" How long has it been now? " Ran Fujimiya's violet orbs stared daggers across the expanse of the diningroom table in the center of the kitchen towards a flustered sandy-haired Omi who replaced a pot full daisies within the small window that outcast itself towards the variety of vehicles that passed along at six o'clock in the morning. Code name Abyssinian and Bombay, however they weren't going by IDs' this morning; instead their was about to be a fit of curses from the rather irritated maroon-capped male sitting at the table with his black-slack thighs crossed at the knee. Like every morning, Aya was as striking they come; it was like he just got out of bed looking beautiful. At least that was what Omi thought, today the leader of Vice was suited up comfortably in a set of black-slacks, ink sandals, with a white tank top; a much better change from his normal apparel during working hours. The maroon cap he called hair had grown out considerably the past weeks since their missions had been cancelled, and Aya seemed too lazy to even worry about a haircut. But it did look good on the cold, red-head even though it clashed with the sunshine yellow full-body apron horribly. Omi concentrated on his work at the window sill planning to finish before heading out front and helping Youji would with floral arrangments; although the leader's question hung in the air like a tomb. "..It's been three days, Aya. You should know him by now; he just runs off at times. " the said person was Ken, whom disappeared for the past three days and nights without even saying a word, " Yes, Omi. I know. But he never leaves without explaining himself these days. Come. We have work in the flowershop to complete before opening up for customers. " Tall, and brooding the maroon katana-master drew up to his height before nonchantly exiting through the kitchen door that seperated the flower world from the business; Omi sighed roughly at the stern tone in his friend and boss. The sandy-haired teen was decked out in a casual red T-shirt and blue jeans that hugged the boy's physique handsomely; no one could say the members of Weiss weren't something to sigh or drool over. The hacker carelessly ruffled the mop he called hair before padding out in barefeet to the cash register counter.
Aya's violet orbs asessed the work of the flourists with a critical expression, perhaps they weren't Vice right now but the flowershop had become a second passion for them all; some private escape when it was used to be their cover from potential enemies. A blue daliha stood out amongst a horde of white beauties, it was a special passion the katana master had bred out of curiousity; it was said grafting the correct coloring was almost impossible for such a plant. But he'd done it, with the training of patience and technique; it would not be lost in the dim world of darkness when lost, unlike the creator himself. The heavy-smoking blonde, codename Balinese but known to his friends as Youji moved with a familiar grace around the small flowershop; replacing and clipping the heads off roses with careful fingers. To think, they all tended to life; brought it up from the bud it was only to take the lives with those same fingers and palms. Where soil would stain their hands, blood would crest over like a horrid memory. Omi had put himself to work on lifting and moving pots to the counters of the window displays, while Aya strode away from the cash register to clippy-clap his sandal feet up to the roses with Balinese. The leader's smooth snowy fingers plucked a white rose from one of the kenels, drawing the blossom along his naked chin watching them work. " Where do you think Ken went off to? " murmured the stern, but curious assassin. The blonde was the one to add his two cents, " Maybe he's been laid up with some woman. " though Youji's lame jokes made Aya want to smile; he knew better than to ruin the image he'd provided upon himself. Laboring and huffing the sandy-blonde teen bumped into the conversation while grunting under the weight of a copper clay pop that Aya was considering to help him with before it was set down on the floor with a thud. The kid was strong, and that was something to be proud about; " He's not like you, Youji. He's probably playing soccer with some kids down the road or something. You know he likes to stay active. " the smoker snorted with good humor while snipping off a bud of another blood-rose, " For three days, Omi? I don't think so. Usually when a guy stays out so long he's got a piece of butt on the side. "
Abyssinian inwardly winced at Youji's bluntness, but he brushed it off with a sweep of his mind, " It's just not like him. He should've left word. What if Persia contacts us with information regarding an assignment? " it was always best to keep the mind of work, even when the person was worried out of their mind about a friend whom he hated to see suffering from past aliments. Ken had become a walking time-bomb, his emotions reeking havoc where ever he went; but it was best to let him work it out in his own fashion, that was someting Aya had come to think was best considering his own sister's awakening from her coma. " He's fine. If he doesn't show up in another day or so, we can look for him if you want, Aya. " pipped up the blonde who'd turned away from snipping buds to lounging a friendly arm over the leader's shoulders. Perhaps before when things had been harder for them all, Aya would've walked away or turned his heart from the friends he'd made; but that was a past he was trying to leave behind and something to start anew. So the arm went noticed and accepted by the maroon-male, which Aya saw pleased the wire-weaver companionably. Minutes passed like seconds before the front door of the flowership jostled open, the leader watched Omi ready to shoo away the costumers till they emerged into full few. 'How worse could this day get?' ,mentally whispered the maroon leader. " Now, now, Aya. No need to be rude. We're here under a friendly flag. " pouted the captain of Schwartz, Schuldig. The crew of the German, Irish, and American stood intimidating in the petitely built shoppè, the fire-haired mind manipulator's head barely brushing the ceiling with each step he and the rest took into the disguised flourist's home.
