Fan Fiction ❯ Enemies with Benefits ❯ Kids, Welcome Back to Hell ( Chapter 1 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Shingaisha_Setsuna 
First day back to school is such a drag...
Anime/Manga: Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Romance | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 01.31.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 7.8K | Visits: 391 | Status: Work In Progress
First day back to school is such a drag...
Anime/Manga: Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Romance | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 01.31.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 7.8K | Visits: 391 | Status: Work In Progress
Enemies with Benefits
Chapter one: Kids, Welcome Back to Hell
‘Tasogare-iro ni somaru bench ni
Okizaki no ningyo
Yume wo nakuseba subete ga owaru
Dare ka tsubuyaiteta
Only wish…’
The low crooning voice floated out of a pair of high-tech headphones, wrapped around the neck of a young man. His hair was a multitude of golds and bronzes, long bans falling over the black rims of his glasses. His head was cradled in the crook of his right arm, nuzzled in the soft black fabric of his Thursday hoodie. The boy was sprawled on what appeared to be a computer desk, though under the clutter of empty soda cans and sheets of scrap paper, the only way to tell was the keyboard by his bent arm and the monitor that was illuminating the room with a sickly pale glow.
‘Fui ni ishiki no soko kara
It’s only life
Ore wo atsuku yusaburu omoi
Ima hageshiku karada ni kanji aeru
Sorezore no himeta kodou
Tadoritsuita jounetsu dakishimeta tsubasa
Take off to the sky…’
A black window popped up on the monitor, two cartoon-ish white eyes scrolling from side to side. Almost as if sensing the change, the boy shifted in his sleep, left hand flexing around a silver-black-blue rectangle. The glare moved off the small digital display window of his mp3 player to dance across the play buttons, Take off to the Sky scrolling across the screen in bold letters. With each shallow breath the boy took, the office chair he was in would roll back slightly and then forward, wheels squeaking quietly.
‘Modoru basho nado doko ni mo nakute
Samayoutta kono machi
Sunao ni narezu
Shinirareru mono sae wakaranu mama…’
A new window popped up, this one a taskbar with the heading DOWNLOADING… DeathGoDDess.gif. The window disappeared in a few seconds, a chibi with long black hair, trench coat, and black pants appearing in the center of the screen. Smiling happily, the chibi walked with swinging arms and legs over to the lower right corner of the screen. Crouching on the ground, the chibi bent over and pressed one white-gloved hand onto the icon of a small megaphone. The sound control window popped up and the chibi did a wild dance, cyber confetti bursting in small clumps everywhere. The chibi stopped suddenly and lifted a hand to her ear, as though she was listening to something or someone far away, then nodded sharply. Jumping up, she clung to the bottom of the window and hoisted herself up, sitting on the edge for a moment to catch her breath. Walking briskly, the chibi moved to the left side of the window and slammed her hands into the small checked box for ‘Master Mute’. Grinning again, the chibi lifted her hands over her head and moved the volume bar all the way up. Task completed, the chibi flashed a victory sign and disappeared in a flurry of black specks.
‘Only peace
kimi no tashika na yasuragi
It’s only love…’
Windows Media Player showed up on the monitor, loaded with a custom anime-d skin. The media list opened up and the cursor scrolled down until it reached a play list titled ‘MoD's songs', selecting it. There was a pause as the track started, then…
“BRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONK!!!!”
The boy’s green eyes shot open and he jolted awake, his eyes darting around. The short track ended and another had started, of a heavier sound then the soft Japanese music that was playing from the kid’s mp3 player. “It seems like every day’s the same and I’m left to discover on my own,” sang the computer and, recognizing the song, the boy scowled. He shut down the media player, re-engaged mute, and pulled up a flashing instant messenger window, typing furiously.
'Hacker13Thursday>: The HELL, MoD?! ><'
A reply popped up instantly, as though the person had already written it. And, knowing MoD, it had been.
'MomentofDEATH: *cowers in fear* Don’t kill meeeeee, H13! O_O Lookit the time!'
He did, then looked again in disbelief.
“Shit! I’m going to be late!” Without pause, he ran off to take a quick shower, stripping off his clothes along the way. From the other room the sound of running water is heard. MomentofDEATH wrote another message to H13, also known as Alec Tylan in the real world, listing the things he had to grab before dashing off into hell. They always helped each other, by reminding each other when to leave or what to take. It was a habit six years old, and neither thought much of it any more.
He walked back into his room, a white towel around his waist, beads of water clinging to his chest. He was running another towel through his hair as he walked, moving slowly so he wouldn't trip and fall. After sliding his glasses back on, he reached for the shadowed form of his bed and he snatched a pile of clothes, abandoning his towel for a pair of boxers and faded loose jeans. Drying his chest, he slipped on a dark blue t-shirt and plopped onto his bed to pull on his socks. Getting up, he shoved his feet into his battered old pair of grey Vans as he walked back to the computer desk. While scanning the message, he threw his hoodie on, slid his flash port and mp3 player into his pocket, and placed his headphones around his neck again; he frowned over the tail end of MoD's note.
'Hacker13Thursday: MoD, I ate yesterday! Sheesh, you're worse than my mother' he complained.
'MomentofDEATH: H13, a bag of Doritos does NOT constitute as food. And I'm better than your mother, so shut up.'
' Hacker13Thursday: You care more than her. Later.'
'MomentofDEATH: EAT SOMETHING!!'
'Hacker13Thursday: w/e, BYE!'
Turning off the monitor and the speakers, Alec ran over to his door, snatching up his black messenger bag and laptop case as he did so. Sprinting down the grand stairs, he threw them over his shoulders in a criss-cross fashion, pulling his maroon sock-hat over his head. When he reached the front door, he was going to pick up his customized compact electric scooter when he noted something alarming. It wasn't there. A quick glance at his watch told Alec that he didn't have time to look for it; he was going to have to take his other mode of transportation.
With a mangled curse, he ran out the front door and locked it, activating the security system. As he sprinted over to the garage, his hand dived into his bag, searching. As he stood next to the large, automatic garage doors, he found it. With a small whoop, he pulled out a Largo key chain and slammed on the button to open the right-most garage door, scooting under the door at the earliest instance.
Straddling a blue and black Japanese motorcycle, Alec checked to make sure his stuff was secure and his headphones on before gunning the engine, roaring out of the closing garage. He slid through the automated gates by a hair, humming along to Mercy Me. Glancing once again at his watch, Alec saw that he had enough time to make good on his promise to MoD and eat something... not to mention grab coffee. Could not live without the coffee. With a sigh, he took the next left, speeding off to Starbucks.
Across town, in the seedier, run down section of the city, a lump of black blankets moved. A pale, slightly muscular arm snaked its way over to the boom box next to his mattress, snatching the precariously placed clock. The arm, with the clock in hand, slid quietly back under the covers. A few moments passed until several loud, explicit curses came from under the blankets. They were flung off, revealing a slightly scrawny and narrow face framed by shoulder length obsidian hair, grey eyes wide in panic. Shooting up, he tried to dash over to the pile of clothes on his floor only to stop short, falling flat on his face. Spitting out another curse, he stood up and bent down to untangle the blankets, freeing his legs. Head banging to a song he could hear in his head, he stripped off his boxers and slid into his tight leather pants–going commando was just so comfortable… and interesting. He slid on a tight black t-shirt just as he started to sing the song.
“Self righteous suicide…” he sang softly, his low voice breaking the calm silence of his room. Humming some more, he slid his feet into his combat boots, head banging almost violently as he buckled them. Getting up, he jammed over to the only mirror in the room, inspecting both his hair and face. Deciding he could go without make up today, he quickly ripped a brush through his hair. On a spur-of-the-moment whim, he tied a strip of blue strip of cloth around his head, keeping his ‘bangs’ out of his face. Now ready for the day, he strolled over to the barred window, snatching his keys and fingerless gloves off the small fridge. Singing again, he crouched down and started to unlock his window.
Across the room, someone started to pound on his door with enough force to make the dead bolts rattle. He froze, a look of unease passing over his face before he turned back to the window, his speed greatly increased. There was no way his door could be broken down, so he didn’t really have to worry, but still…
“Vincent! Vincent, you little slut! Shut the fuck up and get your ass out here,” shouted a slurred and drunken voice from behind the door. Vincent grinned triumphantly as the window swung open and he scampered out onto the fire escape. Shutting the window and locking the bars, Vincent glanced down at his watch and grimaced.
“Shit, I’m going to be really late,” he muttered, swinging his legs over the black cast-iron railing of the escape and pulling on his gloves. “Alleyoop, then.” With a calm face, he slid off the railing. Just as he was reaching the second floor (he lived on the fourth), his right arm shot out and grabbed a loop attached to the railing. Almost immediately, his descent slowed. He came to a complete stop roughly a foot off the ground and let go immediately, dropping the remaining distance easily as the loop shot straight back up. Calm as could be, he strolled over to a beautiful black motorcycle and, plugging in a key to unlock it, popped the back. Rooting through the various crap in there, he pulled out his worn leather jacket and his wallet. Sliding the wallet into his back pocket, he removed a cigarette from his pack, lighting it with a Zippo as he shrugged on the jacket. Taking a much needed lungful of Nicotine, he shut the seat and hopped on, gunning the motor. Sliding on his large sunglasses, Vincent grinned wickedly, blasting out of the alleyway and headed over to The Coffee Grinder; after his binge last night, he needed the caffeine.
Alec scowled, breakfast sandwich in mouth and coffee in hand as he raced from the senior parking lot to the front entrance. He had had the severe misfourtune to get stuck behind not one not two, but three indecisive businessmen. Now he was late to the first day of school of his senior year. He was going to be in such shit!
“Alec!” a girl’s voice called and he looked up. Standing at the top of the steps was a girl with mostly shoulder-length hair (two long, waist-length chunks fell down her back in braids). The husky at her side gave a happy bark, and he felt a small smile cross his face; how very Chloe.
"Morning, Chloe," he greeted, parking his bike near the front and kicking down his kickstand. Walking over to the front steps, he glared at his (best) friend, pushing up his glasses. "And what, Ellone Redbark, do you think you're doing out here?" he demanded, crossing his arms and glaring into her green eyes. She grinned and tweaked his nose, ignoring his curses.
"Waiting for you, Mr. Alec Tylan. And don't call me Ellone; that's what my mother calls me. Plus it’s the name of that psychic chic in Final Fantasy eight; she creeps me out. And you are very, very late today Alec. Out late, living it up?" she asked as they made their way up the steps, dodging the predicted hit from Alec. "Ha ha, ya missed!"
"You might as well be psychic, seeing as you can still freaking tell when I'm going to hit you, play DDR, and paint... Not to mention pick out your clothes with no help at all. Nice outfit by the way; going for the hippie-green-peasant look today?" They opened the doors and started making their way through the still populated halls. "Why the hell is it still crowded?"
"Apparently, they changed it to first period first thing; announcements will be done at the end of the class. Hey sis, hey Alec, hi Tenshi," Lucas Redbark said, bending down to scratch behind the husky's ears, his shoulder-length hair falling in front of his eyes for the moment. Alec nodded in return, ripping into his sandwich while they waited. Chloe's face wrinkled as she sniffed the air a few times before turning in Alec's direction.
"Alec... are you eating breakfast?" she asked in confusion and he grunted, swallowing his mouthful before holding the sandwich under her nose.
"Egg ham and cheese on a toasted bagel, courtesy of the Bagel Shak next to our Starbucks. Mod threatened me," he explained, taking another bite. Chloe's sightless eyes lit up and she glomped him.
"Wah! Alec, I'm so proud of you!" she cried, then, feeling the material of his shirt, she pulled back. "Weren't you wearing this yesterday?" Alec took another bite of his sandwich. "Alec..."
"At least I'm here." A bell rang and he frowned, flattening himself against the lockers as herds of people started to move like waves. "How're the hell are we supposed to know what our first block class is?" he asked, and Lucas shrugged.
"Here ya go; now bow down and lick my sandals," a voice said suddenly from over Alec's shoulder and a paper was shoved into his face. Snatching it out of the person's hands, he scanned the paper while listening to the kid complain about people being waves of mass destruction. He interrupted the rant abruptly.
"Nick, go make out with Lucas or something. Chloe, what do you have first block? And Nick, unless you want me to bite it off, stick your tongue back into your mouth." Nick complied before sweeping Lucas off his feet and mashing him against the lockers. Ignoring her brother and his boyfriend, Chloe handed Alec her schedule.
"I have absolutely no idea. Tell me?" she asked. Alec scanned the two lists over then handed Chloe's back to her.
"We have World History together, then you have Drawing, then we have English and Film Studies together. Happy, Blindy?" Chloe glowered at him, smacking him upside the head.
"Alec, you're an asshole, you know that?"
"Yep." She glared, then let out an aggravated sigh.
"C'mon, butt-munch. Despite waiting for you outside, I'd rather not be late to fist period." She grabbed him by the front of his shirt and jerked; almost spilling his coffee.
His eyes widened. "HEY!" She shrugged and turned around, smiling.
"Oops, I'm soo sorry!" Alec glared, muttering, "No, you aren't," before following her to first block. Something, somewhere, told him that this was going to be a horrible day.
Vincent pulled into the parking lot of the school, parking next to this sweet black and blue ricer. He admired the bike for a moment or two before shoving a hand into his pocket, sipping his coffee merrily as he walked up the front steps. The halls were emptying out, and Vincent had no problem getting to the guidance office. He leaned against the doorframe seductively, drinking his coffee as he waited. He stared at the guidance teacher, appreciating the way her silky black hair was barely contained by her hair clip; one small tug and that hair would be sent falling down to rest on her shoulders and oh-so wonderful breasts. And with the cut of her suit, well, let's just say that Vincent was enjoying the view. Soon enough, Mrs. Solez looked up at him; Vincent smirked when she swallowed heavily, noticing that he'd been staring..
"You're late, Vincent," she said calmly, regaining he cool as she resorted her desk. It would take a fine eye to notice that her hands were shaking. "Here's your schedule; now get to class." Vincent stared at the paper offered to him, ignored it, and strolled over to the desk, resting a hip on it. He pretended to pout at Mrs. Solez, leaning in close to her.
"Aw, Mrs. Solez, so cold to me," he whined quietly in her ear, taking a pause to lick his lips, "especially after Saturday at Strawberries and Creme. You sure are great..." he paused again, moving even closer to her pert little ear. Mrs. Solez was breathing shallowly, eyes half-lidded already. He smirked and breathed, "Linda" into her ear before kissing it softly. She let out a low moan, leaning into Vincent.
"Go shut the door," she ordered, and Vincent was only too happy to comply. Linda was good in the sack, and it sure as all hell beat going to math. Climbing over the desk after he secured the door, he leered down at her.
"Now... where was I?" She grabbed him by the lapels and dragged him down for a sound kiss. "This," she hissed before kissing him again, and Vincent moaned.
He exited the guidance room thirty minutes later, looking for all the world refreshed. He downed the rest of his cold coffee and chucked it into a garbage can, whistling while he walked. Nothing like sex in the morning for a good pick-me up! He glanced at his watch and frowned, wondering how he was going to spend the next hour or so until morning break. Grinning, he decided to see how his favourite librarians were doing.
Throwing open the doors to the second-story library, Vincent strode in, making a scene as was his way.
"Mrs. Stevens, Mrs. Foot! How are my favourite ladies this morning?" he asked, walking over to the desk with a smile on his face. Until he saw who they were helping. That blonde hair, those clothes, that slouch... his eyes narrowed and his smile became a smirk. "Well, well, well... look who's here, Mrs. Stevens! It's Alec... Alec... what's your last name again?" Mrs. Stevens, sensing the hostility, slowly made her way into the backroom; they were nice boys, but she didn't want to get into one of their little tiffs again. Last time, one of them almost punched her! Violence was horrible, yes, but she wasn't about to stop it if it meant getting hurt!
Alec slowly turned around, glaring at Vincent impassively. A slight frown interrupted his glare and he leaned closer to Vincent; Vincent felt all of his muscles tense in anticipation. If that sonnuvabitch even thought about touching him--
"You smell like sex," his cold voice interrupted, and Vincent found himself blinking.
"And? Aw, is the little kiddie complaining cuz the big kid can go out and have fun?" Vincent leaned foreword, putting his hands on either side of Alec, virtually pinning him to the counter. "I will gladly show that ass of yours some fun, if you want," he breathed, leering at Alec. Without batting an eye, Alec had a hand wrapped around Vincent's throat.
"Sorry, I don't do people who has more diseases than a public toilet," he said blandly, starting to squeeze. "And if you wouldn't mind moving, I need to actually get back to my class." Shoving Vincent harshly, Alec scooped up the history books he'd been getting and, with a nod to Mrs. Stevens, left. Vincent stood against the counter, rubbing his throat absently. Mrs. Stevens came out of the back, shaking her head at Vincent.
"I wish you two wouldn’t fight," she said softly, pulling a book from the shelves behind the counter. "He's a good boy; quite intelligent too. He even reads--" Vincent cut her off with a brisk motion.
"You weren't there last year, Mrs. Stevens. I can't possibly make you understand. Now, do you still have my book?" He grinned at Mrs. Stevens and she rolled her eyes, handing a thick hardcover to him.
"Yes, yes...Now sit down behind the reference shelves, near the window; I'll cover for you if anyone comes by looking." Vincent smiled, hugging the middle-aged woman.
"I love you Mrs. Stevens," he said earnestly, provoking a laugh. He gave her a kiss on the brow before moving to where she indicated. Pulling out his beat-up cd player, Vincent settled down and started to read.
Alec slammed the locker door shut, snarling. He hated that fucking sunnuvabitch, hated him. And, of course, the damn year's barely begun before they run into each other.
Chloe stood off to the side, listening to Alec's snarls and feeling the anger roll off him. He'd been like this ever since running that errand for Mr. Skorski, and she had a pretty good idea why. Only one person in the entire world (to her knowledge) could make Alec this angry just by breathing...though from what she caught Alec muttering, it had something to do with a little more than breathing. Sighing, she decided to try to break Alec out of his funk.
"Alec, computers," she said suddenly, causing his near-silent tirade come to a stumbling halt.
"What?" he asked, confused. Chloe smiled, giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Go to computers, code, and chill out. I've gotta start moving to the art wing if I wanna get there on time. See ya in English, Alec!" She waved, then started off, Tenshi guiding her down the halls. When she reached the art room, she grinned.
"Hello, Mr. Blaize! How are you today?" she asked cheerfully. A voice answered her call.
"Mr. Blaize ain't in here, kid, can't ya tell?" Cocky, male, and with a hint of sexual undertones; Chloe smiled slightly.
"Hello, Vincent. How are you today?" She heard the sound of cloth being moved and a chair creaking; he must have been trying to nap under her leather coat again.
"Chloe?! Shit, girl, I haven't seen you since your brother and I split amicably what, two years ago? Damn, you look fine; I was trying to catch a nap or I definitely woulda recognized you. How're your eyes?" Directing Tenshi to where Vincent was sitting, she answered his question calmly.
"Near blind, to tell the truth. I can only see a few things anymore; art being one of them. Like my outfit?" She could see red irises looking her over from head to toe; she could imagine the smirk that went along with that look. "And no ogling."
"How do you do that?" he asked, sounding shocked; she suppressed a grin.
"Honestly, I have no idea. Well?" Vincent was silent a few moments, before stating.
"Too bad you're with Jake right now," he said softly, brushing her bangs back lightly. "You really are beautiful, in that hippie-bohemian sorta way." She smiled at him and squeezed his arm.
"Thanks Vincent." She withdrew her arm. "But I am with Jake, thanks to your meddling I'll have you remember. You sure like to meddle, don't you?" she asked, grinning at Vincent. He blinked, confused.
"How so?" He sounded wary, and Chloe felt a twinge in her chest. Neither of them really trusted her...
"You set me and Jake up for one thing, and you set up Nick and Lucas... you know too many people, Vincent!" she accused, pointing at him dramatically. Vincent laughed.
"Actually, I screw too many people. I was with Jake's neighbor, I was Nick's uke, and I was Lucas' seme. Yep, I've probably done almost everybody in this town."
"Except that new guidance counselor." Dead silence. "Vincent..."
"Saturday at Strawberries and Creme and this morning first period. She's pretty flexible," he said thoughtfully; Chloe twitched.
"Vincent, if you value your balls, stop talking. Now."
"Ah, Chloe! Getting a head start on threatening people?" The charming voice rang out from the door; Chloe and Vincent looked over.
"Hi Mr. Blaize! How's Mr. Redrick?" Chloe asked, folding her hands on the art-desk. Mr. Blaize laughed.
"Oh, Tom's doing alright; and how many times have I told you to call me Mark?" Chloe laughed.
"Sorry Mark!" Vincent was petting Tenshi, coaxing happy pants. Chloe sniggered. "What?!" he asked, confused; Mark laughed as well. "What am I missing?"
"Boy, Vincent, you sure are good at coaxing happy panting!" Chloe burst out. A girl's laugh rang across the room.
"I'm glad I'm in early! Is this the Drawing room?" Chloe heard her drop her things next to her and Chloe smiled.
"Yep! I'm Chloe Redbark, and this charming fellow is Vincent Ronallini."
"Hey, baby, wanna be my model?" Vincent asked; Chloe could sense the girl's confusion.
"Why?" Chloe could just feel the leer; he was going to use one of his pick-up lines.
"Cause with you as my model, all my pictures will shine." Yep, she knew it. Quietly, she waited for the girl's reaction.
"...You are just a big bunch of leather clad sap--mmm, good mental images--aren't you?" she asked, laughing. Chloe grinned; this girl was okay.
"What's your name?" she asked.
"Ambriel Chambers, but you can call me Ams... do you not believe in shaking hands?" Chloe grinned and held out her hand.
"Sorry about that; I'm mostly blind. But its okay, I'm cool with it," she explained, and she felt a thin hand grab hers and they shook.
"Nice to meet you, Chloe!"
"Nice to be met."
"Okay, is everyone here?" Mark asked, finally looking up. The few desks in the room must have filled up while they were talking; Chloe heard six other people respond. "Alrightie then! Just to start you guys off, I want you to just draw whatever you want. I won't even put a 'school appropriate' limit on it." He grinned and winked at the class. "Now get to it." Vincent leaned over to Chloe.
"I think I'm gonna like this class." Chloe grinned and held out a hand for a high-five.
"Me too."
They spent the class laughing, sketching in their drawing notebooks. Ams was shocked by Chloe's ability to draw so well; Chloe laughed it off and grinned. "It's magic," she said, and that was that. She finished her sketch before Vincent and Ams, but she wasn't the first one done. She grabbed a bin of copic markers and selected colours seemingly without thought, cracking jokes at Vincent's expense. She coloured the drawing as they still sketched, the colours almost glowing off her sketchbook page. She added the last ring of colour then stopped, capping the marker with a snap. Ams and Vincent glanced at the drawing; Chloe heard them gasp.
"Wow, Chloe! That's amazing," Ams said in a numb voice, caressing the edge of the drawing. "It looks just like him. Except... why did you give him red eyes?" Chloe sat quiet for awhile, not answering, while Vincent and Ams got back to work. Then, at the end of the class, she spoke.
"Cause when I look at him, all I see is piercing red eyes." She shut the sketchbook, put it away, and stood. She paused by the door, Tenshi by her side, and a grin on her face. "Well? It's time for English; anyone else going?"
"I'm in room 205," Vincent said, probably looking down at his schedule. Ams laughed and declared she, too, was in 205. Chloe grinned.
"I guess we're all heading in the same direction! Let's go." The bell rang on the tail end of her sentence and move they did. They managed to reach English without too much of a problem. Chloe stopped, feeling the swells of anger rise from the class room and Vincent standing next to her. She grabbed the back of Ams' shirt, pulling her away.
"What--"
"Alec and Vincent don't like each other very much; it's better to stay out of their way," Chloe explained calmly, smiling. "It shouldn't be a problem... unless Alec had a bad class. Then, we'd better run." Ams hand shook in hers. "Hey, it's nothing to be fright-"
"Oh, my GOD! Not only are they hot, but they fight?! Oh, I hope clothes get ripped," she gushed; Chloe could picture the sparkling eyes too easily. She smiled uncomfortably
"At times like these, I'm glad I'm blind."
Alec stood, fists braced on the old school desk in front of him, glaring at Vincent. Something was very wrong here; there was no way that Vincent would be in his English class. He was too damn stupid.
"Well well well, if it isn't Alec." Vincent leaned against the door, sneering contemptuously. "And what hole did you crawl out of?" Alec growled, hunching further.
"One where civil people live; you wouldn't know it," he spat. "And aren't you a little lost? The sped classroom is down the hall; maybe you need someone to lead you there by the hand?" The students in and around the classroom were staring now, engulphed in their argument. Alec ignored them; Vincent was the only thing that mattered at this moment. Vincent lost his smirk, scowling at Alec.
"Are you sure you're in the right room? I've never seen you hold a book; maybe you need to be escorted." Alec slammed his fists down again, snarling. 'Why that fucking sunnuva--'
"Alec, Vincent, chill down. Please. I'd like to put my books down and go to lunch, if you guys don't mind." Chloe pushed past Vincent, placing her books down next to Alec. She placed a hand on his arm, clenching when he tried to shake her off.
"Chloe, let me at the sunnuva bitch," he said lowly, his eyes not leaving Vincent's grey ones. They seemed to flash red a moment, but Alec brushed it off. 'Im-fucking-possible.' Some brown-and-red-haired chick was pulling at Vincent's arm, asking him to sit down. Chloe suddenly grabbed the side of his face and forced his head to turn towards hers. Grey turned to sightless green; the mood was broken. Grabbing her books, he placed them on the desk next to him, where Chloe's name was written on a sticky note. "Let's go, Alec." Silent, he let Chloe drag him out of the class, staring at the floor. As they walked through the door, his fist swung out and connected with Vincent's face just as one connected with his own. His head snapped back, and the world swung for one crazy moment, then everything was back to normal. He adjusted the strap of his bag before continuing down the hall, ignoring the pain from his jaw and his mouth. Chloe walked beside him, shaking her head sadly.
"Do you two have to do that every time?" she asked wearily, and Alec shrugged.
"It's life, Chloe. Where are we going, by the way." He looked around the hallway, confused. Chloe let out a heavy sigh.
"Lunch, Alec. Lunch." Tenshi barked, and Alec nodded.
"Right." He turned and went down the nearest stairwell, walking out the exit onto the school grounds. Easily spotting shade, he dragged Chloe with him to their usual tree and sat down. Pulling out his laptop and phone, he quickly rigged up an internet connection; Chloe just laughed and pulled out her sketchbook and a granny smith apple.
"Gonna chat with Mod?" she queried, and Alec nodded.
"We were having a discussion about the pros and cons of different platformers last class. Mod promised to connect during lunch as well," he explained, logging in. Chloe nodded sagely.
"Well, don't let me distract you from your gaming discussion. Gonna listen to music?" Alec nodded. "What's on the menu today?"
"Techno, Gundam Wing, Saiyuki, Hagane no Renkinjutsushi, and Hikaru Utada...I think. Not sure; it blends. There might be some American in there as well."
"Can I listen?" She dug out her headphones.
"Got a splitter?" he asked, and she grinned.
"Don't I always?" He chuckled. "Yeah, you do." He unplugged his headphones from his mp3 player, then plugged in the splitter and plugged his headphones into that. His music started just as the message box popped open and he lost himself in the thrill of the debate.
Vincent shook his head again as he made his way into the library, trying to clear the ringing from his ears. That fucking hurt! 'Stupid blonde bastard' he thought darkly, moving to his spot with an absent wave to Mrs. Stevens. As he was settling down, he heard the doors open and two female voices fill the room.
"Wow, did you see that Rach?" That sounded like Ams, that girl who sat with him and Chloe during art... That would mean that the other one was... Oh shit.
"Vincent! Where the heck are you? If you don't come out right this instant I'll plaster your bike with Hello Kitty again! I mean it!" Rachel Sunderland. Fuck.
"Back here, Rach," he said tiredly, and he watched as her red and brown hair smacked into his eyes. "Jeeze, Rach. Wear more shirt. I do not need to see those tiny things you call 'breasts'." Rachel frowned, glaring at him.
"Still an ass I see. Well, would you mind the company of two ladies while you read? We promise, we don't bite." Vincent glared for a moment, but when Rachel didn't back down, he just sighed.
"Rach, as I seem to remember, you do bite," he said with a leer. "Quite hard, too." Ams finally spoke up.
"Ugh, please, no flirting in front of me," she begged, brushing her black hair back with both hands. "I can't take it." Vincent grinned.
"Okay, I'll desist. Now go find something quiet to do." He watched Ams pull out a book as well and Rach get up to peruse the shelves. The question that had been naggling at him bubbled out after a few moments. "How do you two know each other, by the way?"
"Well, we're in the same coven," Ams started, and Rachel nodded.
"That and we've known each other since kindergarten. How do you two know each other?" Rachel asked, giving Vincent a suspicious look. He flapped a hand arrogantly.
"Oh don't worry, I haven't screwed your little friend...yet. We're in the same art class," he explained, nodding to Ams' sketchbook. Ams looked up, eyes narrowed.
"Waitaminute... does that mean that you two," she gestured between them with a disgusted look on her face. Rachel grinned.
"Two years ago at Strawberries and Creme... Man, that was kinky and fun." Ams stared at them, then snorted.
"Why am I not surprised," she asked no one before burring herself in her book again. Rachel made a happy noise and pulled out a book, skipping back over to them. Primly, she adjusted her short skirt and sat in-between Vincent and Ams, cracking open her book. All was silent for a few moments then, without looking up from her book, Rachel asked a question.
"What the hell is between you and Tylan, by the way? He's a nice piece of ass; did he refuse you or sommat?" Vincent's grip tightened and he looked up, shooting Rachel a heavy glare.
"Butt out, Rach; it doesn't concern you, so don't even try," he growled lowly, and Rachel nodded.
"Okay okay, don't have a cow. Sheesh, you guys fight like there's more to it than just anger hey! Don't mind me. What do I know?"
"Not a helluva lot," he muttered before yanking out his cd player, blasting the volume.
Setsuna stared at the English teacher, wondering absently if it were possible to ignite someone with your eyes alone. By Shinigami, this teacher was as crazy as a fucking fruitbat! A piece of paper, folded into the shape of a crane, flew onto her desk; without even trying to be stealthy, she opened the note, scanning it. It was written in code--no surprise--and she translated it easily in her head.
'/Wow, this teacher's flippin nuts. Doesn't she ever shut up?/' Setsuna quickly wrote out a reply, ignoring the throbbing in her wrist.
'/I don't think so, and I don't seem to have the power to make people spontaneously combust, so I doubt she will. I'm gonna just read; Vanyel is infinitely more amusing that this wench./' She flipped the crane back and pulled out a beaten paperback, opening it to the Hagaren card marking her spot. Good ol' Roy and Ed, saving her spot like that. What pals. She got through a few pages before the crane came sailing back.
'/Think I'll start doing design sketches; I have to expand upon my portfolio. What's wrong with your wrist today? You're using it stiffly./' Setsuna rubbed her wrist and shot a glare at the short-haired brunet sitting next to her.
'/Wench./'
'/Damn straight. Did he wretch it last night and did you put any ice on it?/' Setsuna snorted at that one, flipping her blonde bangs back.
'/What do you think I am, stupid?/' she asked.
'/In a word, yes. You better tell me everything or I'll tell Tev and Dev you got hurt and you know they'll never let you rest./' She scowled, glaring over at her friend.
'/Seeing as I know you have my best interests in mind, Cedes, I won't kill you. Yet. I'm bruised all over, my right wrist is sprained, and the motherfucker punched me in the face so my mouth is a bit cut up. Not to mention the usual problems after he shows up. Happy now?/'
'/No, but there's nothing I can really do to help. When is class over?/' Setsuna was writing out a reply when the loud, piercing bells rang and she looked over, meeting mischievous orchid eyes with her own ice blue ones.
"My guess would be now," she said wirily, standing up gingerly. Mercedes rolled her eyes.
"Smart ass." Setsuna smirked and arched an eyebrow.
"Your point being?" she asked, hefting up her bags. The teacher was caterwauling about some homework assignment or another, but they walked out without listening. Setsuna's hand shot out and grabbed the black sleeve of a boy's hoodie; she smirked deviously. "Bellacroix. Thought you could escape, didn't you?" He turned to look down at her--fucking tall bastard--and grinned.
"From you? Never in a million years, Sets." He patted her head and she growled, shaking his hand off impatiently.
"Watch the hair, buddy, or I'll mess up that coloured-gel doo of yours." Her head snapped back suddenly as someone yanked her braid. "OW, motherfuckingpussbucketcocksuckingsonofaBITCH!!! I'm going to fucking kill you, Alejandra Sera!!!" She spun around, glaring into the laughing brown eyes of Ale. Ale brushed short, flame coloured hair back and grinned cheekily at Setsuna
"Whatever, Miller. Now, do you wanna find out what I over heard when I was in the teachers lounge or what, flannel girl?" she asked. Setsuna glared.
"Don't diss the blue stuff; I'm also wearing boots that can kick your skinny Mexican ass, so don't fuck with me, Ale. And what the fuck were you doing in the teachers lounge?" They all stared at Ale, disgust all over their faces; she flushed and glared at them.
"Not what you're all thinking, that's for damn sure! I had to help out Mrs. Litke, and while I was shelving booklets for her, I heard a few of the teachers talk about moving the boundaries of the school inwards." Setsuna's brow furrowed and she held up a hand.
"Wait, do you mean that those of us on the outer circuit of the district will have to go to a different school?" she asked, gesturing to all of them. Ale shrugged.
"I dunno; I'm only telling you what I heard. If they are changing the outer boundaries to relieve the crowding, we so fucking win, cause we get outta this hell hole. Yay us!" Mercedes grinned, nudging Setsuna with her elbow.
"I guess that means we don't have to deal with that horrible English teacher any longer," she said, and all of them nodded. Bellacroix let out a frustrated sound.
"Gods! That Chambers woman is just... UGH!" Mercedes patted Bellacroix shoulder.
"its okay, Craig. I'm sure this one's not a vampire that'll slip into our homes in the middle of the night like the last one," she said comfortingly, and Setsuna blinked.
"Wait, I just thought that guy was a pedophile!" she shouted, grabbing Mercedes shoulders and shaking her. "You mean to tell me that guy was a vampire and he wanted my blood!! No one gets MY blood!" Ale laughed.
"You're so funny Sets!" she said, grinning. Setsuna stopped shaking Mercedes for a moment to stare at Ale.
"What makes you say that?" she asked, and Ale gestured wildly.
"I mean, come on! You're more concerned about someone drinking your blood than raping you! You're fucking weird!!" Setsuna's face felt tight, and she felt her fingers start to clench Mercedes shoulders. Forcibly, she made herself relax and she flashed a quick grin at her friends.
"Well, I gotta get going; Creative is at the opposite end of the school from here, and I don't wanna be late. If anyone sees the Wyles or Blaze, give 'em my regards." She slipped away, making her way through the clogged hallways at a good pace until she reached the abandoned supply closet. Picking the lock with ease, she slipped inside and shut the door quickly, collapsing against the door. The shakes started, getting worse and worse and she started to hyperventilate, pressing her fingers against her mouth. Her eyes were wide open, but she wasn't seeing the dim outlines of supplies in the closet anymore; she was seeing hands tying her down as he started to hit her, ripping her clothes from her body. By the time he entered her, she was sobbing silently in the closet. All alone, she rocked herself and sang.
"Be still my heart, this could be a brand new start..."
AN: Wow, this took forever! @_@ Holy shite. This is a weird spot to leave off, but I think it’s too perfect to pass up. Don't worry, all will be explained. Remember, this chapter just sets the stage. And, no, that song isn’t symbolic in any way, shape, or form; I just thought it sounded cool.
Now, for disclaimers:
Alec, Vincent, Chloe, Lucas, Nick, Jake, Mr. Redrick, Mrs. Solez, The Coffee Grinder, Strawberries and Creme all belong to me.
Setsuna, Mercedes, Craig, Ambriel, Rachel, Alejandra are all based off people I know in real life (you know who you are).
Mr. Blaize, Mrs. Stevens, Mrs. Foot, Mrs. Chambers, and Mrs. Litke are all names taken from more people I know.
If the messenger names MomentofDEATH and Hacker13Thursday happen to coincide with anyone's real screen name, I apologize. I pulled them outta my ass.
The song Take off to the Sky is an image song for Gundam Wing's Heero Yuy sung by Hikaru Midorikawa (his seiyuu) and belongs to all affiliations. The song clippet is Fine Again by Seether. Mercy Me is a song by Akaline Trio. The song Vincent is singing is Chop Suey by System of a Down. The song at the end is a Postal Service song, I think, or Death Cab for Cutie. Lost the damn song list.
Ellone and Final Fantasy VIII belong to SquarEnix.
Starbucks, Gundam Wing, Saiyuki, Hagane no Renkinjutsushi, Hikaru Utada all belong to themselves.
I think that covers everything.... *brushes sweat from brow and sighs* Whew! I'll only mention these once, and new ones as they show up. Yay! As to the probable disjointedness of the chapter, I started this chapter around the end of winter last year, and have been spot writing it since then. Feed back would be much appreciated!
Sets, out!
::end transmission::
Chapter one: Kids, Welcome Back to Hell
‘Tasogare-iro ni somaru bench ni
Okizaki no ningyo
Yume wo nakuseba subete ga owaru
Dare ka tsubuyaiteta
Only wish…’
The low crooning voice floated out of a pair of high-tech headphones, wrapped around the neck of a young man. His hair was a multitude of golds and bronzes, long bans falling over the black rims of his glasses. His head was cradled in the crook of his right arm, nuzzled in the soft black fabric of his Thursday hoodie. The boy was sprawled on what appeared to be a computer desk, though under the clutter of empty soda cans and sheets of scrap paper, the only way to tell was the keyboard by his bent arm and the monitor that was illuminating the room with a sickly pale glow.
‘Fui ni ishiki no soko kara
It’s only life
Ore wo atsuku yusaburu omoi
Ima hageshiku karada ni kanji aeru
Sorezore no himeta kodou
Tadoritsuita jounetsu dakishimeta tsubasa
Take off to the sky…’
A black window popped up on the monitor, two cartoon-ish white eyes scrolling from side to side. Almost as if sensing the change, the boy shifted in his sleep, left hand flexing around a silver-black-blue rectangle. The glare moved off the small digital display window of his mp3 player to dance across the play buttons, Take off to the Sky scrolling across the screen in bold letters. With each shallow breath the boy took, the office chair he was in would roll back slightly and then forward, wheels squeaking quietly.
‘Modoru basho nado doko ni mo nakute
Samayoutta kono machi
Sunao ni narezu
Shinirareru mono sae wakaranu mama…’
A new window popped up, this one a taskbar with the heading DOWNLOADING… DeathGoDDess.gif. The window disappeared in a few seconds, a chibi with long black hair, trench coat, and black pants appearing in the center of the screen. Smiling happily, the chibi walked with swinging arms and legs over to the lower right corner of the screen. Crouching on the ground, the chibi bent over and pressed one white-gloved hand onto the icon of a small megaphone. The sound control window popped up and the chibi did a wild dance, cyber confetti bursting in small clumps everywhere. The chibi stopped suddenly and lifted a hand to her ear, as though she was listening to something or someone far away, then nodded sharply. Jumping up, she clung to the bottom of the window and hoisted herself up, sitting on the edge for a moment to catch her breath. Walking briskly, the chibi moved to the left side of the window and slammed her hands into the small checked box for ‘Master Mute’. Grinning again, the chibi lifted her hands over her head and moved the volume bar all the way up. Task completed, the chibi flashed a victory sign and disappeared in a flurry of black specks.
‘Only peace
kimi no tashika na yasuragi
It’s only love…’
Windows Media Player showed up on the monitor, loaded with a custom anime-d skin. The media list opened up and the cursor scrolled down until it reached a play list titled ‘MoD's songs', selecting it. There was a pause as the track started, then…
“BRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONK!!!!”
The boy’s green eyes shot open and he jolted awake, his eyes darting around. The short track ended and another had started, of a heavier sound then the soft Japanese music that was playing from the kid’s mp3 player. “It seems like every day’s the same and I’m left to discover on my own,” sang the computer and, recognizing the song, the boy scowled. He shut down the media player, re-engaged mute, and pulled up a flashing instant messenger window, typing furiously.
'Hacker13Thursday>: The HELL, MoD?! ><'
A reply popped up instantly, as though the person had already written it. And, knowing MoD, it had been.
'MomentofDEATH: *cowers in fear* Don’t kill meeeeee, H13! O_O Lookit the time!'
He did, then looked again in disbelief.
“Shit! I’m going to be late!” Without pause, he ran off to take a quick shower, stripping off his clothes along the way. From the other room the sound of running water is heard. MomentofDEATH wrote another message to H13, also known as Alec Tylan in the real world, listing the things he had to grab before dashing off into hell. They always helped each other, by reminding each other when to leave or what to take. It was a habit six years old, and neither thought much of it any more.
He walked back into his room, a white towel around his waist, beads of water clinging to his chest. He was running another towel through his hair as he walked, moving slowly so he wouldn't trip and fall. After sliding his glasses back on, he reached for the shadowed form of his bed and he snatched a pile of clothes, abandoning his towel for a pair of boxers and faded loose jeans. Drying his chest, he slipped on a dark blue t-shirt and plopped onto his bed to pull on his socks. Getting up, he shoved his feet into his battered old pair of grey Vans as he walked back to the computer desk. While scanning the message, he threw his hoodie on, slid his flash port and mp3 player into his pocket, and placed his headphones around his neck again; he frowned over the tail end of MoD's note.
'Hacker13Thursday: MoD, I ate yesterday! Sheesh, you're worse than my mother' he complained.
'MomentofDEATH: H13, a bag of Doritos does NOT constitute as food. And I'm better than your mother, so shut up.'
' Hacker13Thursday: You care more than her. Later.'
'MomentofDEATH: EAT SOMETHING!!'
'Hacker13Thursday: w/e, BYE!'
Turning off the monitor and the speakers, Alec ran over to his door, snatching up his black messenger bag and laptop case as he did so. Sprinting down the grand stairs, he threw them over his shoulders in a criss-cross fashion, pulling his maroon sock-hat over his head. When he reached the front door, he was going to pick up his customized compact electric scooter when he noted something alarming. It wasn't there. A quick glance at his watch told Alec that he didn't have time to look for it; he was going to have to take his other mode of transportation.
With a mangled curse, he ran out the front door and locked it, activating the security system. As he sprinted over to the garage, his hand dived into his bag, searching. As he stood next to the large, automatic garage doors, he found it. With a small whoop, he pulled out a Largo key chain and slammed on the button to open the right-most garage door, scooting under the door at the earliest instance.
Straddling a blue and black Japanese motorcycle, Alec checked to make sure his stuff was secure and his headphones on before gunning the engine, roaring out of the closing garage. He slid through the automated gates by a hair, humming along to Mercy Me. Glancing once again at his watch, Alec saw that he had enough time to make good on his promise to MoD and eat something... not to mention grab coffee. Could not live without the coffee. With a sigh, he took the next left, speeding off to Starbucks.
Across town, in the seedier, run down section of the city, a lump of black blankets moved. A pale, slightly muscular arm snaked its way over to the boom box next to his mattress, snatching the precariously placed clock. The arm, with the clock in hand, slid quietly back under the covers. A few moments passed until several loud, explicit curses came from under the blankets. They were flung off, revealing a slightly scrawny and narrow face framed by shoulder length obsidian hair, grey eyes wide in panic. Shooting up, he tried to dash over to the pile of clothes on his floor only to stop short, falling flat on his face. Spitting out another curse, he stood up and bent down to untangle the blankets, freeing his legs. Head banging to a song he could hear in his head, he stripped off his boxers and slid into his tight leather pants–going commando was just so comfortable… and interesting. He slid on a tight black t-shirt just as he started to sing the song.
“Self righteous suicide…” he sang softly, his low voice breaking the calm silence of his room. Humming some more, he slid his feet into his combat boots, head banging almost violently as he buckled them. Getting up, he jammed over to the only mirror in the room, inspecting both his hair and face. Deciding he could go without make up today, he quickly ripped a brush through his hair. On a spur-of-the-moment whim, he tied a strip of blue strip of cloth around his head, keeping his ‘bangs’ out of his face. Now ready for the day, he strolled over to the barred window, snatching his keys and fingerless gloves off the small fridge. Singing again, he crouched down and started to unlock his window.
Across the room, someone started to pound on his door with enough force to make the dead bolts rattle. He froze, a look of unease passing over his face before he turned back to the window, his speed greatly increased. There was no way his door could be broken down, so he didn’t really have to worry, but still…
“Vincent! Vincent, you little slut! Shut the fuck up and get your ass out here,” shouted a slurred and drunken voice from behind the door. Vincent grinned triumphantly as the window swung open and he scampered out onto the fire escape. Shutting the window and locking the bars, Vincent glanced down at his watch and grimaced.
“Shit, I’m going to be really late,” he muttered, swinging his legs over the black cast-iron railing of the escape and pulling on his gloves. “Alleyoop, then.” With a calm face, he slid off the railing. Just as he was reaching the second floor (he lived on the fourth), his right arm shot out and grabbed a loop attached to the railing. Almost immediately, his descent slowed. He came to a complete stop roughly a foot off the ground and let go immediately, dropping the remaining distance easily as the loop shot straight back up. Calm as could be, he strolled over to a beautiful black motorcycle and, plugging in a key to unlock it, popped the back. Rooting through the various crap in there, he pulled out his worn leather jacket and his wallet. Sliding the wallet into his back pocket, he removed a cigarette from his pack, lighting it with a Zippo as he shrugged on the jacket. Taking a much needed lungful of Nicotine, he shut the seat and hopped on, gunning the motor. Sliding on his large sunglasses, Vincent grinned wickedly, blasting out of the alleyway and headed over to The Coffee Grinder; after his binge last night, he needed the caffeine.
Alec scowled, breakfast sandwich in mouth and coffee in hand as he raced from the senior parking lot to the front entrance. He had had the severe misfourtune to get stuck behind not one not two, but three indecisive businessmen. Now he was late to the first day of school of his senior year. He was going to be in such shit!
“Alec!” a girl’s voice called and he looked up. Standing at the top of the steps was a girl with mostly shoulder-length hair (two long, waist-length chunks fell down her back in braids). The husky at her side gave a happy bark, and he felt a small smile cross his face; how very Chloe.
"Morning, Chloe," he greeted, parking his bike near the front and kicking down his kickstand. Walking over to the front steps, he glared at his (best) friend, pushing up his glasses. "And what, Ellone Redbark, do you think you're doing out here?" he demanded, crossing his arms and glaring into her green eyes. She grinned and tweaked his nose, ignoring his curses.
"Waiting for you, Mr. Alec Tylan. And don't call me Ellone; that's what my mother calls me. Plus it’s the name of that psychic chic in Final Fantasy eight; she creeps me out. And you are very, very late today Alec. Out late, living it up?" she asked as they made their way up the steps, dodging the predicted hit from Alec. "Ha ha, ya missed!"
"You might as well be psychic, seeing as you can still freaking tell when I'm going to hit you, play DDR, and paint... Not to mention pick out your clothes with no help at all. Nice outfit by the way; going for the hippie-green-peasant look today?" They opened the doors and started making their way through the still populated halls. "Why the hell is it still crowded?"
"Apparently, they changed it to first period first thing; announcements will be done at the end of the class. Hey sis, hey Alec, hi Tenshi," Lucas Redbark said, bending down to scratch behind the husky's ears, his shoulder-length hair falling in front of his eyes for the moment. Alec nodded in return, ripping into his sandwich while they waited. Chloe's face wrinkled as she sniffed the air a few times before turning in Alec's direction.
"Alec... are you eating breakfast?" she asked in confusion and he grunted, swallowing his mouthful before holding the sandwich under her nose.
"Egg ham and cheese on a toasted bagel, courtesy of the Bagel Shak next to our Starbucks. Mod threatened me," he explained, taking another bite. Chloe's sightless eyes lit up and she glomped him.
"Wah! Alec, I'm so proud of you!" she cried, then, feeling the material of his shirt, she pulled back. "Weren't you wearing this yesterday?" Alec took another bite of his sandwich. "Alec..."
"At least I'm here." A bell rang and he frowned, flattening himself against the lockers as herds of people started to move like waves. "How're the hell are we supposed to know what our first block class is?" he asked, and Lucas shrugged.
"Here ya go; now bow down and lick my sandals," a voice said suddenly from over Alec's shoulder and a paper was shoved into his face. Snatching it out of the person's hands, he scanned the paper while listening to the kid complain about people being waves of mass destruction. He interrupted the rant abruptly.
"Nick, go make out with Lucas or something. Chloe, what do you have first block? And Nick, unless you want me to bite it off, stick your tongue back into your mouth." Nick complied before sweeping Lucas off his feet and mashing him against the lockers. Ignoring her brother and his boyfriend, Chloe handed Alec her schedule.
"I have absolutely no idea. Tell me?" she asked. Alec scanned the two lists over then handed Chloe's back to her.
"We have World History together, then you have Drawing, then we have English and Film Studies together. Happy, Blindy?" Chloe glowered at him, smacking him upside the head.
"Alec, you're an asshole, you know that?"
"Yep." She glared, then let out an aggravated sigh.
"C'mon, butt-munch. Despite waiting for you outside, I'd rather not be late to fist period." She grabbed him by the front of his shirt and jerked; almost spilling his coffee.
His eyes widened. "HEY!" She shrugged and turned around, smiling.
"Oops, I'm soo sorry!" Alec glared, muttering, "No, you aren't," before following her to first block. Something, somewhere, told him that this was going to be a horrible day.
Vincent pulled into the parking lot of the school, parking next to this sweet black and blue ricer. He admired the bike for a moment or two before shoving a hand into his pocket, sipping his coffee merrily as he walked up the front steps. The halls were emptying out, and Vincent had no problem getting to the guidance office. He leaned against the doorframe seductively, drinking his coffee as he waited. He stared at the guidance teacher, appreciating the way her silky black hair was barely contained by her hair clip; one small tug and that hair would be sent falling down to rest on her shoulders and oh-so wonderful breasts. And with the cut of her suit, well, let's just say that Vincent was enjoying the view. Soon enough, Mrs. Solez looked up at him; Vincent smirked when she swallowed heavily, noticing that he'd been staring..
"You're late, Vincent," she said calmly, regaining he cool as she resorted her desk. It would take a fine eye to notice that her hands were shaking. "Here's your schedule; now get to class." Vincent stared at the paper offered to him, ignored it, and strolled over to the desk, resting a hip on it. He pretended to pout at Mrs. Solez, leaning in close to her.
"Aw, Mrs. Solez, so cold to me," he whined quietly in her ear, taking a pause to lick his lips, "especially after Saturday at Strawberries and Creme. You sure are great..." he paused again, moving even closer to her pert little ear. Mrs. Solez was breathing shallowly, eyes half-lidded already. He smirked and breathed, "Linda" into her ear before kissing it softly. She let out a low moan, leaning into Vincent.
"Go shut the door," she ordered, and Vincent was only too happy to comply. Linda was good in the sack, and it sure as all hell beat going to math. Climbing over the desk after he secured the door, he leered down at her.
"Now... where was I?" She grabbed him by the lapels and dragged him down for a sound kiss. "This," she hissed before kissing him again, and Vincent moaned.
He exited the guidance room thirty minutes later, looking for all the world refreshed. He downed the rest of his cold coffee and chucked it into a garbage can, whistling while he walked. Nothing like sex in the morning for a good pick-me up! He glanced at his watch and frowned, wondering how he was going to spend the next hour or so until morning break. Grinning, he decided to see how his favourite librarians were doing.
Throwing open the doors to the second-story library, Vincent strode in, making a scene as was his way.
"Mrs. Stevens, Mrs. Foot! How are my favourite ladies this morning?" he asked, walking over to the desk with a smile on his face. Until he saw who they were helping. That blonde hair, those clothes, that slouch... his eyes narrowed and his smile became a smirk. "Well, well, well... look who's here, Mrs. Stevens! It's Alec... Alec... what's your last name again?" Mrs. Stevens, sensing the hostility, slowly made her way into the backroom; they were nice boys, but she didn't want to get into one of their little tiffs again. Last time, one of them almost punched her! Violence was horrible, yes, but she wasn't about to stop it if it meant getting hurt!
Alec slowly turned around, glaring at Vincent impassively. A slight frown interrupted his glare and he leaned closer to Vincent; Vincent felt all of his muscles tense in anticipation. If that sonnuvabitch even thought about touching him--
"You smell like sex," his cold voice interrupted, and Vincent found himself blinking.
"And? Aw, is the little kiddie complaining cuz the big kid can go out and have fun?" Vincent leaned foreword, putting his hands on either side of Alec, virtually pinning him to the counter. "I will gladly show that ass of yours some fun, if you want," he breathed, leering at Alec. Without batting an eye, Alec had a hand wrapped around Vincent's throat.
"Sorry, I don't do people who has more diseases than a public toilet," he said blandly, starting to squeeze. "And if you wouldn't mind moving, I need to actually get back to my class." Shoving Vincent harshly, Alec scooped up the history books he'd been getting and, with a nod to Mrs. Stevens, left. Vincent stood against the counter, rubbing his throat absently. Mrs. Stevens came out of the back, shaking her head at Vincent.
"I wish you two wouldn’t fight," she said softly, pulling a book from the shelves behind the counter. "He's a good boy; quite intelligent too. He even reads--" Vincent cut her off with a brisk motion.
"You weren't there last year, Mrs. Stevens. I can't possibly make you understand. Now, do you still have my book?" He grinned at Mrs. Stevens and she rolled her eyes, handing a thick hardcover to him.
"Yes, yes...Now sit down behind the reference shelves, near the window; I'll cover for you if anyone comes by looking." Vincent smiled, hugging the middle-aged woman.
"I love you Mrs. Stevens," he said earnestly, provoking a laugh. He gave her a kiss on the brow before moving to where she indicated. Pulling out his beat-up cd player, Vincent settled down and started to read.
Alec slammed the locker door shut, snarling. He hated that fucking sunnuvabitch, hated him. And, of course, the damn year's barely begun before they run into each other.
Chloe stood off to the side, listening to Alec's snarls and feeling the anger roll off him. He'd been like this ever since running that errand for Mr. Skorski, and she had a pretty good idea why. Only one person in the entire world (to her knowledge) could make Alec this angry just by breathing...though from what she caught Alec muttering, it had something to do with a little more than breathing. Sighing, she decided to try to break Alec out of his funk.
"Alec, computers," she said suddenly, causing his near-silent tirade come to a stumbling halt.
"What?" he asked, confused. Chloe smiled, giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Go to computers, code, and chill out. I've gotta start moving to the art wing if I wanna get there on time. See ya in English, Alec!" She waved, then started off, Tenshi guiding her down the halls. When she reached the art room, she grinned.
"Hello, Mr. Blaize! How are you today?" she asked cheerfully. A voice answered her call.
"Mr. Blaize ain't in here, kid, can't ya tell?" Cocky, male, and with a hint of sexual undertones; Chloe smiled slightly.
"Hello, Vincent. How are you today?" She heard the sound of cloth being moved and a chair creaking; he must have been trying to nap under her leather coat again.
"Chloe?! Shit, girl, I haven't seen you since your brother and I split amicably what, two years ago? Damn, you look fine; I was trying to catch a nap or I definitely woulda recognized you. How're your eyes?" Directing Tenshi to where Vincent was sitting, she answered his question calmly.
"Near blind, to tell the truth. I can only see a few things anymore; art being one of them. Like my outfit?" She could see red irises looking her over from head to toe; she could imagine the smirk that went along with that look. "And no ogling."
"How do you do that?" he asked, sounding shocked; she suppressed a grin.
"Honestly, I have no idea. Well?" Vincent was silent a few moments, before stating.
"Too bad you're with Jake right now," he said softly, brushing her bangs back lightly. "You really are beautiful, in that hippie-bohemian sorta way." She smiled at him and squeezed his arm.
"Thanks Vincent." She withdrew her arm. "But I am with Jake, thanks to your meddling I'll have you remember. You sure like to meddle, don't you?" she asked, grinning at Vincent. He blinked, confused.
"How so?" He sounded wary, and Chloe felt a twinge in her chest. Neither of them really trusted her...
"You set me and Jake up for one thing, and you set up Nick and Lucas... you know too many people, Vincent!" she accused, pointing at him dramatically. Vincent laughed.
"Actually, I screw too many people. I was with Jake's neighbor, I was Nick's uke, and I was Lucas' seme. Yep, I've probably done almost everybody in this town."
"Except that new guidance counselor." Dead silence. "Vincent..."
"Saturday at Strawberries and Creme and this morning first period. She's pretty flexible," he said thoughtfully; Chloe twitched.
"Vincent, if you value your balls, stop talking. Now."
"Ah, Chloe! Getting a head start on threatening people?" The charming voice rang out from the door; Chloe and Vincent looked over.
"Hi Mr. Blaize! How's Mr. Redrick?" Chloe asked, folding her hands on the art-desk. Mr. Blaize laughed.
"Oh, Tom's doing alright; and how many times have I told you to call me Mark?" Chloe laughed.
"Sorry Mark!" Vincent was petting Tenshi, coaxing happy pants. Chloe sniggered. "What?!" he asked, confused; Mark laughed as well. "What am I missing?"
"Boy, Vincent, you sure are good at coaxing happy panting!" Chloe burst out. A girl's laugh rang across the room.
"I'm glad I'm in early! Is this the Drawing room?" Chloe heard her drop her things next to her and Chloe smiled.
"Yep! I'm Chloe Redbark, and this charming fellow is Vincent Ronallini."
"Hey, baby, wanna be my model?" Vincent asked; Chloe could sense the girl's confusion.
"Why?" Chloe could just feel the leer; he was going to use one of his pick-up lines.
"Cause with you as my model, all my pictures will shine." Yep, she knew it. Quietly, she waited for the girl's reaction.
"...You are just a big bunch of leather clad sap--mmm, good mental images--aren't you?" she asked, laughing. Chloe grinned; this girl was okay.
"What's your name?" she asked.
"Ambriel Chambers, but you can call me Ams... do you not believe in shaking hands?" Chloe grinned and held out her hand.
"Sorry about that; I'm mostly blind. But its okay, I'm cool with it," she explained, and she felt a thin hand grab hers and they shook.
"Nice to meet you, Chloe!"
"Nice to be met."
"Okay, is everyone here?" Mark asked, finally looking up. The few desks in the room must have filled up while they were talking; Chloe heard six other people respond. "Alrightie then! Just to start you guys off, I want you to just draw whatever you want. I won't even put a 'school appropriate' limit on it." He grinned and winked at the class. "Now get to it." Vincent leaned over to Chloe.
"I think I'm gonna like this class." Chloe grinned and held out a hand for a high-five.
"Me too."
They spent the class laughing, sketching in their drawing notebooks. Ams was shocked by Chloe's ability to draw so well; Chloe laughed it off and grinned. "It's magic," she said, and that was that. She finished her sketch before Vincent and Ams, but she wasn't the first one done. She grabbed a bin of copic markers and selected colours seemingly without thought, cracking jokes at Vincent's expense. She coloured the drawing as they still sketched, the colours almost glowing off her sketchbook page. She added the last ring of colour then stopped, capping the marker with a snap. Ams and Vincent glanced at the drawing; Chloe heard them gasp.
"Wow, Chloe! That's amazing," Ams said in a numb voice, caressing the edge of the drawing. "It looks just like him. Except... why did you give him red eyes?" Chloe sat quiet for awhile, not answering, while Vincent and Ams got back to work. Then, at the end of the class, she spoke.
"Cause when I look at him, all I see is piercing red eyes." She shut the sketchbook, put it away, and stood. She paused by the door, Tenshi by her side, and a grin on her face. "Well? It's time for English; anyone else going?"
"I'm in room 205," Vincent said, probably looking down at his schedule. Ams laughed and declared she, too, was in 205. Chloe grinned.
"I guess we're all heading in the same direction! Let's go." The bell rang on the tail end of her sentence and move they did. They managed to reach English without too much of a problem. Chloe stopped, feeling the swells of anger rise from the class room and Vincent standing next to her. She grabbed the back of Ams' shirt, pulling her away.
"What--"
"Alec and Vincent don't like each other very much; it's better to stay out of their way," Chloe explained calmly, smiling. "It shouldn't be a problem... unless Alec had a bad class. Then, we'd better run." Ams hand shook in hers. "Hey, it's nothing to be fright-"
"Oh, my GOD! Not only are they hot, but they fight?! Oh, I hope clothes get ripped," she gushed; Chloe could picture the sparkling eyes too easily. She smiled uncomfortably
"At times like these, I'm glad I'm blind."
Alec stood, fists braced on the old school desk in front of him, glaring at Vincent. Something was very wrong here; there was no way that Vincent would be in his English class. He was too damn stupid.
"Well well well, if it isn't Alec." Vincent leaned against the door, sneering contemptuously. "And what hole did you crawl out of?" Alec growled, hunching further.
"One where civil people live; you wouldn't know it," he spat. "And aren't you a little lost? The sped classroom is down the hall; maybe you need someone to lead you there by the hand?" The students in and around the classroom were staring now, engulphed in their argument. Alec ignored them; Vincent was the only thing that mattered at this moment. Vincent lost his smirk, scowling at Alec.
"Are you sure you're in the right room? I've never seen you hold a book; maybe you need to be escorted." Alec slammed his fists down again, snarling. 'Why that fucking sunnuva--'
"Alec, Vincent, chill down. Please. I'd like to put my books down and go to lunch, if you guys don't mind." Chloe pushed past Vincent, placing her books down next to Alec. She placed a hand on his arm, clenching when he tried to shake her off.
"Chloe, let me at the sunnuva bitch," he said lowly, his eyes not leaving Vincent's grey ones. They seemed to flash red a moment, but Alec brushed it off. 'Im-fucking-possible.' Some brown-and-red-haired chick was pulling at Vincent's arm, asking him to sit down. Chloe suddenly grabbed the side of his face and forced his head to turn towards hers. Grey turned to sightless green; the mood was broken. Grabbing her books, he placed them on the desk next to him, where Chloe's name was written on a sticky note. "Let's go, Alec." Silent, he let Chloe drag him out of the class, staring at the floor. As they walked through the door, his fist swung out and connected with Vincent's face just as one connected with his own. His head snapped back, and the world swung for one crazy moment, then everything was back to normal. He adjusted the strap of his bag before continuing down the hall, ignoring the pain from his jaw and his mouth. Chloe walked beside him, shaking her head sadly.
"Do you two have to do that every time?" she asked wearily, and Alec shrugged.
"It's life, Chloe. Where are we going, by the way." He looked around the hallway, confused. Chloe let out a heavy sigh.
"Lunch, Alec. Lunch." Tenshi barked, and Alec nodded.
"Right." He turned and went down the nearest stairwell, walking out the exit onto the school grounds. Easily spotting shade, he dragged Chloe with him to their usual tree and sat down. Pulling out his laptop and phone, he quickly rigged up an internet connection; Chloe just laughed and pulled out her sketchbook and a granny smith apple.
"Gonna chat with Mod?" she queried, and Alec nodded.
"We were having a discussion about the pros and cons of different platformers last class. Mod promised to connect during lunch as well," he explained, logging in. Chloe nodded sagely.
"Well, don't let me distract you from your gaming discussion. Gonna listen to music?" Alec nodded. "What's on the menu today?"
"Techno, Gundam Wing, Saiyuki, Hagane no Renkinjutsushi, and Hikaru Utada...I think. Not sure; it blends. There might be some American in there as well."
"Can I listen?" She dug out her headphones.
"Got a splitter?" he asked, and she grinned.
"Don't I always?" He chuckled. "Yeah, you do." He unplugged his headphones from his mp3 player, then plugged in the splitter and plugged his headphones into that. His music started just as the message box popped open and he lost himself in the thrill of the debate.
Vincent shook his head again as he made his way into the library, trying to clear the ringing from his ears. That fucking hurt! 'Stupid blonde bastard' he thought darkly, moving to his spot with an absent wave to Mrs. Stevens. As he was settling down, he heard the doors open and two female voices fill the room.
"Wow, did you see that Rach?" That sounded like Ams, that girl who sat with him and Chloe during art... That would mean that the other one was... Oh shit.
"Vincent! Where the heck are you? If you don't come out right this instant I'll plaster your bike with Hello Kitty again! I mean it!" Rachel Sunderland. Fuck.
