Van is Watching
He took another slow sip of his tea and sighed contentedly as the warm fluid washed down his throat. She thought about protesting his previous remark, but decided that it wasn't worth the effort. She shifted around in her seat and her upper arm briefly brushed against his, reminding her of his presence. She turned to look at him, watching his face as he gazed off into nothing. Why did he sit down so close to me on this couch anyway? she wondered. Why isn't he in his recliner? She realized that somewhere deep inside of her self she was attracted to him in the most sinfull kind of way, yet she was still afraid. She couldn't explain it.
A black aura that whispered of pain, death, and alienation seemed to emanate from the very center of his being. Now one who even as much as stood around him could escape it's effects as it seeped undetectibly into their minds and infected them like some vile disease. She imagined that he killed his victims with the same icy disreguard that he used to repel most people from his presence. It was this strange feeling that attracted her, for reasons beyond her own understanding. She felt his good looks made him sensual and seductive in his own dark and tortured way. Yet at the same time he remained a chaste virgin, and emotionless as the dead. It scared her in a sense, she didn't understand it.
"Why are you still sitting next to me?" Alica wondered, muttering it out loud without even realizing it.
"I was trying to be friendly." #318 answered, glancing over at her. "Am I scaring you again Alica? I freely admit that personal intimacy is not one of my strong points."
Personal Intimacy? she thought. The words brought a slight blush to her cheeks. He noticed it and chuckled.
"Don't take it for more than what it's worth." he cautioned. Then he got up and walked back over to lounge in his recliner. "There... are you comfortable now?" She didn't know what kind of answer she could give him. At once she felt both relieved and dissapointed.
"I... uh... I'm fine."
"I'm really going to have to stop scaring you." he resolved, chuckling to himself again. "You ought not to fear me, wo de qin. I am certainly no threat to you."
"Is that so?" she wondered, realizing that he was probably calling her 'my dear' again, or some other such phrase in Chinese. "I don't know if I can trust you after-"
"Well it seems I certainly can't trust you." he interrupted.
"What?"
"I did give you a job to do, remember? I trusted you to get it done."
"Oh, that... I'm really sorry. I just couldn't..."
"No apologies, and no excuses." he stated. "Three things."
"What?"
"One, never do that again. Not while you're working under me. Do we have an understanding on this?"
"Yes." she nodded solemnly, confirming her answer.
"Two, if you ever do anything like that again while you're not working under me, don't tell me about it. I don't want to know. The less I know the less suspicious I'll look if Van ever questions me about it."
"Alright."
"Three, I have no sexual interest in you whatsoever."
"Oh..."
"Alica? Now you are confusing me, you look almost... dissapointed."
"I... I'm not sure how I feel about you."
"Hm..." Singh Long took another sip of he tea and studied her for a minute. "You are attracted to me. At first I didn't dare to believe anyone could be attracted to me, although I realized you were acting strangely... However, I think you would do better to be attracted to a house plant for all the love and attention you'd get out of me."
"What are you saying exactly?"
"I..." He looked down at his cup of tea and took the last sip before answering. "I know nothing about relationships..." He stared absently at the floor for a moment.
"You're nervous?" It was true, but she could hardly believe it.
"Well..." he looked up at the wall to his side, anywhere but into her face. "I do feel... attracted to you. I'm not sure exactly what kind of attraction it is. I thought it was platonic, but now... I'm not sure."
"Oh..." She glanced down at her unfinished tea, which was probably starting to get cold. He got up and poured himself another hot cup, then leaned back in his recliner and took slow sips of it. "What is your obsession with tea?" she wondered.
"It calms me, steadies my nerves." he explained, taking another sip. "Plus it smells much better than cigarette smoke, don't you think?"
"You did quit smoking for me, didn't you?"
"Among other reasons. I wasn't lying when I said I never cared for it."
"I think you're afraid to like me." Alica boldly accused. He studied her face for a minute, mulling over the matter inside his head.
"I think you're right." Long admitted. He shrugged and then regained his compsure. "I was never taught how to act around women... I suppose I am nervous, yes. And maybe afraid to get close to anyone. Well... that's just the way I am." He took the last sip of his tea and then leaned over to set the empty cup on the coffe table before leaning back in his chair.
"So... what do you want to do?"
"Do?" he asked nervously. "I don't want to do anything just yet... but... you didn't mean..." he groaned and smacked himself across the forehead. "Ai ya! Wo zhen de shi yi ge ben dan!*"
"What was that?"
"Uh... forgive me... I had misinterpreted what you were suggesting."
"Oh..." Alica shrugged. "Well, at least I'm not the only person who's paranoid about sex."
"Ai." Long agreed, embarassed by his own fear.
"So... you know why I'm paranoid about it... what about you?"
"I suppose because I don't understand it, and because I am afraid to get close to anyone in any way at all... And because of people like Hans who really, really, scare me."
"I guess that's a good enough reason." she replied, snickering at the refrence to Fox.
"Speaking of which... don't you think it's odd that he seemed to notice we were attracted to each other before we realized it ourselves?"
"That is kind of disturbing..." she agreed. "Well, as much as I hate to think about this, I'm sure Hans has more experinece in relationships than we do."
"I'll thank you not to mention that again. I really don't even want to think about what kind of 'experience' Fox has had with reltaionships either." She giggled at the thought and he smiled at her for a moment, before becoming nervous and glancing up at a clock on the wall. "Hm... it's getting late." he cautioned. "You probably ought to be going home. I am getting tired... it's been a long day."
"Oh..." Alica checked the time, and realized that she was getting tired too. "Yes, I should probably go to bed." She got up from the couch, and he got off his recliner to walk her to the door. He got to the door first and held it open as she left.
"Good night Alica."
"Good night Long."
After walking through the door she turned back to look at him and was surprised to find him right behind her, so close that if she were a bit taller their noses would have touched. There was an akward moment, and then she closed her eyes and leaned towards him just a little. He stared at her in embarament for a moment. Then he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her body close to him, brushing her cheek with his own. That's not what I expected... Alica thought, but, alright... She spent a few moments wrapped in his warmth. She enjoyed the slow, calm movement of his chest as it rose and fell with each breath, and the feel of his soft skin against her cheek. He finally losened his grasp and stepped back to address her, brushing his bangs out of his face nervously.
"I'll probably see you tomorow then, Alica."
"Of course... tomorrow, Long." she felt a bit foolish and weak, almost as if she would swoon. She looked at him for a minute, and then turned and walked towards her room. He stood and watched her as she went, too dazed to look back at him. She unlocked her door and vanished into her room.
"So, Long? Is that your name?"
"Huh?" he head snapped around to the other side. "Oh, Van. You startled me."
"Have I really? And you're not a particularly jumpy person are you?"
"Not usually..." he glanced back down the other side of the hallway at Alica's door. "Women." he shrugged.
"So... you are attracted to Alica?"
"Yes... I-I think so..." he was still staring at her door, wondering at what had just happened. "I really don't know if... I want to..."
"A bit of advice."
"Yes?"
"Keep your relationship with her on the platonic side."
"Oh?" he looked back at Van, wondering why he would say something like that.
"It's bad for business, you understand? And we certainly wouldn't want anything to ruin this lovely business arrangement we have here, now would we?"
"Certainly not." #318 agreed, becoming suspicious of why Van would insist he didn't get any closer to Alica.
"Good..." Van smiled, certain the assassin would follow his advice. "Well, I'm also on the way up to my quarters for the night." he started walking down the hallway towards the elevator. "If I don't hear about your mission in the papers or on the news tomorrow morning then I shall expect a full report when I see you in my office." He entered the elevator and long watched untill the doors closed and he was out of sight.
"I wonder how long he was standing there." he mumbled to himself. Did he see the everything that happened? I thought I was his best assassin, so why would he object to me being with Alica? He considered it for a moment. True, it might be bad for business... but then again if we were closer it might also be good for business... Still, I am an employee of Tylon, and she is a Tylon, half-blood or not. Would it be socially unacceptable for her to be with the hired help? Hmpf... I don't believe that's the only reason Van would keep me away from her. There's something suspicious about this. One day I'm going to find out what it is. But untill then... I'd better do as he says.
When Alica got up that morning Long was the first thing she thought about. She remembered what had happened the night before, and wondered for the dozenth time why he hadn't kissed her. Am I being pushy about this? she wondered. Maybe I'm expecting too much. She breathed a heavy sigh, climbed out of her bed and stretched. Afterall I've only known him for, what? A couple days? And he's definately not the type to rush into relationships... She snickered. How strange, he is even more afraid of this than me. She threw her pajamas off and took a shower, barely having the time to towel herself dry before she heard a knock at her door.
For a moment she wondered who it could be, and then she was reminded that Van was usually the only person who would bother her this early in the morning. She frowned just thinking about him. What can he want? Wait... maybe... She felt a hardening in her throat as she realized that the only good reason for Van being at her door this early in the morning was if he had discovered what she had done the night before. She grabbed her bathrobe and wraped it around her waist, tying it tight. She thought about running away, but there was no where to run to, and if she was wrong about Van then her guilty conscience would make her look suspicious. She swallowed her fears, walked to the door, and cautiously pulled it open.
"Good morning Alica."
"Oh, Long!" she sighed in relief. "Thank God it's only you! I was so afraid that Van would be standing there. He's usually the only person who bothers me this early in the morning... untill now. Do you want something?"
"I... uh..." He looked to one side of the hallway, and then the other. Is he checking to make sure Van isn't coming? Finally he gazed at the ground, trying to avoid looking her. "Well... I had intended to speak with you. However, you seem to be a bit..." he cleared his throat and brushed through his bangs nervously. "...indisposed at the moment."
"Oh!" she realized she was still standing around in nothing but her bathrobe, and although it covered her well enough the vulnerability still bothered her. She jumped up in surprise and hid behind the door. "Yeah, I'll see you later in the assassin room..." She started to close the door, but he slipped his hand inside the doorway.
"If you don't mind I would like to talk to you privately before we meet in the assassin room." he explained. "If you would be so kind as to knock on my door once you're dressed I would appreciate it."
"Alright..." she agreed, peeking at his face curiously from behind the door and wondering what he wanted to talk about. He nodded to her politely and then turned and walked back towards his room, without so much as glancing at her. She shrugged and closed the door. He can act so strangely at times, I wonder what's bothering him? She walked back into her room, shed her robe, put her glasses on and dressed herself in her Tylon uniform. Then she went into the bathroom and brushed her hair before putting it back into a low ponytail like usual. Finally satisfied with herself, she left her room, locked it up and walked over to knock on Long's door.
He opened it immediately, nodded to her politely and motioned her in, closing the door tightly behind them. He couldn't put his finger on the reason, but somehow he felt uneasy about even having her present in his room. He had an uncanny fear that Van would walk in on them any minute and be angry, thinking it was inappropriate even though they weren't doing a thing. Alica took a seat on the couch and he strolled over to the recliner, when he sat down he leaned over, resting an elbow on one leg and holding his chin in one hand in a thoughtfull manner.
"What do you want Long? We have got to go soon..."
"I think that if we had a romantic relationship it would be bad for business."
"What!?! Where did this come from?" She looked over at his face as he stared at her, still deep in thought. "I think I know... you're still afraid to get close to me, aren't you? You don't have to be."
"That's not it." he shook his head.
"Huh? What is it then? You do feel the same way about me as I do about you... don't you?" he stared at her.
"I still don't know... Anyway, don't you know that it's innapropriate to associate with your employees in such a manner?"
"What? I can't believe you! This can't be what's keeping you away from me!" He groaned and got up from his seat, walking towards the front door. "Hey! Where are you going!"
"It's about time to meet in the assassin room, dawlde around here any longer and we'll be late." She rose from the couch, her lips pursed in anger.
I can't understand it! I went out of my way to be nice to him and yet he insists on not only staying away from me, but treating me rudely as well. She glared at his back as she walked over to him and he opened the door for her. Or... maybe I was wrong. Maybe he doesn't feel the same way about me. But even that wouldn't explain why he's being this rude. Is he grouchy? Or is he always like this? She walked out the door and he followed her, locking it behind him. I know he doesn't usually get along very well with people... but I still think he's going out of his way to get me to keep my distance. She stood in one spot and he walked past her towards the elevator.
"Are you giving me the cold shoulder?" she demanded.
"Perhaps..." he replied as he continued walking. She started walking after him "You obviously didn't want to listen to my reasoning, so why waste my breath?"
"What have I done to you to deserve this treatment?" he stopped at the elevator and pushed a button, then glanced absently at the wall.
"Nothing."
"Exactly my point. So why don't you lighten up?"
"Alica."
"Yes?"
"I do like you, but I think it would be better for both of us if we kept this platonic. It's less complicated that way."
"Oh?" They stood and watched the numbers above the elevator light up as it moved down the floors towards them. Alica wanted to protest what he had said, but couldn't find the words to do it. They could hear the whir of the elevator's engine as it neared them, and a soft dinging sound as it reached their floor. The doors slid open and there stood Van. Oh shit! Long thought. He has a terrible habbit of popping up right when he's least expected... I'm terribly unprepared for this. He glanced at Alica. This must look bad to him... very bad.
"Good morning you two." he greeted, raising an eyebrow and wondering why they were standing there together.
"Good morning Van." Singh Long replied, trying to stay cool although he realized that he must be visibly tensing.
"Morning." Alica mumbled, walking into the elevator away from Van and noticing the strange looks exchanged between the two. Long reluctantly walked into the elevator, having no choice but to stand between Van and Alica. The doors stood open for one moment of uncomfortable silence, and then the doors slid shut and the elevator began running again as they headed down to the first floor.
"So... what have you two been up to this morning?" Van asked, nonchalantly. Alica was used to this facade however, and she recognized a probing question when she heard it.
"Up to?" she asked.
"Nothing." #318 stated.
"We just had a little talk." she admitted, frowning at Long and wondering why he hadn't told her what Van was up to. Van smiled, which confused her even more. A part of her wanted to cry out, What is going on here!?! But she knew better than do make such an ouburst in front of Van, and restrained herself.
"Hm... is that all?" Van wondered out loud.
"No." Alica answered sarcastically. "First we went out for breakfast this morning, killed a few people, and then cooked their rotting, dead, flesh and served it to the restaurant's customers." Long and Van both stared her as though she were insane and an evil sounding laugh escaped her lips.
"Alica..." #318 began.
"...are you feeling alright?" Van finished. Then she stared back at them as if they were insane. Van and Long finishing each other's sentences? Even in this situation... My God that is scary!
"Another moment of being cooped up in here with you two and your false pretenses and veiled threats... and I'm going to go insane." The elevator stopped moving and a soft ding sounded as the doors opened up on their floor.
"Wouldn't they just make the perfect couple?" Fox argued. "They're both wickedly stylish, have deep, maniacal laughes, and are lovely in such a bishounen way!"
"If you say one more thing about Long and my brother I'm going to throw up all over you!" Alica threatened.
"Ew... Ooo! I know! I'll make up a single name for them as a couple!" he stopped and thought about it for a moment. "I know, Vang! Oooo, it sounds so sexy!"
"Ugh..." she groaned, holding her stomach and really starting to feel sick. She hated it when Fox talked about them together, the mere thought of it icked her out. It especially bothered her since he was right about one thing: at times, they did act very much alike, so much that it was disturbing. She tried to console herself with the fact that they looked very different. Long was a bit taller, more muscular, and over all a much more thicker and imposing figure. Van was thin and tall, but not to the point of frailty, he had some slight muscle tone. However, Van made up for his difference in stature by exerting an aura of power so commanding that no one ever dared question his authority.
She sighed and glanced at the empty recliner, wondering what they were talking about at the moment. Were they discussing business as usual? Reporting on last night's work, or maybe considering the next mission? Or were they discussing something entirely different? After that episode in the elevator earlier that morning she knew something was going on between the two, but what? Hopefully not what I did last night, she thought, nervously. And hopefully not what Fox is suggesting either.
"Vang." Hans continued. "Van and Long, the two deadly sexy, powerfully provocative leaders of Tylon."
"Hans," Alica growled. "if you don't stop it I swear to God I'm going to bug this room and play the tapes to Van!" Fox's eyes widened in fear.
"Y-you wouldn't!"
"Shut up!"
"Good idea Alica." Greg agreed. "Maybe now he'll be quiet."
"What about me?" Bakuryu growled. "I was once the most feared assassin in the employ of Tylon! I was the best of the best! The top of the..."
"Now if only we could find a way to shut him up too." Greg interrupted. Fox raised the hand he held his brush in and aimed at the old man's head.
On Van's orders Singh Long followed him directly into his office while Alica went out to sit in the waiting room. The assassin room, #318 thought. An appropriate name, although personally I think a title like, 'the freak room' would suit it better. Van sat down behind his desk, Long in front of it. Van reclined idlly in his seat for a moment, seemingly considering something. Then he sat up straight, glancing at the other and commanding his attention. Long noticed and did as was requested, facing Van bravely even though he knew he was in for some kind of lecture.
"Listen up, Long."
"I'd prefer #318 if you don't mind."
"Long." Van continued, purposely emphasizing the word as well as the fact that no one told him what he could and couldn't call someone. "As you can see, my half-sister is very dear to me. She is beautiful, talented, important... That is why she doesn't need to be messing around with every other upstart assassin seeking to make a name for themselves with Tylon."
"That is hardly-"
"I was not finished."
"My sincerest apologies."
"Continue to consort with Alica, touch her in any way whatsoever, so much as look at her in a manner I consider inappropriate... And I will not only have you 'taken care of' but your entire family as well." As he finished the sentence the room slipped into silence, the tension between them so thick it could be sensed, louder than any noise. "Do we have an understanding on this matter?" Van broke the silence.
"You could not have made yourself clearer if you had typed it out in black and white." he replied solemnly. "You express your intentions so succinctly I would say it was on the brink of perfection." Van nodded absently at the comment and stared into the assassin's eyes, probing into his most secret thoughts. He could tell that Long was not falsely flattering him, like so many people did. He not only meant what he said, but also meant to remain obedient to Van's orders.
"And as for Alica?"
"She will never be anything more than a friend to me... Unless it would please you if I avoided her completely."