Schuldig was a piece of work onto himself with fire-hair that just skimmed sturdy-thin shoulders, the white business jacket hung loosely around the copper-curls, with their equally white bagging slacks and dress shoes. The mind manipulator's white clashed angerily with the stock-blue and black that were currently gracing the blade-weilder, Farfarello; the pyscho's choice in clothing was nothing short of gothic-lolita with a sleeve-cut shirt, and black skin tight leather pants; Aya admired the wacko's solid black boots with a respectful eye. However, lolita Farfarello wanted to be, the patch over that right-eye took away the punk and replaced it with the madman. Scars of every size and shape had taken residence in the pale Irishman's skin like trophies, whereas compared to the flawless tan that sculpted the American-Japanese student at their side. Nagi, telekenetic-extordinare was not adorned in his usual japanese uniform, but for once he looked like the sixteen year old he really was in those cut-off black shorts, black tank-top and billowing white-over shirt that hung around the boy's shoulders prettily. The crop of brunette hair was musted up from the Springtime wind that had been welcomed openly, but it seemed the telekenetic was distracted with one person; and it was their bishounen Omi. ' Oh my. ' inwardly chuckled the leader before turning an accusing stare at the mind-manipulator.
" What the hell is it you want, Schuldig? " Aya sternly placed the question before the Schwartz member while he watched with violet-orbs as the fire-haired man strolled all the shelves of orchids on display, he watched as the manipulator played with the pink-bud idly. " Oh, nothing. We were bored like always. Brady-boy has himself locked up in his bedroom again this week. " before the Weiss member could question the fire-haired, Schuldig spoke up, " No. I don't know what he's doing, and even if I did I doubt I'd tell you anyways, haustier. " Of what Aya had picked up during web searches, he could definately translate 'pet' from that silly endearment. " I'm not a pet, Schuldig. So it seems you're lacking a member this evening? " the fire-haired god turned briefly around the room to the heafty pot Omi had been carrying before, " We're not the only one. Where is your she-cat with his claws? " the Schwartz captain whispered while stroking the bud of another orchid. Aya had not noticed before that during his commonly conversation with the mind-manipulator, Farfarello had positioned himself up beside Youji; whom he watched snip the buds from another two flowers. It seemed the irony of the unmerciful decapitation amused the psycho, and unnerved the smoker immensely; but what really caught the leader's violet gaze was Nagi who was practically draping himself about a half-hearted avoid Omi. When Bombay would move to pick up another pot, Nagi was right there to help; with his abilities in tow. / They're adorable, aren't they, pet/. The sound barrier of the mind-reader broke into the Weiss member, the only sign of shock was a brief twitch in a single lid/ It doesn't matter. It wouldn't work out, and you know it. You should stop Nagi from his pursuit on Omi./ mentally commented the leader who'd moved away from the rose kenel to walk across the threshold of the shoppè, the soft thudding of his sandals hitting the wood while rounding the register where Schuldig had followed him to; and now rested his elbows atop while asessing the Abyssinian. / Why? Nagi said you all were on some kind of ban. / Aya loudly cursed before pinning an eyefull on Omi's suddenly stricken face. " What did you tell them, Omi? "
The sudden activity of verbal exchange brough up the eyes of Schwartz and Weiss; Youji was cradling the scissors in one palm while Farfarello was lazily stroking a dead bud in the creepy way that seemed to be always about him. Omi had almost toppled over a pot before Nagi had stopped it mid-fall from crashing with his telekenetic-strength. 'Good' Aya whispered to himself, 'I'll break it over the hacker's head in a bit', he knew Schuldig had picked up that mild comment because the reader's eyebrow tilted upward with a teasing smile tugging at his lips. "..um..that is..I mean..Aya, it slipped! Nagi pissed me off! " the sandy-blonde pleaded from his place by the pot, casting a glance from the invisibly held pot to the irked maroon-haired man. " Omi! You weren't supposed to say anything! " grounded Abyssinian through barely parting lips with each rushed shout. It was a rare occasion indeed to see Aya angry, and he was sure everyone was quite entertained. " Schuldig. You came here knowing this, what were you planning to do? Attack us with our guard down? " the mind-breaker seemed to consider the maroon red-head's accusation but that mane of fire was jostled side-from-side in disagreement. " I told you. We're bored. We haven't had a mission in days, Brad is held up, and you all seemed the only thing interesting to hang around. " Aya watched the pretty male smile mischieviously; he suddenly felt like an animal in a cage being poked by some curious child. " I hate to disappoint you all, but we have a business despite what you may believe. Youji, no more clipping. You're entertaining that irishman too much; Omi get those pots ready. We open in three minutes. As for you all.." violet collided with each member of the rivalry, " Either get your asses out of my shop, or you can help as long as you don't kill anyone. " The leader regretted making the offer when the Schwartz leader's eyes perked open with a challenge of something to do, and Farfarello attempted to physically break one of the rose stems with his teeth, before it was suddenly plucked away by an irritated Youji. Nagi's nod was enough evidence of why he was staying; Omi was his target it seemed for the evening.
As ordered the doors were opened on record timing, and the field of women was enormous within the next two hours they worked. Aya was sure by now, that Schwartz had discovered the pleasent and curse of being flourists, and sexy to boot; he mused over this while taking a neatly cropped handful of marigolds from a female, he assumed, college student. Clattering away on the register when Schuldig came bustling his way in a sunshine apron, the mind-breaker seemed to be heaving in his efforts to catch his breath. The bouquet of marigolds and baby's breath was offered back to the blushing college student who'd taken notice of the german currently clutching the counter; before turning to another customer Aya turned to watch Schuldig catch his breath, " What is it? " all he earned was a glare from the german assassin before the man righted himself in front of the Weiss member; Abyssinian could tell it was an act of pride and it nearly made the violet-eyed male smirk. " Kudou over there says the orchids are selling out, and Farf is saying that those girls are cooing over him and that eyepatch. I feel like meat to the lion! My ass is raw from all the pinches these girls are giving me. How the hell do you do it? " urged Schuldig before once again leaning on the counter to watch Aya, whom had turned himself back to the register to ring up an elderly woman, the Weiss member decided to speak privately to spare the women any embarassment. / Practice. You don't work here, so you -are- fresh meat, Schwartz. / ,commented Aya off-handly, although they communicated privately Schuldig still leaned over the counter, Aya could only guess watching his fellow Schwartz and rivals carry out abnormal chores. It was amusing to watch Farf be smothered by females, and as promised the Irishman didn't hurt none of them, also that Nagi was fussing over the pots and girls who'd ritually smothered Omi during the daytime. Aya was sure he was ready to beat the girls with a bat to get them off Omi. Ah, what it was to be young again. Schuldig visibally smirked as it encountered the thought passing through the leader's mind, / It must be something. To kill, then run this little shop like a pro. / They both knew he was taunting, but Aya wouldn't take the bait; another costumer presented themselves one after another before he replied to the German's comment. / What I do with my life or what they with theirs, isn't your concern. We do what we do to live./ The german seemed to take this into stride before popping up from his position from the counter to stroll up beside the busy Abyssinian. A hand, Aya could only guess, belonging to Schuldig lifted to brush aside a strand of the wild mane of maroon before lips decended to whisper against the leader's ear, " So do we, pet. So do we. " the fire-haired assassin strode away from a silent Aya who nonchantly continued to ring up purchases.
