Chapter Sixteen
Krystal struggled with the bags of stuff she'd bought. After a couple of seconds trying to manouvre into a position where she could operate the doorknob, she gave up and hit the door with her head.
"Ow...mutherfuck- Soul!" Soul blinked at the bags she was carrying.
"What the hell is all that?" He asked.
"Heavy! Get out the way!" He jumped to one side, and she walked quickly to the kitchen. Dumping the groceries on the table, she yelled out to Soul.
"Soul! Go help Lauren with the rest of it!" She headed back outside, to find Soul eyeing Lauren suspiciously. Lauren was also examining Soul critically. Krystal rolled her eyes.
"Soul, this is Lauren. She runs the shops down the road. Lauren, this is Soul." Soul nodded shortly in recognition. Lauren waved cheerfully. Nudging Soul towards the car, she went over to speak to Lauren.
"He's very thin..." Lauren observed helpfully, "tall, though. Good sign, that. Lightbulbs can be a pain for us petite types."
"Lauren!" Krystal hissed, as Soul came and stood beside her, looking uncomfortable.
"It's nice to finally meet you in person, Soul." Lauren smiled, "I've seen you walking around of a night."
"Oh, yes...I uh, I like the night. It's peaceful."
"Well, it's very noble of you to take Krystal in like this. Good men are rare these days...you should be proud of yourself." Soul blushed.
"Oh, it's my pleasure, really."
"I'm sure it is." Lauren said with a sly smile. Krystal shot her a warning glare.
"I'll uh, just get this lot inside." Soul bobbed his head in Lauren's direction once again, and gathered a few bags from the boot of the car. Krystal watched with interest...every time she thought he couldn't pick anything more up, he managed to haul out another bag.
"If you stare any harder, dearest, your eyeballs will dry out." Lauren whispered in her ear. Krystal gave her a withering look, which only broadened her smile. "Come back and see me any time you like, Krystal. It's always a pleasure to see you, and I mean that. Bring Soul too, he could use some fattening up." She winked, and climbed into the car. Krystal smiled.
"I will, Lauren. That's a promise. Thank you so much for your help." She went to the boot, and found that only one bag was remaining. She took it out and shut the boot. With a final wave to Lauren through the back window, she headed back into the house. Lauren beeped her horn as she drove off.
Soul stared at the assorted bags on his kitchen table. Well, most were on the table...he'd run out of room and had to put some on the floor. What was in them? What could possibly require the use of all these bags? Where was he going to put it all? If Krystal ate this kind of food, why wasn't she alot bigger than she was? Where did it all go? The mystery of the shopping bags plagued him as he lit a cigarette. He was breathing heavily...all those bags had actually weighed quite a bit.
"You managed to carry all this by yourself? I'm impressed." Krystal remarked, stepping into the kitchen with the last bag.
"I am...muscles," he puffed, "what the hell...is all this?"
"Well, where I come from, we call it 'bags of groceries'."
"Give me...details, woman." He took a drag of cigarette. Krystal fished in one of the bags, and pulled out a packet of smokes.
"Here, catch." She threw it at Soul. It hit him in the shoulder and fell on the floor. He grunted.
"You got me some smokes?" He smiled. "Let me show you something." He turned and opened a cupboard above his head. Inside were several...no, at least a dozen, cartons of cigarettes.
"Holy shit, Soul. That's a hell of a stash, there." She stared wide-eyed at the cupboard of nicotine.
"I call it the Cancer Ward. Feel free to help yourself at any time. The tobacco companies send them to me all the time."
"They do? Why? And that's sick, by the way."
"Well, they send me smokes, I smoke them, and write back saying what I think."
"It's a cigarette...what the hell can you say about it?" She asked. He shrugged.
"Beats me. They seem to like whatever I say though, because they keep sending more. All the same, thank you for the thought." He picked the pack up off the floor and put it in the Cancer Ward. "Now, tell me about this stuff you've purchased."
Soul stared at the bare kitchen.
"Where'd it all go?" He asked, bewlidered. Krystal smiled.
"Here and there...most of your cupboards were empty, and now they're not. The fridge is pretty full." Soul wandered over and opened the fridge experimentally. He flinched.
"Argh! What's all this! It's got all sorts of...what am I going to do with these leaves?"
"That's lettuce, Soul."
"Oh, right. What's this?"
"That's yoghurt."
"Eeew."
"Up your's."
"What about this stuff?"
"Cheese."
"It can't be cheese...it's blue."
"Blue cheese!"
"This is scary. I'm not eating all this."
"Oh yes you are."
"I think not."
"I think so!"
"What's this?" He asked, taking a bottle out of the door.
"Oh...that's, um, vodka."
"Booze."
"Yes, it's booze! So what?" Krystal was shifting uncomfortably, and wouldn't meet his gaze. Soul frowned.
"Nothing, I guess. It's just...well, nothing." He put the bottle back in the door. He didn't like it. He wasn't sure why, but he just didn't. He shut the fridge, and moved on to the bench. "Hey, the tea tin has little bags in it."
"Tea bags?"
"Yeah? Hey, so they are. That's neat...don't even need a strainer. Very clever."
"Thanks."
"Biscuits!"
"Yep, biscuits. I love biscuits."
"So I see. Well, you're certainly...good at shopping. Hey, what's this?"
"That's a candle, Soul."
"Yes, I know it's a candle. What's it doing?"
"Not much." Soul sighed in exasperation.
"What's it for?"
"Well, traditionally, they're burned for lighting purposes, but feel free to use your imagination."
"Dammit, Kryss! I mean what do we need a candle for!"
"I don't know...I just like candles, so I decided to get one."
"Oh...oh, alright. I'm never going to use all this."
"I'll help."
"How long will this amount of stuff last?"
"Quite a while, I should think."
"Oh." Soul paused. That would mean that Krystal was planning to stay for a while. He frowned. That was a good thing...or was it? He still wasn't sure.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You want me to leave, don't you?" He started in surprise. How the hell did she do that?
"No! I mean, well, I don't know." Krystal was looking at him...he felt guilty.
"I don't want to impose, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have assumed-"
"No, no...I just, I thought..." He floundered...how to put it? What to say? Krystal was still looking at him. "Well, I assumed you'd go to a friend's house, or..." He trailed off.
"I can probably find someone who wouldn't mind putting me up..." Her lower lip was trembling. Was she going to cry? Oh Jesus...I'm making her cry.
"Krystal, I-"
"No, it's ok, Soul. You've been very good to me already, I shouldn't-"
"KryssIwantyoutostay." He held his breath. It had just slipped out! I didn't mean it! Well, he had meant it, but...he hadn't meant to say it! Fuck a duck.
"You do?"
"Um..."
"Soul...tell me the truth."
"The truth?" The truth...well, that was simple, "the truth is I want to you to stay. I'm not sure why, really, but I do."
"Wow...that was honest."
"Thanks."
"Well, I'm not sure why, but I want to stay here. For a while at least, I mean." Her lip had stopped moving. That was a good sign, he felt. Well, it was done, for better or worse. He realised he didn't know what to say next...then he remembered something.
"Oh, I wanted to show you something." Krystal raised an eyebrow.
"What is it?"
"Well, come and see." He headed back into the living room.
He'd tinkered around with his setup while Krystal was away. He'd realised that Krystal had no way of reading her emails or getting on the net, so he'd changed a few things around. Krystal took one look and made a noise that sounded something like-
"Squeee!" Soul jumped. He wasn't sure if that was good or bad. He'd also cleaned the blood off everything, except the carpet which was long gone.
"I uh, had a hard drive I wasn't using, so I rigged up a few things. You've got LIM, MSN, AIM, IRC all running there...and you can get on the net and stuff."
"Soul...I don't know what to say..."
"Try 'w00t'." He suggested.
"Woot?" She said.
"We'll work on it. The password's set to 'gamerchick' right now, but you can change it whenever. You should know as well...I'll be able to access your part of the system at any time."
"You can?"
"Yeah...look, I know how you feel about computers and privacy and stuff, but...I just can't have a part of the machine I can't monitor."
"Hey, who am I to complain. I guess I'll just have to hide my porn in an inventive way."
"Oh, don't worry. I've shared parts of the system, you'll be able to access them as you like. There should be plenty of pr0n in there somewhere." Krystal blinked.
"There is?"
"Probably."
"Why do you have porn, Soul?"
"Uh, you know what porn is, right? We're talking about the same thing right?"
"Of course I know what porn is!"
"You don't know what it's for?" Krystal blushed.
"Of course I do!"
"Well...then I don't understand the question." Krystal just sighed.
"Never mind." Soul was confused...a feeling we was getting all too used to. Krystal sat down in the rickety chair he'd found in the laundry.
"Not too classy, I'll admit."
"It's wonderful, Soul. Ooh, this screen is huge." Soul had moved one of his six screens across to face in the direction of the chair.
"I put Linux on there...figured that's what you'd be used to."
"What else is there?"
"Well, there's always Windows..."
"You use Windows?" Soul drew himself up proudly.
"I'm no corporate whore!" He declared. Krystal just raised an eyebrow at him. He deflated.
"This mouse has two buttons." She frowned.
"Yes...it's a real mouse."
"What was my mouse?"
"A retard mouse." She blinked, and gave him the finger.
"Soul, this was very nice of you."
"It was no trouble, really. Can't be without internet access. Oh, I also chucked some games on there, not sure if you play any games yet."
