Author's notes: At last I can update the Seventh Chapter! I had reading the chapter 215 of D. Gray-man and to be honest, I kind of surprised. I'm glad that Allen is still in there since I liked this character (I knew that other readers had this thought as well and who wouldn't be?) and d*mn, I hated when that thing (Apocryphos) was show up again! You could say that I'm quite hated him. XP Since I re-read each of my chapter, I came to realization that most of P.O.V was written from Noctis view and that isn't good to me, so I want to give more view and role from Ellen, Lenalee, Lavi, Kanda and of course Link. I'm also want to give more roles to the others as well but for now, I want to focus at these five.
Next, I will make Noctis understood Japanese. I have a reason for this. If you watch the newest trailer of 2011, you'll find when Noctis' car stopped in front of toll gate until passed through it, there are some kind of banner in the tollgate that written in Japanese. That's kind of weird, isn't it? By the way, thank you for your reviews and for your endless patience to this stupid writer. And please don't hesitate to keep review this story because I love reviews very much even it's just one word. And for the reply time:
For kitsune630; Hehehe, thank you so much for the review! Please don't hesitate to send your comments or even your critism. ; D
And for those who have read and favorite and story alert this story, I'm very very gratitude at you. So therefore, thank you very much and please enjoy this story. Feel free to review it and flame it or even to critic it. Last words, happy reading for everyone. X3
Disclaimer: I'm definitely own nothing in here.
Warning: Gender bender, some spoilers which will start right before the Phantom G Thief Arc from this chapter, few swearings, and a lot of bad grammars. =_=;
The God's Clown and the Prince of the Sky
Story06: REFECTORIUM*
*Place where one is restored
It was a midnight in the Black Order HQ.
And since it began to enter winter season, the fog was getting thick and the air cold enough to make your hands and your feet felt numb if you didn't wear your glove and shoes. In the inside of the building, it wasn't as cold as the outside but it still had a chilling air not to mention how much low the temperature was. Due to this, almost everyone within the building had a deep sleep, cocooned with thick blanket and if they were lucky enough, they would have a nice dream.
But of course there are few peoples who couldn't sleep at this rate. In the head quarter's tower where the Exorcists lived and stay, in one certain room, Ellen Walker curled in her bed and cocooned herself with her own blanket. Yet she found herself couldn't close her eyes. Not far from her bed, Link had already asleep beside her and she could hear his peaceful exhale and inhale faintly.
Ellen sighed quietly. Today is a long day for her and her friends. Many things happened in short time and it worn her both emotionally and physically a lot. Then again, she thought drily, nobody would ever expected that today would be a… shocking day. Once again, all of that was starting from one certain young man that just entered her life, named as Noctis Caelo and goes with Noctis.
It was beginning from the first time she had a dream where she met Noctis in that cold and dark chamber. Ellen still remembered clearly when those red eyes gaze down to her in such concern even though they were completely foreigners that time. She just thought it was a normal dream at that time and that she forgotten it for a while, in which proved to be a one whole big wrong assumption she was making at.
When she felt his presence within the depth of the Ark, their fate had already been sealed together. The next was a story and a devastating discovery. A very devastating story if she would likely to add more. Well, Ellen should have realized it since earlier. It explained very well why he was somehow very different and stand alone toward the others. The clothes, the communication device, the power he possessed, the names of places they never heard, it's all because he wasn't from this world. He was even possible from different era if you're looking at his so called cell phone since the device too odd and futuristic compared to current technology excluded Black Order, just like Bookman had commented once they found out about this. Of course, this revelation had given a profound effect for everyone within Komui's office.
One mystery was solved. Now they had been savvy where that poor young man comes from. In the same time however, others were arise and they more complicated than before.
First, with this unexpected situation, Komui had to took a decision to kept this as a secret to all attendants if they could make it. If this discovery was acknowledged by wrong hand, who knows what's going to happen at Noctis. For one example, he could end up with something much worse than detained by the CROW's if they found out who he was! Second, they decided that he should have a place to stay since there was no way either they or the young man would find the way to go back in short time. Noctis had given a room near hers to be occupied while he stay in here. In fact that room just across from her room.
And that's her problem.
Ellen couldn't sleep because she always found her mind tracking back at him. And it wasn't without a reason, she felt a deep sympathy to him. This discovery had shaken him quite bad. To be lost in a world he didn't know, far away from his family and friends… it must be frightened him. It took a while to calm him down but in the end they did it. Noctis managed to took control of himself, but they saw clearly on his face that he was being upset from the discovery.
He went quiet for the rest of the day as they walked back to their rooms. Both Ellen and Lenalee, even Lavi had tried to engage a conversation with him, but so far his mostly response only a few shakes or nods. Noctis kept like that until he got to his room before he muttered a thank you and good night to them.
Only at that time he was smiling at them, a smile which filled with gratefulness. When she stared into his eyes however, the smile didn't quite reach. His eyes were lost and sad. She sighed then changing her position for the umpteenth times, closing her eyelids.
As the sleep began to overtake her, Ellen idly wondered if he had a good sleep behind that door.
'I wonder if he can sleep well…' Ellen thought sleepily.
Unknown to her, inside of the mentioned room, Noctis also suffered from not being able to sleep. He felt so sleepy and tired from the whole mess from today and all of he wanted just sleep for now.
But after this long, he found it was difficult to close his eyes and let the sleep took over him when normally he could sleep without a problem.
It annoyed him to no end and it made him even more restless after he discovered that he wasn't in his world anymore. The idea that he wasn't in his own dimension had scared him a lot. Not only because of he was all alone in this new world but also because of there was no way to contacting his friends or his father. Although he had an initiative to use his power to contact especially his father, honestly he had no idea on how to use it without the power went out of control like the last time.
He had changed his clothes with the spare clothes consisted with long sleeved shirt and sweatpants. Those were given by Lavi to him since they were in the same height. Currently, he was laid in the bed with blanket over his body and with the frown face he wore since he escorted to this room with Lavi, Ellen, Lenalee, and Link.
And was already more than two half hours ago.
Noctis let out a low grumble from his lips and shifted his body so he got a more comfortable position.
His thought went to the owner of the silvery eyes. It was all starting when he met her inside the dream. And when he confront the bastard inside the Holy Chamber the crystal went out of control and with a way he would never ever understood, it threw him to entirely different...dimension. Noctis stopped his trail of mused. Noctis didn't move a bit as he thought of something. Could it be? Was there something he missed? Wasted no time, Noctis then to replay the whole events he had through recently, tried to look if he missed something. A few minutes later, he became confused.
Wait.
