A/N: Decided to take a break yesterday and write some original stuff. But a big thank you to Storm VII, jy24, Takei Daloui, and Lena-luvs-cats for all reviewing! Enjoy!(:
Disclaimer: Nope!
Chapter 5
Time Frame — Noon of January 9th, 1896
—3rd Person POV—
~Allen~
"Nice to meet you as well," Allen nodded, a little more relaxed knowing that she didn't seem at all that perturbed by his name. After the past day, it was quite the refreshing sight.
Leaning down to pick up her discarded satchel, Road asked, "Are you a new Exorcist? I don't think I've seen you around before." And at his affirmative nod, she continued to ask, "How do you like it? I know new Exorcists always seem a little freaked when they're brought here."
Allen nodded, an eased smile brightening his features. "Yes, but fortunately, I had a little bit of time to adjust before I was sent here. And it's alright so far, I guess. Though I keep getting lost…" he grinned sheepishly.
"Oh! Were you trying to get somewhere? I have a couple more minutes before I need to be in class! I could help out, if you'd like," the small girl offered eagerly, rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet.
"Would you?" Allen smiled down at her, still sheepish, "I'm trying to find my way back to the dining hall, but I think I took a couple of wrong turns…"
"No problem! It's actually nearby!" she giggled, grasping his wrist and dragging him down a couple of different corridors before they arrived to the wide set of double-doors, a mass of chattering voices spilling out. "There you go!"
"Thanks!" the white-haired teen sighed with relief, only to realize the short girl had suddenly disappeared from his side. Whirling around, he watched as she rushed down the hallway.
"I have to go, but we'll meet up later, yeah?" Not waiting for a reply, Road disappeared around the corner, and Allen was left standing, feeling slightly flabbergasted.
"That was a pretty long bathroom break, shortstack," Lavi said with a sly grin, "Was someone trying to avoid us?"
Yes, Allen mentally replied, but instead said with a snarky tone, "You're already reason enough, Lavi. Don't push it."
Lavi frowned, and the others hooted with laughter, further teasing the redhead, and Allen was satisfied as he watched the tables turn on the older teen. And now that they had successfully been distracted, the white-haired boy proceeded to finish his lunch, knowing he'd need the fuel for the coming hours. See, the way their schedule worked was that they would go to their first three classes and then to their first hour of training (all from 7-11 AM), then they had an hour-long lunch break, before returning to training for another two hours. Afterwards, they had the rest of the day to themselves.
Now that Master doesn't have me running around making money and paying his debts, I'm going to have to find a new hobby, he mentally snorted.
"How are you getting settled in, Allen?" Lenalee turned to him with a kind smile, as she bit into a piece of her sandwich.
I did promise myself I'd give this whole thing a try for at least month, he finally admitted to himself before honestly replying, "It's not so bad. Everyone here's a bit weird, and some of the teachers are pretty boring, but it's interesting enough. Though my roommate is pretty annoying."
Having expected a polite answer, and not an honest one, everyone around the table sweatdropped. "Who'd you get stuck with for a roommate?" Alma asked. "They usually try to keep the Exorcists together. For example, I'm rooming with Kanda, and Daisya's with Lavi. Though the teachers and grownups normally get their own rooms."
Allen shrugged, "This brat named Timothy."
"Allen!"
"Speak of the devil," someone muttered, though Allen was unsure as to whom, because suddenly, bony limbs were attacking him from behind.
"Hiya, roomie! What's up?" Timothy beamed, arms and legs wrapped around him, piggy-back style.
Allen was unimpressed. Harshly elbowing him in the ribs, he groused, "I was peacefully eating lunch before someone decided to jump on me like some sort of deranged kangaroo. Get off me."
"Alright, alright, sheesh," Timothy huffed, hopping back down, though his grin remained. "You weren't this grouchy last time I saw you. Were the others being mean to you? They like to pick on me all the time, too. I can posses them if you'd like!"
"We can hear everything you're saying squirt," Daisya snorted, before taking a swig of his drink. "What'd you want, anyway?"
"A batch of mail just arrived, and I was helping Emilia sort through it, 'cause she thinks her dad might've finally written to her, when I found this!" Timothy held up a thin, cheap envelope triumphantly, bronze eyes lit up eagerly. "It's for you, Allen!"
The others seemed slightly surprised, some even confused, as if any of them receiving mail was a strange occurrence. "You got family, kid? The only ones here who ever get anything are Daisya and Mei-Ling."
"Err, I can only think of one person…" Allen trailed off with a frown, and ripping the envelope open, he unfolded the piece of paper within, almost face-faulting at the recorded numbers. "I should've seen this coming…" he mumbled, eyes slightly tearing up. There goes the idea of taking up any new hobbies…
Finally lifting his head up and meeting the others' curious gazes, he internally cursed his Master's never-ending debts, and asked, "Does anyone know where I can get a job around here?"
A/N: By the way, Cross did beat manners into Allen, he's just a little rough around the edges. Please review!(: