A/N: Um, wow. I ditched this story for almost three months, didn't I? Wow guys, I'm really sorry about. And it's not like it was for lack of time or anything, I just haven't been motivated to write as of late. Which really sucked. I apologize once more, and you can all thank Leone Brion for my sudden motivation; her sudden barge of reviews really got me pumped up for this story, and I even decided to throw in a quick update for today!(: Hope you enjoy it!
And thank you to The Moyashi Beansprout Midget, jy24, gabiey, Lena-luvs-cats, Storm VII, Takei Daloui, DrizztStorm, Amelia Loves Anime, and Leone Brion (x10) for all reviewing! Love you guys for it!(:
Disclaimer: I know it's been a while since I've updated, but that still doesn't make a difference, you know? Sheesh! I still don't own anything to do with this franchise, except for my own writing and plots. (Though even that's debatable.)
Chapter 23
Time Frame — Morning of February 11th, 1896
—3rd Person POV—
~Allen~
Lenalee was all too happy to continue to take the lead. She practically dragged Allen around and chatted amicably about anything and everything, cheerfully introducing him to the wonders of the fair, as Allen hadn't ever really attended one. They played silly games, which Allen turned out to be really bad at. Much to his embarrassment, she ended up winning him a stuffed penguin the size of his head.
"Uh, thanks, I think?" Allen said sheepishly, taking the plush animal from her hands and gazing at her beaming face a tad embarrassed. "Heh, shouldn't this be the other way around?"
Lenalee could hold her laughter back any longer, and tried to muffle her giggles beneath her hands. "S-sorry Allen, but it's a little too late for that, now isn't it?" And in reaction to his grumpy expression, she reached over and pecked him on the cheek, much to his shock. "There, I hoped that's enough for your wounded pride," she grinned widely, pretending her cheeks weren't as red as his. She then rolled her eyes and muttered, "Boys."
The blissful and euphoric cloud Allen found himself upon emboldened him, so before he could lose his courage he leaned forward and whispered, "Hm, I don't think that was enough." Swift as lightning, he brushed his lips against hers in a quick peck, before pulling back. Much to his amusement and delight, Lenalee appeared be in a red-faced stupor. Casually, he suggested, "Want to try the Ferris Wheel next?" Lenalee didn't get much of a chance to reply before he'd grasped her hand and was pulling her along.
Fortunately, by the time the duo had been loaded into one of the box-like compartments, their faces had regained their normal pallor and they sat beside each other, hands clasped together in a comfortable silence.
"Whoa," Lenalee whispered, pressing her face against the window beside her, eyes enraptured with the sights below as the throngs became mere specks to her eyes. "This is incredible! I've never been on a Ferris Wheel before!"
"Same," Allen murmured distractedly, eyes avidly observing how the town expanded before them. Compared to the magic of Innocence, it wasn't anything impressive, but Allen still felt slightly awed being so high up. Though it was only the thought of his Innocence that reassured him as the massive contraption creaked beneath them, bringing them higher up.
"Hey, look at the sky," Lenalee remarked, eyes flickering up, still gazing through the window. "Do you think it'll rain?"
Allen followed her gaze, brow furrowing at the sight of the mid-afternoon sky. Dark, gloomy clouds were beginning to roll in, blocking the sun and casting a dim shadow upon the world beneath. "I sure hope not," he muttered.
"Yes," she agreed, scooting closer to him and leaning her head against his shoulder with a contented sigh. "I don't want this day to end."
Allen silently agreed with her, and they remained so, content to bask in each other's presence. The darkness of the clouds had brought along with it a chill, and they found comfort in each other's warmth. Unfortunately, by the time the ride was over, the heavens had unleashed a volley of rainwater, and without thought, Allen tightened his grip on her, pulling her through the rushing crowds before they finally ducked underneath a nearby tent. Thankfully, they avoided the worst of it, and in their rush, had avoided becoming too damp.
"Is Mister Flippers okay?" Lenalee demanded once she'd straightened herself out.
Ruffling his hair in an effort to dry out some of the strands, Allen replied distractedly, "Who?" With a huff, Lenalee snatched the penguin from his other hand and padded it down to make sure it was still dry. Allen's lips quirked into an amused smile. "'Mister Flippers'?" he repeated.