He was dreamed her inside the Holy Chamber, well, not really in inside but the outer part of the chamber but technically, they still within the Holy Chamber, where the Great Crystal was being kept at. And when he tried to fight the blonde bastard, he also inside the chamber not to mention near the said crystal. Then the crystal with its power threw him to this dimension and he met her for real. Was this some kind of coincidence?
But with all of this happened beyond his guess and spending his years as the keeper of the crystal, this couldn't be a mere coincidence. Too many coincidences happened in such short time. Was the Great Crystal tried to show him something in his dream? A glimpse of future? An omen? And what the young woman had to do with this? He growled in frustrate and buried himself deeper to the blanket. This whole facade was so confusing! For the mercy of the goddess, Noctis wasn't as smart as Ignis! He hoped that the morning come quickly! That or he could, he wanted to sleep quickly and forgot the mystery!
It was few hours before dawn that he finally managed to sleep peacefully.
The morning came quietly and rather peacefully that day as sunrays began to shine the land where the Black Order HQ stood. Peoples began to do their activities and our Exorcists not an exception. Ellen and Link were already in their uniform and walked out from their room. Timcanpy was nestled above her head as always. They were about to walk through the hall when Ellen fixed her eyes on Noctis' room. He didn't come out yet. She had a mind to walk there and knocked the door but she doesn't want to disturb him. He could be still sleep or wanted to be alone after yesterday. Link glanced from the corner of his eyes but didn't say anything as he knew that she concerned about the strange young man so he kept waiting her and stood not far from her. She kept stood like that when Lavi greeted them from behind.
"Ellen! Link! Good morning!" Lavi waved cheerfully to them.
"Good morning, Lavi." Ellen smiled.
"Good morning." Link replied shortly.
"Do you sleep well?"
"I am. How about you?" Ellen replied.
"I'm sleeping very well, thanks! By the way, where's Noct?"
Ellen frowned. "Do you mean...Noctis?"
"Yup. That Noctis!"
Ellen glanced at the door before her room. "I think he isn't coming out yet."
"Ellen!" Lenalee suddenly came and hugged the silver haired Exorcist and caused her yelped. "Good morning!"
"Oh! Lenalee, good morning."
"You're so noisy. Can't you be quiet for a moment?" Kanda commented gruffly as he approached the group.
"Morning, Yuu-chan!" Lavi greeted.
"Baka usagi, I've told you so many times that my name is Kanda!" He snapped at the rabbit.
"Ouch, you're so cruel..." Lavi sighed in long suffering manner.
Kanda only growled in response and he struggled to not cut him.
"Hey, Ellen, where's Noctis? Is he isn't woke up yet?" Lenalee released her hugs from Ellen.
"I don't know. Lavi has just asking me too." Ellen shook her head.
"Oh..."
"He's still inside his room, huh?" Lavi scratched his headband. He then snapped his fingers few moments later. "Hey, I know. Why don't you go there and ask him to come for breakfast with us, Ellen?"
"Eh?" Ellen's grey eyes went wide.
"Oh come on, his room is before yours and yet you are not going to check him?"
"Lavi, it isn't like that! I want to but..."
"You're afraid that you'll disturb him, right?" Lenalee said.
Ellen nodded weakly. "Do you think that it's a good choice?"
"Sounds good to me, if you're asking me. He can't be in that room forever." Lavi shrugged. "Besides, who knows when he will be hungry and go out before getting lost?"
Ellen thought for a while. Lavi was right, it will be better if he come with them rather than going alone. And she didn't want him to be lost within this building either.
"...I'll try then." Ellen stated firmly and went to Noctis' room.
She stood before his door and raised her right hand to knock twice. She made sure that the young man heard it as well from his room.
KNOCK KNOCK.
"Yes?" Noctis replied questioningly from the inside.
Ellen sighed in relieved as her fear wasn't happening.
"Noctis, it's me, Ellen. Can you out for a while?"
"Please wait a moment." A hastily replies was coming a second later.
There were some sounds from behind the door for next few seconds before the door clicked opened and revealed Noctis figure. She could smell the scent of a soap faintly coming from him and his hair not dried yet. Ellen also took a note that the young man wore the same clothes from yesterday.
Ellen wondered if he wasn't getting any cold from wore those seemingly thin clothes. She shook that thought out from her mind quickly.
"Good morning." Ellen smiled at him.
Noctis' eyes softened. "Good morning to you all as well."
"You're up early." Ellen opened the chatting.
Noctis' lips curved a bit. "I can't sleep well."
"Oh…" Ellen understood the moment she saw the line of tiredness from his voice. "Um…Noctis, I knew this too sudden but would you like to go out with us?"
"…Huh?" His face went blank. Apparently he got it in wrong way.
Of course the silver haired Exorcist didn't miss it as well.
Ellen waved both of her hands immediately. "NO! It's not just like it heard! It's not a date! Uh, I mean…"
"Che, just hurry up with this already, Moyashi."
"I've told you so many times, my name is Ellen, BaKanda! And I have gotten taller two centimeters!" Ellen snapped at the long haired young man who ignored her.
"You're still as short as ever to me."
"I'm not!"
Confusion euclase eyes were meeting with one green eye. "Err…what are they argue with those 'bean sprout' and… 'stupid Kanda'?"
"Oh? You're understood Japanese?"
'Japanese? Is that what they called in here?' Noctis thought curiously.
"We're also using this language back in our homeland but we called is as Iaponica, not Japanese."
Lavi chuckled. "Ah, so that's what the Japanese are being named in your world. Interesting enough since Iaponica is also meaning Japanese in here. Moyashi is Kanda's insult name for Ellen while BaKanda is Ellen's insult name for him."
"Why he's calling her bean sprout?"
"Kanda is referring to her short height, so as an exchange, she will call him 'BaKanda'."
"…"
"Walker, rather than fighting with Kanda for nonsense thing, must I remind you that you're here to take Caelo with you?" Link pointed out tonelessly.
She then remembered her original purpose on why she stood in front of Noctis room at the first place. And thanks to BaKanda, she almost forgot it, how stupid of her.
"Oh, you're right! Thank you very much, Link." Ellen thanked the Inspector sincerely. "Noctis, do you want to come with us for breakfast?"
"…."
"…"
"EH!?" Noctis eyes went wide as saucer.
"You don't want to?" Ellen guessed with slightly upset.
"N-No! I mean, why you ask me to come with you!? We're strangers practically, besides I don't want to impose you all!" Noctis reasoned abruptly, obviously still flabbergasted.
"Noctis, I understand your discomfort but I can't leave you alone in this place. Are sure you'll be fine if you're going alone and not get lost in the way?"
Ellen was catching the hesitant gesture within him. She also didn't miss the flinch on his face. Ellen didn't stop in there because she wanted to make sure that Noctis see her points.