"NeverWinter?"
"Yep."
"Underdark?"
"Yep."
"Woot." Soul swooned. Well, almost. "What's IRC?"
"Internet Relay Chat."
"What's Internet Relay Chat?"
"It's a chatroom program, basically. Good for people who want to talk in a group, but don't want the added bonus of perverts and paedophiles or AOL users."
"How's it work?"
"Well, basically, there are all different channels. Most are devoted to something in particular...like stealing music or pr0n."
"Pron?"
"Porn."
"Oh."
"Also, webcomics and stuff often have their own IRC channel."
"What's a webcomic?" Soul blinked.
"You know what a comic is?"
"Yes."
"You know what the web is?"
"...yes."
"Well, do the fucking math!"
"Alright, alright! Geez."
They bothed jumped at the sound of someone banging on the door. Soul's heart missed a beat, and he met Krystal's eyes. She looked frightened. He took a deep breath.
"Back door. Down the hallway, door right at the end. Head to the kitchen, and if anything...goes badly, run for the door and keep running." Krystal just stared at him, then nodded mutely. She scurried off. Taking another deep breath, he walked purposefully to the door.
Soul and Krystal - Soul Harvester. (From the beginning.)
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Princess_Lorien
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Soul_Harvester
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m'yep. A fan, too. The story interests me. Hey, since I'm being so gracious as to read your stuff when nobody in this whole damned forum seems to care about creative writing anymore, would you mind taking a look at my story a few threads down titled "intercity" and leaving something like words of praise or a harsh criticism? It'd really perk me up.
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Soul_Harvester
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Princess_Lorien
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Chapter Seventeen
Soul planted one boot firmly about three inches from the door and took hold on the doorknob.
Krystal held her breath, peering around the corner from the hallway into the kitchen. She didn't know what to do...she promised herself firmly that she wouldn't leave Soul. Not again. Jack could kill her, she wasn't going to leave Soul lying in his own blood a second time.
Soul turned the knob slowly and opened it a crack. It bumped into his boot. He yelled.
Krystal jumped, gripping the edge of the doorway. Soul's cry reached her ears.
"It's alright, Kryss! It's the police!" She heaved a sigh of relief. She rested her head against the door framce, closing her eyes.
Soul opened the door properly. He recognized one of the policemen from the night before.
"Ah, Soul. Good to see you again. This is detective Claw, we just need to ask you and Miss Jemm a few questions."
"Miss who?"
"Miss Jemm? Krystal Jemm? I was told she was staying here with you?" Soul blinked, and turned around as Krystal walked into the room. "Your name is Krystal Jemm?" He asked incredulously.
"Fuck you," she replied, smiling at the two men outside, "come in, officers."
"Thank you, ma'am. It's a relief seeing you well, we've all been worried." They took their hats off as they stepped inside. Soul pulled the door closed. Krystal Gemm?
"That's very kind of you, Officer...?"
"Neb, ma'am."
"Call me Krystal. Come on through to the kitchen...can I get you anything? Tea? Coffee?"
"We're fine thank you, Krystal." Soul looked worriedly at his machine as the two men followed Krystal into the kitchen. He walked quickly to the screens, and hit the button labelled 'Oh Shit'. He opened the power box on the walls, switched the lever, and closed the box. Need to be more careful, he reprimanded himself silently. Officer Neb was talking as he entered the kitchen.
"As I was just telling Soul, this is Detective Claw. He's in charge of finding those responsible for the home invasion."
"Oh, good! I'll help in any way I can, of course." Soul went and stood beside Krystal, then wondered why he'd done so.
"Miss Jemm-"
"Krystal."
"Krystal, we haven't had time to discern much from the crime scene, but...I can say pretty confidently that this wasn't some random occurrence. This was a crime of passion, as they say." Krystal nodded, her eyes closing. "This doesn't seem to be a surprise to you."
"It was Jack." She said simply.
"Jack?"
"My ex boyfriend...I used to live with him, but, uh, it didn't work out between us." For some reason, she glanced at Soul.
"Do you have any reason to suspect him? Has he been contacting you?"
"Yes, he...he calls me up every so often...he drinks heavily you see, and he called last night...said he was coming to...to kill me." Soul's eye twitched. The two police officers exchanged looks, and Neb took out a notepad and pen.
"Do you know where we might find this ass- this Jack?" Krystal smiled faintly.
"Well, we used to live out in New Queens." She told him the address, and Neb scribbled in his book.
"Is there anyone else we could ask about his whereabouts? Mutual friends?"
"No...I haven't had much to do with anyone from that area since I moved away."
"When was this?"
"About five years ago." She glanced at Soul again.
"I see. Do you have a picture of him we could take a look at?"
"No...no, I'm afraid not. He's tall...about five ten, and has short brown hair. Well...he did when I saw him last, anyway."
"Does he have a history of violent behaviour? Any arrests, or trouble with people?" Another glance Soul's way. He was starting to get worried. Did she think he was anything like...him?
"He...used to hit me, often. He'd get drunk, and angry." The detective nodded knowingly.
"I know how it goes, Krystal. No need to think on it any further. Now, it's going to take us probably a week or more before we can start releasing any of your possessions, and even then, your insurance company will want to take a look at it-"
"I don't have insurance," Krystal said quietly. Officer Neb sighed.
"Shiiit..." he murmured quietly. Soul just looked sharply in her direction, his mind racing. No insurance? Detective Claw continued.
"Well, you're looking at two to three weeks, I'd say. We'll also be screening any calls made to your home phone number, just in case this Jack character tries to contact you. Do you have a working phone in the house?" The last was directed at Soul, who took a moment to register.
"What? Oh, yes."
"I've got a mobile as well."
"Ok, keep it with you all the time. Sleep with it by the bed, and keep it in your pocket while you're awake. Just to be safe. Could you tell me your number please, Soul, and your mobile number, Krystal?" They recited the respective numbers, Neb writing them down in his little notebook.
"Ok, Krystal, if there's any trouble at all, just call Emergency and shout your location down the line. We'll send someone straight away. I'll alert Emergency of both your's and Soul's phone numbers, so they'll know to take anything from you guys seriously."
"Or I'll kneecap them," Neb muttered. Claw looked at his fellow cop, one eyebrow raised.
"Something to add?"
"No sir."
"Alright then. Do either of you two have anything to add? Any questions?" Soul looked at Krystal...he couldn't think of anything.
"What are you going to be doing?" Krystal asked the two. Soul thought that was a little...direct, but they didn't seem to mind the question.
"Well, first we're going to check out this address you've given us. We're also going to look through your house for fingerprints, or anything else that might help us. Once we've got it all together, we'll catch the bastard and, as Officer Neb here would say, break his kneecaps." Officer Neb looked uncomfortably at the Detective.
"I meant in the meantime...what should I do? I assume I don't warrant a twenty-four hour armed guard."
"Krystal..." Soul began, but Detective Claw raised a hand.
"No...that's alright, Soul. I wish we could, Krystal. I really do. All I can tell you is to keep your phone close at all times, and keep the doors locked. Lay low." Krystal sighed, but nodded. "Only other thing, I need to know if either of you are planning to leave the area any time soon." Soul looked surprised. Krystal met his eye...Soul almost thought she smiled, but he couldn't be certain.
"No, Detective." She said.
"Alright. Be sure to let us know if that changes anytime. I think that's all we need...thanks for you time, guys."
"Welcome." Soul said.
"My pleasure."
"Alright. Come, Officer Neb." He headed for the door. With a quick wink to Soul, Neb followed. Soul and Krystal watched them leave from the doorway. As they disappeared up the street, Krystal let out a sigh. Soul rounded on her, pulling the door shut a little harder than he'd meant to.
"No insurance?" He demanded.
"I don't want to talk about it."
"No insurance? You said you had insurance! You're yelling at me for trying to give you a few measly bills, and your house wasn't insured?"
"Dammit, Soul! I don't need your charity!"
"Charity?! Kryss, you're not a goddamn second-world country! It's not charity, it..." He stopped, casting about for the right word.
"I don't want money from you. I shouldn't even be here in the first place."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Soul asked, worriedly.
"It's...not fair."
"Not fair? What?"
"It's wrong!"
"Kryss...what the hell are you talking about? I don't understand!"
"It just...it isn't...right, ok?"
"No! It's not ok! I want...I want an explanation."
"Well...Soul, look...oh, fuck. I just shouldn't be here!"
"Well, you're staying until you can come up with a better reason."
"Excuse me?" Soul blushed, realising what he'd just said. Well...fuck it, he decided.
"You heard me. You're staying. That's that."
"Soul, it's not that simple..."
"Isn't it? Where are you going to go, with no money, and all your stuff with the police? And...and with me between you and the door?" He realised he was shaking...he'd sort of got carried away there. Krystal was just looking at him.
"That's cruel, Soul."
"Yeah...well..." His outburst complete, he'd run out of words.
"You're serious, aren't you?" She asked. Soul spluttered...serious?? How serious did he have to be?
"Yes!!"
"You don't understand!"
"3n0ugh!" He shouted, "j00 st4y h3r3! 7h4t's ph1n4l!" Krystal blinked, then stared at him, her eyes wide.
"Eep." Soul paused. The sound was so small and pathetic, he suddenly felt ashamed. His anger flooded away, and he sighed. Her house in ruins, no insurance, stuck in a house with a whacko geek, and he was yelling at her...as if she didn't have enough problems.