"Hush! It's a cute name," Lenalee mumbled, holding the penguin closer to her, making a cute sight.
Allen chuckled and suggested, "Why don't you keep Mister Flippers, Lenalee? I think he likes you better than me anyhow."
"Hmm, okay!" Lenalee was quick to agree with an eager nod, much to his further amusement. Before he could comment on it though, they were both startled to hear loud cursing from a deep rumbling voice. Though they'd stepped underneath the cover of a tent, they were still at its entrance, where another thick flap blocked the view of the rest of the space. The duo exchanged a cautious glance, but before they could think of peeking in, a large man had already wrenched his way out.
He appeared startled by their sight, before he scoffed loudly. "Don't even bother, kiddies," he growled, before trudging off, scowl heavy and not seeming one bit worried about the downpour awaiting him. Allen and Lenalee exchanged yet another, unreadable look, before they were both curiously venturing further into the tent. It felt quite anti-climatic when they only found a trio of poorly dressed men lounging around a low table, though Allen did note the sickly boy hunkered down on the other side of the tent.
"Oi, look! We got another one in so soon!" one of them exclaimed, and though the Exorcists both felt perplexed, it was soon that Allen's eyes were roving over the scattered cards upon the table. Poker. The white-haired teen held back a smirk.
He cleared his throat and offered, "Care for a game?" Fortunately, Lenalee was astute enough to figure out what was going on once she noticed the cards herself, but despite her apprehension, decided not to question Allen's confidence. At least, not before the questionable group of men.
"You got money, boy?" the man with the thick, wavy hair and glasses—most likely the ring-leader—demanded, lips quirking up into an amused smirk.
Allen snorted. "That's what I should be asking you." But nonetheless, he pulled out some cash and tossed it towards the center of the table. It had been a good, long while since he'd met anyone he actually considered a challenge, but Allen had yet to meet anyone who could defeat him at poker. It reached the point where Allen was forced to take the ribbon tied around his neck and used it to shield Lenalee's eyes once he won the clothes on the men's backs.
"Royal Straight Flush. I win again," Allen announced cheerfully, snatching the last of their belongings.
"Agh! Blast it!" the three shouted, tossing the cards up and gripping their hair. They exchanged nervous glances; Allen wasn't stupid. He knew they'd been trying to cheat him.
"Piece of cake," he smirked.
Though Lenalee was blinded, she leaned close and whispered, "What's going on? You can't possibly be this lucky."
Almost inaudibly he replied, "It's not luck. I'm cheating."
"I-I see," she giggled nervously.
Too caught up with his winning streak, he didn't notice and continued quietly, "You see, I don't lose at cards. When I was with my Master, I risked my life learning to play cards so I could pay his debts and still have money to eat."
"R-risked your life?!" she demanded with a hiss.
Allen nodded, and then realized she couldn't see, so opted for, "When I gamble, I play to win."
Scary, Lenalee thought.
Turning back to the vagabond trio, Allen interrupted their furious whispering, and said, "Here." They gazed in shock as he handed them their clothing and even most of the money, before he pocketed the rest. "We were just looking for refuge from the rain, but I don't hear it any longer, so we'll get going."
Gratefully, they took their belongings back, and were soon dressed and seemingly ready to go as well, oddly enough. "Eeze," one of the men nodded over to the boy, and without further prompting, the boy got up and rummaged through some wooden crates in the back, before bringing out a massive, stuffed bear which he handed to Lenalee, much to her delight. (Allen had taken his ribbon back once the men had dressed.)
Allen smirked as she offered him another peck on the cheek. "Thanks, Allen! I love it!"
"Well," the ring-leader piped up, "We should get going before the owner of the tent catches us!"
Allen and Lenalee came to a dead stop. "You mean this isn't your tent?" Lenalee demanded.
The nameless vagabond with the glasses offered them a jaunty wave as they disappeared into the crowds. "Nope!"
Eventually, Allen and Lenalee were just forced to exchange an amused glance with a shake of their heads. "At least I got you your giant bear," Allen chuckled.
Lenalee nodded. "He'll be a great companion to Mister Flippers!"
A/N: Hehe, sorry I lost the AlLena towards the end. I couldn't help throwing Tyki in there! xD It was just a silly idea. Anyway, let me know what you think in a review!(: