Lavender: Good God, I need to take time to proofread. At the beginning it said 'In Light of a Runaway.' Well, it's supposed to say 'Part 1' aswell. Grr…

Rhys: Lavvy! We're sorry!

Luc: Yes, well, thanks for the reviews! A whole four for one chapter! She feels happy!

.Lavender: I'm sorry for rushing the escape, but I really don't need you to know anything about this whole 'grand escape.' It's not what this story revolves around. I actually did dream this idea, though whatever the people in my dream were like I've totally forgotten. I woke up, and decided it was the perfect basis for a story! And yep, let's hope my muses stay happy!

Luc: It's hard… but we manage.

Daisuke: Give me five dollars.

Rhys: They're not gonna get us…


Part 1: In Light of a Runaway

Chapter 2: Bar Talk
The tan, blonde-haired man answered back simply, "Arrogant Bastard Ale."

The busty female bartender laughed softly, "Are you sure about that? I've heard bounty hunters don't hold that stuff down very well."

Ryou blinked, still not having touched the mug in front of him. A bounty hunter? "Really, lush, did I sound like I was kidding?" She waved it off and smiled brightly, nodding in compliance. "No need to get testy, hun. I'll get it to you in a minute."

He grunted in response, taking the time to survey the area. Now that Ryou thought about it, this place was most definitely not for him. But what else was he suppose to do?

He grasped the handle of the mug and tipped it up, bringing his lips to the rim. In actuality, he had never had a drink in his life. He swallowed with great difficulty, and grimaced at the taste it most certainly left behind. He then heard a low chuckle. Well damn. He was being watched. The blonde man who had sat close to him pinched the bridge of his nose softly, trying to hold back on bursting into laughter. Ryou blushed softly and stared in awe as this 'bounty hunter' breathed deeply to control the sudden fit and smiled at him.

"I'm taking a wild guess, and saying that's your first drink."

What a mind reader, Ryou thought in embarrassment. "How'd you know?"

The young man grinned, "Intuition," he paused, accepting a bottle from the bartender and then turning back to Ryou, big grin intact, "and the cute look on your face."

Ten shades deeper red. Right. Cute? That's laughable, he thought…

"Name's Malik."

"P-pardon?" He stuttered, broken out of his awkward reverie.

The blonde extended a hand and smiled sweetly. "My name's Malik." He made a soft 'oh' noise and nodded his head dumbly, taking Malik's hand and shaking it.

Lavender eyes looked inquisitive as Ryou released his hand and went back to thinking. Good God, he'd have to learn to stop doing that. "And you are?"

"In hell," he murmured softly. Malik laughed wholeheartedly, snickering as he drank from the bottle crudely labeled 'Arrogant Bastard Ale.' "Of course, but I was sort of looking for a name." Ryou blinked. Of course. Malik wanted his name. How lost can I get, he asked himself exasperatedly. "Sorry. I'm Ryou."

Lavender eyes lit up oddly, looking pleased that'd he'd gotten his name. "It suits you."

"You think?"

"I know."
"How did you end up in this city anyways?"

Ryou looked up from the rim of his second drink, thinking for a moment. He didn't want people to know what he was. Who he was and just how imperfect…

So his story was going to start from where it truly left off. "I was lost," he explained, taking a long swig of the intoxicating concoction. Maybe he would turn into a drinker after all. Malik's eyes were emotionless, as if waiting to find the right feeling to display. "All alone, like I had always been," he said quietly, lowering his gaze to fixate on the hard wood floor.

"And? Or is that the story in it entirety?" Malik replied in the same soft tone, though there was something there. And it was trying to coax him into telling the truth.

Ryou smiled dryly. "Can you keep a secret?"

"You've known me about two hours. Even if I told you I could, it'd be entirely up to you to trust me or not."

True enough. He drained the mug of the last of it's contents, sighing contentedly. "Excuse me, Miss?" The bartender turned, looking questioningly at him. "What can I do for ya, hun?"

"Thank-"

"He'll have another drink. On me." Malik interrupted, folding his hands and looking thoughtfully at the countertop.