"Back here, Rach," he said tiredly, and he watched as her red and brown hair smacked into his eyes. "Jeeze, Rach. Wear more shirt. I do not need to see those tiny things you call 'breasts'." Rachel frowned, glaring at him.
"Still an ass I see. Well, would you mind the company of two ladies while you read? We promise, we don't bite." Vincent glared for a moment, but when Rachel didn't back down, he just sighed.
"Rach, as I seem to remember, you do bite," he said with a leer. "Quite hard, too." Ams finally spoke up.
"Ugh, please, no flirting in front of me," she begged, brushing her black hair back with both hands. "I can't take it." Vincent grinned.
"Okay, I'll desist. Now go find something quiet to do." He watched Ams pull out a book as well and Rach get up to peruse the shelves. The question that had been naggling at him bubbled out after a few moments. "How do you two know each other, by the way?"
"Well, we're in the same coven," Ams started, and Rachel nodded.
"That and we've known each other since kindergarten. How do you two know each other?" Rachel asked, giving Vincent a suspicious look. He flapped a hand arrogantly.
"Oh don't worry, I haven't screwed your little friend...yet. We're in the same art class," he explained, nodding to Ams' sketchbook. Ams looked up, eyes narrowed.
"Waitaminute... does that mean that you two," she gestured between them with a disgusted look on her face. Rachel grinned.
"Two years ago at Strawberries and Creme... Man, that was kinky and fun." Ams stared at them, then snorted.
"Why am I not surprised," she asked no one before burring herself in her book again. Rachel made a happy noise and pulled out a book, skipping back over to them. Primly, she adjusted her short skirt and sat in-between Vincent and Ams, cracking open her book. All was silent for a few moments then, without looking up from her book, Rachel asked a question.
"What the hell is between you and Tylan, by the way? He's a nice piece of ass; did he refuse you or sommat?" Vincent's grip tightened and he looked up, shooting Rachel a heavy glare.
"Butt out, Rach; it doesn't concern you, so don't even try," he growled lowly, and Rachel nodded.
"Okay okay, don't have a cow. Sheesh, you guys fight like there's more to it than just anger hey! Don't mind me. What do I know?"
"Not a helluva lot," he muttered before yanking out his cd player, blasting the volume.
Setsuna stared at the English teacher, wondering absently if it were possible to ignite someone with your eyes alone. By Shinigami, this teacher was as crazy as a fucking fruitbat! A piece of paper, folded into the shape of a crane, flew onto her desk; without even trying to be stealthy, she opened the note, scanning it. It was written in code--no surprise--and she translated it easily in her head.
'/Wow, this teacher's flippin nuts. Doesn't she ever shut up?/' Setsuna quickly wrote out a reply, ignoring the throbbing in her wrist.
'/I don't think so, and I don't seem to have the power to make people spontaneously combust, so I doubt she will. I'm gonna just read; Vanyel is infinitely more amusing that this wench./' She flipped the crane back and pulled out a beaten paperback, opening it to the Hagaren card marking her spot. Good ol' Roy and Ed, saving her spot like that. What pals. She got through a few pages before the crane came sailing back.
'/Think I'll start doing design sketches; I have to expand upon my portfolio. What's wrong with your wrist today? You're using it stiffly./' Setsuna rubbed her wrist and shot a glare at the short-haired brunet sitting next to her.
'/Wench./'
'/Damn straight. Did he wretch it last night and did you put any ice on it?/' Setsuna snorted at that one, flipping her blonde bangs back.
'/What do you think I am, stupid?/' she asked.
'/In a word, yes. You better tell me everything or I'll tell Tev and Dev you got hurt and you know they'll never let you rest./' She scowled, glaring over at her friend.
'/Seeing as I know you have my best interests in mind, Cedes, I won't kill you. Yet. I'm bruised all over, my right wrist is sprained, and the motherfucker punched me in the face so my mouth is a bit cut up. Not to mention the usual problems after he shows up. Happy now?/'
'/No, but there's nothing I can really do to help. When is class over?/' Setsuna was writing out a reply when the loud, piercing bells rang and she looked over, meeting mischievous orchid eyes with her own ice blue ones.
"My guess would be now," she said wirily, standing up gingerly. Mercedes rolled her eyes.
"Smart ass." Setsuna smirked and arched an eyebrow.
"Your point being?" she asked, hefting up her bags. The teacher was caterwauling about some homework assignment or another, but they walked out without listening. Setsuna's hand shot out and grabbed the black sleeve of a boy's hoodie; she smirked deviously. "Bellacroix. Thought you could escape, didn't you?" He turned to look down at her--fucking tall bastard--and grinned.
"From you? Never in a million years, Sets." He patted her head and she growled, shaking his hand off impatiently.
"Watch the hair, buddy, or I'll mess up that coloured-gel doo of yours." Her head snapped back suddenly as someone yanked her braid. "OW, motherfuckingpussbucketcocksuckingsonofaBITCH!!! I'm going to fucking kill you, Alejandra Sera!!!" She spun around, glaring into the laughing brown eyes of Ale. Ale brushed short, flame coloured hair back and grinned cheekily at Setsuna
"Whatever, Miller. Now, do you wanna find out what I over heard when I was in the teachers lounge or what, flannel girl?" she asked. Setsuna glared.
"Don't diss the blue stuff; I'm also wearing boots that can kick your skinny Mexican ass, so don't fuck with me, Ale. And what the fuck were you doing in the teachers lounge?" They all stared at Ale, disgust all over their faces; she flushed and glared at them.
"Not what you're all thinking, that's for damn sure! I had to help out Mrs. Litke, and while I was shelving booklets for her, I heard a few of the teachers talk about moving the boundaries of the school inwards." Setsuna's brow furrowed and she held up a hand.
"Wait, do you mean that those of us on the outer circuit of the district will have to go to a different school?" she asked, gesturing to all of them. Ale shrugged.
"I dunno; I'm only telling you what I heard. If they are changing the outer boundaries to relieve the crowding, we so fucking win, cause we get outta this hell hole. Yay us!" Mercedes grinned, nudging Setsuna with her elbow.
"I guess that means we don't have to deal with that horrible English teacher any longer," she said, and all of them nodded. Bellacroix let out a frustrated sound.
"Gods! That Chambers woman is just... UGH!" Mercedes patted Bellacroix shoulder.
"its okay, Craig. I'm sure this one's not a vampire that'll slip into our homes in the middle of the night like the last one," she said comfortingly, and Setsuna blinked.
"Wait, I just thought that guy was a pedophile!" she shouted, grabbing Mercedes shoulders and shaking her. "You mean to tell me that guy was a vampire and he wanted my blood!! No one gets MY blood!" Ale laughed.
"You're so funny Sets!" she said, grinning. Setsuna stopped shaking Mercedes for a moment to stare at Ale.
"What makes you say that?" she asked, and Ale gestured wildly.
"I mean, come on! You're more concerned about someone drinking your blood than raping you! You're fucking weird!!" Setsuna's face felt tight, and she felt her fingers start to clench Mercedes shoulders. Forcibly, she made herself relax and she flashed a quick grin at her friends.
"Well, I gotta get going; Creative is at the opposite end of the school from here, and I don't wanna be late. If anyone sees the Wyles or Blaze, give 'em my regards." She slipped away, making her way through the clogged hallways at a good pace until she reached the abandoned supply closet. Picking the lock with ease, she slipped inside and shut the door quickly, collapsing against the door. The shakes started, getting worse and worse and she started to hyperventilate, pressing her fingers against her mouth. Her eyes were wide open, but she wasn't seeing the dim outlines of supplies in the closet anymore; she was seeing hands tying her down as he started to hit her, ripping her clothes from her body. By the time he entered her, she was sobbing silently in the closet. All alone, she rocked herself and sang.
"Be still my heart, this could be a brand new start..."
AN: Wow, this took forever! @_@ Holy shite. This is a weird spot to leave off, but I think it’s too perfect to pass up. Don't worry, all will be explained. Remember, this chapter just sets the stage. And, no, that song isn’t symbolic in any way, shape, or form; I just thought it sounded cool.
Now, for disclaimers:
Alec, Vincent, Chloe, Lucas, Nick, Jake, Mr. Redrick, Mrs. Solez, The Coffee Grinder, Strawberries and Creme all belong to me.
Setsuna, Mercedes, Craig, Ambriel, Rachel, Alejandra are all based off people I know in real life (you know who you are).
Mr. Blaize, Mrs. Stevens, Mrs. Foot, Mrs. Chambers, and Mrs. Litke are all names taken from more people I know.
If the messenger names MomentofDEATH and Hacker13Thursday happen to coincide with anyone's real screen name, I apologize. I pulled them outta my ass.
The song Take off to the Sky is an image song for Gundam Wing's Heero Yuy sung by Hikaru Midorikawa (his seiyuu) and belongs to all affiliations. The song clippet is Fine Again by Seether. Mercy Me is a song by Akaline Trio. The song Vincent is singing is Chop Suey by System of a Down. The song at the end is a Postal Service song, I think, or Death Cab for Cutie. Lost the damn song list.
Ellone and Final Fantasy VIII belong to SquarEnix.
Starbucks, Gundam Wing, Saiyuki, Hagane no Renkinjutsushi, Hikaru Utada all belong to themselves.
I think that covers everything.... *brushes sweat from brow and sighs* Whew! I'll only mention these once, and new ones as they show up. Yay! As to the probable disjointedness of the chapter, I started this chapter around the end of winter last year, and have been spot writing it since then. Feed back would be much appreciated!
Sets, out!
::end transmission::