"T-Thank you, Elliot." I hesitantly say, sheepishly looking off to the side and nervously rubbing my arm. It's because of him I was able to at least come and see that Jett is safe, even though Jett will be following the head of the mafia around and now I'm trapped here for the foreseeable future. Wah~ my brother is going to kill me~
"For what?" He asks after a moment, pulled from his consuming thoughts as we head down the hallway to I assume what will be my room for my stay here.
"For bringing me here to see my dog." I cheerfully smile, trying to look at the positive rather than the negative. I'm sure if I really wanted to leave I could pretend I'm going out for a walk and make a run for it, but I'm sure that's naive thinking on my end.
"Hm ... ," he slightly grunts, his eyes sliding away to avoid my gaze. Uh oh. Does he not like dogs? I feel a frightened chill crawl up my spine. Oh goodness what if he doesn't like Jett at all and wants him dead?! "J-Jett is really a good dog, I assure you. He has a mean streak in him b-b-but he's still a lovable dog-!"
"Good enough to be considered the new second in command of the mafia?" He near pouts, eyes looking sad and vulnerable while he openly huffs. S-Second in command-?!
"N-NO!" I nearly shriek, mortified at the thought. Then he'll have to go on d-dangerous runs a-and oh my goodness sit downs too-! "Of course not! No matter how good of a dog Jett is there is no possible way he could do that!" How in the world could anyone think that?! T-T-This may not be my world but a freaky, cross dimensional time thing b-b-but don't at least a few principles of senses last through the ages?! He stops in front of a door, ears fixated on me as he happily grins.
"Ha ha! I knew a dog couldn't replace me!" He laughs, opening the door to the room and steps aside.
"R-Replace you?" I say, startled at the thought. "Did you really think Jett could replace you?"
"Well, we are both dogs and I was worried from Blood's comment earlier, but now I feel more reassured and I have you to thank." He grins. A dog? I look up, staring at his ears. But ... those aren't the ears of a dog at all. In fact, I'm not sure if they are rabbit ears. Maybe, donkey ears?
"Um, you're welcome?" I say, still observing his ears.
"Well, I'll stop bothering you so you can get some sleep," he grins before pausing, "unless you're not tired, then I guess I could give you a tour of the Mansion."
"O-O-Oh, um, no need," although I would like one and I'm not tired, "I don't want to trouble you at all." I say with a bashful smile.
"No trouble at all. Come on." He encourages with a wave of his hand and starts walking away.
"U-Um, no, I mean you should rest." I say, trailing after him worriedly. I can get the tour from someone else, but he definitely needs some rest himself. Everyone sleeps at night, don't they? And it's night right now.
"Why? I'm not tired." He says, his ear twitching. Oh dear how do I-oh.
"O-Other people will be asking about that bruise. I don't think you'd want to hear that ridicule." I smile, hoping I got him this way. He didn't seem too happy about the twins saying it to his face so how about a servant?
"That's alright because I'll just shoot them if they mock me." He says with a grin.
"N-No, you mustn't do that-!" I cry, shocked by the joke. I shouldn't take him seriously, just like with Gray of what he said about Ace, b-but death ... shouldn't lightly be joked about. Especially not after-
"Why not?" He asks, looking perplexed.
"U-Um-! Rumors! Y-You don't want rumors floating around that I-I gave you that black eye," and for my sake, too, "s-s-so you should rest until it looks better." I argue. I'm used to using logic for arguing because I've had five older brothers. Granted, they didn't often listen to me, but it was my only chance at persuading them. Elliot's cheeks touch with pink as he glances away, looking embarrassed. He knows I'm right.
"I-I guess so." He agrees, running a hand through his hair and self consciously covering up his eye with his hand.
"Exactly. So, you go ahead and rest, and I will get you an ice pack, alright?" I smile, happy to stay here and help him instead. I really don't want him going around and people finding out I gave him a black eye. T-Then I'll become known for that and ... and I don't want to go through that again. I internally shiver, my smile towards Elliot weakening a bit.
"If you insist." He lets out a small sigh, slumping back to his room with his hand, whether he realized it or not, covering up the black eye. "The infirmary is just down the hall and to your left. The staff will direct you there."
"T-Thank you, Elliot." I say as a faint blush crawls over my cheeks. He's ... got such a broad back. Heh, I used to wrestle with my brothers when I was younger and then massage their shoulders and backs when I punched too hard. They were good brothers, restraining themselves so they wouldn't hurt me while I went all out. But as to who would win now, I'm not so sure.
I start heading towards where he directed me, turning the corner and bumping into someone. My hand shoots out and grabs her wrist to stop her from falling over.
"S-Sorry." I automatically say, looking the faceless in the ... not, the eyes? I glance away, still uncomfortable seeing their faces looking like this. It freaks me out.
"Oh, not to worry. And, you would be ... ?" The stiff maid asks, holding firm to an ice pack in her hands.
"A-Avery. I came to the t-tea party earlier." I sheepishly smile. Ah~ she must be a little intimidated by my height.
"Um, is that going to Elliot's room?" I ask, hoping it is so I don't have to get lost in the Mansion looking for the room like in the woods with Ace earlier looking for Clover Tower.
"O-Oh, yes it is," she stutters, holding it up for me to see the slightly watery ice within the bad swish around. She tries to manage a sweet smile but it gets a little mangled with fear.
"D-Do you mind if I take it to him?" I hesitantly ask. She stares for a few moments, looking as if she is about to say no before smiling more earnestly.
"O-oh, an admirer of Master March, I see? Of course," she haughtily chuckles, handing it off to me without much resistance. "Now if you excuse me there is a mess I need to clean up. As you see, someone spilled fruit punch on the floor." She smiles, gesturing her hand over the hall which had red liquid pooled on the ground. In the center of the puddle with a beautiful looking clock with a small rose on it.
"Oh, you p-probably shouldn't leave the clock in the fruit juice like that." I say, walking past her and up to the strange smelling puddle.
"N-N-Not to worry, miss-!" She says, getting more flustered as she comes up behind me. I bend over and gently sweep the clock up in my hand, the warm liquid dripping through my fingers and leaving stains in the cracks of my skin. Weird, why is the fruit punch warm? Maybe they sell it differently from here.
"O-Oh, no, n-n-n-n-now you've gotten fruit juice on your fingers." She stutters, whipping her hands forward with a wet rag as she wipes off my hands and the clock. "A-And to make it smell better~," she says, taking out a bottle of perfume and sprays it of my hand and the clock.
"Oh, thank you. But, may I ask why this juice smells so odd?" I ask, trying to smell it again through the perfume. I couldn't be sure but earlier it almost smelled like-
"B-Blood! Oh, I-I, forgive me for my outburst, M-Master Blood-!" The maid suddenly cries, making a small bow towards me. I look back, gently cradling the clock in hand as Blood smiles over the both of us. Jett looks down the hall and starts to menacingly snarl.
"Seien Sie still," I quietly snap, making his jaw shut but his growls only softened.
"Yes, that is my name, isn't it?" He chuckles, looking over me with a glint in his eye. "I apologize for interrupting but 'Jett' here smelled something awfully odd coming from these halls. Almost that of ... betrayal, I think?" He says, directing his gaze over to the woman who's fingers trembled.
"Betrayal?" I ask. Wait, betrayal of what?
"I see you've found the clock I've been looking for. May I have it back?" He smiles, holding out his hand for the beautifully engraved clock.
"O-Oh, of course." I say, handing it back to its supposed owner.
"Thank you. Another servant, I'm thinking." He says, tapping the clock to his chin as he stares at the maid. "Go ahead and bring that ice pack to Elliot. I'm sure he'll like it sooner than later." Blood continues to smile over the trembling girl. Uh oh, I'll bet she was trying to clean up the mess before Blood saw it. It's best if I don't interrupt. It's not like the penalty of her mistake will be death itself.
"Y-Yeah." I agree, trotting down the hall but I cast a glance back. I hope he isn't too rough on her. I hurry to Elliot's room, hesitating before knocking on his door.
"C-Can I come in, Elliot?" I ask, listening for his response. I jump back as the door unlocks, watching Elliot open the door. His hair is damp, probably from a shower and wasn't wearing his cloak or belts. "Here's your ice pack."
"Oh, thank you. Come on in." He says, stepping aside for me. O-Oh, go into his room with him? My cheeks touch with pink as I step inside, stiff as brick as I hear him shut the door.
"Make yourself at home. Blood gave me Night off this Time Change." He says as he walks over to the dresser. M-Make myself at home ...
"O-Ok?" I hesitantly say, not understanding what he meant. I-I guess I'll just sit on the couch? I walk over and sit on the couch, listening to him moving around behind me. "Um, do you want me to get you some medicine for your eye too?"
"No, that's alright. This'll be gone in a Time Change, easy." He says as he pops around the side of the long couch, gently rubbing his ear with a hand towel to help dry it off.
"Here, l-let me dry your hair." I offer with a smile.
"Oh, alright." He says as he sits down on the couch. I shift to my knees and take the towel, gently rubbing his hair downward so I don't put knots in his hair. My cheeks pull into a happy smile as I dry off his hair. I use to do this for my older younger brother. He would get up, shower, and then sit on the couch with wet hair and refused to do it himself. Honestly, he was so stubborn.
"Thanks." He says, the faintest hum to his voice as I pull the towel away from nearly dried hair. I sit back down and hang the towel over the arm of the couch, moving the pillow that was between up onto my lap for the time being. I don't want him to think I'm rude putting it on the ground.
"Not a problem." I smile, reaching over to the table and picking up the ice pack. "And here's your ice pack," I say as he shifts on the couch. I look up as he lays down, resting the back of his head on a pillow in my lap. My cheeks grow rosy and heart races fast as I stare at the calm faced man who notices my near panic.
"What's wrong?" He asks, staring at me with puzzled eyes.
"U-U-Um la-lap?" Is all I squeak out in my embarrassment. W-What do I do?! H-H-How would a 'normal' girl react to this? He blankly stares at me, his ears twitching.
"Is my head hurting you?" He asks, concerned.
"N-Not at all." I nervously stammer.
"Well, you said you wanted to help so I thought you meant by holding the ice pack on my eye."
"Y-Yes, I can do that." I say, taking the ice bag and setting it over his eye.
"Thanks." He sighs, relaxing a little bit. My fingers tremble slightly as I hold the top of the bag, staring at his face as he closes his eye for a bit.
"Um, d-do you not like dogs, Elliot?" I ask a little suddenly, hoping he doesn't say no. He didn't seem to hit it off with Jett for some reason earlier and looked mad. He seems to really, really dislike him a-and that's not good!
"Hm? Not like them? I am one." He says, pointing to his ears. I stare at his long ears for a few moments, confused.
"You're not a rabbit?" I ask, reassuring myself of what he meant. I always thought he was one.
"W-What?! Of course not! These are dog ears, dog!" He vehemently denies, shooting up so he's sitting on the couch. I lean back, flustered at his sudden movement and clutch the bag of ice in my hands. He turns around with a sharp pout, looking almost upset I thought he was a dog.
"O-Oh, sorry. It's just that rabbit fur is softer than dog fur and your fur looks softer than the average dog." I point out, staring at the very soft looking fur. There's no way he's a dog. He has to be some other type of animal with fur that soft unless he conditions his ears every hour which I doubt.
"T-They aren't!" He reassures, ears pressing against his head. Maybe I really am wrong? But they look just like rabbit ears.
"A-Alright then, let me test them." I say, sitting onto my knees as I stare at his ears. I'm sure he won't mind if I'm gentle enough.
"T-Test them?" He asks, stiffening as I reach up and gently grasp the base of his right ear. "U-Urk-!" He grunts in the back of his throat, flinching down slightly as I softly stroke his ear. The short, soft fur slides beneath my fingers very nicely as I slide my hand up, ruffling his hair a little bit with my other hand as I stare at the shape of his ears.
"You're ears are definitely softer than a dogs." I say. But, if he wants to believe he's a dog, who am I to deny him that? "but it's definitely dog like fur."
