“So, my damn sister’s on a war path,” she said, pushing past Argo when he opened the door. She plopped face down on Chide’s bed, not two fucks given that she just barged into the room of someone who was practically a stranger to her.
“Uh, why?” Argos asked, trying really hard not to concentrate on how awkward this was.
“I spent so much damn time making sure she wouldn’t see, I forgot about every other fucking shit on the planet who did,” Her voice was muffled since she didn’t bother to lift her head from the pillow.
“So…why are you here exactly?” Argos asked carefully.
“I don’t know,” came the muffled response.
The silence stretched out. Argos walked over and sat awkwardly on his bed, unsure of what he sure say. This situation felt precarious, rather like there was a ticking bomb lying in his brother’s bed not a distressed (was that even what was going on here?) girl. But he figured he had to say something, right?
“So, someone told Gail?” Lame, lame, LAME.
“What do you think?” Raze said irritably. “She spent most of last night chewing me out for it. She practically ate me alive.”
“She was that pissed, she just let you leave this morning? Just like that?” So far, she was speaking in whole, sane sentences. Today must be a good day, Argos thought.
“She’s the fuck who left first. She said she was going for a fucking walk or some shit,” she responded, sitting up. She struggled to make sense of the emotions that were swirling inside her right now. Gail was angry, did that mean she should be angry too? Well she wasn’t. She felt more hurt than anything really, her sister was seriously over reacting. Or was she? Did she regret transforming and trying to match wavelengths with Argos? No, what was there to regret? She didn’t kill him, so that was positive, right? But she could also see why it was a big deal, this wasn’t just picking some shit from your class to do a group project or something. This was letting someone, a complete stranger almost, into your mind, into your soul even. The thought actually terrified her. Letting someone besides her sister in, letting another person get that close to her was not a good idea. It was a death sentence. Because that’s what she was. A person who hurt others, a person who can only lead others to their deaths…
Damn, all this soul searching was depressing. And exhausting. Maybe that’s why she tends to avoid it. She groaned and flopped back over into the bed.
Argos, oblivious as he was to Raze’s internal turmoil, couldn’t help noticing that that was something the two of them had in common: siblings who disapproved. Wait, disapproved of what exactly? They hadn’t even discussed being partners. Ever. And they’d only tested their compatibility once. That was no basis for a decision. Meanwhile, the silence was getting awkward again, so he might as well speak his mind.
“Looks like we’re in the same boat then. My brother’s actually pretty pissed off at me too.”
“Why? Because you’re hanging out with his version of the antichrist? Good, he should be, and you should try and be more like him you know. Why won’t you give up? I’m probably the freakiest, most fucked up excuse for a human being ever, so why the fuck do you bother? You have a death wish or something? Do you?” She was standing now and practically screaming at him. For the first time, Argos fully saw a glimpse of what she was feeling inside. A second ago she was still fighting to keep up her neutral face, now she was pissed, jittery, and basically unstable.
“Why don’t we go for a walk?” He said as calmly as he could.
“Wait, what?” Raze was astounded. Here she was screaming in this guy’s face and he wants to take her out for a nice fricking stroll?
“Well, both of our pissed off siblings seem to be doing it, maybe it cools off hot heads,” he said, not waiting for her answer and opening the door.
They walked in silence for a while, Raze trying to figure out what to say that she hadn’t already, Argos trying to come up with an answer that wasn’t likely to piss her off more. It was almost night out, the sun drooled lazily on the horizon, drooping off to sleep. He thought briefly about how he would never get used to 50-60 degree weather in the winter. It was unnatural!
“If you’re waiting for me to apologize or some shit, you’ll be up all night, loser,” Raze mumbled, surprisingly breaking the silence first.
“Who said I wanted an apology? You’re pissed, it’s been a bad couple of days. I get it.”
“Ha, no you don’t,” she said, staring intensely at the ground.
“Fine, I don’t. Mind filling me in what exactly it is I’m apparently not getting?” Argos said angrily. Why the hell was this girl so difficult to figure out? Why couldn’t she just fucking talk to him without all the secretive, evasive bullshit?
“You don’t want to go there,” Raze said, something dangerous in her eyes. Looks like he was getting nowhere there. Fine, he’d just have to try a different angle.
“Fine then. You asked me why do I bother? You’re interesting, Raze Harlow. That doesn’t mean I want to pry you open and learn all your dirty little secrets, it just means that I find you slightly less boring than the rest of all these other dull, mundane people here. Well, maybe a little more than slightly, seeing as it’s like honesty hour here or some shit. And you, even as a weapon, you had to have felt what happened the other day in class. Our wavelengths match well, more than well in fact. I could almost call that perfect, and I’ve seriously been considering asking you to be my partner. You wanted to know what’s up with me, so there you go.” There, happy now, Raze? Argos felt his face burn slightly, he couldn’t tell whether he was angry, exasperated, or embarrassed to have mentioned the partner thing. He hadn’t exactly planned on mentioning it just yet, especially with Raze in the state she was in. It had kind of just slipped out.
Raze felt cold. Really, REALLY cold. Did he just say that? Yes she had felt…whatever it was that that was. But did he seriously just say partners? She felt some odd mixture of flattered, angry, and horrified. What the hell was this guy trying to do? She stopped walking. So did Argos. She couldn’t let this idiot make this mistake. He didn’t know what he was getting into.
“Felt what? Hate to break it to you, buddy, but that was a onetime thing. A fluke. You got lucky. It’s a miracle you’re not…that you didn’t hurt like Sai. Not that I care about what happened to Sai…or if it happened to you. We’re not compatible, so looks like you can stop bothering me.” She had every intention of turning of leaving him right then, but-
“Prove it.”
For the first time tonight she looked him straight in the eyes, saw the intensity there. Raze felt a little dizzy. “What?”
“You say it was a fluke. That we’re not compatible. I say we are. So fine then. Prove it,” He stared right at her. He wasn’t flinching away, or avoiding her gaze. He was serious. Once again, this fantastic dumb ass was not afraid.
Raze stood rooted to the stop. Dumbstruck. Unsure of what to do. For a wild moment, she glanced around for her sister. Whether she was looking for support, or ensuring she wasn’t there, she honestly wasn’t sure. She was desperately trying to think of some way to tell him off when-
“Unless you’re scared.”
That’s it.
Raze walked the few steps between them and grabbed his offered hand. “I sure hope you know what you’re getting yourself into,” she said it more for her benefit than his, because she knew the truth was that he really had no idea. And honestly neither did she.
Argos gritted his teeth, not looking away from her and trying not to flinch at her vice grip. “I’m sure I’ll find out.”
This guy’s gutsy, Raze thought giddily, I think I might like that. Without another thought, she let herself transform.
There was really no words she could use to describe it. Changing from human into weapon was a process almost as natural and involuntary as breathing. She felt for a moment her mind – no her soul crash awkwardly into another’s, but that sensation lasted only a moment before the two slid into place. Immediately all of the nagging sensations in her head ceased, like Argos somehow managed to find the off switch. Her whole outlook and thought process just calmed down and the darkness found there seemed just a bit brighter. Their connection almost left her feeling something she hadn’t dared let herself go near in forever. A dangerous emotion that only had pain attached to it in her life. Hope.
Fluke my ass, Argos couldn’t help from smiling when he felt the effect of his and Raze’s connection. It was the kind of feeling that made everything else that was one your mind fade to the background. It was like being connected to Raze like this calmed down his crazily moving mind. It was like suddenly logic and reasoning wasn’t important, people weren’t annoying and he wasn’t irritated. It was like seeing the world through new eyes, like everything was suddenly clearer and peaceful.
He once again felt smooth warm metal in his hand where her skin had previously been. He felt the weight of her weapon form, even lighter than the last time. He smiled wider, their connection was stronger. The girl in front of him was gone, a pair of wicked looking scissors cast in dark metal now took her place in his hands. He though idly for a moment that he hadn’t the faintest idea how to fight like this, but that’s what classes were for right? He let his mind wander for a moment, enjoying the sensation of, for the most part, successfully matching their wavelengths. There were still lots of kinks to work out, of course, but this could actually WORK.
Raze was numb with shock and something boarding on happiness. Gail wasn’t the only one she could connect to. They didn’t have to worry about her being dangerous. Argos was hurt. He wasn’t dead. His mind gave her peace, gave her clarity. She thought about what it would be like for both of them to fight like this. She felt herself smile a bit.
Which, for a brief instant in her blade, did not go unnoticed by Argos.
They both jumped when they heard the sound of a door crashing open and voices from not too far away.
Just like that, their connection snapped. Raze materialized and they both stumbled away from each other as though they’d been caught in some scandalous situation or something. They watched as a group of loud mouthed people walked out of some eatery not too far away and set off in the opposite direction from where they were standing.
Shit, Raze though, having crashed back into her senses. This was a mistake, I’m such a fool.
Argos laughed. “That’s it. Let’s make it official. Raze, please, you have to be my partner.
~~~~
Gail sat on a wall at the top of the DWMA’s massive front staircase, it was getting late, the sun was literally passing out before her eyes, and she’d been working up the motivation to walk the hell down all those steps for like an hour now. Why the fuck did she come all the way up here?
