Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ Ateratraatrum Noxnoctis ❯ Chapter 6 ( Chapter 6 )

Ateratraatrum Noxnoctis

Chapter 6

Raising a knuckle, Brennan went to knock on the door to Chelsea's flat then ran it over his slicked back hair. Then adjusting his tie, tied in the traditional Windsor knot, he sighed, waiting for his maiden to answer the door.

He sighed. He didn't want to make a fool of himself while escorting her in a proper, courtly manner. Yet, he had no doubt that he would. After all, Chelsea was a genius, who got a job that no other women had a chance of getting, and he was just a menial labourer who worked in an ammunition factory because of his lame left knee. He had injured it years ago in an intense game of cricket.

Now because of it, the only fighting he could do was homeland. He'd participate in the uprisings by the Catholics and the IRA. Those were quite hunger satisfying for his desire to fight. He had been lucky enough to not having acquired any worse injuries than he already had.

Smiling as she opened the door, Brennan stepped forward, taking her hand in his. Kissing it, he gazed intently into her eyes. "Is the lass ready to go?"

Giggling sweetly, Chelsea blushed mildly at his move. "I am, sir." She replied, linking her arm through his. Although she didn't like the position of women in the world in general, she didn't mind being courted by a gentleman who knew who to treat a woman. This, she sensed this about Brennan.

"Innit, where shall we begin our evening, Miss Llwellyn?!" Brennan placed his hand over hers that was linked through his other arm. He walked down the steps that led to the flat she lived in.

"Isn't it true, pray tell, is there a local bar with an American swing band playing at?" Chelsea queried, watching the light of dusk bounce lightly off her escort's features. The hard light of dusk gave him a mysterious air to his attractiveness. She tried not to giggle vacuously as she gazed at him, love struck.

"Aw damnit, you really wanna do that?! I mean I think the film theatre is showin' something good. Maybe there's a quartet playing at the music hall. Or there is always just going out…" Brennan suggested with a small shrug.

"That sounds so dreadfully sleepy. Pray tell, why you hate going to bars where a band's playing, mate?! Isn't all music enlightening?!" Chelsea pressed. She didn't feel quite like participating in anything intellectually stimulating tonight. She wanted to try something below her, something other people considered fun. "Besides, I wanted to go dancing! That's why I wore my dancing shoes, mate!"

She held up a foot to prove a point. She pointed her foot out, as she balanced the bulk of her weight against Brennan's body. "See, I'm all ready for dancing the night away!"

"You sure?! I thought that…"

"Oh never mind what you thought. Quit being a stick-in-the-mud and let's have some fun!"

Brennan was surprised by the way she was acting. He had anticipated a night of theatre and a proper dinner. He had full-plans for trying to impress her with his intelligence, but it seemed she had other plans. He didn't like this too much. Being at a bar meant liquor and then surely he would make such a dupe of himself. Oh, how humiliated he would be. She wouldn't talk to him again.

He sighed. It wasn't that bad. There were worse fates than what he might encounter tonight. On the plus side, he was getting to court the fair Chelsea. She was beautiful, smart and individualistic.

He paused, thinking about the connection he felt to her. It was strong. It wasn't a blood connection or anything like that, it felt as though it was linked through destiny. He cast a glance her way as this passed through his mind.

Chiriko.

The irony of that. He had once been Tasuki who looked up to Chiriko because of the lad's intelligence, but also admired the boy because the kid was something of a brother to him. Brennan recalled how devastated, in his previous life, when the young lad had died so nobly without question or self-pity.

Pulling the young land in close, wrapping an arm around her waist, Brennan placed his chin on her head, inhaling her scent. How fresh she smelled. She wore such a subtle fragrance. Other women insisted on such over powering perfume, but Chelsea's was so beautiful because it didn't savagely invade his senses.

He didn't have to travel far with her before she pointed to the place she wanted to go to. He shuddered, it seemed too much like a place where his lunatic friends would congregate and loiter. The last thing he needed was to have to share his date with any of his friends. Most were courting other women, but there were the scant few that were still swinging bachelors and loved life that way.

Pushing the door open, like a gentleman, he felt it for her, letting her pass before he wandered in after her. He did the same at the table they acquired close to the bandstand. He pulled out the chair for her and pushed it in once she sat. He then took a seat across from her, making sure he had his back to the bar counter where his friends would surely gather if they were here.

Of all the nights for his friends to come here, this was one night he hoped they wouldn't.

Brennan sat facing the door, so he would be able to see if his friend did make a grand entrance after being drawn here like moths to a flame, because of the pounding swing music. So far he saw none; that was good.

But somehow it seemed he spoke too soon. He groaned at the sight of Séamus, who wandered in like he owned the damned place or something. Brennan hoped that his one friend was the only one from his gang coming. He then noticed the second one. He blinked. It was impossible. He couldn't believe those rumours about Séamus having a twin were true.

Turning to Chelsea, he stood up. "Lass, shall we find a better table?"

"Pray tell why, this table is quite fine, sir." She smiled and batted her eyelashes at him in a charming manner. "Besides, we're right near the dance floor, so it would be a waste to move. The band's right there and we can see them. So, why should we move? I would like justification to support why we should…"

"Because one of my friends just waltz in here." Brennan replied. He then wanted to take it back. It sounded so dumb; so ignorant. He bit his lip, waiting for her reply, whatever it was going to be.

He didn't have time to hear it before Séamus approached the table, bringing with him, Jeremiah. He stopped, leaning on the table. "Oi, ass, why didn't you mention something of a courting tonight?! Afraid we were gonna crash it or something?"

"Do me a favour and lose yourself, jackass." Brennan scathingly replied, his eyes flaring as he stared hard at his friend.

"No can do, I'm here and intend to stay. Jeremiah here is a fan of this swing music, so I thought we'd stop here 'cause he likes this stuff." Séamus replied, before turning to Chelsea. "Good evening, madam. You look quite well. Pray tell, lass, as my friend taken you to swing on the floor, or is he being a square?"

"He's insisting on waiting and I want to do something of merriment." Chelsea replied, gazing hopefully at the new comer. She held her hand up to him. "You dance, right?"

"Oh, is that an invitation to dance, because I'll certainly be happy to take you up on it. If not, then, may I have this dance, my lady?" Séamus replied, giving a short bow to her. It erupted a fit of short giggles from her.

"Why thank you, I'd be delighted!" She exclaimed, accepting his help, as she rose from the chair. She then, in her exuberance, dragged him out to the floor before Brennan could even utter a word of protest to her actions.

Grasping his hands as they arrived on the crowded floor, she asked loudly. "Pray tell mate, what's your moniker?"

"Me name be Séamus Kennedy." He replied, taking her hands to lead her in the dance. "And fair maiden, what be your handle?"

"Chelsea Llwellyn."

"Beautiful name for a lovely lass."

Back at the stall, Brennan sat, grousing bitterly about how it was unfair that he was courting Chelsea and now his friend got the lass. He ignored Jeremiah who had now taken a seat on the table and calmly ordered a Guinness like a veteran.

Holding the half-pint in hand, he turned to the redhead. "You should know how to treat a lady. You don't make her beg for a dance."

Brennan cast a withering glance at the newcomer. "No one asked you."

"Sure no one did, but your bellyaching sure as hell did." Jeremiah countered quickly, taking a sip from his order. He placed the glass back down, his hand still holding it. "And if I were you, I'd get my ass in gear. My brother's a quick worker."

He gestured to the floor where Chelsea and Séamus were acting like old time buddies' moving in sync with each other moved. The pair seemed made for each other; they matched nicely.

"That should be you, but looks like my brother's claimed your dame." Jeremiah snickered at his overly inane pun. He grinned widely as he did.

"Look, just shove it where the bloody damn sun don't shine. I really don't give a flying fuck what you think, mate." Brennan death glared the mirror double of Séamus. This young man was grating his nerves, but for reasons that were worthless. He trailed off, muttering incoherent nonsense.

It was easy for the second class private to ignore this guy. He had learned long ago how to tune out people that he hated, or thought very little thereof. This was no exception. He couldn't phantom why his twin would be a friend with someone that was just so stupid. It was implausible. He saw his brother as an intelligent young man who knew when life did and didn't come to bite you in the ass.

He admired that in the brother he had only known a very short while. It was nice. He couldn't find another word for it at this time. In time he would learn what it meant in a more profound, deep manner. For now, he was satisfied with the surface scratching he had done in his short time since moving into his twin's flat.

He knew he was only sharing the place with his brother for a very short while because he did have his call of duty that would take him to the front lines. The time for freedom he had before then, he had learned to cherish it. His brother had taught him that. He had continued to listen to what he was told. Despite the grotesque nature of the tales he heard, he was still half-heartedly ready to set out for the western front and join the allies.

His brother had very bluntly made it clear that he wanted Jeremiah to remain in Ireland and not head over to mainland Europe in order to fight in the war against those bloody Nationalists. Contrary, Jeremiah had objected, saying it was necessary. He continually reinforced his desire to protect his brother. That desire and the statements were repeatedly countered. Séamus said it would be in vain that many men don't come back and that it would only drive them apart.

In the end, Jeremiah had relented and explained he would talk to his superior officer and see about not having to go the English Channel. This had sedated his brother for the time being.

2 hours later…

Sighing, Jeremiah sat back in his chair, watching his brother move in time with Chelsea. He felt a short pang of envy. He knew he shouldn't feel it, but he did as he watched his brother move smoothly, holding the smaller form of Chelsea in his hands. Somehow he wished it were he and his twin. His brother was gentle; just the way he handled him in the morning was so kind. He had only felt his twin's hands on his faced and against his hands; his brother's arms holding him. Though it was enough, he felt the need for more.

He shook his head. 'Stop it now Dallas! This is ridiculous! We're both clinging to a flimsy hope from the past, and nothing more! He's your brother, you have to stop thinking like that. If you're going to insist on having your mind in the gutter, think about some girl!'

He took a long swig of his liquor in attempt to vanquish the sinful thoughts that plagued his mind. He needed to take a long cold shower. For the love of god, he was in public, his eyes fixated on his twin. That just wasn't healthy. He knew his brother acted one way at home, but how he would act in public would be something different.

'He's trying to keep up appearances by dancing with a girl, or is he?' He bit his lip till it bled as he battled with mixed emotions and thoughts. He needed to stop thinking like this. Save for what unfolded between him and his brother recently, the strange unbrotherly affections that they shared, he felt it might be an illusion.

Brennan's voice jolted Jeremiah from his stupor. "Stop staring at Chelsea! It's bad enough your bloody twin has her wooed! I do not need both of you going after her! She's mine, I'm courting her."

What could one retort in reply to such an accusation? 'Like I'm really going to say that I'm in love with my twin. Oh, how I'm going to be so committed to the loony bin! But, I'm not looking at her…' Jeremiah glanced over at Brennan. "Think what you will."

That was the best possible counter he could come up with. Right now, he honestly didn't care. Let the guy think he was staring lecherously at Chelsea. That would be fine. After all, that was perfectly normally; his feelings weren't.

Standing up before Brennan could say anything, Jeremiah wandered out to the dance floor. It was between songs. He tapped his twin on the shoulder. "Mind if we leave now, I'm really dying of boredom over there…"

Stretching back, Séamus took out the pocket watch he had. "Aw bloody hell, it's not wound. Pray tell, you know the hour, Jeremiah?"

"It's been over two since we arrived, so I think. C'mon, we should go before you friend murders you for taking over his date." Jeremiah replied, stepping between Chelsea and Séamus.

The young woman nodded. "I should return to him before he gets all red in the face with anger." She turned to Séamus. "Thanks for the dance, Mr Kennedy."

"You're welcome, Miss Llwellyn. Shall we do something another night this week, if the war doesn't come all the way here?"

"Would be most delightful! I live in the complex three blocks north of here in the Spinster flats." She winked. "Just ask my landlord and he'll direct you to my cell.

"In time! Slan abhaile!" She kissed Séamus on the cheek before running off to her table where she was greeted by the cranky grunt and mannerisms of her escort.

Watching Chelsea wander back, Jeremiah lamented. He turned to his twin. "She seems to remind me of one of the people from my dreams, just like your friend does."

"I'm unsure of the girl, but my friend, most definitely is linked. I think he was the one that the Suzaku Seishi called Tasuki." Séamus replied, watching the pair leave the building. "The girl, I don't know about, she vaguely reminds me of one of the Suzaku Seishi…maybe Chiriko…"

"Quite possibly…"