"Ha! Of course it is!" He cheerfully grins, a victorious glint in his eye. I smile at his enthusiasm and gently keep rubbing his ear, listening his grunting thrums in his chest. His grin falters into a soft smile before and almost hazy look enters his eye. A faint touch of pink crawls over his cheeks as his head cranes to the side, clearly enjoying the treatment. Cute~
"I-Is it alright if I pet you?" I ask, deciding to actually ask now that I'm satisfied. I can go either way now but I'd rather keep petting him. His ears are really soft and nice to pet.
"Hn~ y-ye ... ah," he grunts between his flurrying bunny purrs. I giggle and gently leave a trailing finger on the inside of his ear, watching his eyes roll back in relaxation. His head falls forward and gently rests on my shoulder with his forehead in the crook of my neck. I softly smile at his funny expression and pull my hand back. His thrumming purrs continue and slowly begin to fade away. He lets out a longing sigh, the warm air rolling over my collarbone.
I shiver at his hot breath, suddenly conscious of his hair tickling my skin and his warmth seeping into my shoulder. W-What do I do? Do I continue petting him o-or push him back? I hesitantly reach up, setting one hand on his shoulder to shove him back if needed and the other in his hair, shakily playing with a wavy orange locks.
U-Um ... is this alright to do? I-I don't think it's that weird, right? I-I guess I'll just wait until he decides he's good? I shift on the couch and lean back but he heavily lies against me, pushing me back down against the couch. Ha ... ha? My fingers trail up to his ear, rekindling the grunting thrums deep in his chest. His breathing starts to become more even as I continue petting his ear, waiting for him to say something.
Um ... I think he fell asleep. Well, this certainly is a bit strange to let a grown man fall asleep while laying against my shoulder. I have to admit that's a first for me. My head rests back against the arm of the couch, getting comfortable with how this has turned out.
Elliot takes in a deep breath before nuzzling his head a little closer, catching my attention. I glance over his manly features and strong broad jaw, feeling my heart lightly tremble. I surprised myself at knocking this strong man out in one go but it's all about placement in fighting. You can punch someone in the same spot a hundred times and they won't drop but make a really good hit to a vital area and they are down for the count. My fingers comb through his hair and gently twirl a strand around in my finger, listening to his gentle thrumming. Cute~!
I slightly jump as a soft light suddenly starts to glow outside the room. My gaze whips over to the window, spying the last shred of Night vanish to Dawn. I-I really don't think I will get used to that. My fingers stiffen as I hear a light knocking on the door.
"Master March, I'm sorry to say but your break is over. Master Dupre needs you to run to town and finish up some business." Someone outside the door says. Elliot takes in a sharp and deep inhale of breath, his eyes cracking open as he wakes out of his sleepy trance.
"Well, breaks over," He heavily sighs before pushing against the couch on either side of my head, sitting up to his knees, "I was hoping to get some sleep but that was a fast Night." He chuckles, looking back to me. He blinks, looking puzzled. "Oh, you are still here?"
"Y-Yeah. You fell asleep on m-me." I stutter. He blankly stares at me before a touch of pink lights up his cheeks.
"O-Oh, did I? Sorry about that." He says, seeming embarrassed that he had fallen asleep.
"N-No worries, it's alright." I reassure with a smile, noticing his perfect face. "H-Hey, what happened to your black eye?" I ask, pointing to his face. He reaches up, touching around his eye with his fingers.
"It must have healed up faster than I thought." He grins, acting like it was completely normal. B-But his eye was completely black a few minutes ago!
"B-B-But eye-!"
"Master March, you really should hurry." The servant from the other side of the door calls.
"I'm coming." Elliot calls back as he slips his cloak and belts on, along with his scarf. "You can go ahead and rest here if you don't want to return to your room, I don't mind." He grins before heading towards the door. I gawk as he leaves, quietly shutting the door behind him.
"B-B-B-But eye! His eye was black literally minutes ago-!" How is that possible?!
My final choice for who Avery will be paired with will be announced in the next chapter. Remember to vote for who you want and that the ultimate choice belongs to myself as the writer. Thank you for expressing your opinions as they will be taken into account while I make my choice. 10 REVIEWS for the next chapter~ Oh yeah and ideas as to what you think will happen would be nice I just hit a wall :D