Lavi carried Devina dutifully and silently into the elevator and the two climbed up to the seventh flour.
The Science Division beamed at them as they entered and they provoked greets from everyone; Devina could tell Lavi was really liked around here.
She got a few hellos too, and Johnny told her her outfit was seventy-five percent complete. She smiled and gave him two thumbs up, almost losing her balance and falling off Lavi's back.
Lavi led her through a long dark corridor, one that made her both uneasy and curious. "Where are we headed, Lavi?" She asked, but Lavi stopped in front of a wooden door and knocked.
"Come in,"
Devina traced the familiar voice to the Chief Officer and allowed relief to wash over her. Lavi opened the door and walked them both in before he finally set her on her own two feet next to a purple chaise. She felt heat grace her cheeks at the prospect of being carried for so long by the redhead, but she shrugged off the embarrassment as she sat down and took in her surroundings.
The entire floor was carpeted in sheets and sheets, and more sheets of paper work, and Devina couldn't help the laugh escaping her lips. She spotted the Chief Officer sitting behind an oak desk on a brown chair. The walls of his office were adorned with shelves upon shelves of books. Books.
Devina rose on her feet once again and ran toward the wall closest to her, which was the one on the right. She traced her fingers across volumes upon volumes of History of the Black Order and Angels and Demons and so many more.
The Chief Officer cleared his throat, startling her, to his amusement, before he spoke. "Devina-san,"
Devina turned her back to the books, slowly and reluctantly, "Komui, have you read all these?" She blurted.
Komui was startled. "What? Y-yes, of course, I-" he tried to collect his thoughts, "you can read?" He asked, astonished.
Devina seemed offended, "yes, of course I can read! Just because I lived on the street doesn't mean I can't."
Lavi had remained quiet so far, observing the girl's odd behavior. Books… he thought, who would've thought she liked books? He noticed the rising tension in the room and decided to break it instead. "Want me to take you to the library after we're done?" he asked.
"L-library?" she squeaked, the crease in her forehead disappearing completely. "There's a library here?" she asked, absolutely delighted. "Oh, my god, yes! Take me, let's go."
Lavi chuckled, "not now, we need to report our progress to Komui first,"
It was stupefying to watch the strain return to her forehead as her eyes darted back to Komui; Lavi's smile lingered, his interest piqued. She was like a hurricane of contradictory emotions, she kept crashing to and fro and he didn't know when she was going to flood them all with her wrath; him, in particular.
"I apologize if I'd offended you, Devina," Komui started, "it's not often that I chance upon-"
"Street-rats who could read?" she interrupted, "is that it?" Her defensive posture, her poisonous anger and acid tongue; Lavi was fascinated by how openly she was standing up to herself and he couldn't help but admire her courage.
"That's not it," Komui's patience was running thin, "even some people in The Order cannot read, I was just surprised you could."
Devina remained silent, debating whether to let her anger seethe or cool. She walked over to the chaise and sat down again before she spoke again. "Thomas, one of the kids I grew up with… He taught me." She relayed. "Now, shall we get this done with? I wanna check that library."
"Of course," Komui consented, "how did your training go?" he asked.
Devina glanced at Lavi, choosing to remain silent. Lavi sat down to her left, amused at her new-formed dependency toward him. He grinned up at Komui, "she did it. One second, her bones were inside her body and then they were pouring out of her like liquid, before she shaped the liquid into a blade, which she had used to intentionally attack and frighten me." He said, his tone fascinated.
Devina's eyes rolled, "I didn't conjure it up out of thin air, you know. And I didn't attack you, if I had, you'd be dead by now,"
Lavi gulped. The sudden shift in her composure and temper was something Lavi had been anticipating since the moment he'd met her; he didn't know she'd crack too soon, though. He felt kind of sympathetic. Lavi laughed off her comment, "but you didn't, Devina,"
Devina's eyes widened and she turned her head to look at him again. She seemed to be seeing him for the first time and he wondered why she was looking at him like that.
"That's magnificent progress! And you said you couldn't control it," Komui said, addressing her.
"Don't chastise me," Devina crossed her arms over her chest; it was so hard to believe she was the same girl almost flirting with Komui the day before. "I didn't do it on my own. Lavi went through several strategies to get me to invoke the Innocence," she explained, still not very pleased with the Chief Officer.
"I'm not chastising you, I'm simply impressed with your progress." Komui decided to play along, as if dealing with a child. "I see you're still upset about my comment," Komui stood up and walked over to her before he bent down, "I'm terribly sorry."
Heat burned her cheeks and she stood up, helping him stand up straight, "d-don't be ridiculous," she rebuked, "it's an easy conclusion to jump into, don't worry about it." She patted him on the back. "I'm sorry I acted so impulsively."
Komui sighed in relief and allowed Devina to lead him back to his seat.