"That would be impossible." Van disagreed. "I don't intend to lose either of my best assassins over this. Simply keep your distance from her emotionally. Treat her as you would any other member of your little group of assassins." "If that is your command it shall be carried out to the utmost of my abilities." Van smiled, considering himself fortunate to have employed such an obedient and skilled man.
"Very good." he complimented. "I like your style."
*My God! I feel like such an idiot!
A black aura that whispered of pain, death, and alienation seemed to emanate from the very center of his being. Now one who even as much as stood around him could escape it's effects as it seeped undetectibly into their minds and infected them like some vile disease. She imagined that he killed his victims with the same icy disreguard that he used to repel most people from his presence. It was this strange feeling that attracted her, for reasons beyond her own understanding. She felt his good looks made him sensual and seductive in his own dark and tortured way. Yet at the same time he remained a chaste virgin, and emotionless as the dead. It scared her in a sense, she didn't understand it.
"Why are you still sitting next to me?" Alica wondered, muttering it out loud without even realizing it.
"I was trying to be friendly." #318 answered, glancing over at her. "Am I scaring you again Alica? I freely admit that personal intimacy is not one of my strong points."
Personal Intimacy? she thought. The words brought a slight blush to her cheeks. He noticed it and chuckled.
"Don't take it for more than what it's worth." he cautioned. Then he got up and walked back over to lounge in his recliner. "There... are you comfortable now?" She didn't know what kind of answer she could give him. At once she felt both relieved and dissapointed.
"I... uh... I'm fine."
"I'm really going to have to stop scaring you." he resolved, chuckling to himself again. "You ought not to fear me, wo de qin. I am certainly no threat to you."
"Is that so?" she wondered, realizing that he was probably calling her 'my dear' again, or some other such phrase in Chinese. "I don't know if I can trust you after-"
"Well it seems I certainly can't trust you." he interrupted.
"What?"
"I did give you a job to do, remember? I trusted you to get it done."
"Oh, that... I'm really sorry. I just couldn't..."
"No apologies, and no excuses." he stated. "Three things."
"What?"
"One, never do that again. Not while you're working under me. Do we have an understanding on this?"
"Yes." she nodded solemnly, confirming her answer.
"Two, if you ever do anything like that again while you're not working under me, don't tell me about it. I don't want to know. The less I know the less suspicious I'll look if Van ever questions me about it."
"Alright."
"Three, I have no sexual interest in you whatsoever."
"Oh..."
"Alica? Now you are confusing me, you look almost... dissapointed."
"I... I'm not sure how I feel about you."
"Hm..." Singh Long took another sip of he tea and studied her for a minute. "You are attracted to me. At first I didn't dare to believe anyone could be attracted to me, although I realized you were acting strangely... However, I think you would do better to be attracted to a house plant for all the love and attention you'd get out of me."
"What are you saying exactly?"
"I..." He looked down at his cup of tea and took the last sip before answering. "I know nothing about relationships..." He stared absently at the floor for a moment.
"You're nervous?" It was true, but she could hardly believe it.
"Well..." he looked up at the wall to his side, anywhere but into her face. "I do feel... attracted to you. I'm not sure exactly what kind of attraction it is. I thought it was platonic, but now... I'm not sure."
"Oh..." She glanced down at her unfinished tea, which was probably starting to get cold. He got up and poured himself another hot cup, then leaned back in his recliner and took slow sips of it. "What is your obsession with tea?" she wondered.
"It calms me, steadies my nerves." he explained, taking another sip. "Plus it smells much better than cigarette smoke, don't you think?"
"You did quit smoking for me, didn't you?"
"Among other reasons. I wasn't lying when I said I never cared for it."
"I think you're afraid to like me." Alica boldly accused. He studied her face for a minute, mulling over the matter inside his head.
"I think you're right." Long admitted. He shrugged and then regained his compsure. "I was never taught how to act around women... I suppose I am nervous, yes. And maybe afraid to get close to anyone. Well... that's just the way I am." He took the last sip of his tea and then leaned over to set the empty cup on the coffe table before leaning back in his chair.
"So... what do you want to do?"
"Do?" he asked nervously. "I don't want to do anything just yet... but... you didn't mean..." he groaned and smacked himself across the forehead. "Ai ya! Wo zhen de shi yi ge ben dan!*"
"What was that?"
"Uh... forgive me... I had misinterpreted what you were suggesting."
"Oh..." Alica shrugged. "Well, at least I'm not the only person who's paranoid about sex."
"Ai." Long agreed, embarassed by his own fear.
"So... you know why I'm paranoid about it... what about you?"
"I suppose because I don't understand it, and because I am afraid to get close to anyone in any way at all... And because of people like Hans who really, really, scare me."
"I guess that's a good enough reason." she replied, snickering at the refrence to Fox.
