Author stuff: So, rereading my old notes at the top of this thing, I realized that this was posted just after I graduated high school. That is the weirdest thing for me. I graduated five years ago — had a mini reunion with some classmates at an anime convention this past summer — and I went to see Wicked later that winter, when I was wrapping this up.

Now, I've decided what I want to do with my life — medieval archaeology — and I went to go see Mary Poppins yesterday. If you get the chance, see it!

Which brings me to why this is late. I was supposed to watch a puppy last Monday, but turned out my mom's friend's boyfriend's daughter got sick and the boyfriend was going to stay home and watch her and the puppy. So, I went post-Christmas shopping for an outfit to wear to the musical. Found one cute dress, but it was a pretty penny and I didn't feel like spending money on a dress I might wear every once and a while. I rescheduled the post for last Tuesday, but I hadn't edited this yet. So, date changed to Wednesday. And then got moved back because I got sick.

Sorry about that.

Disclaimer: I do not own Soul Eater or any of the characters. They all belong to Atsushi Okubo, who is signed under Square Enix in Japan and Yen Press in North America. The anime is directed by Takuya Igarashi, and produced by Bones, Aniplex, Dentsu, Media Factory, TV Tokyo.

Claimer: I do own Café Evans and Maggie.


CAFÉ EVANS

by iOc

Chapter 4

Dance with the Devil Tonight

"Who... who are you?" I said, my voice barely audible.

"Why, my dear, just call me, Little Demon."

Soul tugged me behind further him, as if he could protect me better. The strange little, red-skinned man grinned maliciously up at me. My skin crawled, and I subconsciously reached for Soul's arm and pulled it close, as if it could protect me from the Little Demon's stare.

"No, Soul," he said, as if reading his mind, "I will not leave. And the police cannot force me to leave, despite this being private property. Remember what happened last time? I came in to discuss the plans with you, as it seems Wes doesn't want to talk to me, and to eat. The food is quite good here. I'm positively famished."

"Maka, you can go home now," Soul said through barred teeth.

"I would prefer if she served me. That is the only way I will be satisfied this evening."

The crazy look in his wide eyes and his terrifying grin froze not only my blood but the very marrow in my bones.

"Maka, go home." Soul said, breaking the spell. "I can call up Tsubaki and let her know some plans have changed. Just grab your stuff and go. I can handle him."

I hesitated, not wanting to leave him alone. Soul was an idiot, but he knew this guy better than I did. I decided to do as I was told. I grabbed my stuff and jetted out of there as quickly as I could. I didn't spare a glance back. I knew the Little Demon wasn't finished yet and he wouldn't stop leaving the Evans family alone until something big happened.

I prayed that something wasn't bad(1).


I almost chucked my brand new cell phone down at the cement of DCU's courtyard. But I thought about it getting scratched up (and probably reported for defiling school property). I didn't need to pay any more fees than was possible right now. Besides, Papa would kill me — or at least kick me into next week. He could do worse, like make me hang out with him for a whole evening.

I hadn't been able to sleep well last night because I felt bad about leaving Soul alone to deal with that freak of nature Little Demon. His name suited him quite well, it was a little jarring. I just prayed that he didn't give Soul too hard of a time last night.

"Rough night?"

I turned and saw Tsubaki standing there, looking as sweet and kind as ever. She was all done up in a boho-esque costume — or her everyday clothes, as she called them — and looked like she walked out of a magazine ad for some expensive store I would never be able to shop from.

"Yeah," I said, sighing and twirling my dull, blonde hair around my finger. Maybe I could dye my hair an interesting color. Hm...

"What do you think of him?" she said, sliding down to sit down on the water fountain's edge next to me.

"Who?"

"Little Demon."

"Oh. He kind of scares me."

"You sound kind of disappointed. Did you want to talk about another 'him'?"

"No, I'm good." I bolted up and started to walk away. She pulled me back.

"That's what all crushing girls say. Well, at least according to Cosmo. Come on, Maka, girl talk. Who are you crushing on?"

"No one, honest to god."

"Maka...!"

"Fine." I mumbled my crush's name incoherently. Who would want to know why I was crushing on Soul in the first place?

"I didn't hear you, Maka. Stop being such a fuddy-duddy."

"Soul," I said, half groaning, half whining. I sort of surprised myself. I looked at her through my lashes. "Don't you dare say anything."

That threat was empty. She knew it, I knew, everyone knew it. I could never hurt Tsubaki, no matter how mad she made me.

"Why would I say anything? Soul's a nice guy with a little bit of an attitude. But you could do worse," she said sincerely.

"Yeah, I could. Take Black Star... Oops."

"It's alright, I know how you two feel about each other. You and Black Star are worse than… who are those two from Once Upon a Time?"

"Regina and Emma?"

"Yeah, those two. Their constant back and forth for drama… It's getting kind of annoying."

I smiled slightly. I had accidentally got her hooked on Once Upon a Time during its first season. Now, she dragged me to her place every Sunday to watch the new episode, if and when it was on.

"I still feel bad," I said.

"It's okay, we've only been dating for, like, three years, now."

"Tsukabi..."

"Well, I got to go before I'm late for class. Oh, is it another lecture today?"

"Yeah, unfortunately. Do you want to borrow my notes?"

"No, I'll be good."

"You sure? I do know how to take good no~otes," I said, ending in a sing-song voice. I held the notebook out to her.

Tsubaki smiled, knowing the temptation.

"Positive," she said, waving and walking into the wood and stone building.

I waved back, though I don't think she saw me, and started to head to my apartment to get ready for work. It was a nice day out, so I felt no need to rush.

"Ah, Miss Albarn."

I looked up, startled half to death. It was the Little Demon. Unfortunately for me, his goons were with them and all of them were three times my size. Well, that wasn't goof.

"You have kept us waiting," Little Demon said, chuckling to himself. He gestured to a rather nice black car. "Come, we shall discuss things over tea."

I backed away, only to bump into one of the large goons.

This day was just one of those days I knew would be bad the second I rolled out of bed.

Why hadn't I listened to my intuition?


1. Originally I was going to have Maka stay, but I just couldn't write it. It didn't work in the plot line that I had planned (or what little I knew of it up until this chapter).


Author stuff cont'd: I actually edited out some rather clunky stuff from this. I hope it's not too noticeable. This was always one of those chapters that made me wince when I went back and read through it. Glad I smoothed most of it over.

I hope everyone had some good holidays. I got lots of great things — my number one thing, that I wanted for my birthday and never got, was the Build-A-Bear Toothless. And I was there when my mom bought it. Totally kissed the heart. (I'm 24. I shouldn't be allowed this be this adorable or dorky.) What was everyone's favorite gifts?