Well I'm moving rather well so far. I'm planning to keep a constant upload if possible until I get to the newer chapters. For now, I'm trying to solidify the story to what I wanted it to be and with the new information in PH everything is fitting just perfectly.
Now for the thanks :D :
B-rabbit28, ENE10. Microtoa, SeleneAlice and Twilight Dark Angel: Thanks for favorite-ing this story xD I know it's barely starting but this just brought my spirits up so much :D
Twilight Dark Angel, SeleneAlice and xXChaoticOrderXx: Thanks so much for following this story and I hope you guys enjoy as it progresses :D
So now let's go on with the next chapter c:
Chapter Two
In the Dead of Silence
"…"
It can't be...
".e..."
It's still...too soon...
"Wake up!"
The figure's head snapped to attention towards the woman. His head was hooded by a red cloak and he'd been sitting against a broken pillar. His head had been leaning against his arm while it rested upon his bent knee while his other leg laid straight.
How long had he been out of it?
"Geez, you sleep like a log," the older woman chided the boy who simply glanced up at her with a completely stoic expression. Only at seeing his face did any concern show on her face, "Are you alright?"
"Just a bad dream..." he answered in a serene tone of voice. She stared at his aloof face and sighed after a few moments. He was so hard to understand sometimes.
She turned about on him, "So what's the status of the situation?"
"She's obtained Chronos," he answered lowering his head and gaze.
"What?" she burst loudly showing that she was just as shocked as he felt. "But, it can't... Are you certain about this?"
"Lacrimosa," he pronounced the name with a distinct lilt to his voice. The apathetic tone he used, however, said that with the name alone should have sufficed as an explanation. He felt generous for once in his life, though. "The two are connected. She informed me the moment his presence appeared on this realm. She made a contract with him."
The woman clicked her tongue and crossed her arms before her chest. "But she won't be able to do anything with him."
"Yet," he interjected rudely.
She simply waved his comment away before continuing, "My point being, as long as she just waves that stick about without knowing how it works, she'll be harmless. We should inform that boy about this nonetheless. Let's head out." With that last comment, she twirled on her blood red heels and walked off to God knew where. He sighed at the simplicity with which his companion thought things through and ended up slouching against the pillar.
If only things were that simply
When I woke up, the first thing I noticed was how much my head was hurting. It felt like it was about to burst open. After that I noted how I was atop something soft and underneath something warm. I'd been tucked into bed. Looking beneath the blanket I saw my dress gone and instead I had a nightgown on. But how? More importantly...who the hell undressed me!?
My inner ranting was rudely interrupted when I heard the door to my room being opened slowly giving off a slight noise. But my mood brightened the moment as I saw who it was.
"Leo." His name came out almost as a sigh of relief. He turned towards me almost as if he hadn't expected me to be awake.
"You're up," he simply replied as he closed the door behind him. I frowned at hearing his voice. For some reason it sounded tired and pained. Was something the matter with him? The thoughts kept knocking at the back of my head all the while he approached me and sat on the edge of my bed.
His hand landed on my knee over the blanket and he squeezed it lightly. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm...fine," I replied a little confused at his demeanor. What happened? "Are you okay?"
"Just fine." Liar. All those years with him weren't spent with a dummy. He's lying but why? He's never done that before.
Yet just as I was about to ask him what was the matter, my door swung open again. This time a little more forcefully and that was all it took for me know who it had been.
"Don't you ever knock?" I chastised Elliot for his lack of tact. "For all you know, I could've been changing."
"S-Shut up," he stuttered, his temper showing again. It's too easy to blow his lid off. "How are you?"
"Why is it that you two are asking me that first? A 'hey, Claire' would've been good too, you know?"
Elliot glanced at Leo's direction but for some reason Leo didn't return the gesture. Instead, the short-fuse answered me, "Claire, you've been out cold for the past five days."
At his words I froze and my eyes widened. I was asleep...for five days? My eyes wondered to Leo's hand on my knee just as my fingers traveled to my mouth. It didn't feel like a week. It felt like mere hours. "It's Friday then." I turned back up and faced them, "When did you two make it back?"
Once again, I noticed that Leo's gaze never left his hand on me. What was wrong with him? And yet again, Elliot answered as if nothing, "The day after. We went to the House of the White Angel." He then went ahead and told me how they had gone to the chasm in the middle of Sablier after the children that had gone missing and gotten themselves lost. All the while, I felt Leo's grip on me tighten.