"Speaking of which... don't you think it's odd that he seemed to notice we were attracted to each other before we realized it ourselves?"
"That is kind of disturbing..." she agreed. "Well, as much as I hate to think about this, I'm sure Hans has more experinece in relationships than we do."
"I'll thank you not to mention that again. I really don't even want to think about what kind of 'experience' Fox has had with reltaionships either." She giggled at the thought and he smiled at her for a moment, before becoming nervous and glancing up at a clock on the wall. "Hm... it's getting late." he cautioned. "You probably ought to be going home. I am getting tired... it's been a long day."
"Oh..." Alica checked the time, and realized that she was getting tired too. "Yes, I should probably go to bed." She got up from the couch, and he got off his recliner to walk her to the door. He got to the door first and held it open as she left.
"Good night Alica."
"Good night Long."
After walking through the door she turned back to look at him and was surprised to find him right behind her, so close that if she were a bit taller their noses would have touched. There was an akward moment, and then she closed her eyes and leaned towards him just a little. He stared at her in embarament for a moment. Then he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her body close to him, brushing her cheek with his own. That's not what I expected... Alica thought, but, alright... She spent a few moments wrapped in his warmth. She enjoyed the slow, calm movement of his chest as it rose and fell with each breath, and the feel of his soft skin against her cheek. He finally losened his grasp and stepped back to address her, brushing his bangs out of his face nervously.
"I'll probably see you tomorow then, Alica."
"Of course... tomorrow, Long." she felt a bit foolish and weak, almost as if she would swoon. She looked at him for a minute, and then turned and walked towards her room. He stood and watched her as she went, too dazed to look back at him. She unlocked her door and vanished into her room.
"So, Long? Is that your name?"
"Huh?" he head snapped around to the other side. "Oh, Van. You startled me."
"Have I really? And you're not a particularly jumpy person are you?"
"Not usually..." he glanced back down the other side of the hallway at Alica's door. "Women." he shrugged.
"So... you are attracted to Alica?"
"Yes... I-I think so..." he was still staring at her door, wondering at what had just happened. "I really don't know if... I want to..."
"A bit of advice."
"Yes?"
"Keep your relationship with her on the platonic side."
"Oh?" he looked back at Van, wondering why he would say something like that.
"It's bad for business, you understand? And we certainly wouldn't want anything to ruin this lovely business arrangement we have here, now would we?"
"Certainly not." #318 agreed, becoming suspicious of why Van would insist he didn't get any closer to Alica.
"Good..." Van smiled, certain the assassin would follow his advice. "Well, I'm also on the way up to my quarters for the night." he started walking down the hallway towards the elevator. "If I don't hear about your mission in the papers or on the news tomorrow morning then I shall expect a full report when I see you in my office." He entered the elevator and long watched untill the doors closed and he was out of sight.
"I wonder how long he was standing there." he mumbled to himself. Did he see the everything that happened? I thought I was his best assassin, so why would he object to me being with Alica? He considered it for a moment. True, it might be bad for business... but then again if we were closer it might also be good for business... Still, I am an employee of Tylon, and she is a Tylon, half-blood or not. Would it be socially unacceptable for her to be with the hired help? Hmpf... I don't believe that's the only reason Van would keep me away from her. There's something suspicious about this. One day I'm going to find out what it is. But untill then... I'd better do as he says.
When Alica got up that morning Long was the first thing she thought about. She remembered what had happened the night before, and wondered for the dozenth time why he hadn't kissed her. Am I being pushy about this? she wondered. Maybe I'm expecting too much. She breathed a heavy sigh, climbed out of her bed and stretched. Afterall I've only known him for, what? A couple days? And he's definately not the type to rush into relationships... She snickered. How strange, he is even more afraid of this than me. She threw her pajamas off and took a shower, barely having the time to towel herself dry before she heard a knock at her door.
For a moment she wondered who it could be, and then she was reminded that Van was usually the only person who would bother her this early in the morning. She frowned just thinking about him. What can he want? Wait... maybe... She felt a hardening in her throat as she realized that the only good reason for Van being at her door this early in the morning was if he had discovered what she had done the night before. She grabbed her bathrobe and wraped it around her waist, tying it tight. She thought about running away, but there was no where to run to, and if she was wrong about Van then her guilty conscience would make her look suspicious. She swallowed her fears, walked to the door, and cautiously pulled it open.
"Good morning Alica."
"Oh, Long!" she sighed in relief. "Thank God it's only you! I was so afraid that Van would be standing there. He's usually the only person who bothers me this early in the morning... untill now. Do you want something?"
