ME: Summer...Hot
Kida: Temperatures in the season of summer fluctuate between 80 to an extreme 110 degrees...so yes, it is defiantly hot outside
Blood: I also detest hot weather. It makes Nights too muggy to have a proper tea party
ME: To tired of hot to bother...DISCLAMER SOMEBODY!
Hikari: Plot and OC's are Author-chan's. HnKnA is QuinRose's. End of story *passes out*
ME: THANK YOU *also passes out*
R&R
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE'S DRUNK?!"
The sound of my flabbergasted voice echoes throughout the examination room and out into the hallway, getting the attention all. Even I have to wince a bit at the loudness of it, but it is needed, especially when the person in front of me tells me that all that is wrong with my currently dazed and rather loopy and half asleep colleague is that she is just tipsy, which is stupid and preposterous because I KNOW that Hikari does NOT drink. AT ALL! I quote from her when I say 'I'm dumb enough sober. I'm scared to see how I am wasted'
"Ow...You're really loud when you're pissed." complains the blond haired young man to my left as he hold his long, golden brown rabbit appendages to his head. He leans almost lazily against the wall beside the bed of my friend, and to his right is the young mouse boy Pierce, who sits in the chair next to him holding his own ears. Surprising enough (to me anyway), this is the 'Eli-chan' that was talked about, or perhaps the better name for him would be Elliot March.
Pierce removes his hands as well, and lets out a relieved sigh, "W-well...I'm glad your friend is ok chu~."
"Indeed", speaks the man to my right as he taps his gloved finger to his chin, "But it defiantly was an interesting sight when you three arrived at my mansion. I could have sworn that the young miss was dying on my doorstep."
"Your sass is not needed right now, Blood." I practically growled at the taller man, who in turn chuckles.
A moment of pause, if you will. If it is not already established/guessed at where I am at the moment, then I will take this moment to backtrack a little. You see, after Pierce rather kindly offered to carry Hikari in his arms after the incident, we wound up here at Hatter's Mansion of all places. Of course, I could feel the world's irony all around me, considering this is where Hikari and I were planning on going the next day, but at the time I ignored that while trying to keep my friend from passing out completely. Fortune (or misfortune perhaps) has it that Blood and Elliot would be walking around outside for some reason, and that the three of us would almost run into the two of them (the twins weren't at the gate, if that's what you're wondering). After a minute or two of exclamation, explanation, clarification, and a tad of rescheduling, Elliot led us to see resident doctor (who, according to Blood, was very knowledgeable and quite trustworthy.) in the medical ward of the mansion, where we are right now. Hikari was given to said doctor, and after couple of hours of waiting, the doctor gave his results in, what he thought was, the simplest form possible. The description led to my shouting and...You know the rest.
"Doctor, I believe a better explanation is needed." said Blood in a rather bemused tone, as if my earlier warning wasn't heeded at all, "What do you mean when you say that they young miss is drunk?"
The rather elderly Faceless man, who just so happens to be the physician (though I'm questioning him as a quack right at the moment) clears his throat and grabs the chart from the table beside him
"Well, although I'm not used to dealing with Foreigners, I still gave her a thorough examination like any other patient. Blood tests, throat swabs, and the works" he starts in a rather languid tone with a bit of a chuckle. "While doing so I happen to find traces of a...well a something...in her throat, and I'm guessing it's in her lungs and blood as well..."
I tilt my head, confused. Medical expertise isn't my line of work, so I don't exactly understand how something that can be in your lungs can get in your blood. Maybe it works like oxygen does and spreads through the blood stream? That seem accurate.
"...And after some test, I was proven correct." he continues, "I believe it's a toxin of some sorts. A poison, if you want to call it that."
I know enough to know that poison equals bad in any book, so I ask in a confused and worried voice, "A poison?"
"Yes ma'am, but don't worry. The poison seems harmless enough and her life is in no danger."
A sigh leaves my breast, as I am more than relieve...but I'm still confused.
"Then why did you diagnose her with drunkenness?"
He lets out an airy chuckle "The poison is simply putting her in a state of hallucination, much like one who is on morphine or any other anesthetic for an extensive period of time. She'll be expected to have some dizziness, disorientation, and maybe a head ache with some nausea when it wears off."
"Much like a person with a hangover." finishes Blood with a laugh of his own as he looks down at me, "Worry not, it's not as bad as it seems. But I'm sure you and she have had a drink or two, so you know what I mean."
"I wouldn't know considering Hikari and I have never drank...and do not drink. Ever."
I say this in a serious no nonsense tone that has no room for argument or disagreement, and his eyes widen at this statement, like it's the strangest thing in the world. Elliot is also surprised as he looks back and forth between my friend and me, flabbergasted by the fact. Pierce is just...I suppose being Pierce, not really saying much and looking rather obtuse as he stares into space. But I ignore the three of them and turn back toward the doctor.
"Is there any way I can help her? Anyway at all?"
He flips through his paperwork and lets out a disgruntled noise "Well...other than a couple of bumps and bruised on her body, which have been treated, I have found no other problems with her...However..."
"However?"
"If I knew where or from what the poison came from, I could make a remedy and fix her up quick, without the side effects. But without this knowledge, we can only wait and let it run through her system, and who knows how long that will take."
Well, that's simple. I'll just have to go out and look for it. Because certainly no one ELSE is going to do it for me. The only problem I see in my way of that is that I haven't a clue as to what it could possibly be.
The doctor lets out a thinking hum and flips through his papers again before he continues, not really paying attention to anyone in particular, "Considering it started with her lung, I can only guess it's an air born contagion."
Well that's a clue if I've ever heard of one. I pause to think, tapping my finger against my chin. Something air born? Perhaps it's a type of gaseous substance? Let's see, a gas...where could it have come from...we were at Hikari's house...but no, it was after that that she started acting funny. Ok, so we were walking through a forest...a forest...
"Young lady," starts Blood as he puts his hand on my shoulder, intervening me in the mist of my thoughts, "perhaps it would be best if you went and rested a bit. You're day has been quite hectic, and I'm sure you've exhausted yourself, what with carrying your friend all the way here."
I tilt my head at Blood's kind offer. Sure, he always offers me and Hikari a place to stay when we visit for his tea party, but something about the way he said it...it's almost like he cares. Like he was trying to be genuinely compassionate to me and my circumstance. That's...different, coming from him.
"And worry not", he continues, "You both are welcome and safe here at my mansion."
"Yes, I might take you up on that offer, thank you. But I'm fine for now. You needn't worry about me.", I tell him, then turn toward Pierce, "Besides, Pierce is the one who did all the work, not me."
He looks around, then points toward himself with a confused tilt to his head.
"Yes. If it wasn't for you, we wouldn't have made it here. You have my gratitude."
Said boy blushes a bit, and stutters to say something along the lines of 'it wasn't me', but Elliot reaches over and noogies/ruffles his head a bit, "Just shut up and accept her praising, dumbass."
"Yes, you did a good thing in bringing the both of them here. For once you've done something adequate." Blood chuckles
Well that sounds more like the Blood I know
But Pierce doesn't hear the undertone of sarcasm, and jumps out of his seat in a fluster, "N-N-Now Boss is s-saying n-nice things to me too? CHUUUUU~! I'm really super happy but I don't know what to do!"
"Don't get used to it." Elliot says as pushes himself off the wall and he smacks the boy on the back, making his squeak in surprise, "Now come on, it's back to work for you and me both. We have that job, remember?"
"Ah! That's right! I-I shouldn't be here right now! I should be there!"
Confused by his wordings, I can't help but wonder what he means by 'here' and 'there'. Did we distract him form something, I wonder. I kind of hope that I haven't disrupted him in any way, or have got him in any sort of trouble.
Suddenly, my hands were grasped in his, surprising me out of my confusion
"I'm sorry again for causing trouble, but I'm happy we meet!" says the cheery green-eyed boy as he smiles.
Although he has personal space issues, I can't get mad at him and his honesty and slight air-headedness. He's a little like my friend in that way. So I let him keep the slight hold on my hands and give him as kind a smile as I can
"I'm thankful I meet you as well. Next time we meet, I'll be sure to have a gift for you."
His eyes widen, "A gift? For me?"
"Yes, to thank you for all you've done for us." A thought comes to mind, and a laugh escapes me, "Knowing Hikari, she will probably give you one as well, though it will probably be food. If there's anything in particular you like to eat, please let me know and I'll pass it on to her."
"Cheese!" he exclaims almost instantly, "I-I really like cheese! Can it be cheese? P-Please"
I nod. It figures as much that he would like cheese, but the irony leave me laughing lightly. Maybe I will help Hikari and make him something as well. It's the least I can do.
I wave back at him as Pierce bids me farewell, a skip in his step as he and Elliot leave the room to head to whatever it is that they are needed. The doctor, after explaining that he saw going out to get some things, leaves as well, leaving me and Blood in the room.
I look over at my friend, debating whether or not I should disturb her or let her rest, when I am sudden lightly pushed from behind towards her. I turn my head back, confused.
"Go ahead, young miss", Blood says as he eggs me on, "I'm sure you've been worried about her."
...ok weird...
I walk over to my slightly snoozing friend, to see how she is faring. I know she's not fully asleep, otherwise she would be snoring. She always snores when she sleeps on her back.
"Hikari? You feeling alright?"
It takes a minute or two before she stirs slightly, opening one of her eyes to roll around lazily before locking onto me, "Oh...iz Kida. Wuzzup girl? Wuz happenin'?"
Same ol' Hikari, even when sick. I take Pierces seat and move it to sit beside her, "Oh nothing much. Still feel 'wonky'?"
"Mmm-hmm..." she rolls onto her side, "...feel like poo...la~a~azy poo."
"I bet you do. Did you hear what the doctor said? About you're condition?"
She nods, eyes drooping
"He said you were poisoned somehow. Do you know what could have done that?"
I know it's probably not the smartest idea to ask her in this condition, but perhaps she can think of something, anything, that can at least give me the slightest clue. And indeed she does think, or at least she tries to think in her doped up state, and the only thing that she does is shrugs her shoulders. I sigh. Well I had to try.
"Ki...Kida...Ki~i~ida...we haz...haz to concur...the caztle", she slurs as she tries to raise herself up. Her arms are shaky, but she manages sitting up, and raises fist in my direction, "De...defeet da final boss!"
This alone makes me let out a belly laugh, which is rare for me. Of course this would be one of the thing she would remembers, as it was one of the last things we said to each other before this adventure started. She's a facetious dummy, even when drunk off her ass, and it leaves me laughing so hard that there are tears in my eyes.
After I've rubbed my eyes clear again, I say to her, "You're out of commission for a while, Hikari, so I will have to go it alone from here."
"Nuuuuuu! Not da final boss" she protests with a pout, the raises her hand to point behind me, "YOU!"
Blood, who I had forgotten was still with us, chuckles as he walks over to stand beside me, "Yes, young miss?"
"You...you better...be niceties to Kida", she warns half-heartedly and waves her arms around in a floppy fashion, "No funky stuffz or I'll...I'll wop ya!"
...
"You'll...wop me?" he asks, a grin tugging at his lips.
"I'LL WOP YOU! SO. DAMN. HARD!" She exclaims enthusiastically, then flops back onto the bed, looking like a royal mess. I can see Blood trying extremely hard not to bust out into an unrestrained fit of laughter as a grin spreads across his face.
"I promise that I will not do any harm to your friend, Miss Hikari. Now, I believe that it's time for you to rest as well."
Well, if I didn't know any better, I would think it too all of his control to say that with a straight face.
"Kay Kay Blood...so seepy Kida~. Seepy time."
With her mouth wide open she quickly falls into deep sleep rather quickly, a small snore falling from her mouth and nose. Honestly, what am I going to do with her? She's poisoned and here she is, taking a leisurely nap. Well, at least the poison isn't harming her. That's a good thing at least. But now I'm probably going to have to stay here a while, at least until she recovers or until I can figure out where the poison came from at least.
I quietly get up out of my chair and promptly push Blood out the door with a not so subtle shove at his back, and once we are outside, Blood lets out the laugh he was holding in.
"Well then...Miss Hikari sure is something. I think she was threatening my life. I was almost scared for a moment."
"She was, in her own way", I let a smile, cheek twitching into my own condescending grin "You might have to watch yourself from now on."
"Will I now?" his green eyes almost sparkle in mischief, "Is that a threat of you own?"
"It might be. You never can tell." I let out a sigh and look out the window. Although it is noon still, I can feel that I am mentally exhausted. Dealing with the ever ostentatious Blood for about five or so hours will do that to you. But I'm getting used to it I suppose.
I look back at said pompous man to find him holding his hand out for me, something that is different from what I'm used to.
"May I escort you to your room?"
"I'm not a child, Blood. I think I can manage on my own, thanks", I respond almost immediately. I don't know what his game is but if he's trying to get back into my good graces, he better try harder than some old fashion chivalry. Besides, I'm still pissed at him for stealing both my money and my art supplies. Though I will admit that it is a nice touch coming from him.
He lets out a sigh, "Very well. May I accompany you then?"
"You're asking me this time? You usually do as you like."
"Like I said, I figured I'd take a different approach."
That's right, he did say that didn't he...right as he made off with my things. Yeah, I'm still slightly pissed about that. Well, it's not like I can stop him, so I turn around without responding yes or no, and just start forward.
"The room is the same one as last time, right?"
"Indeed it is.", apparently he took it as an yes, as he is right beside me as we head toward my 'room'...at least until my friend recovers.
We don't say much to each other, as there isn't much to say, and I appreciate the silence to its fullest. I use this moment to think a bit about my situation, and I find myself side glancing at the man who walks beside me. While Blood can sometimes be contrary and antagonistic on occasions, I am finding that perhaps he is taking this 'different approach' method seriously. It's different, to say the least, but I wish he wouldn't bother. I think I would rather him be a pain in my ass than pretend to be something he's not. I'm used to dealing with 'Asshole Blood' more than 'Actually-Give-A-Damn Blood', if you know what I mean.
After a good while I, on a whim, detour over toward one of the windows and lean on its ledge, gazing out into what I can guess is the front lawn. From here I can see many of the mansion's servants as they rush about to do their daily work, from mowing the grass to trimming the bushes. Roses, among other things, and other flora litter the grounds, and the sun makes them almost sparkle. The greenery is lush and almost fluffy, and the midday sky is the perfect shade of blue, with whimsy clouds here and there.
I quickly reach into my pocket and pull out my cellphone, and after a moment of trying to get the PERFECT angle, I snap it. This is just one of the very many I have on here, and I'm happy that I invested and remembered to bring my surplus memory chip that I had installed into this thing in my world. While I try to make it a point to bring my art supplies so as I can sketch the lovely scenery this world has to offer, I more than often forget, thanks to being expeditiously dragged from the Clock Tower by my assortment of strange friends (Boris, Hikari, etc). So I take pictures with my phone for later.
After I finish, I turn back to Blood, who was surprisingly quiet as he, it seems, waits for me to finish. With a raise of my eyebrow, I start our pace again, and he follows in step with me.
Ok, so I'm seriously getting weirded out by Blood's change in attitude. It's unsettling to say the least. I already have a hard enough time trying to read him as it is, and here he goes with the befuddling quietness and courtly attitude...so maddening! How I am supposed to respond to this
Up ahead I can see the door to my room, so I decide that I'm going to confront him about it.
"Blood, can I ask you a serious question?" I start, never stopping in my pace.
He turns to me and gives me a slight grin, "I don't see why not"
"Are you going to answer me seriously though?"
"Young Lady, I am always serious in what I do, no matter what it is."
I give his a look that says 'Are you joking.' His only response is to continue with his impish smirk. I sigh and, once we arrive at my destination, stop, making him stop with me.
I look up to meet him, eye to eye, "Why are you doing this?"
"Do you mean walking you to your room? I didn't hear you say I couldn't."
"NO! That's not it!" I pinch the bridge of my nose in frustration, "I mean THIS? First you're pushy and selfish, forcing me to give you my absolute attention by stealing my things and pushing all my wrong buttons and trying to force yourself into my space without giving a single fuck about how I feel about the matter. And now you're being kind and gentlemanly to me? What the hell gives? What, did you think that all you needed was some sweet words and some kind gestures and you would have me swooning? Get real, Blood. I'm not that simplistic."
By this time, my voice had loudened to the point that I'm practically yelling at him, with him looking at me with wide, almost surprised looking emerald eyes, but at this point I honestly could care less.
He suddenly lets out an open laugh, an unusual sound coming from the typically poker faced Hatter, "Young lady, I believe you are the bluntest lady I've ever had the chance of knowing. You sure don't bother with sugar-coating your words do you? Is that what you honestly think about me?"
"That's only half of what I think of you. Would you like to hear the rest?"
BLOOD'S POV
"I believe I'll pass. I think I get the gist of it.", I chortle as I take a handkerchief from my pocket and dab at the corners of my eyes. This woman, she never creases to entertain me. I honestly did not expect to be yelled at, but nonetheless it's definatly something new and different. And while I hate annoying situations I do enjoy the diverse, especially the type that comes with a Foreigner. After I take a moment to calm myself and pull myself back together, I look down at her, at her tiny physique and dark skin as she radiates irritation that is so insignificant yet so very amusing, and decide to answer her bluntly spoken question.
"Honestly, young lady this is all you're doing."
"My-"
"Of course. Who else's fault could it be?" I intervene, and give her one of my infamous smirks, "I believe I made it clear that it is you that I want, and I admit to being a vulgar man. But I am from the mafia, so that's a given."
"That's no excuse for-"
"But no matter what I did, my normal self didn't seem to attract your attention. So I decided to try the kind gentleman role to see if that would be more to your liking." I let out a sigh, "Although I will admit that it's been quite boring. I'm not a gentleman by any means."
She is usually so openly spoken, and I've never seen her have problems with finding words to curse me to hell and back with that extensive vocabulary of her's, but now it seems like she's having a bit of trouble. I watch her as she goes to open her mouth, then shut it, only to open it again. She looks very much like a fish as she tries to 'fish' for words to say, and I watch her as she reacts, her face changes from surprise to annoyance to exhaustion. So amusing...and also endearing in a way.
"That's so fucking stupid!" she final exclaims, but it come out as more of a moan or a worded exhale of breath, "Geez, it's hard enough to understand you when you're normal, and now you pull something like this?"
"So fickle you are. I thought you liked me this way. You defiantly talk to me more when I'm being polite."
She looks like she's about to yell at me again (adorable, if you ask me, much like a yipping pup), but instead takes a deep soothing breath, closes her eyes, and leans back so that her back is against the door of her room, as if trying to calm herself so that she doesn't do anything rash. I'll have to give her credit where credit is due.
KIDA'S POV
It takes everything I have and every little bit of patience I own that has come with dealing with idiots on a daily basis. Add that to the tolerance I have when I'm dealing with my over excited friend and everyone else in this fucked up world, and I believe I have just enough to answer him without screaming my head off.
"You're correct on one point. I am appreciating the fact that you are treating me with a little more civility. It definatly beats you harassing me and treating me like I'm some sort of exotic plaything." I start, and I reopen my black eyes to meet his jade ones without hesitation, "But in all honestly, it's beginning to get annoying. It's ok every once in a while, but I like you the way you are, even with all the bullshit you give me and all the bold pushiness and the flirting."
At least I can respond to that is what I want to add, but I keep that in my head.