"That and it's more fun if you're also eat together with us and let you stick with us for temporary until you can remember all the way." She added more.
"Walker has valid points in this. Or do you want to get lost in this place?" Link added his two cents.
"Eh?! But I…" However as if to beat him first, his stomach was letting out a low growl.
Then long and uneasy silence fell around them.
Five pair of eyes starred at him with various looks. Ellen blinked slowly as her platina eyes kept focusing at Noctis. At that very moment, Noctis blushed from shame and quickly ducked his head to avoid their stares. Ellen couldn't help but think that he was better in this way then all those gloomy face he wore since yesterday. Ellen unconsciously smiled at this thought.
"Err…on a second thought,...I think I will come with you." Noctis scratched his back head awkwardly.
"Oh...Oh! That's great!" Lenalee clapped her hands joyfully.
"Yes!" Lavi beamed while Kanda simply turned his head to stare at another direction.
"Che."
Ellen then saw from the corner of her eyes that Noctis' left eye twitched violently at this attitude. At first she worried that the young man will go mad and snapped at the dark haired young man. To her relief it went gone quickly from Noctis' face as he rolled his eyes and ignored the long haired young man. Speaking about which, Ellen just noticed that Kanda's behavior was went back to his usual stoic and snappish. Now he acted like nothing had happened after his little confront with Noctis yesterday. Although she didn't want to admit it, Ellen more or less was relieved. Noctis quiet voice then brought her back from her thought.
"Does he always like this?"
"Yuu-chan perhaps had this attitude which often scare people but he will not bite you!~!" Lavi sing sang playfully.
"…Yuu-chan?"
Before Noctis can say anything else, faster than their eyes could catch, Kanda unsheathed Mugen and pointed it dangerously at Lavi. He was very displeasured and he snarled in venom and threateningly at his red haired friend. A dark aura slowly surrounded the stoic samurai. And its presence continues to increase. Lavi chuckled nervously as he felt the coldness of Mugen pressed on his neck and at the dark aura which Kanda released.
"I've told you over and over again to not to call me that, Baka Usagi! Do you have a death wish!?"
"Aw, come on. Why can't I call you Yuu-chan? We're best friends, right? Besides its simpler and a nice nickname."
That does it. A vein appeared on Kanda's head and the next thing they knew, Kanda was going to slash Lavi with Mugen.
"DIE...!"
"GYAAAAA…..!" Lavi dodged the sword and escaped from Kanda's first attempt but soon both he and the now angry samurai involved in heated battle.
Noctis watched the whole event with disbelieve. He wondered if persons like this were existed and lived in his world.
"...Is this…normal?" he said to no one.
The green haired young woman smiled weakly at the black prince.
"They've always like this since back there. Don't worry about the two of them. Although Kanda always said death threat to Lavi, he's never really intended to kill him until now." Lenalee reply in reassuringly.
"He seemed to be in displeasure when Lavi called him Yuu-chan."
"He's preferred to call as Kanda-san or just Kanda but Lavi keep calling him that nickname." Lenalee explained.
At this point Lavi somehow reminded Noctis with his certain blonde friend. And he shuddered at the thought.
"I don't really understand him." Ellen huffed, still annoyed from earlier event. "He kept calling me Moyashi and he didn't even care when I'm angry, but when Lavi called him that nickname, he will be angry immediately and after him with Mugen, his sword."
"I think we should go now. There are many things we have to do today and we clearly don't have much time. Get them over already." Link reminded flatly.
"Uhm..., right." Noctis reply unsurely.
After they successfully separated the Lavi from the angry Kanda and waited him to calm down which took a while, they were hurriedly going to the cafeteria as the sun went higher. As they entered the cafeteria, they were greeted by the sight of many people sat on long chair and long table. Some of them wore lab coat, others wore uniform like Ellen and her friends, and the rest wore white coat with hood, most of them ate their appetite and chat rather loudly. The smell of various foods oozed around the massive room.
"There are...so many people." Noctis muttered in frowned.
Ellen blinked at the tone he was using. She became a bit puzzled at the rather odd reaction which Noctis had showed.
"Are you not accustomed to eat together in cafeteria?" She asked in which Noctis shook his head immediately as the response.
"No, it's nothing like that. I have coming few times to the cafeteria with my friends, but it's never this much...crowded."
The silver eyed Exorcist then downed with acknowledge as she catch his source of uncomfortable. Lavi seemed to acknowledge this as well.
"Nah, there's nothing to worry about. It's always like this when it's breakfast time. It's maybe a little crowded but believe me, you'll like this place. Now come on, we're going to order food from Jerry." Lavi said and started walked.
"Jerry?"
"He's the chef in the cafeteria. He can cook any food you want. You'll like him, trust me! He's a very nice person." Ellen beamed.
Ellen approached him from behind and gave him a half pushed to walk to the counter, as they were being followed by the others. Once they arrive, with Ellen was the most front with Noctis in front of the counter, a man with sunglasses, purple pinkish hair with cornrows style, and dark skin came from the inside and greeted them cheerfully.
"Good morning, Ellen, Link! How are you?"
Ellen smiled brightly. "Good morning too, Jerry. I'm fine, thank you."
"Morning." Link simply replied.
The eyes behind the sunglasses then rolled at the new figure stood beside the snow white haired young woman. The dark skin man smiled warmly. "Ah, I see you bring a new face in here. May I know who he is?"
"Sure! Jerry, this is Noctis. Noctis, this is our chef, Jerry."
"Hello, it's nice too meet you." Noctis nodded hastily and politely.
"My, a polite young man you are! What is your order?"
"Errr...Shrimp pasta?"
"Right away! And your order?"
"Cheese cake, please." Link answered.
"I want..." And Ellen listed all of her food and to tell you, the amount of the food she ordered was abnormal for a young woman with small figure like her and Noctis who heard it couldn't help but looked at her incredulously and mouth gaped.
Once Ellen finished her list and found Noctis in the current state, she blushed madly and chuckled nervously at the still gaped Noctis.
"I'm apologized that you have to see this, but you see, I have a large appetite. I've been like this since little."
Timcanpy opened his mouth and showed his sharp teeth as if he wanted to agree.
"I...see..." Noctis nodded unsurely what to do.
Kanda snorted. "Che. Moyashi."
A vein appeared in the silver haired Exorcist.
"My name is Ellen!"
After they ordered and waiting for a moment, each one of them got their own food and moved to a long table which still unoccupied yet. When they just sat and about the eat however, that's when an all too familiar voice greeted them from behind.
"Ellen!"
The young woman turned her head around before she smiled brightly at who just walked toward them. He was a boy with thick glasses and wore one ponytail. He wore white lab coat indicated that at least he was a scientist. He smiled at Ellen as the boy waved his hand at her.