"I'm sorry."
"You did the voice thing."
"What?"
"The voice thing! You did the voice thing."
"What are you talking about?"
"You did it on the phone to...Jack." Soul blinked, then looked away.
"I know...it's my fault he-"
"Do it again."
"What?"
"The voice thing! Do it again, Soul!"
"Kryss, I have no fucking idea what you're talking about." She looked disappointed.
"You do this...thing, with your voice..."
"You mean like an accent? I didn't notice."
"No, not an accent, more like a...a...oh fuckage, I can't explain it," she pouted.
"Kryss," he began, "about the other night, with the phone...I'm sorry. If I hadn't yelled at him, he wouldn't have gotten so angry, and-"
"Shut up, Soul."
"I'm serious."
"Soul, who's house am I in?"
"Mine, but-"
"Who gave me money for food?"
"I did, but-"
"Who messed around with his computer so I could get on the internet?"
"Me! But that's not-"
"Who's offered me smokes? Let me sleep in his bed? You! So stop with this stupid guilt trip you're pulling over on yourself." Soul just frowned in surprise.
"I thought you'd be angry."
"Angry? Well...I was a little angry, at first, but...I just don't care anymore, alright? I'm here, I'm fine, and...everything's peachy. So shut the fuck up, alright?" Soul shut his mouth, which had been hanging open. She just didn't make any sense. None at all. He remembered something.
"Your name..." he said.
"Oh fuck, here we go..."
"Your name's Krystal Jemm?" He asked incredulously.
"Yes! My name is Krystal Jemm, ok?" Soul lips twitched around.
"It's...a very nice name."
"Oh, go fuck yourself."
"No, I mean it!" His lips twitched around furiously...he couldn't stop them. Krystal turned her back on him. "I think it's just...rockin'." He snorted a laugh before he could stop himself.
"Oh, har har."
"It's just...precious."
"I hate you."
"It defeinately makes the cut, so far as I'm concerned."
"Soul, one more, and I'll fucking rip your sack off like a paper towel." He started laughing. He couldn't help it...he tried to stop, but...he couldn't hold it in. Krystal spun around angrily and watched him. Slowly, he fell over, clutching his stomach.
"Ha ha ha ha ha!" Krystal just shook her head, and sat down at her screen.
"How do I turn this on, funny man?" Soul hauled himself up, still chuckling, and pulled the lever on the wall. "I'm putting some music on." She grumped.
"Sure you wouldn't rather get stoned?"
"SOUL!" Soul just laughed as he sat down in his chair.
Soul planted one boot firmly about three inches from the door and took hold on the doorknob.
Krystal held her breath, peering around the corner from the hallway into the kitchen. She didn't know what to do...she promised herself firmly that she wouldn't leave Soul. Not again. Jack could kill her, she wasn't going to leave Soul lying in his own blood a second time.
Soul turned the knob slowly and opened it a crack. It bumped into his boot. He yelled.
Krystal jumped, gripping the edge of the doorway. Soul's cry reached her ears.
"It's alright, Kryss! It's the police!" She heaved a sigh of relief. She rested her head against the door framce, closing her eyes.
Soul opened the door properly. He recognized one of the policemen from the night before.
"Ah, Soul. Good to see you again. This is detective Claw, we just need to ask you and Miss Jemm a few questions."
"Miss who?"
"Miss Jemm? Krystal Jemm? I was told she was staying here with you?" Soul blinked, and turned around as Krystal walked into the room. "Your name is Krystal Jemm?" He asked incredulously.
"Fuck you," she replied, smiling at the two men outside, "come in, officers."
"Thank you, ma'am. It's a relief seeing you well, we've all been worried." They took their hats off as they stepped inside. Soul pulled the door closed. Krystal Gemm?
"That's very kind of you, Officer...?"
"Neb, ma'am."
"Call me Krystal. Come on through to the kitchen...can I get you anything? Tea? Coffee?"
"We're fine thank you, Krystal." Soul looked worriedly at his machine as the two men followed Krystal into the kitchen. He walked quickly to the screens, and hit the button labelled 'Oh Shit'. He opened the power box on the walls, switched the lever, and closed the box. Need to be more careful, he reprimanded himself silently. Officer Neb was talking as he entered the kitchen.
"As I was just telling Soul, this is Detective Claw. He's in charge of finding those responsible for the home invasion."
"Oh, good! I'll help in any way I can, of course." Soul went and stood beside Krystal, then wondered why he'd done so.
"Miss Jemm-"
"Krystal."
"Krystal, we haven't had time to discern much from the crime scene, but...I can say pretty confidently that this wasn't some random occurrence. This was a crime of passion, as they say." Krystal nodded, her eyes closing. "This doesn't seem to be a surprise to you."
"It was Jack." She said simply.
"Jack?"
"My ex boyfriend...I used to live with him, but, uh, it didn't work out between us." For some reason, she glanced at Soul.
"Do you have any reason to suspect him? Has he been contacting you?"
"Yes, he...he calls me up every so often...he drinks heavily you see, and he called last night...said he was coming to...to kill me." Soul's eye twitched. The two police officers exchanged looks, and Neb took out a notepad and pen.
"Do you know where we might find this ass- this Jack?" Krystal smiled faintly.
"Well, we used to live out in New Queens." She told him the address, and Neb scribbled in his book.
"Is there anyone else we could ask about his whereabouts? Mutual friends?"
"No...I haven't had much to do with anyone from that area since I moved away."
"When was this?"
"About five years ago." She glanced at Soul again.
"I see. Do you have a picture of him we could take a look at?"
"No...no, I'm afraid not. He's tall...about five ten, and has short brown hair. Well...he did when I saw him last, anyway."
"Does he have a history of violent behaviour? Any arrests, or trouble with people?" Another glance Soul's way. He was starting to get worried. Did she think he was anything like...him?
"He...used to hit me, often. He'd get drunk, and angry." The detective nodded knowingly.
"I know how it goes, Krystal. No need to think on it any further. Now, it's going to take us probably a week or more before we can start releasing any of your possessions, and even then, your insurance company will want to take a look at it-"
"I don't have insurance," Krystal said quietly. Officer Neb sighed.
"Shiiit..." he murmured quietly. Soul just looked sharply in her direction, his mind racing. No insurance? Detective Claw continued.
"Well, you're looking at two to three weeks, I'd say. We'll also be screening any calls made to your home phone number, just in case this Jack character tries to contact you. Do you have a working phone in the house?" The last was directed at Soul, who took a moment to register.
"What? Oh, yes."
"I've got a mobile as well."
"Ok, keep it with you all the time. Sleep with it by the bed, and keep it in your pocket while you're awake. Just to be safe. Could you tell me your number please, Soul, and your mobile number, Krystal?" They recited the respective numbers, Neb writing them down in his little notebook.
"Ok, Krystal, if there's any trouble at all, just call Emergency and shout your location down the line. We'll send someone straight away. I'll alert Emergency of both your's and Soul's phone numbers, so they'll know to take anything from you guys seriously."
"Or I'll kneecap them," Neb muttered. Claw looked at his fellow cop, one eyebrow raised.
"Something to add?"
"No sir."
"Alright then. Do either of you two have anything to add? Any questions?" Soul looked at Krystal...he couldn't think of anything.
"What are you going to be doing?" Krystal asked the two. Soul thought that was a little...direct, but they didn't seem to mind the question.
"Well, first we're going to check out this address you've given us. We're also going to look through your house for fingerprints, or anything else that might help us. Once we've got it all together, we'll catch the bastard and, as Officer Neb here would say, break his kneecaps." Officer Neb looked uncomfortably at the Detective.
"I meant in the meantime...what should I do? I assume I don't warrant a twenty-four hour armed guard."
"Krystal..." Soul began, but Detective Claw raised a hand.
"No...that's alright, Soul. I wish we could, Krystal. I really do. All I can tell you is to keep your phone close at all times, and keep the doors locked. Lay low." Krystal sighed, but nodded. "Only other thing, I need to know if either of you are planning to leave the area any time soon." Soul looked surprised. Krystal met his eye...Soul almost thought she smiled, but he couldn't be certain.
"No, Detective." She said.
"Alright. Be sure to let us know if that changes anytime. I think that's all we need...thanks for you time, guys."
"Welcome." Soul said.
"My pleasure."
"Alright. Come, Officer Neb." He headed for the door. With a quick wink to Soul, Neb followed. Soul and Krystal watched them leave from the doorway. As they disappeared up the street, Krystal let out a sigh. Soul rounded on her, pulling the door shut a little harder than he'd meant to.
"No insurance?" He demanded.
"I don't want to talk about it."
"No insurance? You said you had insurance! You're yelling at me for trying to give you a few measly bills, and your house wasn't insured?"
"Dammit, Soul! I don't need your charity!"
"Charity?! Kryss, you're not a goddamn second-world country! It's not charity, it..." He stopped, casting about for the right word.
"I don't want money from you. I shouldn't even be here in the first place."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Soul asked, worriedly.
"It's...not fair."
"Not fair? What?"
"It's wrong!"
"Kryss...what the hell are you talking about? I don't understand!"
"It just...it isn't...right, ok?"
"No! It's not ok! I want...I want an explanation."
"Well...Soul, look...oh, fuck. I just shouldn't be here!"
"Well, you're staying until you can come up with a better reason."