"So you slipped like an idiot and knocked out?" I simply repeated how he finished.
"It was an accident!" he shouted but I knew he was embarrassed and that his ego had taken quite a hit at that. I grinned, he would never live this down. Not from me at least. Suddenly, my stomach made a prompt interruption and growled loudly. I jumped flustered and held tightly at my stomach while pursing my lips. He gave out a chuckle, "I'll tell the maids to get you some food."
"Thanks," I answered to him and he simply inclined his head and left the room, closing the door behind himself. I didn't waste any time once I heard him walk away. "What happened at Sablier?"
It took him a few seconds and when he responded his voice was low and clear to the point. "Nothing."
I sighed frustrated but didn't rage on him like I usually would. I crawled out of bed and knelt before him. I heard his breath hitch along with his grip tightening on my gown when my hands reached up to his glasses. I gave him a tight-lipped smile, reassuring him I wouldn't do anything he didn't want me to. He knew I would never and that showed by how he didn't burst out enraged that my hands went anywhere near his face. I slowly took his glasses off placing them to the side and gently passed my fingers through the mess of his hair all the while keeping my smile.
He always hated me making eye contact with him. But...I love his eyes. They were a quiet qualm that right now needed soothing of their own. I let go of his hair and wrapped my arms around his neck hugging him tightly and laid my head against his, cheek to cheek. His hands didn't move from their place, reluctant. Silence ensued quickly after but I didn't let it linger for much.
"I won't ask you what happened. I trust you'll tell me whenever you're ready to. You've always been my best friend, nii-chan, and you've been there when I've needed you. I guess, I just want you to know that I'll be here for when you need me too. Whenever that is, just call for me and I'll be by your side."
I started to pull away but his arms quickly wrapped around my back pulling me in again. "Don't, please," I couldn't help but notice how pained his sobbing voice sounded. "I don't want you to see me like this."
A small smile grew on my face when I heard him quietly sobbing. I hugged him tightly and he did the same. I started calmly stroking his head like he had so many times before when I would have nightmares. "There, there, there. It's okay. It's all going to be alright."
After some minutes his hands left my back and scurried for his glasses to place them on his face before he even allowed me to push back. Once done, I simply stared at him with a thin smile.
"Thanks," he whispered wiping his cheek with the back of his palm slightly lifting the rim of his glasses.
I smiled at him once more, "Anytime." Just then I remembered something: Chronos. "Leo, can I ask something of you?"
"Of course." He wasn't going to be very pleased with what I was going to say, that's for sure.
I'm starting to regret my big mouth. I stood before the double doors of Master Nightray's office with Leo beside me.
"You're not going to chicken out now are you?" I cringed at knowing how easy I was to read right now. It was pathetic too. Wasn't I the one who asked him for this?
A few days had passed since our little chat and Leo had assured me that if I wanted to do what I did then today was the best day to since Elliot would be busy on some personal stuff. He was right too. It was now or never.
I raised my hand ready to knock and swallowed my dread. I glanced over at him, "Just make sure not to let him in if you see him." He nods and that only leaves me to what I came to do.
Come on, Claire. Have courage!
Shyly, I knocked upon the dark, mahogany doors.
"Come in." That voice. My hand moved to the knob and turned it. No turning back now. I took a step in and went half way through the doorway.
"Master?" my voice sounded quiet but it was stern enough to be heard.
"Oh, it's only you. What do you want?" The disdain in his voice was thick enough to take space in the room. I ignored it, walked inside closing the door behind me and approached his desk.
"I've come...with a request for you."
"A request?" His eyes didn't leave the papers that he was glancing at on his desk.
I didn't let him continue speaking, and more than likely ignore me completely, so I went straight to the point, "That's right. I'm requesting to be allowed to join Pandora. W-With your permission, of course."
His piercing eyes landed on me but I tried to stand my ground and never left his gaze. He finally gave me his full attention and I don't know if that was good or bad. "What for?"
"The Chain that I have made a contract with, it seeks something that is in this world. I don't know where to start searching but I'm sure that Pandora is as good a place to start as any."
"What makes you think I'll allow it." It wasn't a question. It was a fact.
I gulped my fear away and kept talking, "I'll go in and report to you what I see from the other Households." I was going with a long shot with this one but if it worked... "I know that not many trust the Nightray Household but they won't doubt of me. I mean, what harm could I possibly do? I can-I mean, it wouldn't be difficult for me to sneak around and find information for you."