Meanwhile, Lavi watched on in complete confusion. What is up with this girl? He frowned at the two who were now conversing about what ensued in the training area in good spirits, while his head swam in distortion. He did not get her at all.
"These are excellent results, Lavi," Komui called out, and Lavi's thoughts diminished.
"Thank you, Komui," Lavi forced a smile, "it's all because Devina cooperated very well and she didn't struggle nor reject her Innocence. It's really all thanks to her effort,"
Devina pouted, "Oh, now, don't be so humble," she made her way to him, grabbed his arm and pulled him up to his feet, "it's not really attractive on a young man," she winked. "Come on! You promised me a trip to the library," she turned to Komui, "are we done here, Komui?" The Chief nodded, mumbling a yes, his head buried behind some paper already.
The library was luckily on the same floor and the two didn't have to walk much before they stood in front of a large gate made of dark wood. Lavi pushed it open, set on retaining the silence between them. Devina was too busy trying to stay calm, attempting not to hyperventilate at the prospect of entering a library.
The doors led them into the open wide space of book heaven. Devina was surrounded by storeys of endless shelves and endless books. She spun around and all around her were shelves stacked with books. There were several long wooden ladders raised against some shelves to help gain access to the books too high to reach.
It was incredible. Devina couldn't breathe.
"Lavi," she whispered, tears brimming the corners of her eyes, "thank you."
Lavi was afraid.
Although Devina had her back to him, he still heard her gratitude, and it was more genuine and sincere than anything he'd ever heard; it stirred something in him, and he felt something pinch at his chest. There was an ache in his throat, and suddenly felt trapped. He needed to get out of there. Instead, he managed a shaky, "what are you thanking me for?"
"For bringing me here," she answered, turning around to reveal that she was smiling; her smile was so wide, Lavi's sole eye seemed to go momentarily blind. He felt so puny and she seemed so pure, so bright. "I've always wanted to go to a library," she admitted.
"I'm glad," he whispered, barely audible; his throat was constricting and he didn't know whether she heard him or not.
Devina walked over to him. "Can I give you a hug?"
All Lavi could manage was a nod. Devina wrapped her thin arms around his waist and she pulled herself into him, her face rested against his chest. She could hear his beating heart; steady and controlled.
When he didn't hug her back, Devina retreated and smiled, "thanks again!" she clasped her hands together, "I'm going to explore the place," she turned away from him and started heading off with something to look up in mind.
"Devina," Lavi mumbled.
She wasn't sure she heard him but she turned around, "did you say something?"
Lavi's eye met her chocolate ones and he nodded, "I have to go back to my room, the Old Panda said he'll need me around noon for something,"
"Oh," it lightning fast; how quickly the light dimmed from her eyes, and it did not help with his aching throat, "okay, Lavi. Have a nice day. Thanks again,"
"You're welcome, Devina," she watched as Lavi left her alone in the Black Order's grand library; she began to look up books on Bookmen and after collecting a few volumes, she stacked them up and sat down at one of the desks on the library's lowest floor. She then began to read.
Devina discovered that Bookmen were very hard to research. There weren't any books written about them and in the few books they were mentioned, she read that they were solely recorders of history. Members of a clan that detach themselves from all social and cultural obligations, a Bookman takes no wife, fathers no children, and does not get affiliated or involved emotionally with anyone whatsoever.
Devina placed down the book she had been reading and stretched; she had lost track of time and had no idea what hour it was. The sound of someone clearing their throat made her jump and she turned to see Johnny, "hey, Johnny, what's up?"
"Komui sent me to tell you you've been here forever. You should have some dinner and head to bed,"
"Dinner?" Devina ran towards Johnny and she gripped his shoulders, "what are you talking about? What time is it?"
"It's almost eight, Devina-san,"
Devina gasped, "Oh, boy, let's get the hell out of here." She grabbed his wrist and dragged him along. "Wanna join me for dinner?" She asked.
"S-sure," Johnny stuttered, blushing slightly.
Devina grilled before halting mid step; she looked around and then glanced at Johnny, "uhhh,"
"Perhaps I should lead the way?" he asked, a moment later. Devina nodded, appreciatively. She still hasn't gotten the hang of where everything was.
"So how'd you know where I was?" Devina asked as they neared the cafeteria.
"Lavi-kun mentioned it before heading to Belgium,"
Devina raised a brow, "what? Lavi headed to Belgium?"
"Yes, he's off on a mission with Bookman, Allen, Lenalee and Krory." Johnny answered and they entered the cafeteria; they made their way toward Jerry, placed their order and sat down together.
"That sounds interesting, going off on missions," Devina said.
"Well, their mission is really difficult this time, so you shouldn't feel envious at all," Johnny joked.
"Oh, really, now? And what's their really difficult mission?" she inquired curiously.
"They have to find General Cross and protect him," he answered. Their food was set before them and the two chimed out their "thanks."
"Who's General Cross?" Devina asked as she began sipping her chicken cream soup.
