Down the Rabbit

Chapter 3! After what has been forever, we are finally back for the holidays. Uni work is done and it's time to get back into this. Thank you for your patience and of course,

Enjoy!

Terra City, Spades District, University of Gaia.

Alfred hissed when someone roughly collided with his injured shoulder as he and his brother made their way through the student swarmed corridor; the painkillers he had taken that morning had done nothing to dull the pain from last night's discoloured bruises. His brother shot him a sidelong concerned look.

'You sure you shouldn't of taken the day off?' He quietly whispered and Alfred shook his head. He'd taken worse than this and still hauled his ass into lectures.

'I'm fine, just bruising. 'Sides I'm supposed to be meeting up with Arthur so we could go over the article together before he handed it in,' Alfred returned and sighed when he saw Matthew raise an eyebrow. 'What?'

'You're just getting really friendly with Arthur Kirkland, that's all.' Matthew muttered. Alfred narrowed his eyes when the lightbulb finally lit up.

'You gotta problem with that Matt?' He accused and there was an awkward pause as Matthew converted his meaning into words.

'I dunno- I kind of got the impression that Arthur's a loner, and that he liked it that way. You know what I mean?'. Alfred's brows frowned to glare at his twin.

'No. No I don't know, because there's no one who wants to be alone,' Alfred's voice lost it's anger when he had an idea, 'in fact, I'm gonna invite him to lunch after class'. Matthew groaned as they turned the corridor and approached their lecture hall; trails of fellow classmates already streamed in to where Professor Bonnefoy waited for them. A girl with curly short hair that reminded Alfred of strawberries leant casually in the door frame, and when Alfred stepped to go pass, her arm shot out to bar his way.

'Uh, can I help you?' Alfred asked with a raised eyebrow and the girl looked him up and down with critical olive green eyes.

'Laura Morgan, Editor in chief for the University of Gaia's student magazine. I'm here to pick up.' She stated and pointedly stared at Alfred's bag on his back. Alfred's brow continued it's climb higher up his forehead.

'Nope. Drawing a blank here.' He confessed and Laura pinched the bridge of her nose with her free hand.

'The Mia Everson article? The one that was reassigned to Arthur Kirkland? I haven't been able to find him all morning.' She huffed and Alfred's brows drew together. Arthur wasn't in? Why? A chill ran down his spine when he remembered the gang that had attacked them last night. Had Arthur had actually gotten hurt and lied about it? Was that why he wasn't in?

'We were meant to meet up to go over the article before handing it in,' Alfred admitted with a quick glance back to Matthew, who rolled his eyes back at him, 'you haven't heard anything?'

Laura shook her head and inside the lecture hall, the Professor called for the lesson to begin. Alfred bit down on his lip and chewed it nervously. Shit. He couldn't just let this sit, he had to know if Arthur was alright and this Laura chick needed the article.

'I'll go check on him at his place, pick up the article and bring it back.' Alfred announced and both Matthew and Laura looked at him with raised eyebrows.

'That's…what I like to hear,' She slowly stringed together before she dropped her arm and moved out of the door frame, 'I want it by lunch, got it?'. Alfred gulped as she walked away, watching as her glossy curls bounced before he turned to his brother with an apologetic expression.

'Cover for me?' He sheepishly asked. Matthew gave out a heavy sigh and reluctantly nodded.

'I always do.' He relented and Alfred flashed him a smile before he began to jog down the hall to the carpark, pouring on the speed.

Spades Distinct, Baker Street, The Kirkland's luxury Penthouse

Alfred gave out a low impressed whistle when he stepped into the lobby of Arthur's home. He knew Arthur was rich, but this was just insane; everything with a spotless gleam to it, the shiny grey contrasted by the green leaves of lobby's plants. He walked over to the front desk beside a steel lift, where a woman in her late thirties sat. Only, Alfred saw that she was far too well built to be an ordinary reception. Her eyes narrowed at Alfred as he approached.

'Uh, hi? I'm Alfred Jones, I'm a classmate of Arthur's.' He announced, and the woman raised a perfectly sculptured eyebrow at him.

'Is he expecting you?' She asked with a heavy Scottish accent.

'I'm picking up an article that was he was supposed to submit today.' Alfred answered back truthfully and after a long moment of silence, the woman motioned with her head to the lift's doors.

'Fair warning, laddie, he's had a rough few nights.'

Alfred nodded his thanks as the doors pinged open and he stepped in, the lift's wall panelled mirrors reflecting his image back three times over. The ride up was smooth and when the doors opened again, Alfred exited to face a set of double doors made of black wood. He made a hearty knock. But when no answer came, he tested the handle and found it unlocked. With a gulp, he pushed it open and walked inside.

His jaw hit the floor. It was wealth that only existed in businessmen's wet dreams. The floor was open plan, rectangular in shape with the parallel walls running the complete length of it made of glass; the view of the city districts breathtaking under the sun's rays. A kitchen was to the right of where Alfred stood and there were two staircases side by side in the back left corner. At the centre of it all, a colossal theatre tv screen was mounted on the wall, complete with a square horseshoe party sofa.