"Excuse me?" Soul blushed, realising what he'd just said. Well...fuck it, he decided.
"You heard me. You're staying. That's that."
"Soul, it's not that simple..."
"Isn't it? Where are you going to go, with no money, and all your stuff with the police? And...and with me between you and the door?" He realised he was shaking...he'd sort of got carried away there. Krystal was just looking at him.
"That's cruel, Soul."
"Yeah...well..." His outburst complete, he'd run out of words.
"You're serious, aren't you?" She asked. Soul spluttered...serious?? How serious did he have to be?
"Yes!!"
"You don't understand!"
"3n0ugh!" He shouted, "j00 st4y h3r3! 7h4t's ph1n4l!" Krystal blinked, then stared at him, her eyes wide.
"Eep." Soul paused. The sound was so small and pathetic, he suddenly felt ashamed. His anger flooded away, and he sighed. Her house in ruins, no insurance, stuck in a house with a whacko geek, and he was yelling at her...as if she didn't have enough problems.
"I'm sorry."
"You did the voice thing."
"What?"
"The voice thing! You did the voice thing."
"What are you talking about?"
"You did it on the phone to...Jack." Soul blinked, then looked away.
"I know...it's my fault he-"
"Do it again."
"What?"
"The voice thing! Do it again, Soul!"
"Kryss, I have no fucking idea what you're talking about." She looked disappointed.
"You do this...thing, with your voice..."
"You mean like an accent? I didn't notice."
"No, not an accent, more like a...a...oh fuckage, I can't explain it," she pouted.
"Kryss," he began, "about the other night, with the phone...I'm sorry. If I hadn't yelled at him, he wouldn't have gotten so angry, and-"
"Shut up, Soul."
"I'm serious."
"Soul, who's house am I in?"
"Mine, but-"
"Who gave me money for food?"
"I did, but-"
"Who messed around with his computer so I could get on the internet?"
"Me! But that's not-"
"Who's offered me smokes? Let me sleep in his bed? You! So stop with this stupid guilt trip you're pulling over on yourself." Soul just frowned in surprise.
"I thought you'd be angry."
"Angry? Well...I was a little angry, at first, but...I just don't care anymore, alright? I'm here, I'm fine, and...everything's peachy. So shut the fuck up, alright?" Soul shut his mouth, which had been hanging open. She just didn't make any sense. None at all. He remembered something.
"Your name..." he said.
"Oh fuck, here we go..."
"Your name's Krystal Jemm?" He asked incredulously.
"Yes! My name is Krystal Jemm, ok?" Soul lips twitched around.
"It's...a very nice name."
"Oh, go fuck yourself."
"No, I mean it!" His lips twitched around furiously...he couldn't stop them. Krystal turned her back on him. "I think it's just...rockin'." He snorted a laugh before he could stop himself.
"Oh, har har."
"It's just...precious."
"I hate you."
"It defeinately makes the cut, so far as I'm concerned."
"Soul, one more, and I'll fucking rip your sack off like a paper towel." He started laughing. He couldn't help it...he tried to stop, but...he couldn't hold it in. Krystal spun around angrily and watched him. Slowly, he fell over, clutching his stomach.
"Ha ha ha ha ha!" Krystal just shook her head, and sat down at her screen.
"How do I turn this on, funny man?" Soul hauled himself up, still chuckling, and pulled the lever on the wall. "I'm putting some music on." She grumped.
"Sure you wouldn't rather get stoned?"
"SOUL!" Soul just laughed as he sat down in his chair.
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Soul_Harvester
- Redshirt
- Posts: 647
- Joined: Sat Feb 15, 2003 2:36 am
- Location: Australia
How should I know? :\ I have no idea how it would sound, which is why I chose 1337. It suits his character, and I needed some sort of method to give the impression of Soul's "command language".
As for how it's actually pronounced, I wouldn't have the slightest clue. It's the effect, rather than the actual symbols/numbers/letters that are used that matters.
EDIT: That said, feel free to attach any accent or tones you wish. I personally imagine it being just a deepening of his voice, and a slight over-pronunciation of the words. I prefer to leave things open to reader imagination, mostly.
As for how it's actually pronounced, I wouldn't have the slightest clue. It's the effect, rather than the actual symbols/numbers/letters that are used that matters.
EDIT: That said, feel free to attach any accent or tones you wish. I personally imagine it being just a deepening of his voice, and a slight over-pronunciation of the words. I prefer to leave things open to reader imagination, mostly.
-
Princess_Lorien
- Redshirt
- Posts: 1041
- Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2003 12:57 am
- Location: Under your bed with a knife
- Contact:
Chapter Eighteen
Ignoring Soul's cackling, Krystal turned her attention to screen.
Hello, Kry55. How are you?
Oh, right. Soul's creepy talking-computer fetish.
I'm annoyed.
I'm sorry to hear that. This is the first time you've turned me on. Please enter password.
gamerchick
Thank you. Please enter new password.
She frowned...new password. Hmm.
fucktoaster
Thank you. Your new password has been accepted, Kry55. You have 4 emails. Would you like to start Linux now?
yes
...are you sure?
Krystal rolled her eyes.
Yes!
Windows is installed on this machine you know...
LINUX
Very well, Kry55. Have a nice day. Now starting Linux...
The screen changed to the Linux loading image. She shot an irritated glance at Soul, who had finally stopped laughing.
"Any problems?" He asked.
"Your computer is giving me attitude."
"She's your computer."
"She? What?"
"Well, that part of it's your's now. You're free to do with her whatever you wish."
"Her?"
"Yes, I named her Kama for now." Kama? Why Kama?
"Well, what's your's called?" She asked.
"His name is Scythe," he replied, smiling fondly at the mass of cables and...stuff. Kama, Scythe, she rolled her eyes, smiling.
"That's sooo cute." She said sarcastically.
"Well, it'll do until I can build your machine properly."
"What's wrong with it now?"
"It is not l33t!" He declared.
"What makes you think my old PC won't return safe and sound?"
"Oh, nothing. It might. Hopefully it will, actually...I never pass up the opportunity to smash a Macintosh to pieces."
"Soul!"
"What? Don't worry, I'll build you a better one."
"A better one?"
"A bigger one!"
"Bigger than this one?" He frowned.
"Probably not."
"I thought as much. You're all talk, Soul. Still, this one will do just fine until I get my Mac back." Soul looked huffy, but said nothing. Good, she thought. Make fun of my name, will you? Her computer beeped. It was the familiar Linux desktop, with a few differences...namely, it wasn't her's, so she didn't know where anything was. "How can I play some music?" She asked.
"Use WinAmp."
"What's that?" Soul raised an eyebrow at her.
"It's a chicken. It's a program for playing music, obviously!"
"Well where is it, smartass?"
"Little yellow symbol." She looked around, and found it. Click click...hmm. It was a lot more foreboding that Linux Media Player. Lots of little buttons and sliders and things.
"How do I use it?"
"Click 'add' down the bottom." Ah, right. She clicked it.
"Holy shit!"
"What?"
"What is all this?"
"Those are the hard drives...you want drive E."
"What are the rest?"
"Well...there are a few of them. Drive K is your's...it's got your OS, applications, and space for whatever other stuff you want to chuck in there. Drive I is movies, and drives M,N,O and P are games."
"What happened to drive C?" Soul looked uncomfortable.
"Uh...you don't have access to drive C."
"Why not?"
"Well, there's, uh...not really anything in there you'd want." She grunted.
"Where's the porn?" She asked curiously.
"Drive F."
"You have entire drive devoted entirely to naked women?"
"Well, yeah. Not a huge fan of naked men, personally. Feel free to download whatever, though." He didn't look even remotely self-concious. Amazing...he couldn't talk to her half the time without blushing like mad, and yet here we are talking about pornography as if it was last weekend's soccer match. She resisted the urge to click drive F, and clicked E instead.
"Fuck me..." she murmured...there was a lot of stuff in there.
"Soul, I can't find anything in here."
"Why not?"
"There's so much! And it's all over the place!"
"Oh, sorry about that...guess it's been a while since I cleaned it up." She sighed. "Don't worry, just browse around. Statistically, there has to be something in there you'd like."
"Where's the sound come from?"
"Headset." He pointed to a pair of headphones, complete with microphone, handing from a protruding piece of technology.
"No speakers?"
"Speakers aren't hooked up to your system, sorry." She pouted.
"Screw it then. You put something on."
"What?" He asked.
"I don't care, anything." He shrugged.
"Random it is."
He hit random. He couldn't tell if Krystal actually liked her PC...it was difficult to say when she was happy or not. About anything, really. Ah well, it would have to make do until he got something more suitable together. He looked idly at his screen, moving the mouse around aimlessly. He couldn't really concentrate. He felt calm though, the music was soothing.
Lies the treasure, of the morning,
In pearls of light...
He decided he should listen to this shit more often. It was good stuff. His thoughts drifted back to Krystal...he glanced over at her. Double-take. Was she...crying? She was...her lip trembled, and a tear slid down her cheek. He stood, and her eyes darted to him fearfully. He stopped, raising his hands in the universal gesture of 'I'm unarmed, not going to hurt you.' He took a small step forward, and she jumped. She pulled her knees up to her chin, feet in front of her on the edge of the chair. She looked up at him across her knees, her teary eyes fearful. Soul watched her worriedly, uncertain how he should proceed.
Krystal recognized him. He looked different...he was older, of course. It was the same coat, she was certain of it. His nose was different...his cheekbones much more defined, but it was him. She couldn't believe she hadn't recognized him immediately. She began to cry...she couldn't help it.
Jenny jumped at the knock on the door. She glanced quickly through the peep-hole, and was relieved to see Blank outside, his face serious. Blank's real name was Martin, but everyone called him Blank. She unlocked the door and let him inside.
"How is she?" He asked worriedly.
"See for yourself," she replied, pointing at the girl huddled in the corner of the room. Blank walked over to her hurriedly. "She came knocking about an hour ago...she hasn't said much. She won't take those headphones out either, she's just been sitting there, rocking back and forth listening to the music."
"Krystal?" Blank said gently. Krystal showed no sign of reacting. Martin took her chin in one hand, and tilted her head. The ugly purple bruise across her eye seemed to reflect the light. "Jesus Christ," he muttered. Krystal jerked her head free, and continued rocking back and forth.
"I know." Jennifer said. She felt sick. Martin stood, his face a mask of fury.
"This was Jack. This has gone too far, Jenny. This is a bad bruise...she'll need medical attention. I'm going to fucking kill that cunt."
"Blank, no..."
"She's my friend too, Jenny. This can't go on, understand? I'll give that fuckhead a mouthful of my own fist. He should be protecting her! The streets are dangerous enough...and...and this piece of shit is beating her up in her own home!"
"Blank, this isn't helping-"
"Fuck it all!" He swore, "did you read about the guy who got almost killed, just walking down the road? He had to have goddamn metal plates put into his face, his nose rebuilt. Both his fucking legs were broken! Is that the kind of shit you want for Krystal?"
"BLANK! Stop it! Of course not! But I DIDN'T call you over here to start fights, ok?" Blank took a deep breath and nodded.
"What do you need?"
"He'll come here looking for her, and-"
"He better fucking not."
"Blank! Sssh! I need you to get her out of here, alright? Take her...someplace, I don't care. Someplace Jack won't think to look. Take care of her, see to her eye. I'll start looking into something more permanent, alright? I'll call my Aunt Lauren." Blank smiled grimly.
"It's done. You be careful, understand? Don't open to door for anyone but me." He kissed her on the forehead, and crouched down beside Krystal.
"Kryss..." he said gently.
"Kryss! Talk to me! What's wrong?" Krystal blinked, her vision clearing. She looked at Soul...
...he had to have goddamn metal plates put into his face....
She stared at Soul...she felt sick. She could see them...see where they'd put the plates in. She reached out gingerly and touched the bridge of his nose. He flinched.
"Your...your nose...was broken." She whispered. He smiled gently.
"Not just broken...rebuilt. It's a titanium rod, with cartiledge grown around it, and a skin graft." She ran a trembling finger to his cheekbone, and pushed it gently. Hard...like metal. She gave a muffled sob. "Titanium plating...my face was shattered. I'm also missing two ribs, and have more titanium in my ankle. Krystal, what's wrong? Don't try and tell me you're crying because my nose broke once upon a time..."
"How...?" He shrugged.
"I got hit by a car when I was young. A van, actually...I was messed up pretty badly. Hey, it's alright though...it was a long time ago now. I don't even remember it." She prodded his cheek again, and he laughed gently. "Hey, quit it. Stop poking my head."
"Soul, I..." She stopped...Robert had said not to talk about it. Not to mention any of it to Soul. She was torn...she didn't want to lie to him.
"Kryss, seriously, it's fine. I mean I miss my sense of smell, but...it was a long time ago." She closed her eyes and nodded. "Want me to turn the music off?" She nodded firmly. He clicked something, and the music ceased. She opened her eyes as Soul pulled his chair across, and offered Krystal a tissue he'd grabbed from somewhere. She took it and wiped her eyes.
"Soul...what," she sniffed, "what music was that?"
"That was Pearls of Light. Good, isn't it?" She nodded.
"Who sings it?"
"Within Temptation."
She smiled sadly. She'd never actually known the name of the band...she'd always just called it Sadness.
Ignoring Soul's cackling, Krystal turned her attention to screen.
Hello, Kry55. How are you?
Oh, right. Soul's creepy talking-computer fetish.
I'm annoyed.
I'm sorry to hear that. This is the first time you've turned me on. Please enter password.
gamerchick
Thank you. Please enter new password.
She frowned...new password. Hmm.
fucktoaster
Thank you. Your new password has been accepted, Kry55. You have 4 emails. Would you like to start Linux now?
yes
...are you sure?
Krystal rolled her eyes.
Yes!
Windows is installed on this machine you know...
LINUX
Very well, Kry55. Have a nice day. Now starting Linux...
The screen changed to the Linux loading image. She shot an irritated glance at Soul, who had finally stopped laughing.
"Any problems?" He asked.
"Your computer is giving me attitude."
"She's your computer."
"She? What?"
"Well, that part of it's your's now. You're free to do with her whatever you wish."
"Her?"
"Yes, I named her Kama for now." Kama? Why Kama?
"Well, what's your's called?" She asked.
"His name is Scythe," he replied, smiling fondly at the mass of cables and...stuff. Kama, Scythe, she rolled her eyes, smiling.
"That's sooo cute." She said sarcastically.
"Well, it'll do until I can build your machine properly."
"What's wrong with it now?"
"It is not l33t!" He declared.
"What makes you think my old PC won't return safe and sound?"
"Oh, nothing. It might. Hopefully it will, actually...I never pass up the opportunity to smash a Macintosh to pieces."
"Soul!"
"What? Don't worry, I'll build you a better one."
"A better one?"
"A bigger one!"
"Bigger than this one?" He frowned.
"Probably not."
"I thought as much. You're all talk, Soul. Still, this one will do just fine until I get my Mac back." Soul looked huffy, but said nothing. Good, she thought. Make fun of my name, will you? Her computer beeped. It was the familiar Linux desktop, with a few differences...namely, it wasn't her's, so she didn't know where anything was. "How can I play some music?" She asked.
"Use WinAmp."
"What's that?" Soul raised an eyebrow at her.
"It's a chicken. It's a program for playing music, obviously!"
"Well where is it, smartass?"
"Little yellow symbol." She looked around, and found it. Click click...hmm. It was a lot more foreboding that Linux Media Player. Lots of little buttons and sliders and things.
"How do I use it?"
"Click 'add' down the bottom." Ah, right. She clicked it.
"Holy shit!"
"What?"
"What is all this?"
"Those are the hard drives...you want drive E."
"What are the rest?"
"Well...there are a few of them. Drive K is your's...it's got your OS, applications, and space for whatever other stuff you want to chuck in there. Drive I is movies, and drives M,N,O and P are games."
"What happened to drive C?" Soul looked uncomfortable.
"Uh...you don't have access to drive C."
"Why not?"
"Well, there's, uh...not really anything in there you'd want." She grunted.
"Where's the porn?" She asked curiously.
"Drive F."
"You have entire drive devoted entirely to naked women?"
"Well, yeah. Not a huge fan of naked men, personally. Feel free to download whatever, though." He didn't look even remotely self-concious. Amazing...he couldn't talk to her half the time without blushing like mad, and yet here we are talking about pornography as if it was last weekend's soccer match. She resisted the urge to click drive F, and clicked E instead.
"Fuck me..." she murmured...there was a lot of stuff in there.
"Soul, I can't find anything in here."
"Why not?"
"There's so much! And it's all over the place!"
"Oh, sorry about that...guess it's been a while since I cleaned it up." She sighed. "Don't worry, just browse around. Statistically, there has to be something in there you'd like."
"Where's the sound come from?"
"Headset." He pointed to a pair of headphones, complete with microphone, handing from a protruding piece of technology.
"No speakers?"
"Speakers aren't hooked up to your system, sorry." She pouted.
"Screw it then. You put something on."
"What?" He asked.
"I don't care, anything." He shrugged.
"Random it is."
He hit random. He couldn't tell if Krystal actually liked her PC...it was difficult to say when she was happy or not. About anything, really. Ah well, it would have to make do until he got something more suitable together. He looked idly at his screen, moving the mouse around aimlessly. He couldn't really concentrate. He felt calm though, the music was soothing.
Lies the treasure, of the morning,
In pearls of light...
He decided he should listen to this shit more often. It was good stuff. His thoughts drifted back to Krystal...he glanced over at her. Double-take. Was she...crying? She was...her lip trembled, and a tear slid down her cheek. He stood, and her eyes darted to him fearfully. He stopped, raising his hands in the universal gesture of 'I'm unarmed, not going to hurt you.' He took a small step forward, and she jumped. She pulled her knees up to her chin, feet in front of her on the edge of the chair. She looked up at him across her knees, her teary eyes fearful. Soul watched her worriedly, uncertain how he should proceed.
Krystal recognized him. He looked different...he was older, of course. It was the same coat, she was certain of it. His nose was different...his cheekbones much more defined, but it was him. She couldn't believe she hadn't recognized him immediately. She began to cry...she couldn't help it.
Jenny jumped at the knock on the door. She glanced quickly through the peep-hole, and was relieved to see Blank outside, his face serious. Blank's real name was Martin, but everyone called him Blank. She unlocked the door and let him inside.
"How is she?" He asked worriedly.
"See for yourself," she replied, pointing at the girl huddled in the corner of the room. Blank walked over to her hurriedly. "She came knocking about an hour ago...she hasn't said much. She won't take those headphones out either, she's just been sitting there, rocking back and forth listening to the music."
"Krystal?" Blank said gently. Krystal showed no sign of reacting. Martin took her chin in one hand, and tilted her head. The ugly purple bruise across her eye seemed to reflect the light. "Jesus Christ," he muttered. Krystal jerked her head free, and continued rocking back and forth.
"I know." Jennifer said. She felt sick. Martin stood, his face a mask of fury.
"This was Jack. This has gone too far, Jenny. This is a bad bruise...she'll need medical attention. I'm going to fucking kill that cunt."
"Blank, no..."
"She's my friend too, Jenny. This can't go on, understand? I'll give that fuckhead a mouthful of my own fist. He should be protecting her! The streets are dangerous enough...and...and this piece of shit is beating her up in her own home!"
"Blank, this isn't helping-"
"Fuck it all!" He swore, "did you read about the guy who got almost killed, just walking down the road? He had to have goddamn metal plates put into his face, his nose rebuilt. Both his fucking legs were broken! Is that the kind of shit you want for Krystal?"
"BLANK! Stop it! Of course not! But I DIDN'T call you over here to start fights, ok?" Blank took a deep breath and nodded.
"What do you need?"
"He'll come here looking for her, and-"
"He better fucking not."
"Blank! Sssh! I need you to get her out of here, alright? Take her...someplace, I don't care. Someplace Jack won't think to look. Take care of her, see to her eye. I'll start looking into something more permanent, alright? I'll call my Aunt Lauren." Blank smiled grimly.
"It's done. You be careful, understand? Don't open to door for anyone but me." He kissed her on the forehead, and crouched down beside Krystal.
"Kryss..." he said gently.
"Kryss! Talk to me! What's wrong?" Krystal blinked, her vision clearing. She looked at Soul...
...he had to have goddamn metal plates put into his face....
She stared at Soul...she felt sick. She could see them...see where they'd put the plates in. She reached out gingerly and touched the bridge of his nose. He flinched.
"Your...your nose...was broken." She whispered. He smiled gently.
"Not just broken...rebuilt. It's a titanium rod, with cartiledge grown around it, and a skin graft." She ran a trembling finger to his cheekbone, and pushed it gently. Hard...like metal. She gave a muffled sob. "Titanium plating...my face was shattered. I'm also missing two ribs, and have more titanium in my ankle. Krystal, what's wrong? Don't try and tell me you're crying because my nose broke once upon a time..."
"How...?" He shrugged.
"I got hit by a car when I was young. A van, actually...I was messed up pretty badly. Hey, it's alright though...it was a long time ago now. I don't even remember it." She prodded his cheek again, and he laughed gently. "Hey, quit it. Stop poking my head."
"Soul, I..." She stopped...Robert had said not to talk about it. Not to mention any of it to Soul. She was torn...she didn't want to lie to him.
"Kryss, seriously, it's fine. I mean I miss my sense of smell, but...it was a long time ago." She closed her eyes and nodded. "Want me to turn the music off?" She nodded firmly. He clicked something, and the music ceased. She opened her eyes as Soul pulled his chair across, and offered Krystal a tissue he'd grabbed from somewhere. She took it and wiped her eyes.
"Soul...what," she sniffed, "what music was that?"
"That was Pearls of Light. Good, isn't it?" She nodded.
"Who sings it?"
"Within Temptation."
She smiled sadly. She'd never actually known the name of the band...she'd always just called it Sadness.
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Princess_Lorien
- Redshirt
- Posts: 1041
- Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2003 12:57 am
- Location: Under your bed with a knife
- Contact:
Chapter Nineteen
"It's not safe!" Soul protested.
"I just need some fresh air."
"Fine, but I'm coming as well."
"Fine."
"Fine!"
"Fine!" They looked at each other. Soul coughed.
"I'll shut these down." He started doing something with the machine. Krystal headed to the kitchen and opened the Cancer Ward.
"What smokes should I get?" She shouted. There were all sorts of brands in there, only a few of which she recognized.
"I don't mind, they'll all kill you," came the reply. She shrugged and grabbed the nearest pack. She walked back into the computer room just as Soul was pulling the large lever on the wall. He closed the lever box and turned around.
"Got everything?"
"Think so."
"Smokes?"
"Check."
"Phone?"
"Check."
"You?" She looked down at herself.
"Check."
"Me?"
"Check."
"All set then." He opened the front door, and she stepped outside. After a series of beeping noises, he came out and closed the door firmly.
"What was all that beeping?"
"Alarms. Pass me one of those." She threw the packet at him after extracting one for herself. He took one out and shoved the packet into his coat pocket. "Where are we going?" He asked.
"I thought we might go see the house...or what's left of it?"
"Are you...sure that's a good idea?" He asked hesitantly.
"I'm not going to explode."
"I know that, just...well, it's pretty bad, and we can't go inside or anything." She shrugged, and started off. She just wanted to look at the house...she didn't particularly want to discuss it.
"To the house we go, then." Soul caught up and walked beside her. They walked in silence for a while.
"It's not as bad as I thought." Krystal said finally.
"What isn't?"
"The house being wrecked. I mean...it's bad, all my things, but...the more I think about it the less upset I am it happened. At times, I'm almost...glad it happened." Soul just looked at her. "Don't you think that's weird?" She asked.
"I think it's totally fucked up. Well, it's good you aren't upset, but...I'd be a mess. Why would you be glad about something like that?"
"Well...I met you."
"Don't give me that," Soul said, flushing slightly, "I'm not a house. Or all your stuff."
"I know, but...it's interesting. You live a totally different life."
"Not sure I'd call it a life." Soul muttered.
"You don't like your life? Working for yourself, having your big computer there, games and movies and shit all on hand..."
"Well, it sounds alright when you put it like that."
"Well...how would you put it?"
"Well, it's lonely...and boring at times. Scripting and programming aren't really like they are in the movies, you know."
"You talk to people."
"No I don't...you're the first person I've held a steady conversation with in years. Face to face, anyway."
"Didn't think it bothered you. You never really seemed like a people person. In fact, when I first met you-"
"Sssh!" She chuckled.
"All the same..."
"Well, I always thought I didn't miss people. Think I was lying to myself, thinking on it now."
"Well...you didn't seem all that happy, I must admit."
"Really? What gave it away?" He smiled sardonically. She decided to just ask him.
"Soul, what's with your hands?" He sighed.
"I figured you'd ask sooner or later."
"It's none of my business..."
"Helps me sleep." He said quietly.
"Helps you...how can pain help you sleep?"
"It doesn't hurt after a while." She shuddered, "I can't sleep without it."
"It...what's 'it', exactly?"
"Not sure...the bleeding, maybe. I never really think about it. Just sort of...happens." He fidgeted uncomfortably as he walked, looking at his cigarette, refusing to meet her eye.
"When did you last sleep?"
"Not long before I met you in the street, and I yelled at Jack."
"That was a while ago." She looked worriedly at him.
"Yes."
"You'll need to sleep soon."
"I've got a day or two left in me, I think."
"Soul...most people sleep for a good portion of every day."
"Oh, do they? Oh, in that case, I'll just have a short nap in this gutter..." She rolled her eyes.
"Soul, I don't want you to bleed all over the place."
"What do you care?" He said sullenly.
"What do you mean, what do I care?"
"Well, why should you? Why DO you?"
"Well...because..." Soul just looked at her, one eyebrow raised.
"Mmm?"
"Well, I don't want you to die!"
"What? Die? Who said anything about dying? I'm not trying to kill myself here."
"It's not good for you."
"Sleeping isn't good for you?"
"Don't be stupid, Soul. Bleeding is bad. That's why it hurts. Because it's bad. Understand?" He shrugged.
"Helps me sleep."
"You're not doing it any more."
"Oh, really?"
"Don't give me that look. No more."
"Well, that's easy for you to say. I don't need your help." Krystal frowned. Ouch. She decided to let it go, for now, and they walked on in silence.
The whole place had been gift-wrapped in police tape. DO NOT CROSS. Soul held a strip between his fingers, staring at it.
"Give me a boost, Soul." Krystal was peering between the tape running across the gap in the hedge...there was no way to get through without cutting the tape. Or climbing over it.
"What?"
"A boost. Lift me over the top."
"I'm not doing that."
"Come on Soul, help me out here."
"I can't lift you over that." Krystal gave him a disgusted look.
"I'm not that fat, Soul. Use your muscles."
"I don't mean that. I mean the tape saying 'do not cross' in block letters."
"It's my house!"
"Krystal, just leave it, ok? This won't end well." She stamped her foot angrily.
"Soul! Help me over the damn thing!"
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"I just want to look."
"No."
"I won't touch anything."
"No."
"Come on...please?"
"No."
"I'll sleep with you..."
"No. Wait, what??" Soul blinked. Krystal sighed irritably.
"Fine." She muttered. Soul shook his head...maybe he'd misheard. "Give me a smoke." He took the smokes out and pointed them Krystal's way. She took one out and put it to her lips, her face pensive. She gave Soul a look.
"What?"
"Fire." She demanded. Oh, right...he clicked his lighter open and held it out, flame upwards. She put the end of the cigarette to it and inhaled. She smoked with a great deal more...style than he did, Soul decided. "Stop looking at me like that." Soul looked away, blushing.
"Like what?"