"He's one of the Order's Generals and Allen's master." Johnny replied, munching on his hamburger.
"What's a General?"
"A General is a person who reaches a sync rate of one-hundred percent with their Innocence," Johnny smiled at her gaping mouth, "pretty impressive, huh?"
Devina nodded vehemently, "yes! Can I meet one?" She dropped her bowl and tackled her Greek salad.
"You've already met one; General Klaud,"
"Oh, she's a General… amazing!" Devina gawked, a dreamy look attaching itself onto her face. She had found herself a new idol. For some reason, though, when she thought of the word idol, a certain redhead's face flashed through her head, and she coughed, unable to swallow.
"Devina-san, drink this," Johnny handed her a glass of water and she took it eagerly.
After calming down, Devina placed the glass down on the table. "So why's finding him difficult?" she asked.
"He's been missing for four years and this is the first clue we've gotten regarding finding him since,"
"Wow, he must be a hard man to track." She said, biting into her cheeseburger. "Mmm, Jerry makes really good cheeseburgers."
"He makes the best food, doesn't he?"
The two conversed happily throughout their dinner, before bidding each other good night.
Devina's sleep was restless and filled with nightmares. She dreamed of Thomas and Irene, Marcus and Icarus and Juliette and Devon. She re-envisioned the entirety of their deaths, from the moment they were caught till they were shot in the head.
When she woke up, she couldn't remember much but the blood, it was too much. She shot up from the bed and realized she was soaked in sweat. She shrugged out of her tank top before realizing that the thumping she was hearing was not the beating of her heart but the banging on her door. She headed over to it and opened it.
"Geez, woman, put a shirt on, first," Kanda muttered, turning his head to look away.
Devina remembered she didn't have her shirt on and she used it to cover her exposed skin. "How can I help you, Kanda?" She asked, getting to the point, not feeling like standing on the edge of Pleasantville with mister grumpy himself, while feeling like shit, herself.
"Get dressed and meet me at the training hall," he said, still not looking at her.
Devina groaned as she shut the door behind her. She did not feel like training today, not one bit. She wanted to stay in her bed and just wallow in her misery. She did not want to be in the same room with the most obnoxious, ill-tempered Exorcist.
Washed up, dressed and with her hair pulled up in a high pony tail, she entered the training hall and spotted Kanda sitting in the middle of the room on a red mat. Devina walked over to him and stood in front of him. She noticed he was dressed in a dark blue sleeveless shirt and black fitted pants.
"What are we doing today, Kanda?" she asked when he didn't speak nor stand up to begin training her.
"We're meditating until you're not so tense, then I'll train you. I must warn you, you have only four days; after that I'm leaving on a mission."
Devina frowned, "we're doing yoga instead of teaching me how to defend myself? Are you serious?" she asked, ludicrous.
"Yoga strengthens the mind and the spirit," Kanda muttered, before closing his eyes and resuming his mental and spiritual exercise.
"You boys and your poetics," Kanda opened one eye and used it to glare at her.
She raised her arms in surrender and sat down next to him. His legs were both crossed against the opposite thigh. Devina tried to imitate his stance, putting her left feet up against her right thigh and vice versa. Her hands rested on her knees and she closed the space between her thumb and index, while stretching the other three fingers outwards. She closed her eyes and inhaled.
She knew she wasn't doing so well. Her mind kept wandering to the stupid boy with shiny red hair and gleaming green eye and to his other eye, which she couldn't see but really wanted to. She wondered whether he hid an injury behind the eye-patch or a totally damaged eye, or if he only wore it for show. He would absolutely wear it for show.
She wondered how the others were doing as well, searching for this hard-to-find-General; how the frail old Bookman was faring against the cold European weather, how Allen was holding on without Jerry to satiate his big appetite, how kind Lenalee was doing without her brother and how Lavi was acting after… well, the unreciprocated hug.
The smack to the side of her head was so sharp and sudden her ears started ringing. "Hnngh, what the hell, Yuu?"
"What did you just call me?" he asked, his sword missing but his tone just as sharp.
"Uh, uh, Kanda, why did you just hit me?" she asked, not backing down.
"Because you're not meditating, and you just called me by my first name like that baka-usagi,"
"Baka… baka-usagi?" Devina repeated before she exploded into laughter. "Is that Lavi's nickname?"
"Tch, go back to your training, midget." Kanda demanded, ignoring her question.
"Sheesh, fine, fine," she muttered before nudging him in the ribs. As she had expected, the stoic man stiffened and his head turned sharply towards her.
"Do that again and you're dead," she laughed.
Author's Note: The fifth instalment! I've been finding myself anticipating Wednesdays to post a new chapter, and I hope some of you do, too. Thanks for all the favs and reviews and follows! Please keep them coming.
Oh, I never mentioned this, but this story will probably be really long and the romance is a long way off, hehe.