Alfred's raised brows dropped when, bizarrely, he saw some kind of symbol burnt into the ceiling above the glass coffee table; like some rune he would see out of Lord of the Rings. On top of that, the whole place smelled strongly of cleaning products. What the—

'Where the fuck is my fucking—.' Arthur's voice shouted as he came up from downstairs, completely topless save his shoulder and back that was bandaged. He froze when he saw Alfred. Time stopped for a heartbeat.

'Alfred? W-what are you doing here?!' The Brit demanded, but Alfred was too fixated on the bandages to properly register what he had said. That gang from the last night… If he ever saw them again.

'You said that they hadn't hurt you.' He growled, and Arthur looked as though he had been slapped. His ears turned crimson.

'I…I didn't feel it at the time. The adrenaline wore off after you dropped me off.'

'And then you went to the hospital?'

Arthur shook his head. 'No. Allistor's a surgeon. He patched me up,' He shrugged as though it were nothing, and then the signature scowl was back when he looked past Alfred to the open front door. 'I'll ask again. What are you doing here Alfred. What did you say to Reina to let you pass?'

Alfred blinked a few times before he understood what he was being asked. 'I- um, you didn't turn up this morning and Laura needs the article by today. So I, like, thought I could come and pick it up.'

Arthur looked him up and down. 'I'll go and get it then.' He replied cooly before he turned and climbed the stairs to the next floor. Left alone, Alfred slowly treaded forward to get a better view of the weird symbol on the ceiling.

'Oi Artie, you gonna come down or am I gonna have to—.' A new voice called up from downstairs and Alfred turned around to see a newcomer, a young man maybe a few years older than him, with chestnut ginger hair that was pulled back into a short ponytail and a dusting of freckles. His eyes, though not quite the same shape, were identical to Arthur's in their rich green colour, and they widened when they saw Alfred.

'Oh 'ello. Who're you?' He spoke in an Irish accent, and Alfred felt he'd have to acquire an accent himself to fit in.

'Alfred Jones. Friend of Arthur's.' Alfred introduced himself, and silently sighed when the man gave him a once over. What was with everyone looking at him like he were some kind of side show? The man offered his hand.

'Seamus Kirkland. It's nice to see that Arthur's finally getting on with someone.' Seamus smiled as they shook and Alfred felt the strength behind it's firmness.

'So, um, can I ask a question?'

'Shoot.'

'What's with the symbol on the ceiling?' Alfred asked with a pointed finger, and watched as Seamus' eyes darted up to the spot. He licked his lips.

'That's—.'

'Art,' A deep Scottish voice rumbled and Alfred and Seamus looked over when it's owner stomped down the stairs, Arthur following behind him; now with a black t-shirt over his bandages and a memory stick in his hand. 'We're trying something new.'

Alfred pretended to nod in understanding as Arthur stepped around the man, who Alfred assumed was this 'Allistor' that Arthur had mentioned before, and held out the stick.

'Here. The article.' Arthur said when Alfred took it and pocketed, unsure what to think of Arthur's frosty front. He felt that there was some stuff strained in the way he held himself...He was also uncomfortably aware of Allistor sizing him up, incredibly intimating when he was built like a house and looked like he could pop his head.

'Uh, thanks. Laura will be happy to get this.' He said with an awkward laugh while Seamus moved and sat on the sofa, turning on the screen with the remote.

'Terra's police department is encouraging citizens to come forward should they have any information regarding the recent string of neuroscientist disappearances. All and any help, is welcomed.

In other news, the premiere of Borne's new opera, 'Twilight of blood' takes place tonight on the city's own 'S.S Lovecraft'. Among the special guests scheduled to appear included Kyle Buff, Courtney Curry, Doctor Ivan Braginsky, and the esteemed Doctor Roderick Edelstein. Many more celebrity guests will be making their appearances this evening and we here will be there to cover every moment. Stay tuned!' The chirpy anchorwoman saluted as she signed off and the channel cut to the adverts.

'Hey that creepy doctor we met the other night is going,' Alfred pointed out, but his smile fell when he saw Arthur's face; unnaturally still and intense. His eyes. Alfred had never seen them so focused. 'Uh, Arthur?'

'I think it was time ya were leavin'.' Allistor stated without negotiation, and Alfred gently reached out to touch Arthur's elbow, causing him to jump as he had the other night.

'Will I see you tomorrow?' He asked hopefully and the razor edge to Arthur's stare softened for a moment.

'Yes. I think so.' Arthur quietly agreed, and when Alfred beamed at him, he averted his gaze; his cheeks flushed.

'I'll pick you up tomorrow morning then.' Alfred grinned before he gave a meek nod to Seamus and Allistor, and excused himself. After thumbing the button for the ground floor in the lift, his phone in his pocket began to buzz. It was Matthew.

Alfred answered the call. 'Yo bro! What's good?'

'I'll tell you what's not good. Laura Morgan threatening to give me over to the archery club as target practice because you still haven't got her article!' His twin's voice shrieked from over the line. Alfred had to suppress the urge to laugh aloud.

'Chill dude. I've got the article, I'll be back in ten, tops.'

'Oh, you actually went to Kirkland's place? Go on, spill. How rich are they actually?'

'Beyond loaded. I swear that our crib could fit in it twenty times over inside it.' Alfred sighed as he thought back on their downtown rented apartment, nearly big enough for the pair of them.

'Hey, I actually have something else to tell you.' Matthew's voice dropped low to a secretive volume.

'Hm?'

'Tonight's routine has changed. You know Oz?'

'Yeah, the boomerang guy.' Alfred recalled.

'Yeah, well his coordinator, Shepherd was gotten in touch. Says they have information about the guys who robbed Clover bank last night.'

Alfred frowned as he turned around, and his reflection frowned back. This was quite the development. 'What, and they're willing to share that?'

'Shepherd said that they suspect that the same people at Clover will try something today at the premiere of 'Twilight of blood'. Such a stupid name.' Matthew hissed as an after thought.

'Wait, are you suggesting that they want our help?' Alfred asked in disbelief and Matthew made a agreeable hum with his throat.

'That's what they said. Now get back here quick. Laura's glaring at me again from across the room.'

Alfred smirked at the mental image as he ended the call and stepped out of the life when it's doors opened, giving Reina (as Arthur had named her) a nod as he passed out the double glass doors onto the street. The lunch rush had the pavement crowded and Alfred had to weave through the flow to get to his bike.

Back in the Kirkland's penthouse.

'So…he was nice.' Seamus teased and Arthur shot him a glare at him before he went back to checking the Britannia suit's utility belt; the suit and mask laid out beside him on the sofa.

'Seemed a bit of a gimp of me,' Allistor grunted from the dining table, his laptop open in front of him, linked up to the TV screen so that it displayed what he saw: blueprints of the S.S Lovecraft cruise ship, the guest list for the night, and so on. 'When Dylan gets back, he'll hav' ta create a fake ID that ya can use to get in as a guest.'

Arthur set down the belt and watched as Allistor pulled up an article on Doctor Edelstein's arrival in Terra City from online science magazine. The headline read: 'Edelstein arrives in Terra City to assist in upcoming experiments at Nova Labs.'

'Everyone seems an idiot to us Allistor. But there is actually a brain in there, even if he prefers brawn.' Arthur scoffed as his eyes skimmed through the article, noting that Doctor Braginsky would also be over seeing the experiment. Interesting…

'Yeah, there's no way he brought the story about the rune,' Seamus quirked as he learnt over and stole the Britannia mask, juggling it casually. 'Must think we're right freaks.'

'We are freaks, Seamus. How many people do you know do what we do?' Arthur bitterly snapped. Seamus shrugged.

'What you do, you mean. I haven't been on the field in months. I feel like the bloody tin man, rusty as shite.'

'I'll be your coordinator for this one.' Allistor stated and Arthur twisted his body around to scowl at him.

'No. This is no different from the other nights. I don't need your help.' He protested. A line formed between Allistor's thick brows and his irises burnt with greek fire as they locked onto Arthur's.

'Oh aye? Just like last night,' The Scot spat and Arthur winced at the still fresh memory. 'When are ya going to get it through that thick skull that ya can't do this alone?'

Arthur stood up, and stood his ground. 'We've been over this, Allistor. I am fine with all of you acting as support, but at the end of the day. Britannia is a solo act.'

'But Arthur, at least let us coordinate for you! You can't deny it'd make life a hell of a lot easier of easier for you.' Seamus soundly countered, and Arthur shifted his stare onto him. The all anger there had evaporated so just stung hurt remained.

'None of you could ever replace her.' He choked on the verb, before shaking his head with a sniff.

'Artie…' Allistor started, but Arthur was already gone, climbing the stairs for the privacy he needed to mourn.

Ha, so glad I finally got the time to update this thing. I'm grateful to those newcomers that have discovered my stories during my hiatus and I'm grateful to whose who have stuck with me. You guys rock.

Not really much to talk about really, this was pretty much a tension building and character introduction and development chapter. One part I found amusing of how Matthew's views of Arthur mirrored Allistor's opinion of Alfred. It'll be interesting should they meet. A few references in this one to, in particular to a certain nintendo 3DS game in which the character of Reina is basically pulled from, (but seriously if you've ever played Fire Emblem Fates, Reina is a goddess).

I already have the next chapter written out on paper, so I promise that it's delivery will follow up sooner rather than later. I also promise that it will contain the most action to date. We'll be introduced to 'Oz' and 'Shepherd' whose identities I'm sure you're already figured out.

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you are enjoying what you are reading, please take the time to leave a review telling me your thoughts, opinions and questions. They mean the world and I always appreciate hearing back from you all. Once again, thank you for reading and as always,

Until next time!