"Like you're wondering how much I'd bring on Ebay." She sat down, back against a tree. The same tree she'd been sitting against the previous night, he noticed. Something was odd...something...he frowned in concentration. "Soul! Stop it! You creepy motherfucker." It dawned on him.
"You've got no clothes!" He blurted. She blinked, and looked down.
"I beg to differ."
"No, I just realised. All the clothes I have are obviously for me. You've got none." She smiled.
"Wow, you DO pay attention sometimes. Don't worry about it. I'll get by."
"I doubt it...one set of clothes?"
"I can borrow some of your's."
"Um, Kryss...I don't know if you'd noticed, but...we're not exactly the same size."
"Hmm...you're right. You are a bit fat." Soul's eyebrows shot up. "All the same, what am I going to do about it? Even if you did decide to help me into the house, which you were right about by the way, it's probably all wrecked."
"Well, get some new clothes."
"Oh! Good plan...not sure why I didn't think of it before! Hang on, I'll just...pull some out of...my ass here..."
"Har har. I have three words for you. Retail. Outlet."
"That's two words."
"Bitch."
"Fair enough. I'm...I don't really want to take any more of your money..."
"It's fine, I'm going to sell you on Ebay eventually anyway, to recoup my losses." She frowned.
"I'm serious, Soul. Clothes aren't cheap. Even the cheap ones aren't cheap." He shrugged.
"I don't really care, as I've said. Still got that money I gave you?"
"About half of it I spent on food..." She replied, throwing the smaller pile of cash to him.
"Not enough?" He asked.
"Well...I'm sure I could get an outfit or two out of it, sure." He nodded, flipping through the money.
"I'll take some more out of my account."
"Soul..."
"Silence. You need clothes. I don't need money. It's not that complicated." She glared at him. Then she smiled.
"Maybe we can get you a few things while we're at it."
"What? Wait a second...no way."
"Yes way."
"No way."
"There's a bus leaving in half an hour."
"You can't make me do it. I won't! I refuse!"
"Come on, Soul...it'll be fun."
"I'm not going."
"Everyone loves-"
"Don't say it..."
"THE MALL!" She giggled, jumping to her feet.
"Oh, fuck."
"Not here, it's too gravelly."
"What?"
"Come on, we'll miss the bus." She started off up the street.
"But I don't want to go to the mall! It's full of people, and sales, and...juvenile humans!"
"I'll buy you an ice cream." Krystal promised.
"Can't I wait here?"
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"I'll take down Sad Girl In Snow..."
"Hell no!"
"Come on..."
"No. Come on, Soul, you need to learn that people aren't all out to format your hard drive."
"My computer! I can't leave him alone for this long!"
"We'll only be gone a few hours."
"A few hours?!?!"
"Oh, stop bitching."
Soul sighed, and wondered if anyone would notice if he hit Krystal a few more times. Dragging his feet, he followed her to the bus stop.
"It's not safe!" Soul protested.
"I just need some fresh air."
"Fine, but I'm coming as well."
"Fine."
"Fine!"
"Fine!" They looked at each other. Soul coughed.
"I'll shut these down." He started doing something with the machine. Krystal headed to the kitchen and opened the Cancer Ward.
"What smokes should I get?" She shouted. There were all sorts of brands in there, only a few of which she recognized.
"I don't mind, they'll all kill you," came the reply. She shrugged and grabbed the nearest pack. She walked back into the computer room just as Soul was pulling the large lever on the wall. He closed the lever box and turned around.
"Got everything?"
"Think so."
"Smokes?"
"Check."
"Phone?"
"Check."
"You?" She looked down at herself.
"Check."
"Me?"
"Check."
"All set then." He opened the front door, and she stepped outside. After a series of beeping noises, he came out and closed the door firmly.
"What was all that beeping?"
"Alarms. Pass me one of those." She threw the packet at him after extracting one for herself. He took one out and shoved the packet into his coat pocket. "Where are we going?" He asked.
"I thought we might go see the house...or what's left of it?"
"Are you...sure that's a good idea?" He asked hesitantly.
"I'm not going to explode."
"I know that, just...well, it's pretty bad, and we can't go inside or anything." She shrugged, and started off. She just wanted to look at the house...she didn't particularly want to discuss it.
"To the house we go, then." Soul caught up and walked beside her. They walked in silence for a while.
"It's not as bad as I thought." Krystal said finally.
"What isn't?"
"The house being wrecked. I mean...it's bad, all my things, but...the more I think about it the less upset I am it happened. At times, I'm almost...glad it happened." Soul just looked at her. "Don't you think that's weird?" She asked.
"I think it's totally fucked up. Well, it's good you aren't upset, but...I'd be a mess. Why would you be glad about something like that?"
"Well...I met you."
"Don't give me that," Soul said, flushing slightly, "I'm not a house. Or all your stuff."
"I know, but...it's interesting. You live a totally different life."
"Not sure I'd call it a life." Soul muttered.
"You don't like your life? Working for yourself, having your big computer there, games and movies and shit all on hand..."
"Well, it sounds alright when you put it like that."
"Well...how would you put it?"
"Well, it's lonely...and boring at times. Scripting and programming aren't really like they are in the movies, you know."
"You talk to people."
"No I don't...you're the first person I've held a steady conversation with in years. Face to face, anyway."
"Didn't think it bothered you. You never really seemed like a people person. In fact, when I first met you-"
"Sssh!" She chuckled.
"All the same..."
"Well, I always thought I didn't miss people. Think I was lying to myself, thinking on it now."
"Well...you didn't seem all that happy, I must admit."
"Really? What gave it away?" He smiled sardonically. She decided to just ask him.
"Soul, what's with your hands?" He sighed.
"I figured you'd ask sooner or later."
"It's none of my business..."
"Helps me sleep." He said quietly.
"Helps you...how can pain help you sleep?"
"It doesn't hurt after a while." She shuddered, "I can't sleep without it."
"It...what's 'it', exactly?"
"Not sure...the bleeding, maybe. I never really think about it. Just sort of...happens." He fidgeted uncomfortably as he walked, looking at his cigarette, refusing to meet her eye.
"When did you last sleep?"
"Not long before I met you in the street, and I yelled at Jack."
"That was a while ago." She looked worriedly at him.
"Yes."
"You'll need to sleep soon."
"I've got a day or two left in me, I think."
"Soul...most people sleep for a good portion of every day."
"Oh, do they? Oh, in that case, I'll just have a short nap in this gutter..." She rolled her eyes.
"Soul, I don't want you to bleed all over the place."
"What do you care?" He said sullenly.
"What do you mean, what do I care?"
"Well, why should you? Why DO you?"
"Well...because..." Soul just looked at her, one eyebrow raised.
"Mmm?"
"Well, I don't want you to die!"
"What? Die? Who said anything about dying? I'm not trying to kill myself here."
"It's not good for you."
"Sleeping isn't good for you?"
"Don't be stupid, Soul. Bleeding is bad. That's why it hurts. Because it's bad. Understand?" He shrugged.
"Helps me sleep."
"You're not doing it any more."
"Oh, really?"
"Don't give me that look. No more."
"Well, that's easy for you to say. I don't need your help." Krystal frowned. Ouch. She decided to let it go, for now, and they walked on in silence.
The whole place had been gift-wrapped in police tape. DO NOT CROSS. Soul held a strip between his fingers, staring at it.
"Give me a boost, Soul." Krystal was peering between the tape running across the gap in the hedge...there was no way to get through without cutting the tape. Or climbing over it.
"What?"
"A boost. Lift me over the top."
"I'm not doing that."
"Come on Soul, help me out here."
"I can't lift you over that." Krystal gave him a disgusted look.
"I'm not that fat, Soul. Use your muscles."
"I don't mean that. I mean the tape saying 'do not cross' in block letters."
"It's my house!"
"Krystal, just leave it, ok? This won't end well." She stamped her foot angrily.
"Soul! Help me over the damn thing!"
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"I just want to look."
"No."
"I won't touch anything."
"No."
"Come on...please?"
"No."
"I'll sleep with you..."
"No. Wait, what??" Soul blinked. Krystal sighed irritably.
"Fine." She muttered. Soul shook his head...maybe he'd misheard. "Give me a smoke." He took the smokes out and pointed them Krystal's way. She took one out and put it to her lips, her face pensive. She gave Soul a look.
"What?"
"Fire." She demanded. Oh, right...he clicked his lighter open and held it out, flame upwards. She put the end of the cigarette to it and inhaled. She smoked with a great deal more...style than he did, Soul decided. "Stop looking at me like that." Soul looked away, blushing.
"Like what?"
"Like you're wondering how much I'd bring on Ebay." She sat down, back against a tree. The same tree she'd been sitting against the previous night, he noticed. Something was odd...something...he frowned in concentration. "Soul! Stop it! You creepy motherfucker." It dawned on him.
"You've got no clothes!" He blurted. She blinked, and looked down.
"I beg to differ."
"No, I just realised. All the clothes I have are obviously for me. You've got none." She smiled.
"Wow, you DO pay attention sometimes. Don't worry about it. I'll get by."
"I doubt it...one set of clothes?"
"I can borrow some of your's."
"Um, Kryss...I don't know if you'd noticed, but...we're not exactly the same size."
"Hmm...you're right. You are a bit fat." Soul's eyebrows shot up. "All the same, what am I going to do about it? Even if you did decide to help me into the house, which you were right about by the way, it's probably all wrecked."