"Johnny! Good morning!" She greeted them.
"Morning, Ellen. Do you just got here by now?" Johnny asked cheerfully.
"Yes. We're about to eat when you're come. By the way..." Ellen looked around. "Where's Jiji?"
"Jiji is already gone from few days ago for a mission to check something."
"I see. That's too bad."
"If you're here...then your work had already finished then?" Lenalee tilted her green haired head.
"Errr...something like that." Johnny smiled sheepishly. "It took us quite a while but it had been done."
"Oh..."
Johnny then noticed there was someone sat beside Link. Johnny then look closer at the sky blue eyed young man. He didn't recognize the young man with the strange clothes and chicken butt like hair style.
"Hm? Ellen, Lenalee, who is this?" the ponytail boy pointed at Noctis.
"Him? Ah, he's some kind of guest. He'll stay in here for a while." Lenalee answered for Ellen. "Noctis, this is Johnny from Science section."
Noctis bowed a little to show respect. "Hello. My name is Noctis. It's nice too see you."
"It's nice too see you to! We're happy to see new face in here." Johnny replied with a big smile plastered on his face.
"Johnny, do you want to join us in breakfast?" Ellen asked gently. She really hoped that he would be joined them.
"Of course I want, besides I have some stories to tell you."
"Really?" Ellen looked curious.
"Yes." Johnny nodded eargerly.
"Speaking about story...what's his story?" Johnny asked Noctis with wide grin.
The breakfast was nice to Ellen's delightful. Different from her first impression about Noctis was being a quiet person, he actually a nice and good listener. He listened on their conversation with some interest on his face and every time she and her friends, mostly Johnny and Lenalee, asked him a question, he would answer it for them even though he just gave some of short replies. Johnny liked him immediately since Noctis nice although he doesn't talked much. The breakfast time became merrier and more fun than the silver haired young woman had guessed.
They even managed to get him cheer up a bit. To saw that moment, Ellen was glad that the young man seemed to forget his stress for now. He already looked stressed enough to find out that he wasn't in his home anymore. Ellen herself wasn't sure if she could handle the same problem. After they finished the breakfast and parted from Johnny, somehow Lavi managed to pull the poor Lucis before he could say any protest to the red haired young man with them into the exercise ground. When Noctis saw the ground for the first time, he was impressed none less. Since Noctis and Link weren't an Exorcist, they only watch them from the side of the exercise ground while the Exorcists began to sparing.
Ellen was sparing with Lavi while Lenalee with Kanda. And soon after they started, Noctis watched them with calculation and interest.
"Is this what you're doing every morning? Sparing?" Noctis tilted his head a bit as he watched Lavi and Ellen gave their counterattacks in the middle of their spar.
"Yup. It's kind of fun! Wanna try it, Noct?" Lavi invited with big grin plastered on his face.
It earned a gape from the prince of Lucis. Link glanced from the corner of his eyes with calculation and slight interest. As fast as it comes, the older young man then closed his mouth. Noctis looked awkward at the sudden invite. He didn't expect to be invited soon. Actually, it was nice idea to him to do a spar with them but the problem is he only knew them for a short time and he still felt uncomfortable to stay together.
"Maybe next times. Thank you for the invite, though." Noctis frowned a second later when he realized something else. "And my name is Noctis, not Noct."
"Aaww. But Noctis is too long. Can't I just call you with Noct?" Lavi half whined, dodged Ellen's punch and somersault kick.
Noctis resisted the urge to roll his eyes when the rabbit called him by his nickname. The red haired young man did have a similarity with Prompto. Both of them loved to chat whenever they could. And don't ever start from the cheerful attitude.
"Then get along with it. No offense to you, but only my father and those who close to me who call me with nickname Noct. I'm not feeling comfortable enough when a person I barely know call me with my nickname."
Lavi stopped on his track. "Huh? Why it's come like that?"
"Lavi, it's something about privacy and I rather- LAVI, LOOK OUT!"
"Huh?"
KAPOOOW!
At the alarmed tone which Noctis used, Lavi focused back at Ellen and their sparing. The green eyed young man did it in time. Too late for him unfortunately, he felt Ellen's left fist make a contact with his body with extraordinary strength and caused him to throw back at least good three feet from his previous spot before he kneeled down. Lavi let out a soft groan from his lips. D*mn, he completely forgot that he was in the middle of sparing with Ellen. Granted this was just a sparing, not a battleground! His whole body hurt a lot!
At this, Lavi really reconsidered to listen at Bookman13 more seriously about his 13bad habit. Bu$ really, it can't be blamed because Noctis statement had got his curiosity more so than the sparing.
Ellen stood in there with widened eyes, stunned before she snapped back to the reality13and overwhelmed by guilt and shame, Ellen rushed to him. Kanda and Lenalee stopped their own sparing to look at their red haired friend who got hit accidentally by her. Link blinked in unreadable emotion but he broke it as he sighed in long suffering way. Noctis reaction was not better from Ellen. He did saw Ellen about to throw her punch at Lavi while the eye patch guy kind of focused at him. It would do no good at the red hair.
Noctis who saw this quickly warned him and the next thing he knew, he heard the hard sound of the punch connected with the flesh of the body and saw something blur threw away, followed by a loud thud. By the time he saw Lavi's body laid on the floor and clutched his stomach, Noctis figured it out rather easily. He winched at how Lavi held his stomach.
'That looked hurt.' Noctis thought as he along with Link approached Lavi and Ellen who now kneeled aside him. Her face showed guilty and her silver eyes darkened. She repeated her apologized over and over again.
"Oh my God, Lavi! I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry! Are you alright...!?"
"I'm –ouch- pretty much fine, relax. My body is hurt but that's all, nothing too serious."
"I'm sorry." Ellen ducked her head.
"Hey, no need to apologize. I have no injury, see?"
Kanda scoffed at Lavi's reply. "Baka. Why you didn't use your Innocence to block Moyashi's attack?"
"My name is Ellen, not Moyashi!" Ellen glared at the samurai.
"Uh…I kind of forgot?"
Kanda right eye twitched violently. He resisted the urge to punch Lavi's head. He suddenly understood Bookman's feeling a bit about how teach Lavi while he didn't do anything stupid. Well, just a bit. That didn't stop him from scolded the red haired young man of course.
"If this a battle, you're already died by those Akuma if not by the Noah Clan first, you moron. Be more aware and use your brain next time you're sparing!" Kanda roared.
"Kanda, you don't have to say that." Lenalee reminded him, almost in scolded tone.
"Hey, I said it's okay. I have no injury, there's nothing to worry about. And Ellen, don't blame yourself, it was my fault too, you know." Lavi tried to arbitrate them when from the corner of his eye, Noctis bent down with that look of calculation and concern.