"Are you accusing me of something?" I cringed when his voice rose a bit but I didn't stand back. Did I mess up? He sighed in frustration, "Nonetheless, you could become somewhat useful to me. If I allow you to then you'll have to report to me whatever I ask of you."
"O-Of course, I will!" I called out, enthusiastic that he actually was considering it.
"However." Damn, I knew it was too easy. "You need Elliot's permission as well."
"W-What?"
"You are his, and he needs to be informed. Had you not told him about this?"
Shit. Really? "I-I haven't had the chance to-" but before I could finish the doors burst open and who else but said boy waltzed in with Leo trying to pull him back to no avail. "E-Elliot?!" I hissed under my breath.
"What are you doing here?" he called to me unable to keep his temper in check. Thankfully, it was only mild since he was before his Father.
"Your valet has requested to be allowed to join Pandora," Duke Nightray instantly answered him not giving even a chance to do so myself. "But as you know, that requires your permission." Elliot turned to face me with a shocked expression and his hands tight in fists. "What do you say? Do you allow it?"
I didn't dare say anything. I simply met his gaze levelly and pleaded that he would at least listen to me this once. Just for once in his life.
"I...do."
"Then," his father called out with a frustrated sigh. "I'll send notice to Pandora. If nothing goes out of order, someone should be here soon to accompany you to Pandora Headquarters."
"Ah, yes. Thank you very much," I say as respectfully as I can. I grabbed Elliot's wrist seeing as he was still a bit dumbfounded to move. I bowed before taking off with him and with Leo close to our heels. Finally out of his reach in my room I released Elliot and relaxed myself. I thought I was going to be rejected for sure.
"What did you mean-" at hearing Elliot's voice slowly rising in volume made me slowly turn to him. "You want to join Pandora?"
"Isn't it great?" Leo called joyfully trying to lighten the mood.
"Not even close!" Elliot shouted making Leo cover his ears.
"Elliot, listen to me," I spoke sternly and clearly ready to face his wrath if need be. "I have something to do and I know Pandora will help me. I need to go."
"You're not getting away with such shitty explanation!"
And so, at his oh so humble request, I explained to him and to Leo more in depth about what I planned to do. How I had promised Chronos to find Lacrimosa. Everything that I had experienced when I stepped into the door. I told them everything but of the boy that Chronos mentioned. They didn't need to know that. At least not now.
"Do you even know this Lacrimosa?" Elliot asked still half pissed off but a little more calm now that Leo was here with him.
"I don't, actually. The name just came out of me like nothing," I explained bringing my fingers closer to my mouth. I wondered where that name came from too. "But regardless of that, you don't have too worry much about it. School is starting in a couple of months, right? You'll be too worried about grades and skirts to think about it." He flustered and started to contradict me lamely while Leo and I laughed at his expense. He really was fun to tease. I felt the breeze blow into my room from the window Leo had left half open. Just then my ears caught a faint sound that was carried in with it.
What was that?
...a music box...?
"Claire?"
"Huh?"
"Are you listening to us?" Elliot snapped, his brow furrowed. Odd. Had I spaced out? More to the point, the sound...it was gone. Had I imagined it too?
"You must be tired," Leo proposed and give my hand a little squeeze. "We should leave you to rest."
"What are you talking about Leo. She's been asleep for five days straight?"
"I still need to sleep, you asshole!" I shout kicking him out of my room.
"How dare you?!" he cried out flustered and angered.
"If I'm not mistaken, I just did. I'm tired now and you need to sleep too. Now go be good boys and goodnight to you all." Elliot tried to fight me but Leo quickly shooed him away but not before quickly glancing over his shoulder and smiling at me. I came back into the room and closed the door behind me and quickly plunged onto my bed. Funny how even after sleeping for five straight days my body still felt tired and heavy. Before I knew it, I drifted off to sleep.
A sharp pain came over my head and it hurt enough to wake me from my sleep. I straightened up in my bed and looked around. I felt the cold breeze hitting me again and felt cold sweat on me. Looking at the clock, I couldn't help but frown at seeing it signaled two in the morning. What the hell had I been dreaming of?
No, it wasn't a dream. This eerie sensation I'm getting. It's like...it's pulling me towards it. Without a second thought, I got out of bed and started wondering around the mansion. For a mere second I passed a window that oversaw the gardens.
