the gentle touch, arching a brow. He could only wish to see her face again... with his eyes instead of the touches upon her face. He yearned to see her fully, as she was. Because that way, she would be even more beautiful.
His eyes were closed, that soft smile lingering on his lips. It was nice there, to feel her fingers, and to, all of a sudden, unexpectedly, feel her lips against his. It had become a normal occurrence, really, and nice. A reaffirmation that she cared.
Gently, he returned the kiss, still wary of the fact that this was, after all, a public area.
Although, Celena was not so wary, and so inspired was she by him, that she felt the world fall away, everyone on the Mystic Moon disappeared to her. There were no more children, no more mothers running after them. . . it was just the sea, the sand, the breeze, and her love for him. Feeling adventurous, her mouth opened slightly in their affections, her tongue gently sliding along passed his lips. Oh, how sweet he tasted, her mind reeled. Her hands reached behind his head and braced him to her, drawing him closer, firmer into the kiss.
It felt nice, warm... it felt right. He returned the kiss softly, fingers light against her fingers.
And then the piercing cry of a child as it laughed, and he started, drawing his lips away. The faintest flush remained on his cheeks as he remembered. Public. Where other people could see. He couldn't do that, he just couldn't.
Celena growled, staring daggers at the annoying little twerp that interrupted them. "What are you staring at, you little jerk?" she snapped. The child, thus frightened by her piercing gaze, gasped and ran away. She hung her head, clicking her tongue with a scowl on her face, "Annoying little cuss."
Allen started a bit, looking rather... offended. "Celena!? What's wrong with you? He's a child!" He turned his head towards her, shocked. By gods...
The blonde braced himself using the cane and pulled himself up, his hands shaking slightly. She had changed. A lot. She had a bit of a temper before this, but... he was a child. A child and she spoke to him so. He didn't know any better. A rather disapproving scowl hung on his lips, staring sightlessly away. If he hadn't been blind... he could have gone back to the town house. He wanted to mull over this, he wanted to force away his shock.
But Celena... every few minutes, he could hear her hiss those words.
"Where the hell are you going?" she demanded when he watched him stand up in a huff. Kicking sand in her hurry to follow, she stood as well. "By Jechia, he was just some annoying little kid. Who cares? He shouldn't have been staring."
"He was a child, he didn't know any better. I don't see why you're so upset about it! And don't you go speaking me like that. I don't know why you've picked this language up from Nikki, but it's thoroughly unpleasant and disgusting."
She growled again, grabbing his hand to lead his annoying carcass off the beach. "I don't care. I'm only blending in. If you haven't noticed, people don't talk like you do here. It's different. It's - *old*."
Allen growled a little, yanking his hand away from her. She was so bloody touchy all of a sudden, so irritable. She knew these things troubled him, bothered him.
So much for a calming, relaxing walk on the beach. "Just go. Get Ethan or Chris to get me." He needed to think. He needed to be away from her for a little. He needed to get past the shock.
Celena scowled, anger beyond reckoning crossing her features. "What about your appointment?"
"They'll take me. Just go." He turned his head away from her, that frown on his lips. He sat down carefully, falling silent besides that.
"You know what? To hell with you!" she yelled, leaning towards his sensitive ear, "Maybe I should just leave you here. You starting to be a drag anyway!"
Allen winced, leaning away from her a little. He didn't bother to say anything, that frown on his lips. She just had to be irritating, didn't she? "Maybe you should, hm?"
*didn't bother to say anything for a moment, that frown on his lips
Celena harrumphed and pretty much stomped and stalked all the way back down the street to the town house, tearing through the living room, up the stairs, and slamming her door shut. Oh, he deserved it, her mind justified for her as she slouched and scowled on the bed. She ignored the faint scents of her brother on the pillow, grabbing the pillow and pressing it to her face to let out a magnificent muffled scream of utter rage.
What the hell was his problem?! He's so old fashioned! He refused to adjust to this new world they were obviously going to spend the rest of their lives in. A perfect moment was ruined by one stupid little child, and he had to get all defensive because he'll always be a knight, much to Celena's anger. They didn't have bloody knights here! He didn't need to be one anymore and after that fight, she couldn't care *what* happened to him. He could get lost for all she cared.
Allen sighed, drawing one leg to his chest, bowing his head. Well, that had gotten him nowhere... except out here, alone, with no idea which way to go back. But he couldn't get past hearing her speak those words, to both him and the child. It hurt deeply. She knew he disapproved, she knew it disgusted him and still... still used them around him. Had she expected him to change the way she had? Did she expect him to suddenly become a foul-mouthed, vulgar little scamp?
He couldn't give up his ideals. He had lived them for so long...
He couldn't let one's honor go tarnished. He couldn't let her speak to a child that way. That was horrendous.
Allen lifted his head as the boy softly touched his arm, turned his head sightlessly towards him. "Are you sad, mister?"
The blonde couldn't help but smile slightly, reaching out to ruffle the boy's hair, unable to answer. He started when the boy took his hand, tugging at him. "Come on! We'll play! You can't be sad when you play!"
The child was young, and didn't bother asking why this pretty man with the blond hair didn't really look at what they were doing. He tugged on his hand, nudging him to a little sculpture in the sand. "Do you want to make drip castles with me? They're really easy!"
"Ah, make what?" Allen smiled a bit. The child was really rather adorable. For now, the fight with his sister was in the back of his mind.
"Here." said the child cheerfully, taking Allen's hand and dipping it in a bucket filled with sea water and sand, "Take some sand with water and then drip the sand on the dry sand in front of you. It's really neat when you make 'em big. My daddy taught me." The little boy grinned, "He also taught me how to get sand crabs. I think there's still some in there with your hand."
Allen arched a brow, doing as he was instructed. It didn't matter if he couldn't see it, really. But it was fun nonetheless. The soft smile still lingered on his lips. It was... fun, to be with this child, playing with him. Almost like he was repaying his debts to him... and going beyond that, too.
"Wanna hold a sand crab?" asked the little boy.
"Hm? Of course," he murmured softly, holding out a fair-skinned hand. The blonde smiled, inclining his head a little.
The child eagerly plunged his hand into his water and sand filled bucket, feeling around the soft wet sand until he found the familiar little wiggling creatures that lived in it. He pulled a handful of them out, letting some of the sand sift down through the water, and placing the wet little tickling things into Allen's hand. "Hee, I just got these today . . . they're funny. Daddy says they're blind." he giggled, "Don't they tickle?"
Allen smiled softly. Blind? Kindred spirits. "You can't see the world around you either," he breathed in a whisper, careful to hold them gently. "They're interesting." Allen nodded to the boy. It was odd to feel their legs crawling about on his hand.
"Yeah," said the boy, scratching his sandy head, "I was thinking of naming them but there's too many. So I just named them all Bob."
"Bob?" Allen laughed a little... that name was amusing... and new to him. He smiled a bit, head a little bowed. All in all, this was smoothing into an enjoyable afternoon.
"Hey, mister? What's your name?" asked the little boy, the thought to ask coming to him only after discussing the names of his sand crabs.
The blonde smiled a little, turning his head towards the boy. "Allen," he murmured softly, stopping himself from spouting off his knighthood.
"Hi, Allen!" he said, as if they were meeting for the first time, "My name's Gregory! And you've met all the Bobs . . ." he giggled.
Allen laughed a little bit, nodding. "So I have... it's good to meet you, Gregory."
"So what is that stick?" asked Gregory innocently, pointing to the bamboo cane at Allen's side. "It's funny looking."
"Ah? Well, I use it to make sure I don't run into anything when I walk." Allen motioned to his eyes, "I can't see, just like these crabs."
"Huh?" Gregory's nose scrunched up in confusion, bringing a hand up and slowly moving to poke Allen's nose, "You can't see anything?"
Allen started a little at the touch, but smiled, almost sadly. "No... not at all."
"Weird . . ." breathed Gregory. But the idea was quickly forgotten, and the little boy's tone changed from awe to carefree in less than two seconds, "Wanna make castles for the crabs?"
"Ah? Why not?" Allen nodded a bit, the smile smoothing over. If only he could have such carefree thoughts. It was... wonderful to be someone not so careful, not worried.
Gregory kept having to guide Allen's hand to make the drip castles, with only a few minor complaints from the child who thought of himself as a master engineer in children's sand sculpture. But they'd built up a quaint little drip structure with several tall spires, setting the crabs all along the castle's walls. The only thing the crabs started to do was dig back into the wet sand.
"Oh, man. They got away . . ." said Gregory despairingly.
"Gregory Trenton Peters!" screamed an enraged and panicked female from behind Allen. Gregory gasped, jumping slightly as his mother stalked up to her son in the company of a strange man. "I have been looking *everywhere* for you! What were you thinking, going off by yourself. And you! What are you doing with my son?"
Allen started slightly, turning his head a little towards the pair that had approached. The angry pair. He could understand just why they might have been angry. After all, their child had gone off without, obviously, telling them. Allen braced himself on the can, pulling himself to his feet, turning to face them sightlessly. "It was my doing, ma'am, forgive me. I was sitting out there on the beach and he asked me to play with him. I had no other obligations, so I did. I couldn't see that he was alone--that you two weren't nearby--so I didn't think to question it."
The woman grew pale at this man's words, taking her son roughly by the hand and speaking to him, "Did he touch you, Gregory?"
"N-No!" said the boy, "We just played. We made sand castles." He sniffed pathetically, "I showed him my sand crabs. His name is Allen. And he didn't make fun of my arm. He can't see. Mommy, don't be mad."
Allen cocked his head to the side, arching a brow little. Touch him...?
The blonde blinked, unseeing eyes widening as he understood. Touch the child? By gods... he would never do such a thing! "Ma'am, please... it was not meant in offense to you, I did not do him any harm."
"My son doesn't lie," she said evenly, looking at Allen with cold narrowed eyes, "Just don't come near him again."
"Mommy, he's a nice man." whined Gregory, his crippled arm clutched to his chest while the other hand was firmly in his mother's grasp.
Allen sighed softly, inclining his head a little. "Very well, ma'am." Yet another difference between this world and his own. Parents weren't -that- paranoid about such things. Really. Pedophilia? Allen listened as the three of them walked off, once more leaving him to himself. Really. him? Touch a child improperly?
The blonde sighed softly, running a hand through his hair. Now what? He couldn't get back home and Celena still had the cell phone Ethan had let them borrow... not that he'd know how to use it anyway.