(A/N)Had to climb a massive mountain of writers block to write this chapter but it is finally done ^_^ I'm going to go make myself a congratulatory cookie now.

By Thursday everything had slowly become routine for Lance. Wake up, go to school, go home, simple really. His studies were still pretty simple for him but he was content in relearning what he already knew for the sake of appearances.

The near endless amount of people was slowly becoming tolerable too. Sure there were still a few onlookers but for the most part he had become old news, which he couldn't have been more happy about. Kid was still sending him uncertain glares whenever he thought he wasn't looking which was odd but hey, the grim reaper family had never really been a shining example of normality.

Growing continuously bored with his classes Lance decided to check out the school's library so he could read something during class. He had always loved libraries, the seemingly limitless amount of books always managed to excite his imagination.

Let's see what we got here, Elbon and the magic tools, The Big Book of souls, The Meister's guide to proper weapon handling. Hmmm boring, boring and oh yes boring.

The fiction section was much more to his liking, browsing the extensive collection of adventure fantasy novels. Lance quickly made himself a small pile to last him the year.

He had assumed he would be the only one in the library today but to his dismay he was proven wrong. Scanning up and down the first book shelf was the girl with pigtails…Maka yeah that was it.

Okay, no reason to panic. I'm sure if I don't try to talk to her she won't try to talk to me. Lance assured himself. All I got to do is just walk by her and check these bad boys out. No big deal.

But of course nothing ever worked out that simply. Upon noticing him she instantly began walking towards him.

"Hello."She greeted."You're the new kid right?"

"Indeed I am."Lance said, hoping into his polite conversational persona."And you are?"

"Scythe meister Maka albarn."She answered, shaking his hand.

"Well scythe meister Maka Albarn it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."He curtseyed."Lance Rodriguez at your service"

"So what brings you to this neck of the woods?"Maka asked."Most students don't even acknowledge that we have a library."

"Oh you know just some leisure research."He said quickly grabbing The Meister's guide to proper weapon handling to cover up the small pile of books folded beneath his arm."Nothing to important,"

"Oh I read that book."Maka stated."Do you have problems handling your weapons? I saw you have two of them, that can't be easy to do."

"I manage."Lance assured."Just looking for any useful tips,"

"You're new to the area right?"She inquired.

"Uh huh," Lance nodded."Just got an apartment on Death Avenue,"

"Death Avenue? I live right across from there."Maka exclaimed.

"Really? What a coincidence."Lance noted.

"Maybe me and Soul, my weapon partner, could throw you all a welcome to the neighborhood party."She smiled, obviously liking the idea.

Lance hesitated. He didn't want to seem rude but he didn't want to have her over for dinner either. It wasn't her, she seemed nice enough maybe a bit nosey but still nice. Not only that but she was cute too. She was almost completely flat chested but he didn't really care. It was all what's on the inside that mattered right?

"Um… Sure I guess."Lance faltered, losing his calm façade for but a moment before regaining his composure."My apartment number is 29."

"Good me and Soul will drop by at seven."She paused."Actually do you mind if we bring another guest along?"

Well he was already having more guests than he wanted so what the hell? Couldn't hurt.

"Sure who else did you have in mind?"Lance agreed.

"A friend of mine you probably don't know her but she's in our class her name's Crona."Maka explained.

"The pink haired chick with the rude black blob coming from her back?"Lance asked."Yeah we met."

"You've already met Ragnorak?"Maka replied."Good that saves me some explaining."

"Why do you want her over, if you don't mind me asking?"Lance asked, genuinely curious.

"Well she's not exactly the most sociable person."

Yeah, tell me about it. Lance snickered mentally.

"She doesn't have many friends."She continued."And I figured since your new around here you might want some new ones too."

What is she trying to set me up with this girl or is she really that bad at making friends? Lance debated.

"You seem like the sought that makes friends easily so maybe you could try to help her out of her shell. She's been through a lot."She finished.

Wow. I really am a brilliant actor if this chick is really thinking I can help her friend learn to make friends. Lance thought feeling pleased with himself.

"I'll see what I can do."Lance promised, getting carried away in his act.

"Thank you. You don't know how much this means to me."She smiled hopefully."I think she could learn a lot from you."

"I'll do my best."Lance smiled reassuringly, giving her a thumbs up with his free hands.

"Good, see you tonight then."She said before waving goodbye to checkout her own pile of books.

"See you then."Lance waved in return.

Wait. What did I just agree to? He thought, instantly losing his smile. God I need a cigarette.

He hadn't been what he had expected. He was a lot more calm and charming than when she had seen him fighting Black*Star. But she supposed the heat of battle can make people act differently.

Maka hadn't intended on having dinner with him, but when she saw the opportunity she took it. Maybe now she could finally see exactly how he knew Kid.

The only problem now would be convincing Soul and Crona to attend. She knew that her weapon would immediately label a welcoming party as "uncool" and Crona was likely to be nervous about the whole thing and start spouting out about how she doesn't know how to deal with things like this.

She was confident Lance might finally get her out of her shell. Heaven knows she needed it. Maybe they'd become a couple like her and Soul? Oh that'd be terrific. Then maybe she and Soul could finally come out in public about their relationship.

Yes that's what she'd do, she'd hook Lance up with Crona, It'd be perfect! Crona deserved a nice charming guy like Lance after living like a slave with Medusa for so long. Maybe she could convince her to wear something different than that black dress she always wore.

But there was one even bigger problem than her dress. Ragnorak. How would any guy date Crona with that foul mouthed blob with her at all times? This might be harder then she originally thought but for now it could wait. She had to get them to come first.

Lance was in way over his head. Why had he ever agreed to have them over for dinner?

For three short seconds he was actually excited about the planned festivities. But then reality dawned on him and he had sunk into his hole of depression for letting himself get so carried away.

Veronica and Mark hadn't seemed fazed when he told them that guest were coming over, though Veronica did eye him suspiciously.

They had decided to order pizza this time around. Since cooking obviously wasn't really their thing. Deciding on his wardrobe was a much more difficult matter. Should he get dressed up for a welcome to the neighborhood party? Veronica changed into some jeans and a T-shirt so he chose to put a black dress shirt on over his T-shirt that he had been wearing under his hoodie.

Looking snappy, he set out on organizing the apartment to make it presentable. Once the table was set he felt comfortable with how the place looked and thought for a second that maybe it wouldn't be so bad.

But then the door bell rang. Panicking Lance lunged towards the door before slowly taking a deep breath. He had already formed some lines in his head so he should be good as long as he doesn't get carried away again.

Turning his hand to the right he pulled the door open. Revealing both Maka and Crona along with the white haired boy he assumed was Soul.

"Come on in."He greeted warmly."Make yourself at home."

"The place is lovely."Maka pointed out upon entering.

"Thanks, we're still adjusting to it."Lance thanked."We used to live on the road before we came here."

"Really, what was that like?"Maka asked, hanging up her inky black coat.

"Oh it was bloody exciting."Veronica said, taking a seat on the couch and flopping her feet onto the tea table."Going from town to town killing kishen and all that, a bloody good time if I ever had one,"

"That does sound exciting."The boy named Soul agreed."Soul Eater, nice to meet you," He said shaking Lance's and Veronica's hands.

He obviously didn't seem too happy to be here. But he was at least pretending to be sociable. The same could not be said about their other guest. Crona was standing in the corner nervously rubbing her arm.

"And this bloke right here."Veronica continued, pointing at Lance."Oh the way he wields me and Mark it's incredible. The finesse and the rage it's exhilarating.

"I know he seems mild mannered right now but believe me on the battlefield he changes completely, gets reckless and bloodthirsty."

I guess blatantly lying is one way to entertain company. Lance noted. But I think I'll stick to what I do best. Pretending I'm someone else.

"Here we brought you this."Maka said, handing him a basket full of assorted fruits."Think of it as a little housewarming gift."

Inspecting the basket, Lance grabbed himself a green apple and took a small bite, savoring the sweet taste.

"Thanks a lot."Lance smiled, placing the basket on the kitchen counter."We'll eat those right away."

The night proceeded rather smoothly after that. Mark and Veronica seemed to be getting along with Soul while Lance and Maka exchanged pleasantries. The only area that was lacking was Crona, who still seemed reluctant to join in on the festivities. Mark had attempted to introduce himself to the pinkette but all efforts turned out to be fruitless for the young shield.

Lance was apprehensive about how he should face this conundrum. He did give his word that he would try to help Crona out but he found the prospect of approaching her unnerving. So he nervously sat in his chair contemplating how best to assess the problem while trying not to stare too much.

Maka was steadily growing impatient. So far Lance had made no move to try to talk to Crona.

"Can I talk to you in private?"She finally asked.

"Yeah sure," He nodded, leading her outside to the staircase where he promptly took a seat on the railing.

"I wonder what those two are up to."Soul mused as the two meisters exited the apartment.

Once the door was shut behind them and she felt confident that the others couldn't overhear them Maka began.

"So when do you intend to talk to Crona?"Maka asked, irritated."Some time tonight I hope."

"Just give me a few minutes okay?"Lance sighed."I'm not used to this stuff."

"Not used to what?"Maka asked sternly, growing frustrated.

"Well…"Lance thought for a moment."Talking to girls…"

"What?"Maka exclaimed."But Tsubaki said that you were charming. That you kissed her hand and everything."

"Yeah about that..."Lance confessed."That was all just a ploy to get under Black*Star's skin before the fight."

"But you still said you'd talk to Crona."Maka reminded firmly.

"I know and I will. It's just I don't know what to say."Lance explained."Tsubaki was easier to come up with a tactic for. But Crona seems way too delicate for my normal approach."

"Your "normal approach" Just how many girls have you done this too?"Maka demanded."What are you some kind of playboy."

"What? Of course not! It's just something I've had to do a few times is all."Lance stated."I take no pleasure in it."

"God why I'm I telling you all of this?"Lance asked himself aloud."You must think I'm some kind of freak."

Taking a deep sigh he leaned against the railing before muttering."Not that I would blame you if you did."

I can't believe this. Maka thought, taking a sigh of her own.

"Look I don't think you're a freak."She began, which wasn't a completely true statement but that wasn't the point."Can you just try to say something to her? At this point I'll take help from anyone, even you."

"I-I guess I can try."Lance breathed, relaxing a little bit.

"I guess that's all I can hope for at this point."Maka grimaced.

"Don't worry when I put my mind on something I usually get it down."Lance said, daring to show confidence."If you want me to talk to your friend then I won't let you down."

When Lance and Maka came back inside Veronica was telling the guests a tale of one of their more recent souls collected.

"And just then it lunged at Lance with its huge claws."Veronica bellowed."But he wouldn't have that and slashed me deep into its hand and bashed it in the face with Mark."

"Sounds badass," Soul commented, totally engrossed with the tale.

"But the fight wasn't over just yet."She continued, feeling pleased at how enthralled her audience seemed to be with the tale she had spun."As lance swung to kill it off, it jumped away revealing large springs beneath his feet, sky rocketing him into the atmosphere."

"What happened next?"The black blob that had randomly popped out of Crona's back while Maka and Lance were outside and called itself Ragnorak asked.

"Grunting with all his might Lance threw Mark straight at the kishen, knocking it out of the sky and breaking its springs."

"But how did Mark get down then." Crona timidly asked.

"Lance caught me of course."Mark answered, playing along with his sister's wild story telling.

"Precisely," Veronica nodded. "Once the damned thing had landed Lance was right on its tail. Claw and sword clanged in the night as the two exchanged blows. As Lance soon obtained the upper hand the beast revealed one more trick up its sleeve. Unleashing scorching fire upon us Lance ducked and sliced at its lower regions, distracting it long enough to finally submit the final blow."

"Wow."Maka breathed."You really did all that Lance?"

"Well what can I say?"Lance said modestly."All in a day's work,"

"Still," He said, taking a seat next to Crona which caused Veronica to raise her eyebrow in curiosity."It's nothing compared to Asura. I heard you delivered the final blow yourself Maka."

Veronica couldn't help but scowl at Lance. She goes through all the hard work of actually making him sound cool and he just tosses all the attention onto someone else.

"Well I didn't do it by myself."Maka pointed out, clasping Soul's shoulder."We all played our parts."

Ugh why can't people just brag a little in this country? Veronica thought with a shake of her head. I only want to see a little. All this modesty is making me sick.

"So Crona, tell me about yourself."Lance said warmly to the timid pink haired swordswoman as they sat together on the couch.

Veronica instantly felt something she couldn't put a finger on flare up inside by the way he said that. But instead of losing her head she decided to resist the urge to assault him with a blunt object….at least until their company left.

"Well-Um I don't have anything to tell."The pinkette stammered her response.

"Well that can't be so."Lance assured with a smile."Everybody has something to tell."

"You wouldn't want to hear it."Crona replied glumly.

"I might or I might not."Lance mused."We'll never know unless you give it a try."

Veronica's fury had reached new heights at this point and she could feel herself shaking in contained rage.

"Hey four eyes!"Ragnorak screeched appearing out of Crona's back."Quit trying to put the moves on Crona."

"Moves?"Crona repeated in confusion.

"I was doing no such thing."Lance proclaimed in protest."I was simply attempting to get to know her."

"Yeah I'm sure."Ragnorak snorted."You keep your grubby hands away from her. She may be an ugly pig but she's still too good for the likes of you."

"For the likes of me?"Lance stated, his voice rising."You're going to insult her like that and then say I'm not good enough for her?"

"MAKA CHOP!"

The blob didn't have enough time to see it before it struck its head. Maka had brought a large hard cover book down upon Ragnorak's head, rendering him unconscious.

Mark burst into laughter watching the spectacle before him. Crona had sheepishly fled into the corner, crouching down in an attempt to be unseen. And suddenly Veronica felt guilty for her brief anger towards her and Lance.

Now she only felt bad for her.

It had all been going so well before that stupid blob popped out. Maka had been greatly surprised at how well Lance had performed, just the right amount of caring without being to forward.

But now Crona was in the corner trying to seclude herself off from the rest of the room. Maka was going to say something to make her feel better but someone beat her to the chase.

"Hey."Lance said gently, kneeling down to her eye level."Are you okay?"

Well the answer to that is rather obvious isn't it? Maka thought bitterly.

"I apologize if I made you at all uncomfortable."Lance continued."For if I did, know that it was not my intention."

"I-I'm f-fine."Crona stuttered unconvincingly.

Maka had to give Crona some credit. Before she probably would have ran away by now, screaming about how she didn't know how to deal with something or other.

Standing up Lance extended his hand towards Crona, causing her to flinch, making him instantly pull back. Maka's face and palm quickly became acquainted at the awkward display.

"Well…"Lance sighed, scratching the back of his head, giving Maka a look that screamed "help me."

"Come on Crona."Maka said as she made her way to Crona."We've had enough fun for one night."

"Okay."Crona nodded, following Maka and Soul as they made their way out.

Well that could have gone better. Maka thought wistfully. They're both so dysfunctional but maybe that would make them even more cute as a couple. She thought hopefully.

This could be her first attempt as a matchmaker now she had to find someone who could tolerate Kid's OCD….

And there it is. Thanks for reading and if you review you get one of my imaginary cookies.