"Can you stand up?" Noctis gestured his hand at Lavi.
Lavi lifted his head at Noctis direction then back at his stretched hand before he grinned widely and took the offered hand.
"Thanks." He thanked as he stood up and dust some dust from his clothes. Noctis mumbled a welcome as a reply.
"Next time, you should concentrate more in your spar, Bookman Junior. What he will say if he saw this?" Link commented flatly.
Lavi cringed at the mention of Bookman. "Don't remind me..."
"Actually, that's one impressive sparing you have in there. Both of you are good in combat." Noctis praised sincerely.
Ellen's pink lips curved into a small smiled. "Thank you very much. It was nothing comparing to what we've been through in the battle. Our enemy, the Akuma is anything but normal and quite hard to kill so we have to work hard to defeat them."
"Speaking about Akuma, there's no movement from Millennium Earl lately. I wonder what he's up to." Lavi stated idly.
Noctis interest was perked up. He would be lying to himself if he didn't intrigue at this. They were using those terms again. What's with the man or at least someone named as 'Millennium Earl' and a clan namely as 'The Noah'? Noctis also recalled that Mr. Lee –if he remembered correctly- mentioned about them being a main enemy of the Black Order. Were they really that dangerous? Noctis narrowed his euclase eyes.
He didn't like this to say.
So many things the Lucis prince didn't know in this place, or more precisely in this world. It made him felt so vulnerable and easy to manipulate. Noctis realized very much that he needs to learn about this place and things around sooner or later. The young man decided this was the right time to learning things as much as he could. At first he wanted to ask Link who stood not far from him but then Noctis had to passed it as he didn't know the blonde except for his name and his job. So his choice fell to Ellen and her friends.
"Ellen? May I ask you something?"
"...? Sure, go ahead!" Ellen replied.
Noctis silently admired her and her friends. They were good in combat. As much as he wanted to participate with them, he had some questions to answer.
"Ellen," he began in steady tone which earned their attention. "I knew I'm an outsider but if you're feeling condescend, can you please tell me more about them?"
Ellen had her beautiful mercury colored eyes starred at him with surprise. Link glanced at him with slightly wide eyes. Lenalee, Lavi, and Kanda did the similar thing with the petite young woman although Kanda and Lavi did a better job at hiding their expression. Ellen and Lenalee meanwhile didn't bother to hide their surprise on Noctis' question.
"Noctis, why you want to know about it? You had nothing to do with this." Ellen asked in baffled.
"She's had a point. You're just threw to this place coincidentally and lost in circumstance. Also, it's only the Black Order members who required to acknowledge this and you're not even a member." Lavi pointed it out.
"Is there a reason why you want to know so much about these?" Link leveled his cautious reddish brown eyes to the older young man.
Noctis looked thoughtful for a moment.
"I want to know further about this Earl and his so called army as Akuma since I know nothing about them except they are your main enemy from what I gathered. What I mean is I do know nothing about this place at the first place. Of course I'm can't go back temporary and I have to stay but how long? Moreover having no knowledge about this world kind of made me felt so vulnerable to all kind of threats." Noctis sighed heavily when he said vulnerable.
No one said anything yet so he kept continued. "If that happened...I will be easy to be manipulated by someone who had bad intention. I don't know who are they, either their face or their skill but they do know who I am. See my point in here?"
"I guess I can understand it. Should I'm in the same situation, I'll do the same thing."
Lavi hummed as a response. "Actually it's kind of make sense to me, if not a reasonable one. Then?" He gestured him to continued.
"I want to know if you can tell me more about who else that were become your enemies. If you don't mind it." Noctis replied honestly. "And..."
Ellen blinked rapidly at Noctis' unsure gesture. She had often seen that gesture too well so far as she traveled to many places and met various people. Something was bothering him and yet he seemed hesitant to tell them.
Kanda who stay quiet and listened to the conversation was narrowed his sharp dark blue eyes in suspicion. The samurai then asked in stern tone. "And what?"
Noctis finally gave up and shook his head in dismissal. "Never mind. I'm just considering a theory but I think it is way too impossible."
"Really, Noct?" Lavi raised his visible eyebrow.
Noctis twitched in slightly annoyance at the given nickname. "Really, Lavi and my name is Noctis. I've told you it's making me uneasy when someone I just knew recently suddenly calls me that."
"Awww, you're not fun at all."
"Aren't you just making it up?" Kanda questioned him daggerly.
"Do you think I will ask just for fun?" Noctis asked back blandly. "I'm not in my home anymore and it will be natural for me to ask many things in this world. Imagine if I'm accusing you all a group of liars at the first place after you showed me your world map while in fact this is indeed your world."
"...Che." As much as Kanda didn't like it, he had a point.
"Hmm…I guess it wouldn't hurt to tell you some of things since you're pretty much clueless. Well, first thing firsts. What do you know about Innocence?"
"No, I have no idea about Innocence and I'm aware you're not talking about someone's purity."
"Alright, let me explain it from the basic one then. Innocence is the name of unique weapons we Exorcist use to fight Akuma. They are made by race that lived long before us and also fought the Akuma as well. There are lot amounts of Innocence, around more than hundred if I'm not wrong. Innocence is divided into three types. There are…"
Soon after that, they all sank into a deep conversation about the current war between the Black Order and Millennium Earl for years. Lavi mostly was the one who explained things which Noctis needed to acknowledge. Sometimes Lenalee and Ellen added in here and there. They even showed him each one of their Innocence as they explained their types. Just like those who saw the Innocence for the first time, he was also surprised to hear it from them, especially at Ellen's parasitic arm. It was kind of funny when Noctis told them that he thought it was just only a tattoo which he found it weird but didn't say anything none less.
Apparently tattoo was pretty common in his world and they had various and even odd styles. He wasn't expecting the black color and the arrow like tattoos on her left arm to be real. That would explain why Noctis didn't look freak out when Ellen and the other Exorcists remove their top of uniforms before they started to spar. Ellen and her friends found that his reaction was a bit amusing. Actually it was a pretty normal reaction to the petite young woman.
But there was something within his eyes when she mentioned that her Innocence need a lot of energy to function it and it comes from her very own energy so therefore, she needed to eat good amounts of food to get the energy. He showed a deep understanding within his ethereal sky blue eyes but in the same time she also detected sadness in there. She almost thought that the sadness was being pointed at her however she immediately found out that there's more than that. The way he looked at her arm was as if it reminded him of something...he had been familiar with and it brought unpleasant if not hurtful memory to him.
She wondered what kind of memory that drove him sad like that.
The conservation went long enough, so instead of doing spare, they ended up talking and chatting, or in this matter, to teach Noctis more about this world. Kanda was not pleased and Link just eyed them from afar but they didn't complain in the end as they're also listened to the conversation. While the short black haired young man listened to them, Ellen must faced the fact that despise Noctis may had a power or skill to survive, he indeed clueless about this world and therefore he hadn't any idea how to living in this place.
Ellen determined to help him to recognize more about this place. She understood that some of things were so different in Noctis' eyes, and certainly he would need his time. Just like now, when she watched his reaction when he was told on how an Akuma was being created. The euclase eyed young man expression still same but he unconsciously clenched hard his fist. A moment later, his euclase eyes starred hardly at the floor. The rest were watching carefully at the event.
"That's horrible thing to hear." Noctis admitted quietly. "I felt sorry for them."
"It is." Ellen nodded solemnly and clutched her left arm. "So far as we know, the only thing which can kill the Akuma is the Innocence. Without the Innocence, it's nearly impossible to kill them. So aside from exterminate the Akuma, we're also have to search the fragments of Innocence since most of it scatter around the world."
"They're scatter all around the world?"
"Yes, for some reason. We have to make sure the Noah or the Akuma didn't get their hands first and destroy it, or else can happening." Lenalee added.
"I'm pretty much remembered Mr. Lee mentioned this Noah clan at yesterday together with The Earl and the Akuma. What or who exactly they are?"
"The Noah Clan you said?" Lavi hummed in thoughtful. "Well, they're…"
"Noctis Caelo?"
A hesitant voice had got stopped their conversation and made them to turned around and to a certain direction where a man stood and looked like he didn't know what he should do. Ellen took a notice that the man was wearing a same lab coat with Johnny and Jiji so he must be from the same science division and since she just met with the man, she guessed that the man must be the new member.
"Yes, I am."
"Chief Officer Lee is waiting for you. And there's…someone who wanted to meet you as well."
Ellen saw that the oldest young man frowned at the reply. Ellen herself was wondering who is wanted to meet him as Noctis technically…you know. Moreover the man's uneasiness somehow disturbed her. Ellen pretty sure the others noticed it as well. One thing she believed, it was certainly not a good sign. So she acted cautious on whatever the man will tell.
"Who is it?" Noctis asked tonelessly.
"It's...Special Inspector Levellier. He wanted to ask you few things."
Ellen couldn't stop to widen her eyes at that name. Lenalee was gave a silent gasp while Lavi change too quiet and Kanda had this sharp look on his face, at last but not least, Link was giving no meaningful reaction at all as he just stared at the group. Ellen fisted her left hand hardly. That man again! What were he doing and what is he planning this time!? Moreover he wanted to meet Noctis! And the horrified thought was more than enough to made Ellen worry over the euclase eyed young man's safety. Ellen stole a glance to Noctis who stay deadly silent. He wore that mask again, the mask that showed no emotions and eyes now as cold as ice. His stance went stern but still has that gracefulness just like when she met him on the dream.
That was an odd reaction if you're ask, a very odd one in fact. Usually, people often would showed a worry, anxious, or scared expression when out of nothing someone want to meet you and he was an Inspector.
But Noctis…
He was acting as if it was the most normal thing to do, as simple as when your grandmother called you. No, more like he already deal with this kind of situation and he knew how to handle it.
"Fine. I'll go there, alone. Please lead me the way."
"Noctis?" Ellen called him with anxious expression.
"Yes?"
"Are you sure you're going alone and meet him?"
"…I have to. He only asked for my attendance, not all of you. Besides, I don't want to interrupt your sparring season further, not after Lavi's incident."
"HEY!" Lavi protested.
"Are you not going to change your mind? We can accompany you..."
"Ellen, thank you for your kindness but I'm still on my decision."
Ellen wanted to protested but shut her mouth. It seems it useless to change his decision now. Not when he was in deadly serious like that. She was curious a bit if his real nature was hardheaded or stubborn. To think of it, Noctis kind of reminded with herself since she also stubborn.
"Fine. We will wait you until you're come back. Just be careful and try not to get lost when get back." Ellen huffed before smiling softly.
"I'll make it quick as soon as possible then." Noctis nodded.
"Noctis," Lenalee called him. "Can you come here for a moment?" her voice just above whisper.
Noctis blinked few times at the green haired young woman before he did approach Lenalee and stopped before her. Lenalee then motioned him to lean his ear. He hadn't any idea on what Lenalee was planning to but he still did what she ordered to. Once he leaned his left ear, she immediately whispered to Noctis. Her voice filled with cautious and worry.
"Noctis, I don't know what he want from you but beware of him. He's a dangerous man more or less and since he held power, everyone can't against him not even my brother."
Hearing this information, Noctis face darkened quickly. Another crazy man who used his power to people below him and dangerous none less. Great. Just great. This man now reminded him of his arc enemy. Were people like these would exist in every world?
'You've got to be kidding me...' Noctis mentally groaned.
He wasn't a political man! That title belonged to Ignis, Calvin, his father's subordinate, and his father, not him for sure!
From all people, why him who had this much of bad luck related with those kinds of…! Noctis sighed harshly. It would be useless if he fumed now, not when they appeared to be worry over his safety. He had no choice but to face the man and if necessary, avoid him with all cost. It really didn't help at all but there was no time to whine or complain, in the end he decided to push it all and kept this to himself.
"I will."
And with that Noctis left them and followed the white coat man further to the hallway as the Exorcists, especially Ellen Walker watched his figure walked away from the view until they couldn't see him again.
After that, Ellen didn't had a chance to meet Noctis again as she was soon being drowned within her own busyness after finished her spar and went apart with her friends for the rest of the day. Somehow her duties were more than yesterday and she had to struggle to complete all of it. It was at the time of dinner she finally free from her duties and after took a soothing bath and getting dressed; Ellen strolled to the cafeteria with Link on her tail. The white haired Exorcist and the blonde Inspector ordered their foods at Jerry as usual before they walked to their usual desk to found Lenalee and Kanda already began to eat their own food. Lavi was nowhere to be seeing. Ellen felt a little curious since the red haired young man often went dinner with them.
"Ellen!" Lenalee waved her hand from where she sat.
"Lenalee, where's Lavi just now?" Ellen asked as soon as she sat beside the purple eyes young woman.
"He went with Bookman after we're finished the spar and apart this noon."
"That's too bad…" Ellen commented as she turned her head around to search one certain person.
Ellen was a bit disappointed when she still didn't catch a glimpse of the figure she had been waiting. Lenalee chuckled in amusement as she saw Ellen's demeanor.
"I guess the meeting is longer than we've expected to."
Ellen only nodded weakly. "It has been half a day and he isn't coming yet."
