Warm Hospitality

Lord death had summoned Alice; he had given her a special task of searching for a dangerous serial killer who was only a few steps away to becoming a kishin. She told Lord Death, by using her flashcards of course, that she did not have a weapon partner. Death happily decided that Soul Evans would be a suitable partner for her. She was at a loss for words but agreed to his decision; he also apologized for not being present the last time she went to seek for him. He truly was sorry, but, Alice shook her head and smiled at the grim reaper.

After Alice, had left the death room along with Stein following behind, she skidded across the hallway in pure joy and determination had sparkled in her eyes. Her first mission with a weapon partner! She was overjoyed and was prepared for anything that comes in her way. The mission will start next week, probably on a Monday. Though, she is aware of the possible dangers that may occur on her mission.

While many thoughts danced through her mind, her thoughts were interrupted by Stein patting her head. Her cheeks heated up as her gaze landed on the professor who looked down at her. She could have sworn she saw a concerned look in his eyes, though, she couldn't tell due to the glare of the light as it blocked his eyes.

"Good luck, Alice. A talented meister like you can easily handle a mission like this one," he said with a grin. She smiled before nodding her head, 'I will do my best!' she happily exclaimed in her mind, her eyes sparkled in response. Stein chuckled, removing his hand from her head and shoving them in his pockets.

Both the professor and his student walked around the city, Stein making his usual jokes while Alice giggled under her breath. It was fun spending time with Stein; she always enjoyed his company even if she was shy around him. The first time she met Stein was normal, that is, he kept staring at her during his class. She didn't notice until her gaze landed on him, he had been staring for quite some time. Her cheeks heated up before breaking eye contact.

She smiled remembering a certain memory that made her grow closer to him. She had been walking across the hallway during lunch break, quietly looking around. Alice stopped to look up the board that contained many raven colored wooden plaques, carved on them was the location of the mission, along with the ranking. Reading it silently, she was unaware of a certain silver-haired professor who came up to her and spoke, making her jump. This made him chuckle as she blushed heavily.

Stein offered her to walk with him on the balcony, she accepted with a nod before walking alongside him. The air surrounding them wasn't all that welcoming, holding her hands together and her head was slightly lowered. Stein had been observing the petite girl next to him. His cigarette was lit up; the smoke that he blew out had been floating above his head, which formed into a Lord Death skull.

''You don't talk much, do you?" he asked bluntly, unaware that the question had made her uneasy as she frowned. Though, Alice quickly discarded her frown, lifting her gaze towards the professor with a smile.

A hand waved across her face snapping her out from her flashback, "Earth to Alice. You in there?" she blinked a couple of times before her eyes landed on Steins, "For a second there I thought I lost you." he laughed patting her head in the process.

Her cheeks turned into a shade of pink before smiling nervously. Alice looked around at her surroundings and knew where they were. They stood next to the five-story apartment complex, where Alice currently lives in. She thought to herself and wondered how they even managed to arrive here after she had dozed off. Tilting her head to the side, an idea suddenly popped into her head. A wide smile had formed on her lips.

She suddenly grabbed Stein's arm pulling him forward inside the building. This sudden action came out of nowhere and Stein was caught off guard while he stumbled his way inside, as his student dragged him up the stairs reaching up to the fifth floor. The girl finally released her grasp from his arm as she pulled out the keys from her backpack. Unlocking her apartment door as she stepped inside, removing her shoes in the process.

Alice looked over her shoulder to a confused looking Stein in her doorway. She pulled out a flashcard and showed it to him, 'welcome to my home!' Stein gazed down at the card before looking up at her, "Oh..." he mumbled quietly. He entered inside, closing the door behind him as he removed his shoes and placing them next to hers'.

The professor raised his head staring at a different written card, 'Make yourself comfortable, I'll be back in a moment.', then the girl took off down the small yet long hallway and entered her room.

Stein reached towards his screw, cranking it slowly. He made his way onto the large couch as he sat down, still cranking his screw; his eyes studied the room around him. A loud 'click' was heard as he slumped onto the couch comfortably, his eyes stared off at the ceiling above him. The smell of vanilla invaded his nose; yet, his cigarette was still producing smoke, blocking most of the sweet aroma. He removed the stick from his lips, flattening it on the table in front of him before relaxing back on the couch.

'I don't understand.' he clenched his fists' tightly, 'Why... why are you keeping secrets from me.', he furrowed his brows, a sad expression was shown across his features, 'Alice...'

Soft footsteps echoed throughout the room, Steins features began to relax, as his student came to his view. Alice now wore a large comfy looking sweater with soft colored stripes which consisted of; brown, white, gray, baby pink and the last stripe was brown again. She still wore the same shorts from today, along with her black high knee socks. She still had her DWMA choker, and her long wavy hair was still in a ponytail. The girl held two glasses of water on a tray, while on her left she held a tiny gray bag.

Alice made her way next to him, setting down the tray on the table before sitting down next to him, "You sure know how to keep things organized." he complimented, Alice responded with a smile. She reached out for the glass of water and handed it to him. He gladly accepted the glass, drinking it halfway.

She grabbed her own glass and drank it silently. Stein let out a sigh, staring at the glass of water in his hands, "Alice.", a soft, yet, subtle hum had emanated from her in response.

"Inviting me into your home was quite humble of you, although, aren't you afraid that I might dissect you?", he smirked glancing over at her. She shook her head confidently, a warm smile formed on her lips.

Stein chuckled, "You fascinate me with your kindness towards me, Alice. No one shows me these kinds of courtesy gestures; I only frighten them away. Heh, it doesn't bother me at the very least. ", he felt a soothing hand grace against his hand, as he stared down at her hand before his gaze landed on her eyes.

His eyes widen as they were greeted by the girls' pained expression. His chest began to ache uncontrollably, this emotion he currently felt was something he had never experienced before. It twisted his insides into a knot. It felt, as if, someone had stabbed him multiple times and left it that way. He turned his head away from her, the aching feeling in his chest increased making him irritated in confusion. Alice looked away; her eyes stared down at her glass of water. Placing it on the table, she held the tiny bag on her palm. Tapping his hand gently, gaining his attention, as he stared at her, noticing the small gray colored bag, he raised his brow.

She took his hand that lay on top of his leg, as he watched her place the bag on his palm. Stein gawked at the bag, curious to know what was contained inside. He untied the string around the bag before reaching down inside, pulling out a chained necklace with a metal crescent moon. His eyes enlarged, almost bigger than his circular glasses, 'A necklace?'

"Um... Why did you give me this?" Stein asked, still staring at the necklace in his hand. Alice grabbed a notebook under the table and began to write with a pen. When she was done, tapping Steins' shoulder while holding the notebook in front of her;

'Well, since you gave me the shoes. I went ahead and crafted the necklace for you in return. ~ '

Stein blinked, not realizing that his cheeks had turned into a light shade of pink. He chuckled, a smile formed on his lips as he placed his other free hand on her head. Alice blushed lightly, her eyes fluttered widely. He enjoyed seeing her react shyly towards him; there were times where his thoughts would be about her. Not in a wrong way, of course, he would admire her appearance; her skills and the list go on. Stein is somewhat fond of Alice, he rarely shows off his soft side, if he has any, towards the people around him. His thoughts about it were deemed unnecessary. But when he is around her, he experiences this strange sensation in his chest. Confusion was the first thing that popped into mind, and now he isn't afraid to express his affection towards her.

"You handcrafted this?" Steins eyes landed on the necklace before glancing up at Alice. Clasping her hands together and placing them on her chest while nodding. His eyes soften as he chuckled, "Thank you. It truly is a one of a kind piece, I will cherish It.", Alice's expression lit up, grinning happily.

As the sun, had finally set, the grinning moon appeared brightly in the sky, cackling at the buildings below. Stein had bid his farewells to Alice making his way out of the building. She closed the door, as she now walked down the halls entering her bedroom. Flopping onto the comfy bed while staring at the ceiling, 'The mission will be in a week from now. I guess I have to train with my partner... my partner.' she smiled at the thought, 'My very first weapon partner.'

Suddenly, her eyes were introduced to the ceiling, splattered with blood. Her eyes widen in fear, jumping out of her bed at a quickening pace whilst gazing at the ceiling. The blood she had seen was no longer there, it's as if, the fresh blood stains were never there. Trembling, she held her head with both hands, tears streaming down her cheeks. Sobbing silently, she fell down to her knees, 'No... I suffered enough haven't I!?' screaming violently in her mind. Her eyes were wide open, tears falling down her slim features, her lilac pupils had shrunken, leaving her in a state of shock.

'Am I losing myself to the madness?'