The bartender nudged Ryou, big toothy grin lighting up her rosy features. "Ah, already onto the second drink he's bought you. You sure are a lucky one. What an infatuation he has with you," she whispered, enjoying the rather confused and frazzled look it had set into play on the young man's face.

"Thank you, Malik," he said softly. Said young bounty hunter turned to him, a smirk upturning the corners of his mouth. "It's no trouble at all."

As the third drink was being poured, a man burst through the doors of the bar, face red and breath coming in breathy gasps as if he'd been running. "Maaaliiik!!!" He called, barreling over and skidding to a halt in front of the blonde. He paused to catch his breath, holding a piece of paper up for Malik to take. "It's a real good one this time!" He proclaimed happily, then promptly collapsed from exhaustion.

Ryou glanced down at him with wide eyes, more than a tad worried. But it seemed Malik didn't really care. He was too busy scanning over the parchment with narrow eyes. After a few minutes and several times reading it over, he sniffed in disdain.

"Already?" He breathed, checking the words to see if he had read it right. He sighed and lowered it, a troubled look spreading across his once amused face. The other people in the bar were slowly dispersing, as it growing close to nightfall. Nobody was foolish enough to caught dead outside once night had fallen. Actually, on occasion they actually did.

"That didn't take very long," he sighed heavily.

The man on the floor looked up at Ryou curiously and grinned from ear to ear. "I didn't know Malik had a little boyfriend," he teased, wiggling his eyebrows comically. Good God, did Ryou blush hard. The sun might've been jealous.

"Oh back off!" Malik snapped exasperatedly, slamming the paper down.

The man on the floor sat cross-legged and beamed. "My my, how protective. Well then, Malik, I need to return to them with an answer. What exactly do you want to respond?"

"I don't like this joke."

"It's no joke. They desperately need your services. You're going to get your assignment in a week. Of course, the sooner it's completed the better."

Malik grumbled softly. Damn, damn, damn…

"How much are we talking?"

"A lot. At least four times more than they've paid you in the past. Apparently this new client is a high roller. Rich and desperate."

Now that was something fascinating in itself. Malik smiled. "Tell them I'll do it. Whatever it is."

"Fabulous! Now, I must be off!" He got up and turned to Ryou, taking his hand and placing a discreet kiss upon it. "And what is your name, young harlot? Or are you for real, unlike the others?" There it was. The eyebrow wiggle that made Ryou burst out laughing.

Malik raised an eyebrow. "You really need to stop. It's no wonder you haven't had a lover in quite some time, Mesteno. As you begin to get serious, they can't help but laugh at that ridiculous eyebrow wiggle."

Mesteno gasped, looking quite hurt by the remark. "It's an impulse, dear friend." He winked and spun around on his heel, planting a kiss on Ryou's cheek.

Woops.

"I always could just steal yours," he smirked softly before dashing out, knowing full well just what might happen to him if he were to stay.

"MESTENO!!"

Why should he care? Ryou asked himself. It's not like I actually am his lover or anything.

Malik heaved a sigh and put his head down on the counter with a soft 'thunk.'

"What was that all about?" Ryou inclined his head, looking very confused. With right to be. Now, it was mentioned that nighttime was certainly not the time to be out. And that couldn't be truer. Why?

"Bounty hunter business. Strictly confidential and terribly odd." Malik replied, prodding the countertop with his index finger.

And suddenly his eyes lit up and a smile spread across his face. He had an idea. "Ryou, do you know what the Crystalline City turns into at night?"

Ryou shook his head, and a hand tightly gripped his. Simultaneously, Malik dropped money onto the counter and ran out of the bar with Ryou in tow.

He stopped just outside, leaning over and whispering in Ryou's ear before taking off again.

"You'll love it."
Lavender: It's so short… but I had to end it there! It's necessary!

Daisuke: … Really now… I figured it was because you're lazy.

Lavender: I am not…

Luc: Next chapter we begin with Part 2: A Week Of Sweet Nightmares! Malik promises to show Ryou a week of the nightlife of Vadrenn! What surprises and twisted things could happen? … Well, Lavender knows and so do we but you're SOL!