It seemed time had got away from them before the shoppè was once again empty with only a small flora of the merchandise that'd been there just this morning, Youji had drug chairs from the dining room to place them in the open space about the center of the room. The doors had been locked and set while the members of both factions rested themselves on the offered chairs. " God hates me. How dare he plague me with such drab? " Farfarello had sprawled limp the dining chair, but somehow he and the playboy had come to some kind of terms, and the wacko's boot feet were resting in Youji's lap; the said playboy had his head dropped back on the chair almost dead to the world in his tiredness. " Gomen ne, God has nothing to do with it now. Just hormones. " muttered the sleepy blonde from his seat beside the blade-wielder. " You're all nuts if you go through this for the ruse of hiding. " muttered the withering German who'd planted his chair right beside Aya, and was resting an arm partially on the violet-eyed male's chair and his own. Both thighs sprawled out at almost the same length with Aya; who'd instantly sagged under the dull pain in his feet from standing most of the evening, " We do it because we have to hold the image up. " Aya yawned half-heartedily before the german snorted in reply, " Yeah, right. That's why you all look like you're having fun when you're selling all those smelly flowers. " the barrier on the cold, katana-master broke only for a second with a crooked smile pulling at his plush lips; this didn't go unnoticed by the mind-manipulator who found himself privately wanting to see that smile again on the gorgeous Weiss leader. " Maybe. But it still hurts like hell afterwards. " complained Omi who'd willing let Nagi hold him against his lap; against his and the members of Weiss, wishes. But no one saw the boy complaining when Nagi's arms snuggled the bishounen companionably. The teenagers had made themselves comfortable by not only stealing two but three chairs for their lounging, the dull thudding of the grandfather clock upstairs could be heard as it drulled out the eleventh hour, it was offically eleven o'clock now; and the factions were still together. The focus of the day's earlier discussion between Aya and his members perked him into activity, " Hey. I'm one to offend, but do you think Crawford and Ken's actions something we should all be worried about? " heads lulled themselves from their positions on their chairs; curious stares and blinking ones seemed to consider the Weiss leader's suggestion. " You think Brady-boy has your Ken? " Schuldig murmured while watching through half-slit eyes at the Abyssinian, " It's possible. But what if its not what I'm thinking. Like kidnapping, what if it's more? " this earned a frown from the german just as the Irishman spoke up from his drozing position, the patch had been placed over the madman's good eye; and now the glossy-yellowish film eye stared ahead at nothing. Privately, Aya wondered what had happened to that eye, but he was replaced with curiousity at the man's next sentence. " The Oracle said he'd found a new playtoy about four days. Said God would hate him and I; so I didn't say anything. Then again, not much of what that man does interests me. " it was the first full sentence the Irishman had provided throughout the trials they'd had with him; the first real conversation with the man he was. " A playtoy? You mean a bed-buddy, right? " Omi curiously whispered while glancing towards the Irishman curiously. " It's not uncommon for Brady-boy to pick up a toy. He's a very sexed-up man; I feel dirty when I look into his mind. I have to take a shower to scrub it off. " chortled the German who shuddered under the eyes of the eyes of both factions.