“Damn it,” she sighed. Stupid Raze. Did she have any idea the kind of confusing bullshit that would come with letting someone random stranger into their lives?
Too much danger, too many questions. And hell, stupid Argos for not taking a fucking hint!
Gail sighed. But at this point, some traitorous voice in side her head whispered, it’s inevitable. You’ve been here too long, and you still haven’t found the information you’re looking for. It’s either play by the rules and partner up, or leave empty handed, three whole months wasted on nothing.
She sighed and hopped down from the wall. She’d had all day to cool her head, all day to think about Raze and her idiotic obsession with that asshole. Maybe they would end up needing partners for this whole thing to work…BUT NOT HIM.
Maybe she should head back to the dorms and talk to Raze. She was still pissed, sure. But she hated the fact that she might be upset with her. It was about time to make things right. Or beat some sense into her. Either one.
By the time she made it down the stairs, every trace that she might have had of a good mood was gone, the sun was drooling on the horizon, and she was completely out of breath. Son of a BITCH she was never doing that again unless she had to.
Useless sidetracking aside, Gails mind drifted back to Raze’s comment the evening of their dinner with Argos and Chide. Accusing her of not wanting to meet new people. Of being afraid. She kept telling herself she was afraid, but who was she kidding? There was plenty to be afraid of. Friendships meant ties. The more ties they had, the harder it would be to keep moving. That wasn’t an option. They had a responsibility, they had a mission. If they let themselves get attached, that mission would never be completed. Either that or they’d wind up getting everyone they loved killed…
She snapped out of her musings and took in her surrounding for the first time. Oh crap, she thought. I have no clue where I am. Death city was set up like the school, one big old giant maze. It’s wasn’t surprising she got lost…
Thank god, she could just barely make out a figure up ahead. She’d just ask them for directions. She quickened her pace and was going to call out when-
BANG. A door to a noisy café opened noisily and a group of kids poored out chatting obnoxiously. She had just enough time to register that there were actually two figures up ahead, weird, how did she miss the second one? Theyre standing pretty far apart. Then –
“Hey, its one of those Harlow freaks!”
The crowd began walking towards her.
Just what I need…Gail thought, annoyed and stood her ground.
“Where’s your other half?” asked an arrogant little shit she recognized from meister tech.
“Who knows? Maybe she’s creeping up behind you right now, revenge of the freaks and all that,” the shit head actually cast an uneasy glance behind him, “Ha, you are afraid. Watch your back then, buddy. There are worse things out there to fear than us.”
“Like you’d know,” The people stood around her in a half circle now. A girl from the back of the group pushed her way forward, Gail didn’t recognize her face, she was probably in WepTech, “You talk so big, Harlow. But you’re just a kid, like the rest of us. You haven’t seen any real action. You have no clue what kinds of monsters are out there.”
Oh, I know alright, “Anyone with a brain can assume, you bimbo. Maybe that’s your problem.” The girls face looked grotesque in that shade of red, Gail observed idly.
The girl practically screamed, “You are such a FREAK. Who just says that to people? Didn’t your mother ever teach you basic human decency?”
Gail’s hands clenched into fists, she fought to keep the anger from showing on her face. This bitch didn’t know anything. Stop getting angry. Tell them off and just fucking leave-
“Fuck this, that’s enough.” The last person on earth Gail ever expected stepped forward.
I must be absolutely fucking insane, Chide thought tiredly. I’m too nice. Why do I always have to do the ‘right thing’ damn it!?
“Chiiiide,” The annoying girl whined and practically draped herself against him, “What’s the matter with you? She’s horrid.” Chide started up at the sky as though begging some unseen presence to peal that thing off his arm. It was almost enough to brighten Gail’s mood. Almost.
“Stay the fuck out of this,” Gail spat at him. He flinched at the venom in her voice, but he didn’t back down.
“You see that, man? She doesn’t want your help,” A large ginger haired guy loudly pointed out, “She doesn’t want anyone’s help. She’s just a cold hearted bitch with a withdrawn psychopath for a sibling. Definitely not team players. I pity the poor losers who are left over to partner with them. They’ll be dead in a week!”
Gail grinded her teeth. Was everyone in this fucking street just begging to die? They were hitting way too close to home for her patience.
Chide sighed. Damn it. He had been considering just walking away from this whole thing, but now that Gail, the stone cold bitch, was actually showing some emotion through her stupid tough girl mask, he couldn’t just walk away. It was subtle, but Gail was acting different. She was obviously trying to keep her face blank, too, but these guy’s words were obviously penetrating
that ‘don’t care’ attitude of hers.
He absolutely hating seeing shit like this. And he hated people who caused this shit even more.
With another resigned sigh, he reached up and pealed Crystal’s arms from around his neck. Too bad, too. He’d been considering asking her out.
“Maybe she’s a bit extreme, but you guys are the ones being total assholes right now. Why don’t we call it a night, alright?”
Gail stared hard at Chide, angry tears stinging the corners of her eyes. First she and Raze are pissed at one another, now this guy was trying to defend her? Today was just getting better and BETTER!
“Fuck off, will you?” She said, a tremor of anger creeping into her voice. “That means all of you. Before I fucking kick all your asses.”
“Oh it’s a fight you want is it?” The ginger again. He pushed through his buddies and walked right up to her, so close that he nose was practically touching his chest. She slowly looked up at this smug fucker’s face. “Well then, bitch, fight me then! Let’s see how your big words measure up, oh voice of experience.”
Gail narrowed her eyes, weighing her options. Frankly, she was too pissed to turn down this bastard’s offer. But before she made her move-
“Fucking hell, are you all deaf, I said enough!” Chide was there, he put a hand on each of their shoulders and pushed them apart with enough force that they both stumbled a few steps. “What the hell are you two doing? Do you know what would happen if you were caught fighting off school grounds, after hours like this? You’d be expelled. THINK for once, will you?”
Her mind still reeling in anger, she turned on Chide, ready to push that bastard right back. She turned her glare onto his face and froze.
He looked her straight in the eyes, his gaze steady, either not afraid or just not caring that she was more than ready to knock him into next week. “Calm the hell down. He’s not worth it.”
The anger leaked out of her, leaving her feeling totally embarrassed. Damn it. How could she let herself get so worked up? She turned away from all of them and walked away, just wanting to go back and see her sister.
After a while walking alone consume din her brooding thoughts, Gail became aware of a second set of footsteps. She whirled around, already having a good idea of who it was.
“What the HELL do you think you’re doing? Stop following me!”
Chide stopped where he was a handful of paces behind, hands up in the air. “I have no choice! We’re in the same dorm building, remember?”
“No we don’t!” Gail snapped, then thought about it. “…do we?”
“Um, yeah.” Well this was awkward.
“Oh, I hadn’t noticed.” She said coldly, she turned her back to him and kept walking.
“Well I did,” Chide mumbled under his breath, following.
There was silence for a little while then Gail spoke up, “Why aren’t you with your shitty friends?”
“Hey watch it,” Chide snapped reflexively. They were acting like total dickwads, sure, but they were still his friends. Sort of. “I didn’t feel like walking with them I guess. So what. Besides, you honestly expected me to let you walk all the way to the dorms by yourself at night in a city? No way. What were you even doing out here this late by yourself?”
Gail whirled around, forcing Chide to stop again, “What the fuck is with you? You think you’re my fucking knight in shining armor tonight or some shit? I never asked for your help, I never asked you to care! Why do you?”
“I don’t!” He yelled back, getting angry.
“Good, then, you shouldn’t! So stop acting like it!”
“Fine then!”
“Fine!” She kept glaring at him, daring him to try sneaking in the last word.
What was is about this girl that constantly left him feeling so frustrated? And scared. Couldn’t forget that. But right now, he was pissed. He just freaking stuck his neck out for her. She didn’t ask him too, but if she had started a fight with those guys, she wouldn’t have won. He just saved her ass, and now she was turning all that anger on him. Well you know what, he was done.
Chide shook his head and walked past Gail. After a few calming breaths, she trailed after him. When they reached the dorm, Chide opened the door and held it for her, glaring angrily away. Just because he still felt obliged to be nice didn’t mean he had to be happy about it. He followed her in and set off for the hallway to the east wing where his dorm was.
“Chide,” Gail had paused at the staircase, “Don’t you fucking dare but your head into my business again,” Chide frowned, trying to think up some smart ass remark, “But,” Gail continued, cutting off his thoughts, “Thank you.”
With that she was gone. Chide felt a little shell shocked. Did she just swallow her damn pride and thank him? Huh. He still didn’t think he deserved the cold treatment he got on the walk back, but maybe Gail Harlow wasn’t just the stone cold bitch she appeared to be.
Still freaky as hell, though. He shivered thinking of that murderous glare she’d used on him several times that night. God, he hoped he didn’t wake up dead one of these days.
Lost in these thoughts, he almost collided with someone walking in the opposite direction.
“Oh, sorry I didn’t – RAZE?” He asked in shock, and maybe just a little bit of fear, once he saw who it was.
Raze’s eyes widened for a second. Without a word she pushed past him and set off down the hall.
What the hell? She lived up on the suite floors upstairs, why was she down here?
“Damn, I’m too tired for this shit.” Chide mumbled, and headed back to his room, eager to just go to sleep and put this day and its weirdness behind him.