Kanda chewed his soba calmly. "Che. Not a surprising thing since he's with Komui and that Levellier. Nothing will be brief when it's about Central."
Ellen grimaced at the tone which Kanda was using. She pretty certain Komui wouldn't let Levellier go near the young man but the thought about Levellier had made her feeling concern. Lenalee saw this as a chance to tease the petite young woman, was grinning teasingly.
"Oh? What's this? You only know each other for a short time yet you're so worry about him?" Lenalee teased. "I'm smell something in here~!"
Ellen flushed deeply as a response. Her cheeks now colored as red as boiled crab. Kanda rolled his eyes while Link stilled and ate his cake.
"Why you're talking like that, Lenalee!? We aren't even having any relationship!" she retorted.
"Then why you try to looking for Noctis when you have any chance?"
Ellen was about to retort again when a voice she grew familiar echoed from behind her with confusion.
"Why would Ellen is looking for me?"
Ellen almost jumped and she turned her silver head around to found Noctis was staring at her with quizzically. Beside him was Johnny and both of them had a trail of food. Ellen flushed badly.
"N-Noctis! When did you get here!?"
"I'm just arriving here with Johnny. I'm with him for the rest of the afternoon after finished the problem with…Special Inspector Levellier and Komui." Noctis tone sounded being forced when he was mentioning Levellier's title.
Ellen raised her eyebrow in intrigued but she decided to brush it for now. "You're with them for all afternoon? Then why you aren't coming earlier?"
"Komui is want us to make something for Noctis and we need him to stay with us for a while." Johnny explained for Noctis.
"Brother does it?" Lenalee surprised to hear it.
"He had asked me to made one or two pieces of clothes for him." Johnny replied. "Don't worry, Noctis! I'll try as much as I can to make the best!"
Ellen downed with realization.
'So that's why we didn't see him of all noon.' Ellen thought.
"Thank you very much. I'm sorry for troubling you." Noctis shifted uncomfortable.
"No problem. I'm glad that I can help you." Johnny said in dismissal. "By the way, Ellen, Kanda, you're called to Chief's office after the dinner. There's a new mission for you."
"Thank you for your information." Ellen nodded as she smiled softly.
"So you're going..." Noctis commented in acknowledge.
"I am." Ellen then apologized to him. "I'm sorry that I have to leave you after dinner. I can't go back with you."
"If you're referring to the direction of my room, I think I can manage it." Noctis answered a bit hesitant.
"You can't." Ellen cut hurriedly. "I've told that this building have a complicated structure in inside. You can easily get lost if you're not careful."
"How about he's come with me? My room isn't too far from your and Ellen's in fact." Lenalee offered.
"Is it alright for you? I can go alone if you want to..."
"It's such a non sense. I'm more than happy to accompany you." Lenalee insisted.
Noctis scratched his head side in defeated. "If you're insisted, then..."
"Good!" Lenalee smiled in victory. "Shall we eat then?"
Ellen glanced at the young man guiltily since she will be away for mission and she didn't like the idea for leaving Noctis in here. However she was very much aware that it wasn't Noctis place to be in here since the beginning. Ellen didn't want to involve him into this war. He was a stranger in this world and deserved to lived normal and away from war.
Noctis eyes then met hers; he blinked few times when he saw the look and tilted his head a bit.
"Is something wrong?"
Ellen hurriedly shook her head. "No, everything is fine."
"Everything is fine, really." She repeated and smiled reassuringly though it didn't reach her eyes.
The mission Ellen received was turn out to investigating some strange occurrences which had a possibility to do with Innocence. She wouldn't be alone as she would go with Kanda and Marie, with Link as an extra. They would begin for the next few days and they had much to prepare. So Ellen spent the next days between her duties and spent her time with her friends as much as she could, especially with Noctis. She had even brought him to the library and introducing him to the other researchers like Reever and Cash. In such a short time, Noctis became a new victim for Lavi since the red haired young man always annoy him with Lavi's nickname.
It annoyed the older young man but in the end he gave up and let Lavi called him with 'Noct'. He seemed quite happy for together with the Exorcists although he still acted uncomfortable when he among many peoples. It made Ellen more than happy none less. The day then came as they stood in a hall and waiting for the Gate to open. Ellen kept her head down a bit to hide her face from anyone. Timcanpy in her hugs, his non existed eyes stared with concern at his master. Ellen smiled at the golden golem and patted it gently.
"It's alright, Tim. I'm fine." Ellen said.
She was a little unsure to be honest. This morning, when she was about to walked from her room, Ellen took a glance at Noctis' room. Ellen had a mind to say goodbye and see you soon to him but she found her throat was dry and she couldn't even took a step to knock the door. Not only him but also Lenalee and Lavi. Ellen found herself so pathetic. What kind of friend who wasn't even say goodbye to her friend? Ellen felt sad because of this. The silvered haired Exorcist had started to see Noctis as a good company and yet she has to go on mission. Moreover they had to go early and she couldn't get a breakfast in here, in which she was beginning to get hungry as well. She didn't like when this was happening since it means she wouldn't has much energy to battle Akuma. Hopefully they would get some breakfast once they arrived in their destination.
Unknown to her, someone just entered the hall and strolled down to the Exorcists direction. Ellen wasn't seeing the newcomer since she stood with her back facing this person.
Timcanpy which saw the newcomer however, recognized who the newcomer and struggled from Ellen's clutches to fly above her head, so did Kanda, Marie, and Link.
Ellen startled by the golem's act, not fully realized who was coming to her. "Tim? What's wrong?"
"Ellen." Suddenly, a voice called from her left. And Ellen almost got chocked when she realized how familiar that voice was.
Imagined how surprised she was when she lifted her head to found Noctis had already stood before her. What made her even more surprised was the clothes he wearing just now. They terrifyingly similar with the one the euclase eyed young man wore in her dream. The trench coat, the gloves, everything. The only differences she could tell were the dark and high collar shirt he wore behind black his trench coat and the thin necklace with a ring on it which circled his neck. To say shortly, he was...so handsome.
"N-Noctis?" Ellen blinked in surprised. She couldn't help but her cheeks tinted with faint red when she noticed how close he was to her discomfort. "What's with those clothes? What are you..."
As if able to read her mind, Noctis answered, "Johnny made these for me. I can't walk in the beginning of winter with my normal clothes if I want to come with you, right?"
"...Eh?"
"I'm decided that I'm stick with you from now." At the blank look she was giving to him, he added more. "I know what you're thinking but I can't stay in my room forever, I want to see more about your world until I find a way to go back."
Ellen blinked at him few times. She didn't miss the others surprised reactions as well. Ellen's silver eyes glanced at the young man in wide eyes.