He stares at me quietly for a couple of moments, our eyes connected, and I'm guessing that he's letting my little speech soak in. I have to say, even I am proud of myself at that one. That has to be one of my better speeches. Perhaps I will write that one down...but it depends on whether or not he gets it.
He grins, "So you ARE admitting that you like me, correct?"
"You know what? Fuck you, Blood."
"Whenever and wherever you want, Sweetheart."
I swear I'm going to kill him, guilt be damned.
While he lets out another of his slight chuckles and covers them up with one of his gloved hands, I begin silently simmering and contemplating his murder to the zenith degree.
"You always are a treat, you know that right?" he chortles, and that mischievous glitter is in his eyes again, "But I'm glad you told me you're honest feelings. At least I know I can stop in this useless charade."
"I'm SO very glad you're enjoying yourself." I respond with sarcasm sticking to every word. I let out yet ANOTHER fatigued exhale and turn my back to him to open my door, "And Hikari was saying some nonsense about how I should get to know you before judging you. I think I've seen enough for a lifetime. Good day to you, sir!"
"But don't you want to know why I continue to tease you, even though you clearly tell me not to?"
...huh?
The question is...a strange on to say the least. Indeed, I have been wondering about that on some occasion. I have clearly stated time and time again that I am not in the least bit interested, any yet even now, after I've evidently expressed how I think of him, he still does so. Surely he would've gotten bored by now, as contrary as he is. I go to give him a snarky response, but before I even have the chance to open my mouth, I feel a shadow come over me, and a hand slide underagainst my throat and up to my chin. And with a flick of his finger my head is tilted back, and I am face to face with him, much closer than is conveniently comfortable.
"You see...you have the darkest eyes of anyone I have ever meet. Almost black like ebony they are, and they always shine differently when the two of us meet.", he lets out an airy snicker, "There is no way that you can hide anything with eyes like that, and I see that small flicker of interest in there each and every time that I try to 'flirt' with you.",
His eyes are suddenly glowing like that of a predator, and at that moment I feel very much like his prey.
"Until that stops, well I'm afraid that you have only two choices. You can just keep putting up with it, or you can just surrender and become mine."
...
"Y-You are out of your mind, you know that right?" I hate how that one sentence comes out less solid than I like. I am also hating how my heart is skipping, but whether it from fear or something else entirely, I am not sure at the moment
He grins even wider, and that breaks me
I quickly turn the doorknob and escape from his clutches, and without any hesitation I slam it straight in his face. Once shut, I press my back to it, heart thundering.
BLOOD'S POV
Well...that was unexpected.
I certainly didn't expect to have a door slammed in my face. It's definatly a first, but nonetheless, that certainly fun...I'll have to do it more often. The look on her face... it was priceless, a mix of surprise and shock at my choice of words, like the idea hadn't even occurred to her. Well, what I told her was the truth. It was something I noticed right away, the way her eyes twinkle in attentiveness while she spurns my existence. She might claim to be annoyed, but she's still curious about me.
And I think her friend noticed it as well, as she always giggles and either carries on teasing Miss Kida or makes herself scarce. I remember Elliot telling me something about it...something along the lines of 'shipping us together?', or whatever that means.
But well, I suppose I should leave her be...for now at least. I do have some things that I need to get done anyway. I turn away from the door and start down the hallway.
But, whether she likes it or not, she will have to come and see me again. Besides...I still have her things, and she definatly wants them back.
It's only a matter of time.
For some reason Blood started sounding like Sebastian from Black Butler in my head while writing this. And Kida started sounding like Ciel...WTF BRAIN?! This is what I get for procrastinating and watching the whole first season of BB all over again (Don't really care for the second one) Sorry of he sounds a little OoC, but it sorta works!
Anyway, thank you all for being patient. I've read all the reviews and such and I am so super happy right now! Summer really is a huge ass drag, and dealing with being broke, hot weather, and an annoying sibling left me both busy and tired. But you're encouraging words have revived me and gave me strength to spare! I'm already working on more chapters!