Chapter 7
The night before had left Crona sleepless. No dream could trump what she had lived. She found herself exchanging her usual blank expression for a smile for the whole morning as she did dishes before her friends woke up.
Her even vibe of happiness must have been enough to keep Raganarok away because he did not bother her the whole night. He claimed that seeing her in such a state made him physically ill. Crona dipped her hands in the hot bubbling water as she reached for another plate that someone had left. The culprit most likely being Soul.
The sound of the water flowing and the dishes clinking together were lost to her ears as she focused on other things. Drifting off had always been one of Cronas favorite hobbies. While with her mother, there was nothing in life that needed to be thought about so she would stay in her mind. It was a fantastic change that her mind had become a much more hospitable place to be.
It was strange, she had never craved physical contact in such a way as she did now. Just the idea of dancing with Kid was enough to sustain her for a life time.
"Damn Crona, are you smashing the dishes?" Soul yawned, sneaking up on her during her day dream. Crona blushed, not understanding his jab at first.
"I'm sorry...was I being too loud?" She asked, feeling immediate guilt for being loud and waking him.
"I'm just kidding. Well I mean, it is loud but I had to be up anyway" Soul said, pulling the fridge open to grab orange juice to help him wake up. Crona wondered why he had to be awake, but didn't ask. She rinsed several plates and a bowl then set them in the rack to dry.
Crona gave no response as she reached her hand to the bottom of the sink to pull the plug and drain the sudsy water. After patting her hands dry, she began to dry the dishes and try to put them away so she wouldn't have to stand uncomfortably in the kitchen. After several moments, she was actually beginning to feel a little more comfortable and almost forgot Soul was even there.
"So, did you guys make out or something?" Soul asked, nearly causing a glass to tumble out of Crona's hands. She scrambled to catch it from falling to the floor and suddenly felt very hot and ill. Several long strands of pink hair swung in front of her eyes from her sudden lunge to catch the cup.
"What?" Crona asked, almost sounded offensive. 'Why would he ask that?!'
"Calm down, I'm just messing with you" Soul scoffed. He could see Crona become frazzled and he didn't like to see people so over emotional. Crona's face didn't cool down at his suggestion. Instead she just set the glass back on the counter and looked at the floor by his feet.
She liked Soul, but he was a very different personality. He seemed to not care about much of anything, while Crona had constant anxiety on all matters of her life. It bothered her that someone could live without worry or care. But she did envy how calm he seemed. Even during the many fights Crona had witnessed between Maka and Soul, he never lost his cool. Sure, he would tease and yell back, but he never said something he didn't mean. He seemed to balance Maka.
"No I didn't...do that" Crona said with her voice catching. Soul smirked, he didn't take great pleasure in teasing Crona but it was fun when she tried to snap back. He felt the need to press further.
"Do you want to?" he chuckled, trying to lean over to see what her expression was as she faced the other way. Crona was more embarassed. A small kiss on the hand was enough last night, but did she want to go further?'
"Leave Crona alone Soul!" Maka ordered in a shrill voice. Soul's grin changed into a frown due to his fun being ended so soon. Maka was slightly more presentable than Soul was, her hair was pulled neatly back but she remained in a tank top and pajama pants.
"What? I'm just trying to help" he said, sipping his orange juice.
"How is teasing helping?" Maka asked, putting her hands on her hips like a child. Crona was glad Maka stepped in, but felt like she shouldn't have to constantly rely on Maka for defense.
"Did you two do that?" Crona asked, causing Maka to stay still for a moment.
"Do...what? Maka asked, unsure of the question. It was unusual for Crona to speak up and question anything. Soul's face formed into a big grin, showcasing his oddly pointed teeth.
"She wants to know if we made out" Soul grinned, watching Crona become increasingly embarased at the subject she had stepped in to. Crona's light eyes bounced from Soul to Maka, wondering who would answer the question she almost wish she hadn't asked. Maka leaned backing a little. It wasn't so normal to ask questions like that directly. It was assumed that like any other couple, of course they had their share of intimate moments, but no one had ever asked. Maka quickly forced herself to remember that Crona was like normal people who had knowledge of how loving relationship were supposed to form and work.
"Well, yeah we made out" Maka answered as simply as possible.
"Among other things" Soul murmmered while taking a sip from his glass. Maka frowned and resisted the urge to slap him so early in the morning. She looked at Crona, who looked slightly curious at what he meant by his comment. Maka brought her hand to her forehead as she rested her elbow on the small table. She did not volunteer to be a sex ed teacher this early in the morning.
Crona was satisfied with her friend's answer and didn't want to pry or ask additional questions, so she gave a small nod. Soul on the other hand loved so see his fiance so embarassed, so he decided to push the conversation further.
"So, did Kid try to kiss you last night?" he asked, looking at her then Maka to see a reaction. Crona blushed deeply while Maka stood to grab cereal from the cupboard.
"Well...yes" Crona answered, causing Maka to snap slightly.
Her hand quickly ripped the cereal box down as she shrieked "What?!" looking at Crona for answers. Crona didn't know that she would be so angry and began to nervously avoid eye contact and shy away.
"He kissed you?! Did he even ask you if you wanted to?! He didn't try anything else did he?" Maka asked angrily as she tossed her cereal box onto the counter, causing it to topple over and almost knock over everything else on the table. She held a dominating stance next to Crona as she grilled her for answers.
"Anything else...? No, he just...uh...on the hand" Crona tried to explain quickly to avoid Maka's anger. Even from Maka, she was terrified when anyone directed anger at her.
"Maka, calm down" Soul demanded, slightly raising his clam voice while picking up the spilled items on the table. Maka realised she had overreacted and looked at the terrified expression on Crona's face as she stood in an almost cowering position to Maka's shorter stature. It was just a kiss on the hand, now she understood Crona wouldn't know to differentiate between any kind of kiss.
"Oh my god, I'm sorry Crona. I just, it's just I want to make sure no one is taking advantage of you...I didn't mean to fly off like that" Maka apologoised, embarassed for her behavior. Crona slightly straightened up although she couldn't turn off the slight fear that always accompanied the shouting her mother did.
"Maka, you know Kid. You know he's a good guy." Soul pointed out, still irritated at the mess she had created from her outburst "You're not her mom you know..." he said, cutting off the end of his own sentence as he realised his words. Maka looked at him then back at Crona, hoping she had not been offended by his accidential comment. The words had drifted right past her ears she she stared into the floor quietly. As a defense mechanism, if Medusa or Ragnarok had abused her to a point, she would shut down. She wouldn't not respond, not due to choice but because she learned to stop listening or reacting for her own mental safety.
Even though she knew she was among friends, she could not turn off reactions that had been formed throughout her whole life. Being in a better enviorment didn't change the fact that she had grown up learning how to cope with living in abusive situations. The numb feeling and silence had captured Ragnarok's attention.
"What did you do now, you big mouth?!" Ragnarok demanded. For as much as he loved to pick on Crona, he was a part of her and experienced the same emotions she did. He just had a different way of handling them.
"I overreacted, I'm sorry Crona"
"She'll be fine, she just does this crap sometimes" Ragnarok said, tapping the side of Crona's head with his small fist which gave no reaction from her as she stood motionless by the sink.
Maka still felt horrible for causing her friend to revert back to her old ways of coping. She was used to people like Black Star who would just shout back or defend themselves. Even though Crona had now lived with them for several months, she and Soul still slipped up on things they shouldn't say.
Crona stayed in her trance like quietness for several minutes. Ragnarok shouted at Maka to make some pasta for him and Crona, even if it wasn't a breakfast food. Maka oblidged and once the food was on the table, Ragnaroks hunger was enough to force Crona to move and begin to slowly make eye contact again.
Maka poured herself cereal as Crona began to slowly eat. Soul silently left to go shower and get dressed while the other three ate.
"I'm sorry Crona, really. It just worries me and it's hard to...deal with. I am happy you come to me for any questions about Soul and I and I won't ovverreact again" Maka apologised repeatedly.
"Okay, shut up. We get it. Let us eat" Ragnarok said, annoyed at her fourth apology. He had his own large plate of pasta that he shoveled into his bottomless stomach.
"I know Kid is a good guy and I couldn't ask for someone better for you. I know he will treat you good and-"
"Are you assuring Crona or yourself, you dumb pig?" Ragnarok asked rudely, trying to get her to be quiet.
"Don't be mean, Ragnaok" Crona said softly. She enjoyed the praise that Maka was giving Kid.
Maka smiled that Crona had finally given a reasponse.
"Maka, I'm sorry for butting in to your personal life and asking questions" Crona said "It's just that Liz said this was the kind of thing that girls talked about all the time"
"Don't be sorry. I'm glad you do. It's just that you're like a little sister to me and I want to make sure nothing bad happens to you" Maka explained.
"I know" Crona assured. Maka was her best friend but Crona was beginning to have second thoughts about what she could talk to her about. Crona understood that her friend just wanted to protect her, but it was confusing that shouting was her method of trying to accomplish that. While the Thompson sisters were rowdy and over the top, they did provide the type of personalities that would break Crona out of her shell.
For some reason, she felt guilty for feeling so close to the Thompson sisters. Maka was the first one of the group to break through to her, but Liz and Patty had much in common with Crona. Especially their upbringing or learning how to fend for themselves.
"So the wedding coming up and we have a lot to do this week. You can come with us to straighten out some last minute issues with the DJ and the food if you want" Maka offered. Crona could see that the stress was beginning to eat away at Maka. No test had ever been as nerve-wracking to prepare for.
Crona agreed to go and the two quickly cleaned up and left. Their destination was a considerable distance so they took a small trolley. Crona preferred walking to almost all transportation because it wasn't as crowded as a bus or trolley. While walking, she was able to give herself some much needed distance. During her bumpy ride, she tried her best to not bump into anyone and would quickly move or reposition so others wouldn't touch her.
Luckily, the cables and tracks were set up in an optimal route that made their trip short and bearable.
Crona followed her friend as they approached a large building that had several vans parked in front of it which displayed company names of the DJ and various caterers. The two would be married at a seperate location. The reception would be held in the building they were entering. The outside was very lavish, with an awning that would give cover to the guests as they entered. it had ample room for all the guests to pull up and have a valet park their vehicle.
The place looked very empty without its guests.
"Don't worry, this will look spectacular when the actual night is here" Maka assured, reading Cronas face. Maka pulled the large wooden door open by its antique gold-colored handle and waved Crona in first. The hall looked even nicer inside, a gleaming glass light fixture gave a dim source of light as they walked from the entrance to the large banquet hall.
The floor changed from the exquisite patterned carpet, to hardwood floor as they entered the hall to see dozens of workers setting up sound equiptment, setting up tables, and wall decorations. People stood on ladders to hang red colored fabric to create flowing curtain wall orniments. Two diffrent women approached Maka, immediately recognizing their client; the bride to be.
"Miss Albarn, where exactly did you want the sub-woofers to be placed? It may create too much bass and clutter near the dance floor" one woman said, Crona had already begun to fade out as another man stood next to them holding two napkins that were different shades of red, preparing to ask an opinion. Maka noticed Crona's lack of enthusiasum.
"You can sit and take a break if you want, Crona" Maka offered, feeling slightly guilty she had dragged her bashful friend along.
"I...can help you with something" Crona said, wanting to feel useful instead of just being a stationary object. Like a chair.
Maka quickly came up with a simple task where Crona could work on her own: folding the silverware into the color coordinated napkins. Two men brought over boxes of the fabric and the untinsiles then they all left Crona to do her work as they went back to their own tasks.
Even though the repeated folding and unfolding seemed boring, Crona loved this type of work. Busy work did not require much thought and soon became automatic as she let her mind drift off. People bustled around in the background, but nobody approached or bothered her. Whenever the cases neared being empty, another worker would come and give her another hundred to fold. Maka must have informed the staff to bring her boxes, knowing that she wouldn't approach someone to ask.
Four boxes later, Crona began to question how big of an event this was.
"Hi Crona"
Crona looked up from her black and red napkin sets to see Tsubaki carrying a case of orb lanterns. For some reason, Tsubaki had a calm enough voice that even when she snuck up on Crona, she did not frighten her.
"Oh, hi" Crona replied, slowly returning her hands to fold again. Over, under, tuck, and stack.
"I see you're keeping busy" she noted sweetly. Crona nodded, not looking up. Tsubaki smiled, she could tell Crona was slightly more comfortable than normal. "Okay, well when you're done you can come help me if you'd like. Maka called and sounded a little overwhelmed so I think the whole group is coming down to pick up the slack".
Crona's eagerly looked up. Whole group. That meant that Kid would show up.
"Don't worry Crona! I see you're wondering where I am, but everything is alright because the star is already here!" Black Star yelled as he ran up next to Tsubaki. Crona gave the best fake smile she could to counter his beaming pride. Crona heard one crew worker groan loudly as she walked by.
Tsubaki excused herself as she and Black Star headed to further table to set up decorations. After Black Star ripped holes in several of the red paper lanterns, Tsubaki made him switch jobs and she assembled them then handed them to Black Star to hang on the ceiling. Even after almost tipping the ladder, Black Star would not give up his second job.
The room took a more festive form as everyone worked on. After a while, Crona finished right as Liz and Patty walked in. Kid was not with them. They greeted Crona excitedly.
"Hiya!" Patty said, waving excitedly. Liz stood with her hands on her hips, looking around.
"This place is looking better and better" she commented "Kid definatly picks a good venue"
Crona should have guessed by its symmetry that he had hand selected this place. He would not approve of Black Star's asymetrical lantern placing.
"Oh look! The dance floor is huge!" Patty gushed, pulling at her taller sisters arm.
"Gunna be an open bar too.." Liz murmerd. Maka noticed the sisters had arrived and quickly ran over to ask their help.
"Hey can you guys put some table clothes on the tables? They're over in the white boxes" Maka said, pointing near the door way to the unpacked items.
Suddenly a loud screech tore at everyone's ears as the speaker system produced feedback. Everyone covered their ears and shouted in protest, except Crona. This screeching was nothing compared to what she and Ragnarok could do. Liz gave an irritated look at the DJ.
"How 'bout I go help him?" she offered "Maybe I can actually show him what good music is supposed to sound like"
"Oooh, yeah! I have a really good playlist that would be perfect for dancing!" Patty exclaimed. Maka nodded, letting the girls go stop the horrible sounds. Crona agreed to pick up table cloth duty. She alternated colors as she fanned out and draped the table cloths onto their surfaces. She made her way to every table as the girls fixed the speakers and made improvements to the overall sound.
Once she was finished, Crona sat at a table. She rested her chin in her hand, watching Maka taste test tiny samples of cakes as different workers surrounded her while she tried to walk.
"Hey"
Crona looked to her right in excitement, which immediatley faded to disapointment. A boy with dark brown hair stood a few feet from her. He wore the causal clothes with the logos on his shirt that showed he was a member of one of the crew. He had several tall stacks of chairs next to him that he must have been wheeling in and setting up.
"Uh, hi" Crona reasponded, not wanting to be rude but not wanting to respond either. She tried to go back to looking at where her friends were.
"So are you like, a bridesmaid or something?" the boy asked, probing for answers. He was a little older and had a strong build that he must have obtained due to his work.
"No, well yeah I guess" Crona answered nervously. She wondered if it would be offensive if she just got up and walked away.
"Nice, well if you need a date I'm single" he added confidently. Crona blushed. Not in her normal level of embarassment, but in a way that she did not like his tone. She tried to follow Liz's advice. 'This is probably flirting or something' she thought to herself.
"Haha, thats okay" she said, giving a tiny laugh to be polite while trying to turn him away. He didn't take a hint.
"I'm just playing" he said moving closer to her table and resting his hands on the chair next to her as she felt him look at her a little longer than she would like. She shifted in the opposite direction of where he was standing. Crona did not reaspond to his statement. He rested all of his weight on his arms as he leaned slightly toward her more. She did not like his looming presence standing over her.
"Listen, I know how weddings are. We move tables and stuff for them all the time. I know bridesmaids tend to get a little...gone after a few drinks" he smirked. Crona furrowed her brow.
"Gone?" she managed to ask, scared of what he meant.
"Yeah, you know toss a few back and get kinda tipsy" he explained "how old are you anyway?"
"I uh- think I need to go help my friend..." Crona said, begining to stand up.
"Come one, you're seriously going to blow me off? I'm trying to be nice. I can be a real nice guy ya know" he asked, irritated.
"I think you have some other tables and chairs to bring in off the truck, don't you?" a voice behind him asked. The brown haired boy spun around to reveal an irritated looking Kid. Crona felt relieved.
"I'm on break here buddy" he retorted, trying to turn back to Crona.
"Well don't worry because you won't have a job to come back to...buddy" Kid retorted, using his foot to pull the chair the boys hands were resting on out from under him, causing him to stumble forward. Kid swiftly brought his arm back then swung forward right into the boys gut, knocking the window out of him. Crona stood wide eyed.
"Kid, what's going on over there?" Liz shouted, noticing the change in her miesters wavelength.
"Nothing Liz, this young man here was just being careless and dropped a stack of chairs on his foot" Kid reported as the boy doubled over in pain. He reached his hand over to Crona, leading her toward. As they crossed the room, she noticed he still held her hand.
"Never let someone speak to you like that" Kid whispered as they crossed the room. Crona exhaled.
"I didn't know what I was supposed to do, I didn't want to make him mad" she tried to justify, as they zig zagged through the tables. Kid gave her a stern look.
"Never worry about pleasing people like that" he instructed "you can stay by Liz and Patty while I go speak to the man who runs that company and see if he knows just what kind of people he is employing"
He gently released her hand as they neared the large DJ booth where the sisters sat. Neither of the sisters even noticed that their hands had been locked.
"Hey Crona, check out this sick beat" Patty demanded, having a large set of headphones dangle from her neck as loud bass and drum sounds began to play. Crona saw the DJ sit angrily at a nearby table. It was all just mindless noise.
"He let you use his stuff?" Crona asked.
"Eh, more like he didn't have a choice. Kid hired him and is paying extra to have things done the way he wants them" Liz shrugged "Even if we break something, what is this guy going to do? His client is Lord Death's kid"
Crona nodded, watching Kid exit the room.
"What's with him?" Patty asked, pulling at the headphones and causing the DJ more anxiety over the equipment.
"I don't know I think that guy did something to piss him off" Liz speculated. Crona offered no explaination. The three of them played around in the DJ booth until the sisters grew hungry and decided to make their way to the kitchen.
"Hey Maka, whatcha got to eat?" Patty asked, poking around the large industrial kitchen. Her eyes finally landed on a platter of dozens of sample sized cake pieces. Maka saw her gaze.
"You can try those, just make sure you tell me which one is best. I couldn't eat more than five and thats not even all of them"
Patty eagerly agreed and began popping the bite sized desserts into her mouth as she picked up the metal tray to take with her. The three of them sat back at a table as Liz propped her feet up on a chair with a clipboard in her hand, marking down which cake flavors they agreed gave higher ratings.
"Patty, seriously just pick one. You're going to get sick from eating all this cake" Liz said, rolling her eyes. Patty had given every piece a five star rating.
"No I'm not. It's not my fault they're all soooo good"
"Really? Maka wanted someone to pick the best flavor and she didn't even think to ask the best person here? Guess her cake will just be as lame as she is" Black Star shot, making his way over and sitting next to Patty. She tried to defend the tray from him but was unsuccessful. Tsubaki quietly suggested Black Star calm down, which did nothing.
"You know what food is dumb anyway, I heard you guys trying to play your crappy music. Nobody even got up to dance. That really shows what kind of skills you guys have" he said, taunting the sisters.
"Hey! Our music is awesome. People can't dance when they're actually doing work" Liz argued.
"Well no one is working now" he said, holding his arms up at the empty room "and not a single person looks like they're having any fun"
"Black Star, this is set up. It's not supposed to be fun" Tsubaki explained. It was too late, Black Star and Patty ran back to the DJ area to fight over who could play a better song. Black Star beat her up there and fired up a techno track. Patty shook her head and covered her ears as he cranked the volume. Black Star bobbed his head, enjoying the music even everyone else seemed to ignore it.
After the song ended, Liz let out a loud 'boo' as she, Crona and Tsubaki stood down on the dance floor trying to set up the lights.
"See? No one even sang along!" Patty argued, clicking the keys on the laptop to play an upbeat pop ballad. Crona never cared for any kind of music, but it was fun to see them argue over something that seemed pointless to Crona.
Black Star began to frown as he watch Tsubaki begin to tap her foot as she worked and Liz sang along. Several other workers jokingly mouthed the words to each other or began to sway to the music.
It suddenly occured to Crona that she had never danced. She had never cared for music and watching most of the people even slightly bob their heads made it blatently apparent that she didn't even know how to enjoy it. Black Star and Patty quickly made a playlist together and ran out to mess around on the dance floor as Tsubaki and Liz secured more strobe lights.
Crona knew dancing wasn't supposed to be something specifically planned out. Even watching Black Star, whose dance moves just looked like his assasains flips and kicks, he looked like he was confident in the way he danced. It was weird that Patty, who shook her hips and waved her arms, looked like she knew exactly how to dance. Maka had tried to explain the concept of 'fake it 'till you make it' to Crona, but she couldn't understand how people can just pretend they know what to do. But the phrase seemed to make sense when applied to dancing.
Once all the light fixtures were hung, all of her friends were on the dance floor showcasing their moves. Crona backed away to a table just off the dance floor. She thought it was fascinating that just like soul wavelengths, all of her friends seemed to have their own dance wavelength that matched them. No matter what type of song, Black Star had a strong and forceful moves. Tsubaki was calm and careful as she lightly spun and moved her arms. Patty and Liz had fun and paired up, continuously laughing.
Why was dancing considered normal?
Moving your body randomly in motion to music seemed like something most people wouldn't want to do. Yet, there her friends were.
Soul finally entered the room as it began to clear of the the extra workers as they finished their set ups. He stood next to Crona, watching his friends make fools of themselves.
"What the hell is going on here?" he asked, chuckling. Patty spotted him and immediately pulled him to stand with them. Even though dancing was uncool, Crona could still see tiny movements that he couldn't fight. His head bobbed in beat as he watched Black Star attempt to break dance.
After the last of the caterers cleared out, Maka finally emerged from the back to join her friends.
"C'mon Crona" she offered, knowing her friend wouldn't accept. She made her way around the tables and lightly tapped Soul's shoulder as the music shifted to a slower beat. Crona saw Black Stars disgust as a slow song came on.
Maka softly pulled Soul's hand as he gave in and wrapped it around her. The two held each other, moving back and forth. As Soul looked down at her, his white hair dangled between their foreheads. A small grin crept across his face as he leaned in for a small kiss that only they and Crona noticed.
"Why aren't you dancing?" Kid asked, pulling out a chair beside her.
"I don't care for dancing. I don't really know how" she said with her eyes still on her friends. He could tell by her almost trance-like look that she yearned to join them.
"No one really knows how" Kid commented, resting his arm on the newly decorated table.
"I know, but...they just know. Instinctively" she explained "they don't worry how they look or question it, I would just look..."Crona trailed off.
"You don't think they look a little funny?" Kid asked, motioning to Black Star who was now on the ground trying to out dance Liz and Patty. Crona shrugged. She didn't really want to be convinced to dance. Maybe at the reception she would, but even among her friends she didn't feel a strong compelling urge.
"It's fine, I'm not big on dancing myself. Liz and Patty can never follow a simple rhythm" he said, giving a small smile. He stood up anyway, quietly offering his hand again. It stayed motionless in front of Crona as she looked up at her reaper friend.
"I thought you didn't want to?" Crona asked, folding her hands tightly onto her lap.
"There are a lot of things I don't want to do that these people make me" he said simply. Realizing he wasn't going to pull his hand away, she placed her hand in his and stood up. They took the few steps to the dance floor to join their 6 friends. Maka quickly looked at their hand placement, which had dropped naturally before she had a chance to see.
"We gunna drop it low, Crona?" Patty asked laughing and trying to squat down to the ground while wiggling. Crona blushed, even with none of her friends watching she felt ridged as she stood with her wrists crossed in front of her.
"Wanna learn some quick stuff before the reception gets here?" Liz asked, noticing that Crona looked uncomfortable. Crona nodded. Knowing basics was better than standing motionless on the dance floor. Liz explained that many of the large group dance songs were made up of simple moves. Some of the songs even said the directions in them. The song changed back to a quick beat, making it easy to show Crona how to lightly dance.
"So basically, if you're a girl you don't even need to know how to dance. See how the boys kind of lean or bob?" she asked pointing at Soul, who was trying to talk to Kid while Maka swayed around him. Crona nodded.
"Well girls just do that, but you can also bend your elbows a bit" she said, showing Crona. Her stance went from a normal standing posture to dancing almost immediately "it also helps to stop people from bumping into you".
Crona felt unnatural still as her hips didn't look as feminine as her friends because she didn't know how to move them. She worried she looked stupid. Liz frowned slightly as she noticed Crona's frustration. Liz held her cowgirl hat as she quickly ran up to change the music. The beat totally changed but was still...enjoyable.
"Okay so this is a group thing, just follow everyone else and the lyrics" Liz instructed. The bass sounded like a heartbeat as the deep lyrics began to tell everyone to clap. Crona noticed that her friends must have known the song because they all formed into two lines all facing the same way as they began to clap in beat. Tsubaki began to giggle as the lyrics commanded "to the right now" which caused all of her friends to move along. The soothing voice sang in tempo as it ordered them left and then to hop several times. Black Star began to grow frustrated every time he confused the left and right directions and bumped into his friends. By the third chorus, Crona actually felt like she knew what she was doing.
She snuck glances at Kid when the lyrics shouted "Freeze! Everybody clap yo hands!" which she joined in. They quickly made their way through the whole song. Even Soul finished. Crona tried to her her big smile as she felt like she could dance and have a good time just like everyone else. Liz went back up to look for more music when she looked at the clock with shock.
"Patty! We gotta go, our show is on in 15 minutes!" she said with such urgency that Crona really wondered if they could feel so strongly about a TV program. Liz and Patty quickly grabbed their belongings and said goodbye.
"Yeah, I have a training schedule to stick to. Unlike you guys, I don't count dancing as actual exercise" he said in a snotty tone. Tsubaki rolled her eyes as Liz scoffed at him.
"Yeah, it is getting kind of late. We should probably get home. A wedding doesn't excuse my grades if they start slipping" Maka agreed. Crona nodded, beginning to walk with Maka and Soul.
"I could give Crona a ride home" Kid offered. Black Star, Tsubaki, Liz, and Patty had already gone ahead and left. Maka looked at Soul then at Crona.
"I guess thats up to you Crona" Maka said, trying not to parent her. Crona blankly stared at Maka. She wasn't sure if she should say what she wanted or just take the easy way home.
"I just have a lock up a few things here, then we'll be on our way as well" Kid assured. Maka nodded, normally she wouldn't give a second though, but the circumstances had changed sightly.
"Th-at would be okay, I'll be home in a little while" Crona finally spoke up.
"Okay then, we'll see you at home" Soul interjected, growing tired of neither of them speaking up. He guided Maka by her shoulders toward the door, she gave a last look over her shoulder before Soul basically shoved her out the door with him.
The large room gave an echo as the door closed in the other room. The music had stopped and all the workers were gone. The quiet was music to Crona's ears. Kid walked back to the kitchen to secure and lock the back door. With him being the client renting, he held the keys to all the rooms. Crona followed him quietly as he checked to make sure all the appliances were turned off and that certain security lights were left on.
"He did get fired just so you know" Kid informed out of the blue, as he reached his arm to flip a switch. Crona remembered the boy.
"...thank you" she offered. Kid turned to look at her.
"You don't have to thank me. Nobody should be speaking to you like that. Anyone would have defended you" he stated. Her heart sank. Maybe she overreacted, thinking it was some grand gesture, Prince to her rescue move.
"But if you wouldn't have been there...no one would have" Crona protested "Nobody was around. Nobody heard what he was..." she said raising her hand, motioning to where she had been sitting as her sentence faded away. Kid gave a stern look.
"Tell me if I'm overstepping, but do you remember when we first met?" Kid asked. Crona's eyes looked to the left as she tried to search her brain for the exact day. It was hard for her to recall much of her old life, she had tried to hard to repress all the horrible things she had done before Maka showed her kindness.
"It was on the ship. The ghost ship?" Kid reminded "the first thing you said to me was that you were scared"
Crona frowned, looking away as she followed him to the next door he had to lock.
"You were scared of dealing with people and thought power was the answer" Kid elaborated, checking that the last door was locked.
"I know now that I was wrong" Crona said, a small plead in her voice as if she still craved forgiveness.
"Yes, I am not blaming you. I just..." he paused stared at her with his serious golden eyes "I just never want you to fear again". She looked back at him, matching his gaze with her lavender eyes, she shook her head.
"Everyone is scared of something" she said quietly.
Many of the lights were off as the two stood in the doorway of the kitchen and the room the reception would be held in. The large room was completely quiet except for their breathing. Crona worried that the sound of her heart pounding would also be audible. Kid looked like he wanted to say something but remained quiet, she began to look away, when his hand slowly wrapped around her's. She looked back at him, his cool hand felt amazing against her warm fingers. He carefully brought his hand up to her chin, slowly as if he was making sure she didn't want to protest.
She found herself leaning in and their lips met. He moved his hand from her chin to clasp her neck softly to deepen the kiss. Everything melted away. For a moment she wasn't a demon sword. He wasn't a shinigami. Everything that made her fear in life faded away as she could only focus on him. His lips parted hers, but she pulled him back. His lips felt like they belonged against hers as they moved against each other. His cupped her face in his hands, looking in to her eyes.
Crona wrapped her arms around him and pulled their bodies against each other. She felt whole as he held her. The only thing she feared is that the moment would end with another day of uncertainty.
Sorry this took forever! I know the last bit seemed a bit rushed. Thank you all for reading!