Ashes And Rain
DGM
Chapter 4
Steadfast Warning
The exorcists sat at a small circular table talking to Nigel Belle, the boss, or the ringleader. However you named it, Nigel was in charge here. The exorcists explained the concept in a very informative and detailed explanation. He understood and listened carefully to each word. Seeing the demons, or as the exorcists claimed, akuma, with his own two eyes, he believed them. Hence, "I give you my full support. Stay with us as long as you want. We have plenty of room here. We'll just have to find somewhere for you to sleep unless you already have something planned." He said.
"Thank you for your understanding and consideration." Tiedol responded. "We wouldn't want to be a bother, but staying as close as possible to you will probably be best for your own safety. Now, if we do find this special object, will we have your permission to take it?"
Nigel rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Sir, that will depend on the object. I don't own everything here. Everyone has their own precious belonging here."
"Then if the times come we will talk to the person who owns the object. If it is an object." Bookman stated.
"Huh?" Nigel was obviously confused.
"Well, you see, the 'clown' may not be created by this object. It may be a real person that is connected to it. Meaning they're one of us, an exorcist. If this proves to be true, we will have to welcome this person to the Black Order." Lavi informed.
"Now, you can't just force someone to go with you." Nigel commented, furrowing his brow.
"I know, we give them a choice. Most agree to come anyhow without question." Tiedol said to ease the man, not telling the whole truth, but not completely lying. Because, everyone should know, the Black Order does whatever they can to get this accommodator to agree to come.
"Very well." Nigel mumbled.
Nigel combed his hair back as it was falling in his face. He must still be a little disturbed from seeing the akuma and about the exorcists, but he didn't claim them as freaks. Maybe he wouldn't even think of them as that. After all, how many times do you hear people mention circus folks as freaks? A lot! Though, they're not really. "If you need anything at all, just ask. Nobody would mind helping you, however, we have a lot to do during the day. A few might get a bit crabby." Nigel warned.
"I have one more question for you Mr. Belle." Bookman said bluntly.
"Go ahead, there's nothing to hide."
"It's about one of your performers here."
Nigel raised an eyebrow curiously. "Yes?"
"Allen Walker, could you tell us a little about the boy?"
Nigel smiled warmly, practically laughing with his eyes. "Ahh, you've met Allen already, have you?"
"Shandy introduced us." Krory added.
Nigel scanned the area to find Allen talking to a few people at the table. There was, once again, that sweet smile. Everyone seemed happy around him, everyone seemed to like him. Be that as it appears, it was real! "Allen, he's. . . special. I can't recall a person who's ever hated him with all their hearts. Whenever somebody new comes, he's the first there for support, the first friend. A gifted child. Just not much education. Everyone loves him. He's able to make anyone care for him. I think he belittles himself too much, nonetheless." Nigel gleamingly acknowledged.
General Tiedol followed Nigel's gaze, wondering about him further. "Is there anything peculiar about him?"
"Peculiar? . . . . . None come to mind, really, except maybe he's personally secretive." Was their final answer before Nigel went to join the rest to eat dinner.
Allen sat beside Jude and a girl, eating his food happily, talking cheerfully with his friends. He was a bit upset that Mana hadn't showed up for dinner. In fact, since the show he hasn't seen his didn't bring up the subject. Mana could be in their 'room'. But he caught the exorcists and listened to a few of them mention they were hungry. He piled his plate with all sorts of food, taking it out of his portion of his meal-a rather large meal for him-and walked over to them. Lavi and the Krory looked up at him while momentarily stopping their whining. "Huh?"
He held out the plate. When no one took it, he put it on the table, offering a giant smile. "Go ahead, dig in. If I'm not mistaken, you haven't eaten since you arrived here, have you?" Allen told them.
"Are. . .are you sure? We wouldn't want to take your delicious food away." Krory softly said.
"Oh, it's fine. Allen is probably taking this out of his meal. He has a unique appetite, so there's nothing to worry about." The girl he sat next to said, popping out from behind him. "Eat it. There'll be no harm."
"You didn't have to mention my appetite, Daisy." Allen grumbled, uncomfortably looking away.
She patted his shoulder. "If the stick around long enough, they'll discover anyhow."
Allen sighed. With warmth-filled eyes, he turned to the exorcists. "Anyways, eat up. Surely you'll need your energy."
"Thank you, Allen." Miranda peeped.
"You're quite welcome."
Allen sat in the chair Nigel had previously claimed and watched the exorcists silently as they slowly ate, one speaking up now and then. Allen figured they were a little nervous around him or something. Some-though he wasn't naming off names-were rowdy as he recalled. There was something he did want to know. "Excuse me, but if you don't mind my asking, what exactly are you guys doing here?" Allen asked.
"Oh, um, we're. . . ." Lenalee hesitated. She didn't want to freak him out. He was a kid. He didn't look much older than Jude. "Doing a very important job."
Allen's lips formed a firm line and he stared at the emblem on Lenalee's jacket. Bookman and Lavi, definitely Tiedol and Kanda, found it odd, strange. Before anybody could say another word to Allen or Allen to them, somebody else spoke up. "Hey Allen,has your Father come back yet?"
Said boy swiveled and eyed a man standing up at the table. "No, I didn't know my Father left. He didn't say anything to me. I thought he'd be reading the newspaper again." Allen paused. "Where'd he go Woody?"
"Hours ago," Woody simply stressed with agitation, "Mana headed in town to do a few chores. Hasn't come back since. I find it odd he didn't tell you that he was going out. He does normally take you with him after all."
Allen stood up with concern in his eyes. "He's probably playing around again." Daisy suggested.
"I imagine so." Shandy noted, taking care of a few dishes.
Allen walked away from the table and past the fellow performers. Many eyes watched Allen. "Where are you going?" a woman that was a little chubby questioned daringly.
"I'm going to go find him. He is sort of my responsibility. Don't worry, I'll be right back Marsha." Allen said.
"It's nightfall, you outta stay here. Don't go out there by your lonesome self." Nigel told him.
"Nothing is gonna happen. Besides, I'd be more worried about Father than me." Allen said, stopping at the exit.
"Yes, but Allen, just in case, you should stay."
"At least take somebody with you." Shandy ordered.
"And who'd wanna go?" Woody questioned.
"I'll go with you, Allen." Krory piped up.
Allen twisted his body around. "You don't have to."
Krory shook his head. "No, it's fine."
"Krory. . ." Lavi muttered.
"It's okay, Lavi, really. I mean, what if he does get attacked by akuma?" Krory whispered.
"Right, then we should be on the look out too." Tiedol agreed.
"Alright, if you want to come, I don't mind." Allen said, waiting for Krory.
Krory and Allen walked slowly through the half-empty streets of Ruffly City. Krory watched out for akuma while in regards of Allen, keeping an eye out for anybody that might be his Father. The problem was, he had no idea what Allen's dad would look like. "Umm, Allen?"
"Yes?"
"Your Father, what does he resemble?"
"Oh, right, I forgot you've never met him before." Allen looked up at Krory. "If he is out of his clown suit he usually wears a beaten up suit normally with striped green and yellow pants." Krory didn't say anything in fear of sounding insulting, but that kinda sounded strange. "The stripes are vertical. Ummm, his hair is black or a very, very dark brown. . . He looks like he's growing in a thin, small mustache. Oh! He almost always has a top hat."
Well, he was very descriptive. Krory will give him that.
Looking in every open shop they could find or a cheap place to buy food, they searched. They practically turned the place upside down. Krory hoped nothing happened to him and seeing disturbance in Allen's eyes, he decided to bring up a conversation. "So Allen, when did you and your Father first join the circus?"
Allen was silent for a second before he decided to answer. "My Father was in the circus for ten years or so. I'm not sure exactly. . . . I travelled with him for quite some time before I actually changed position from errand boy to a real performer. It might've been four years ago when I became a clown."
"And you enjoy this?" Krory wondered.
"Of course." Allen stopped, staring at his feet. "At first I hated it. I hated the circus, but then I changed. The circus has become family to me. It's so much fun if you take the time to know the place."
"A family?" Krory repeated, remembering his family back home at the Order.
"By the way, what's your name?"
"Me?" Krory pointed at himself, waiting for Allen to answer. "I'm Arystar Krory III!"
"Nice to meet you Krory."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, too, Allen."
Beginning the search again from scratch, they investigated the city again. Allen heard a loud bellowing from a tainted place that he hated. Turning his head, he found Mana, but he found another red-haired man drinking liquor like no tomorrow and surrounded by woman in a bar. Allen twitched with annoyance. It could get in trouble for going in the bar, but he had to. He just had to get rid of Krory for a moment. If Krory found him then. . . who knows? What was he supposed to do, lie?
Allen turned towards Krory who was distracted by a stand with toys and antiques. He seemed to of actually forgotten about Allen. Seeing this as Allen's chance and praying Krory would stay distracted long enough, Allen ran in the bar, immediately wanting to plug his nose. "For the love of god!" Allen grumbled quietly.
Pushing through the crowd, stumbling forward, he passed the dancing standing people as quick as possible. Most were too drunk to care he was a underage. Still, out of worry, he fastened his pace. "Mana!" Allen cried.
Mana turned his head, shock running across his face. What was Allen doing in the bar? "Allen!"
Cross glared at Allen and Allen glared back, but cowering behind Mana at the same time. "Where have you been all day! Everyone's worried and you didn't tell me a thing! I've been looking fro you for over an hour now!" Allen exclaimed.
"Calm down. I was just trying to convince Cross to go back to the tents. It's not working too well." Mana responded.
"Why? So he'll steal one of our beds or bring a lady. . ." Allen blushed, remembering the many times Cross brought a woman back with him either when he had to go with Cross somewhere or when Mana wasn't around. "Nevermind. Please come back. Let him be."
"Allen I can't do that."
"Well, you're gonna have to." Allen took a deep breath. "There's a group of exorcists at the circus."
Cross fell silent and narrowed his eyes, the air tensing and he actually asked the woman to leave! "Who?"
"A group of exorcists. I know two names at best right now, but they've been there all day. I don't know what they're doing here. I wouldn't be surprised if they're trying to retrieve you!" Allen informed.
"Marian. . . . ?" Mana mumbled.
"How long are they going to be there?" Cross demanded, grabbing Allen by the collar.
Allen flinched as the scent of alcohol filled his nostrils. He resisted the urge to shout. He didn't want to gain attention. "How-how am I supposed to know?"
"Find out!"
"That's not fair to Allen. You're just lucky we're covering up for you." Mana told him.
"Whatever. I don't care how you do, just get them out of here." Cross ordered, ignoring Allen's silent retaliations.
"Why don't you get out of here?" Allen replied.
"What was that?"
"No-nothing."
Cross let Allen go, making Allen fall on the ground. Mana helped him off the ground and guided him back outside. Allen coughed when fresh air entered his lungs. "Let's go back Allen."
"Hang on, there's an exorcist here with me." Allen searched the area. "Krory!"
Krory turned around, apologizing repeatedly because of being distracted and bowed on the ground, flopping around like a fish out of water. "Krory. . . Krory. . . . Krory!" Allen sighed. "It's okay."
Krory sniffled, crying slightly, "Really? Huh, Allen, is that your-"
"Yes, this is my Father, Mana Walker. Father, that's Krory." Allen explained.
"Hello sir." Krory greeted, getting on his feet.
Mana tipped his head. "Good evening."
"Shall we go back now? We need to get up early tomorrow and I'm tired." Allen said.
"Aye."
It wasn't a long walk back. When they arrived a few exorcists were sitting around outside waiting for them. Most likely they were thinking about coming after Allen and Krory soon. "You're back!" Lavi cheered.
Lavi was awfully happy. Allen was a little weirded out by him, but he'll soon get used to it. Thinking about the day's events, Allen yawned, causing Lavi get close to him and stare at him. "Whoa little buddy, you look pretty tired. Maybe you should get some rest."
"I was-" Allen was interrupted by another yawn. "I was planning on it."
Mana put his hand on Allen's shoulder and lightly pushed Allen towards their bare room. "Come on little one, time for bed. It's already past your curfew." Mana teased.
"It is not!" Allen protested.
"You have a curfew?" Lavi questioned.
"No-not really. Only on days we got to leave early in the morning or something."
"Uh-huh."
Allen let the subject go and inhaled. Pointing at the smallest tent at the back. "If you need anything I'll be in there. I mean it, come get me if you need anything at all. I won't get mad, promise." Allen said, Mana still dragging him.
"M'kay." Lavi let him know he listened. "See ya later sleepy."
Allen and Mana approached their resting area. Once inside they got ready for bed. Allen flopped on the bed and covered up with his blanket. He was curious to know what Cross was going to do. Hopefully take off. He wasn't going to do what his Master asked of him this time. Allen was sure they were here to get him, so why hadn't he said anything? There was something that worried him, something that kept him from talking to them. "You know you couldn't turn Cross over to them right now." Mana said, laying down in his own bed.
Mana blew out the candle that lit the room and Allen turned on his side, watching through the hole in his tent. He could see the moon shining brightly in the starry sky. He had a good view from here. The hole wasn't big nor small. Just right to see many things. "Why wouldn't I?"
"Because then you'd be letting them know you're acquainted with him. Not only that, you'd be telling them you know about the Order, Allen. You should know that people have spotted you by now and-"
"I get it Mana."
"How many times must I tell you not to interrupt. Not just that, I'm your Father, call me Father." Mana said.
"Sorry, Dad."
"Are you ready to go?"
The world spun by slowly as Mana awaited his answer. "I don't know yet. I want to help, seriously, however, that would mean I'd be leaving you, right?"
Mana hesitated, knowing the answer far too well. He knew a little about the Black Order, but he knew more about the enemy. He didn't want Allen to go to the Black Order. Not because he didn't want to leave Allen, because of a deeper meaning. . . . That's what he told himself. Over the years he's grew fonder of Allen. Allen really has become his son. His closest family. His most precious item, but is he more precious than him? "Maybe, Allen."
The young boy let his body loosen up to ease himself. He closed his eyes and softly breathed in and out. "I love you, Father."
"I love you, Allen."
"G'night."
"Good night."
I got nothing to say this time except keep reviewing! Please, oh, and again, thanks for reading! PS: What do you think this smiley looks like, =0 } ?
~Anon Novelist~