Somehow this confused and bothered Aya; if Ken was off with or taken by Crawford it could be a mistake considering Schwartz was still considered an enemy on their list with Persia. ' But today, it didn't feel like we were enemies, but commerades.' Aya urged himself, apparently the mind-breaker hadn't let up his assault on Aya's thoughts and simply nodded in agreement with the leader's assessment. " You think he and Ken are...? " Youji had been awoken from his slumber at the idea of sex between a member and an enemy. " Kuduo, you're too easy to read. Don't you believe in love between men? " the snickering German said facing it on the blushing playboy. " All is fair in love and war, in my book. But why them two? Ken has better taste than that, even in women. " retorted the embarassed blonde to the Schwartz mind-breaker. A laugh bubbled from the drowsy Schuldig, " Crawford has better taste in men and women. Which makes my waunder mind want to know what the deal is? " The maroon haired leader dropped his head to side; it had seemed everyone had become comfortable with one another and privately proud at the success of selling things that meant something to someone else, " Can't you read his mind now? " the german shook his head, heaving a healthy sigh before straightening in the cushion chair. His white jacket was drawn from his shoulders, and laid out in Schuldig's lap gently, " Nope. Brady-boy has his mind closed up tighter than a dry sponge when he's camped out in his bedroom. The reason we know he's a bishounen-junkie is because of his dates; he's so weird in taste of guys. No offense to your Ken. " The Weiss members absorbed the statement then a snicker rose up; at first no one knew where it was coming from before all eyes drew in on the mad-Irishman who had suddenly openly begun laughing. At first Youji was seemed unsettled that the man had lost his mind till something the pale-scarred male said brought to light amusment in everyone's faces; " Schuldig. You remember that kid. Crawford said he was a college student. The Oracle is an awful liar; and you broke that barrier for about five seconds. I was chained in my room, and you came in and told me he had the kid dressed up in some neko-outfit. I think you said he'd even put ears on the kid, and that he couldn't have been more than seventeen. " Laughter suddenly erupted from every faction member, Aya was doing his best to not laugh; but a smile was tugging insistantly. However, Youji, Omi, Nagi, Schuldig, and even Farfarello were rolling with hysterics of laughing; the sandy-blonde and brunette fell off their lounge chair hiccuping in their hysterics. Blonde-balinese had hidden his face in the crook of his arm to smother his girlish laughter with Farfarello gasping in his.
The scene felt out of place for Aya, but it made him realize something that even the German took his time to listen to without acknowledging his eavesdropping, ' It feels good. To be around people who are similar, but different...Schuldig, get your mind out of mine.' the German jerked from that interruption before slyly smirking at Aya who was frowning. " It was an interesting evening. But Nagi..Farf, we need to go. Farf, no mind lock-up tonight. You've been doing pretty good considering. " the Irishman didn't look the least bit insulted, insteady he looked rather proud. Both Schwartz members withdrew from their companions to meet up at Schuldig's side. The violet-eyed Abyssinian caught the last tid-bits of exchange between Omi and Nagi; it resembled something close to, " Don't you dare call that girl.." and "..I don't share ". But, however much Aya disapproved of the two; he wouldn't involve himsel this time for the sake of Bombay. " For once, you were actually useful, Schwartz. " Aya drew himself from the chair, his tank top scrunching under his torso with his movement to offer an open palm to Schuldig. A peace offering, till things changed. Rather than shake, the fire-haired man took the back of the maroon's palm; pressing a kiss to the back of it with a feathery-brush. " Don't mind if we stop by tomorrow if Brady-boy hasn't given up. If you want, we can harass him? " Moon-crest nails finger one another in the leader's palm, before hesitantly nodding. If Aya planned to be someone a little different. He's risk himself before his friends. " I'll come with you. The rest too. " Schuldig smirked, aware of the leader's feelings, " You don't trust me? Well, I don't expect you to. Just meet up with us tomorrow morning. Auf Wiedersehen! " the german saluted before dragging along his companions, Farf was watching Youji who squirmed visibly before the rival faction exited the dimly lit shoppè.
The blondes righted themselves to stare at their leader curiously, waiting for any acknowledgment. It took seconds before Aya spoke up under percise orders to his friends, " We're getting Ken. He's going to come home. We're still Vice, and we can't forget that. " the katana-master stood from his seat to wind himself around the cash register towards the kitchen in the back. Youji glanced across the floor on his seat at Omi, a little smirk pulling at the playboy's lips, " So, do you think he's had his socks knocked off over that Schuldig? ", Omi openly grinned, " Not yet, I think. But he's getting there. We are Vice; but we're also human. Let's see how this all works out, huh, Youji? " the playboy nodded in agreement before following their leader from the room quietly.