I liked them. Even though we were currently in the winter house, it was still pretty since Madame Nightray always had meticulous care with her gardens regardless of the household. My attention was taken away when I heard faint voices coming from deeper in the corridors. I knew I shouldn't be eavesdropping about but at hearing the faint mumbles I had that same sensation telling me to go. Whatever it was, I had to listen.
Tiptoeing as slowly and silently as I could, I found my way to one of the empty parlors.
"My what an unusual schedule you have." Vincent? What the heck was he doing up so early? And who on earth was he talking to at this hour? I couldn't hear clearly enough. Straining my ears, I slowly walked to be up against the door to listen closer.
"We came with news, boy," a woman answered his question. She had a sweet tone of voice but her audacity showed through how she spoke. "Ones that couldn't wait."
"News?" Vincent's voice raised a bit in curiosity. "From whom?"
"Me." I felt my heart stop beating and my breathing hitch in shock. Why was I reacting like this? I couldn't understand why my body was reacting so abruptly. As if it were surprised of hearing whomever had just spoken. It had been a boy from what I heard. His voice had a lilting accent that made him sound boyish but by the deepness maybe he wasn't much of a boy after all. "She's contracted with the Chain."
To this, Vincent simply chuckled. "Oh that, I'm aware of that. After all, it was I who guided her to Chronos."
What? My hands tightened into fists while I processed what he'd just said. He guided me to Chronos? How?!
"Was that really a smart move from your part?" the woman asked sounding like she knew it really wasn't. "You know that if she meets him, it could be just enough to slap her into reality, right?"
"Well, I have my own plans laid out for her. Besides, I'm not worrying myself of petty problems that can be fixed easily. Right, Sir Red?" He gave a small pause before continuing, "You could simply erase the instant in space she remembers and it would be taken away from existence."
"It doesn't work like that," the boy called out a bit loudly and angered, enough for me to hear easily. "If I mess with the writings I'll only alter them more. I can only change the path that's chosen, the decisions and outcomes made are things I can't change. Even if I could change them forcefully it would just collide with Chronos' powers and open a hole to down under."
"Curious, isn't it?" Vincent mentioned with a playful tone to his voice. "Isn't that what got you in so much trouble in the first place?"
"Perhaps." The boy's voice sounded sad but the smugness that overlapped it was more than palpable. "Or could it have been somebody opening the door to the Abyss, say, by accident?"
"Don't play coy with me, Sir Red. I don't play nice this early in the morning." Vincent's voice was that tone that really bothered me out. The one where he acted all nice and kind but you could just catch the acerbity behind it. "For now, let us wait and see how things play out. If she starts showing signs of recovering, I will immediately contact-"
But before he could finish the whole room went silent. Had something happened? I bit my lip and thought this would be the best time to make my retreat. I slowly stepped back to not make any noise but no sooner had I taken two steps back that I bumped into someone. I didn't have time to see who it was because they grabbed me from my wrists, holding them behind me. It made me cringe under the pain. Just then the door before me opened showing me Vincent and the woman who had long, pink hair and eyes. Her eyes narrowed at me and at that moment, the one behind me pushed me inside the room and closed the door behind himself. Falling on all fours, I was quick to stand back up and face them.
"Seems you were right, Sir Red," Vincent spoke eyeing me and smiling.
"A little mouse creeping about. How rude," the woman called covering her mouth while chuckling. "What shall we do? Kill her?"
"It would be problematic if they found Elliot's servant dead for no apparent reason," he explained to her but not rising from his seat. "But if Sir Red would quit being so stingy with us..."
"I can't, Vincent. That's final." The boy behind me...was the same one that was inside the room seconds before? But how? He never passed through the door!?
Vincent gave a resigned sigh before raising and walking over to me. Stopping right before me, his hand rose and traced my jawline. "What's the meaning of this Master Vincent...?" I couldn't help but say those words through gritted teeth.
"It's no concern of yours, Miss Claire," he whispered sending chills down my spine. Suddenly, his hand came to cradle the top side of my head while the other held my waist.
"Let me go!"
"I'm afraid I can't do that." At saying those words, a sudden warmth began to emanate from his hand and soon I could feel it all the way in my skull. What...was happening? "You've heard too much. So for now, Dormouse-" the heat intensified and it was making me so very drowsy. "Make her sleep and forget. Don't worry, Claire, soon this will be all but a dream."
Well, as you can see so far some settings have been changed. Plenty of dialogue and some scenes too. But hopefully you all are alright with it :D
So far I love how great this is going! :D Hoped you loved it :)