"I... uh..." He looked to one side of the hallway, and then the other. Is he checking to make sure Van isn't coming? Finally he gazed at the ground, trying to avoid looking her. "Well... I had intended to speak with you. However, you seem to be a bit..." he cleared his throat and brushed through his bangs nervously. "...indisposed at the moment."
"Oh!" she realized she was still standing around in nothing but her bathrobe, and although it covered her well enough the vulnerability still bothered her. She jumped up in surprise and hid behind the door. "Yeah, I'll see you later in the assassin room..." She started to close the door, but he slipped his hand inside the doorway.
"If you don't mind I would like to talk to you privately before we meet in the assassin room." he explained. "If you would be so kind as to knock on my door once you're dressed I would appreciate it."
"Alright..." she agreed, peeking at his face curiously from behind the door and wondering what he wanted to talk about. He nodded to her politely and then turned and walked back towards his room, without so much as glancing at her. She shrugged and closed the door. He can act so strangely at times, I wonder what's bothering him? She walked back into her room, shed her robe, put her glasses on and dressed herself in her Tylon uniform. Then she went into the bathroom and brushed her hair before putting it back into a low ponytail like usual. Finally satisfied with herself, she left her room, locked it up and walked over to knock on Long's door.
He opened it immediately, nodded to her politely and motioned her in, closing the door tightly behind them. He couldn't put his finger on the reason, but somehow he felt uneasy about even having her present in his room. He had an uncanny fear that Van would walk in on them any minute and be angry, thinking it was inappropriate even though they weren't doing a thing. Alica took a seat on the couch and he strolled over to the recliner, when he sat down he leaned over, resting an elbow on one leg and holding his chin in one hand in a thoughtfull manner.
"What do you want Long? We have got to go soon..."
"I think that if we had a romantic relationship it would be bad for business."
"What!?! Where did this come from?" She looked over at his face as he stared at her, still deep in thought. "I think I know... you're still afraid to get close to me, aren't you? You don't have to be."
"That's not it." he shook his head.
"Huh? What is it then? You do feel the same way about me as I do about you... don't you?" he stared at her.
"I still don't know... Anyway, don't you know that it's innapropriate to associate with your employees in such a manner?"
"What? I can't believe you! This can't be what's keeping you away from me!" He groaned and got up from his seat, walking towards the front door. "Hey! Where are you going!"
"It's about time to meet in the assassin room, dawlde around here any longer and we'll be late." She rose from the couch, her lips pursed in anger.
I can't understand it! I went out of my way to be nice to him and yet he insists on not only staying away from me, but treating me rudely as well. She glared at his back as she walked over to him and he opened the door for her. Or... maybe I was wrong. Maybe he doesn't feel the same way about me. But even that wouldn't explain why he's being this rude. Is he grouchy? Or is he always like this? She walked out the door and he followed her, locking it behind him. I know he doesn't usually get along very well with people... but I still think he's going out of his way to get me to keep my distance. She stood in one spot and he walked past her towards the elevator.
"Are you giving me the cold shoulder?" she demanded.
"Perhaps..." he replied as he continued walking. She started walking after him "You obviously didn't want to listen to my reasoning, so why waste my breath?"
"What have I done to you to deserve this treatment?" he stopped at the elevator and pushed a button, then glanced absently at the wall.
"Nothing."
"Exactly my point. So why don't you lighten up?"
"Alica."
"Yes?"
"I do like you, but I think it would be better for both of us if we kept this platonic. It's less complicated that way."
"Oh?" They stood and watched the numbers above the elevator light up as it moved down the floors towards them. Alica wanted to protest what he had said, but couldn't find the words to do it. They could hear the whir of the elevator's engine as it neared them, and a soft dinging sound as it reached their floor. The doors slid open and there stood Van. Oh shit! Long thought. He has a terrible habbit of popping up right when he's least expected... I'm terribly unprepared for this. He glanced at Alica. This must look bad to him... very bad.
"Good morning you two." he greeted, raising an eyebrow and wondering why they were standing there together.
"Good morning Van." Singh Long replied, trying to stay cool although he realized that he must be visibly tensing.
"Morning." Alica mumbled, walking into the elevator away from Van and noticing the strange looks exchanged between the two. Long reluctantly walked into the elevator, having no choice but to stand between Van and Alica. The doors stood open for one moment of uncomfortable silence, and then the doors slid shut and the elevator began running again as they headed down to the first floor.
"So... what have you two been up to this morning?" Van asked, nonchalantly. Alica was used to this facade however, and she recognized a probing question when she heard it.
"Up to?" she asked.
"Nothing." #318 stated.
"We just had a little talk." she admitted, frowning at Long and wondering why he hadn't told her what Van was up to. Van smiled, which confused her even more. A part of her wanted to cry out, What is going on here!?! But she knew better than do make such an ouburst in front of Van, and restrained herself.