"You want to come with me?" Ellen asked in disbelieve.
Noctis nodded slightly. "Actually it was Komui that asked me if I want to go with you."
"Why did you do it?" Ellen mind jumped in everywhere. "You can stay with Lenalee and Lavi, you can talk and discuss with them or Bookman or chatting with Johnny and Jiji, and you don't have to risk yourself! This is a mission, there will be so much risks, you'll get into a trouble if..."
Noctis lifted his right hand to stop Ellen's abruptly rant. "I already know the risk already and no, I will not get into a trouble for coming with you. Besides I need to get away from that Levellier." He said this part quietly.
Marie was about to talk with Ellen when he heard a pair of quiet yet steady steps was coming and beat him approached her in no time. Then he heard the voice of the owner of those steps talked to her. It was a young man judged from the deep of the voice. He frowned when he listened to Ellen's and this young man's voice because he was practically blind. From the way they talked, it was obvious that they knew each other, while in the same time Marie quite sure that he didn't meet him from before since he wasn't familiar with the young man's voice. Was he a new Exorcist? Feeling curious, Marie went to ask Kanda who stood not far from him.
"Kanda, who is he?"
"He's our guest of some sort." Kanda gave a short reply.
Guest? Well that's new to the bald man since the Black Order rarely had any guests or visitors.
"I see. It's quite rare to see a guest or a visitor in here. What's his name then?"
"...Why don't you ask it to him by yourself once he has done talk to moyashi? I'm sure he'll gladly to introduce himself."
Ellen looked at him as if he growing extra heads. "Huh?"
"I kind of made him displeasured yesterday, very if you might add." Noctis said solemnly. This got Ellen's attention immediately.
"Really? How?" Ellen muttered in disbelieve.
Noctis eyed at the Link's direction warily and guiltily before he whispered to her. "Please don't tell Link that I did something that maybe humiliated his supervisor. That's why Komui said it's better for me to stay away from him from now."
Ellen sweat dropped. Did she just hear it correctly? "You humiliated him? How?"
"You don't want to know." Noctis shook his head gravely. "I'm also still can't believe myself that I'm able to humiliated him."
"Is that why you're coming here and coming with us? But..."
"Ellen." Noctis called her sternly.
Ellen closed her mouth at the sight of his now stern voice and he got that serious looking. Her heart began to beat faster in anticipation, wondered at what he wanted to say.
"Please just leave it already." His tone went softer yet it signaled to Ellen that it was the end of the argument.
Ellen slightly flinched at the tone which he was using but it didn't stop her for being so grateful to him.
"Are you sure you want to come with…us?"
"I will not be in here if I don't want to. Oh and here." He gave her a lunch box.
Ellen eyed the box with surprised. It was big enough and covered with linen. Since when he brought it with him? But again Ellen just not acknowledged it as she was too preoccupied with the young man came here. She accepted it and she could smelled the scent of the sandwiches faintly from the inside the box. "This is..."
"I'm gone to Jerry earlier and ask him to make us some sandwiches since Komui told me that you'll go very early today and therefore you must be not eating this morning."
"Eh? But I..." As if to agree with Noctis guess, her stomach grumbled hard enough to be hearing by Kanda, Marie, and Link who stood few feet from the two of them. Ellen blushed in deep embarrassment as Noctis tried hard to not laugh but avail as few snickers out from his mouth.
"I-I...Uhm-T-Thank you very much..." Ellen stuttered as she clutched the box with shame.
"See what I mean?" Noctis said. "And one more thing. Lavi and Lenalee had been in there when I came."
The blushes gone from her face and was being replaced by stunned. "You meet them in there this morning?"
Noctis nodded. "They said to you be careful."
She stunned to say at least at first then she felt...a great flow of happiness and relief somehow. Ellen was quite in stress mode lately and the young woman really needed a cheer up as Levellier ordered the other Exorcists to not talk to her. It only served her more frustrate. But to her surprise –and delight- Noctis came and even further, he gave her some foods and decided to stay with her for temporary. Ellen's heart was being lightened at this simple act. And that's why she grateful to him. Grey meeting sky blue once more and her beautiful pink lips curved into a simple and sweet smile.
"Thank you." Ellen said softly and sincerely. "For coming with us and accompanying us."
Noctis smiled a bit. He liked her better this way and he glad he could make her smiled even just for a moment. To tell the truth, watching her like this had saddened him. Another reason on why he didn't like this Levellier person. The black haired prince then shook his chocobo haired in dismissal manner.
"I just did what I must do."
"That's why I'm thanking you."
Timcanpy which had flied since then besides the silver haired young woman, finally decided to take a nap and instead went to Ellen's head, he landed on Noctis head without warning and nearly caused the startled young man jumped a bit. Ellen was surprised a bit upon seeing this.
"Huh? What..." Noctis tried to glance to above his head but avail.
Ellen did a chuckle. "I guess Timcanpy is already taken like of you. He's only did that when he found someone he can trust and already being familiar with and to tell you, they're few."
"Oh..."
Ellen then felt familiar sensation when the Gate was ready to open any time. "The Gate is ready. Let's go."
"Alright."Noctis followed her approached Link, Kanda, and Marie.
Marie who witnessed the entire chat wasn't hiding his curiosity.
"Ellen, I see you have familiar with this young man." The bald man smiled warmly yet intrigued. "May I know who is he?"
"Sure." Ellen nodded. "He's Noctis Caelo, he will come with us for some reason. Noctis, this is Noise Marie, one of our Generals and fellow Exorcist."
And that's the end of this chapter, dear readers. :D I'm almost can't believe my eyes when I saw how many I typed this. I mean, seriously, more than 10,000 words!? That's a new record for this story! And yay, we're enter the Phantom Theft G Arc at last! It took me forever –a month at least- to write this chapter and it's finally finished. I thank for your patience! I love you all! XD Some of you must be wondered why Kanda changed his attitude a bit toward Noctis.
Well, I have many reasons to make it like this but in case you're want to know, have you ever thought that Kanda and Noctis had a similar past in a way? Both of them experienced death –Kanda died once and reborn as the Second Exorcist while Noctis nearly died when he was little-, they got their power after that –when Kanda activated Mugen for the first time after he was reborn and when Noctis managed to survive-, and they lost the person who was important to them in the same time –when Kanda killed Alma and Noctis lost his mother in the same incident when he got his power-. Do I have to mention that both of them also had blue eyes, pale skin, very handsome face, quite hot headed in a way, dark hair, and relied on sword as their main weapon?
Same yet different? But nah, I'm just guessed that's all since it's just a possibility or even a coincidence, yet I think its interesting coincidence none less. See you in the next chapter! And please let me know your reviews in here!