"Hm... is that all?" Van wondered out loud.
"No." Alica answered sarcastically. "First we went out for breakfast this morning, killed a few people, and then cooked their rotting, dead, flesh and served it to the restaurant's customers." Long and Van both stared her as though she were insane and an evil sounding laugh escaped her lips.
"Alica..." #318 began.
"...are you feeling alright?" Van finished. Then she stared back at them as if they were insane. Van and Long finishing each other's sentences? Even in this situation... My God that is scary!
"Another moment of being cooped up in here with you two and your false pretenses and veiled threats... and I'm going to go insane." The elevator stopped moving and a soft ding sounded as the doors opened up on their floor.
"Wouldn't they just make the perfect couple?" Fox argued. "They're both wickedly stylish, have deep, maniacal laughes, and are lovely in such a bishounen way!"
"If you say one more thing about Long and my brother I'm going to throw up all over you!" Alica threatened.
"Ew... Ooo! I know! I'll make up a single name for them as a couple!" he stopped and thought about it for a moment. "I know, Vang! Oooo, it sounds so sexy!"
"Ugh..." she groaned, holding her stomach and really starting to feel sick. She hated it when Fox talked about them together, the mere thought of it icked her out. It especially bothered her since he was right about one thing: at times, they did act very much alike, so much that it was disturbing. She tried to console herself with the fact that they looked very different. Long was a bit taller, more muscular, and over all a much more thicker and imposing figure. Van was thin and tall, but not to the point of frailty, he had some slight muscle tone. However, Van made up for his difference in stature by exerting an aura of power so commanding that no one ever dared question his authority.
She sighed and glanced at the empty recliner, wondering what they were talking about at the moment. Were they discussing business as usual? Reporting on last night's work, or maybe considering the next mission? Or were they discussing something entirely different? After that episode in the elevator earlier that morning she knew something was going on between the two, but what? Hopefully not what I did last night, she thought, nervously. And hopefully not what Fox is suggesting either.
"Vang." Hans continued. "Van and Long, the two deadly sexy, powerfully provocative leaders of Tylon."
"Hans," Alica growled. "if you don't stop it I swear to God I'm going to bug this room and play the tapes to Van!" Fox's eyes widened in fear.
"Y-you wouldn't!"
"Shut up!"
"Good idea Alica." Greg agreed. "Maybe now he'll be quiet."
"What about me?" Bakuryu growled. "I was once the most feared assassin in the employ of Tylon! I was the best of the best! The top of the..."
"Now if only we could find a way to shut him up too." Greg interrupted. Fox raised the hand he held his brush in and aimed at the old man's head.
On Van's orders Singh Long followed him directly into his office while Alica went out to sit in the waiting room. The assassin room, #318 thought. An appropriate name, although personally I think a title like, 'the freak room' would suit it better. Van sat down behind his desk, Long in front of it. Van reclined idlly in his seat for a moment, seemingly considering something. Then he sat up straight, glancing at the other and commanding his attention. Long noticed and did as was requested, facing Van bravely even though he knew he was in for some kind of lecture.
"Listen up, Long."
"I'd prefer #318 if you don't mind."
"Long." Van continued, purposely emphasizing the word as well as the fact that no one told him what he could and couldn't call someone. "As you can see, my half-sister is very dear to me. She is beautiful, talented, important... That is why she doesn't need to be messing around with every other upstart assassin seeking to make a name for themselves with Tylon."
"That is hardly-"
"I was not finished."
"My sincerest apologies."
"Continue to consort with Alica, touch her in any way whatsoever, so much as look at her in a manner I consider inappropriate... And I will not only have you 'taken care of' but your entire family as well." As he finished the sentence the room slipped into silence, the tension between them so thick it could be sensed, louder than any noise. "Do we have an understanding on this matter?" Van broke the silence.
"You could not have made yourself clearer if you had typed it out in black and white." he replied solemnly. "You express your intentions so succinctly I would say it was on the brink of perfection." Van nodded absently at the comment and stared into the assassin's eyes, probing into his most secret thoughts. He could tell that Long was not falsely flattering him, like so many people did. He not only meant what he said, but also meant to remain obedient to Van's orders.
"And as for Alica?"
"She will never be anything more than a friend to me... Unless it would please you if I avoided her completely."
"That would be impossible." Van disagreed. "I don't intend to lose either of my best assassins over this. Simply keep your distance from her emotionally. Treat her as you would any other member of your little group of assassins." "If that is your command it shall be carried out to the utmost of my abilities." Van smiled, considering himself fortunate to have employed such an obedient and skilled man.
"Very good." he complimented. "I like your style."
*My God! I feel like such an idiot!