"Well, get some new clothes."
"Oh! Good plan...not sure why I didn't think of it before! Hang on, I'll just...pull some out of...my ass here..."
"Har har. I have three words for you. Retail. Outlet."
"That's two words."
"Bitch."
"Fair enough. I'm...I don't really want to take any more of your money..."
"It's fine, I'm going to sell you on Ebay eventually anyway, to recoup my losses." She frowned.
"I'm serious, Soul. Clothes aren't cheap. Even the cheap ones aren't cheap." He shrugged.
"I don't really care, as I've said. Still got that money I gave you?"
"About half of it I spent on food..." She replied, throwing the smaller pile of cash to him.
"Not enough?" He asked.
"Well...I'm sure I could get an outfit or two out of it, sure." He nodded, flipping through the money.
"I'll take some more out of my account."
"Soul..."
"Silence. You need clothes. I don't need money. It's not that complicated." She glared at him. Then she smiled.
"Maybe we can get you a few things while we're at it."
"What? Wait a second...no way."
"Yes way."
"No way."
"There's a bus leaving in half an hour."
"You can't make me do it. I won't! I refuse!"
"Come on, Soul...it'll be fun."
"I'm not going."
"Everyone loves-"
"Don't say it..."
"THE MALL!" She giggled, jumping to her feet.
"Oh, fuck."
"Not here, it's too gravelly."
"What?"
"Come on, we'll miss the bus." She started off up the street.
"But I don't want to go to the mall! It's full of people, and sales, and...juvenile humans!"
"I'll buy you an ice cream." Krystal promised.
"Can't I wait here?"
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"I'll take down Sad Girl In Snow..."
"Hell no!"
"Come on..."
"No. Come on, Soul, you need to learn that people aren't all out to format your hard drive."
"My computer! I can't leave him alone for this long!"
"We'll only be gone a few hours."
"A few hours?!?!"
"Oh, stop bitching."
Soul sighed, and wondered if anyone would notice if he hit Krystal a few more times. Dragging his feet, he followed her to the bus stop.
-
Princess_Lorien
- Redshirt
- Posts: 1041
- Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2003 12:57 am
- Location: Under your bed with a knife
- Contact:
Chapter Twenty
Krystal smiled at the bustling throng of people. It was safe, in the Mall...lots of people all around. Bright lights, music coming from the shops. It was a friendly sort of place.
Soul was in hell. Everywhere he looked, millions of people. There had to be at least a million! They were everywhere! Everywhere he looked! It was bright, noisy. People looked at him, said things. It was awful.
Krystal raised an eyebrow as Soul drew close to her. He didn't seem to realise. She considered taking his hand for a moment, but immediately discarded the idea.
"If I owned this place and hell," Soul murmered tightly, "I'd rent this place out, and live in hell."
"Don't be silly," she said, "this place is wonderful! It's the Mall! It's commercialism's finest hour!"
"I think I just saw Satan raping a kid." Soul muttered.
"Oh, shut up. Come on, this was your idea."
"My idea? It was your-" She waved him to silence.
"Hush! Come on, let's go shopping."
Krystal strolled through the brightly glowing stores, clothes, toys, food, everything a person might need. She was headed to her favourite store. Well, not her favourite, but her favourite of the shops that were affordable. She was too afraid if she went into the others, Soul might buy something she was too afraid to wear. The most expensive item of clothes she'd ever owned was a pair of shoes that cost one hundred dollars, and she'd only worn them twice for fear of ruining them. She turned to Soul, who was glancing around, his eyes rolling this way and that like a caged animal.
"See that shop?"
"Yes."
"That's Slutpray."
"I think that's pronounced Soopray."
"Slutpray."
"Are we going in there?"
"Fuck no. You want Satan? She buys her clothes there." He shuddered. They continued, Soul sticking close to Krystal's shoulder. He was like a small child afraid of getting lost, she mused. Suddenly, she realised Soul was gone. She turned around, to see him staring into space. She hurried back to him.
"Soul? Are you alright? Oh my God...Soul, are you...crying?" He was...there were tears welling in his eyes.
"It's just, so...beautiful." He whispered. She turned to see what he was staring at.
"Oh, you're shitting me." Soul started to walk forwards. "Oh, for fuck's sake..." She shook her head in disbelief as she followed him into the arcade.
"It's incredible."
"Soul, it's a gaming arcade."
"When I die, I'm coming here. Fuck the afterlife."
"You're really just a small child on the inside, aren't you?"
"Oh my fucking God..." He strode over to one of the machines, running his hands over an iron bar, presumably to stop people falling over backwards. "I didn't know they made arcade machines out of this game!"
"You play this shit?"
"Oh, you know, once or twice," he replied dismissively, "can I play it? Can I please?" His eyes were wide with boyish innocence.
"Only if you stop making that face at me. You look ridiculous." His face returned to normal, although he still looked excited.
"w00t!" He exclaimed. He headed to one of the machines.
"I can't believe you actually like Dance Dance Revolution."
"It is the epitome of grace." He said, looking around for a coin slot.
"HEY!" Krystal jumped, turning around to the source of the cry. It was a small man of Asian descent, she guessed Japanese. He was wearing a white muscle shirt, his arms bare. She noticed his arms had silver scars on them in places, presumably from being stabbed. He had two cliched Asian Schoolgirls in miniskirts standing behind him. They looked sassy. Krystal started to worry. Soul just blinked, looking wary.
"What's up?" He asked.
"What's up? You're using my machines, man! Who said you could use my machines?" Soul looked confused.
"Sorry!"
"Don't be sorry, man! You aren't sorry yet! You're about to be sorry, though! Right after I kick you ass!"
"Hey, man, come on..." Krystal felt her heart going faster. Not again...
"That's right, man! You and me, right now, Fifteenth Mix! Or aren't you man enough to take me on?" Krystal let out an explosive breath. Soul relaxed visibly.
"Alright," Soul said, "I'm up for it."
"Hey, that's what I like to hear! But first, you gotta put your money where your mouth is, you know what I mean?" The little Asian man rubbed his fingers together.
"How much?"
"Fifty big ones, tough guy. Unless you ain't got the stones for that kind of money, that is."
"You're on." Soul smiled. Krystal grabbed his arm.
"Soul!" She hissed, "these guys are good, Soul! They live in this fucking place! He's going to humiliate you!"
"Hey, man, I think your woman is trying to warn you! You should listen to her, man." Soul just gave Krystal a quick wink, and turned back to his challenger.
"You going to talk, or can you dance?"
"Oooh! Alright man, them's some big words there! Let's see your money." Soul grinned, and handed a fifty dollar bill to one of the schoolgirls. She stuffed it down her shirt. Good idea, thought Krystal, you can use all the help you can get. Soul and the Asian guy took positions on two of the dance pads.
"You got a preference, or should I just beat you down to any old tunes?"
"It's all good." Soul replied calmly. Krystal stepped back...this wasn't going to be pretty.
It wasn't. Soul went very poorly indeed, and the two schoolgirl's giggled while throwing Krystal the occassional dirty look Krystal's way. The song ended, and the Asian guy slapped Soul on the back.
"HA! Good try man, but don't quit your day job, know what I'm sayin'? You got no rhythm!"
"Wait," Soul said. Oh shit, don't you fucking dare! "I'm getting the hang of this."
"Hey, man, it was fun beating your ass and all, but...I don't want to take any more of your money."
"Double or nothing." Soul said. Fuck.
"You fucking crazy man!"
"Double or nothing." Soul said again. The other man shook his head.
"Alright...sorry to do this to you man." Soul handed two fifties to the schoolgirl, who smirked obnoxiously at Krystal. She glared. "You got a song for me this time?"
"All the same to me," Soul replied.
"Alright! Let the whooping begin!"
This song was even harder than the one before. The Asian guy got an A, Soul only managing a D. A crowd was beginning to gather, and they all whooped with laughter at Soul's crushing loss. Krystal tried desperately to fade into the background.
"Ouch, man! That's gotta fucking sting, yo! Don't worry though man, I'm gonna take my two ladies here out to a nice dinner with your green." The two schoolgirls batted their eyelids and did other disgusting things. Krystal shuddered.
"Triple or nothing." The crowd went silent, and Krystal felt her stomach fall into her feet. The Asian man stared at Soul in disbelief.
"You're talking about three hundred dollars, man. Don't be stupid about this, come on!"
"Triple." Soul said, gazing levelly at the other man.
"Aww, shit...you're puttin' me in a hard position, man."
"Don't got the balls, man?" Soul asked with a smirk. Krystal rolled her eyes. They'd only been here ten minutes, and Soul was already being influenced.
"Ooh, that's it, bro! You're on! Lay it down!" Soul handed him three hundred dollar bills, which he shoved into his pocket. The schoolgirls looked hungrily at the money as it disappeared. "Choose your fucking song, man!" Soul just smiled, and stepped on the down arrow. Down down down...and he stopped. The crowd gasped. Even the Asian guy hesitated.
"You sure, man? I mean...that's a hard song."
"If you want to back out, I'll need my money back." Soul said levelly. His opponent drew himself up, and shook his head.
"JAMAHL!" He yelled over his shoulder, "Main screen turn on!" The man behind the nearby counter looked over and nodded. The huge screen in the middle of the arcade changed to show the two dancer's screens. He spoke into a microphone, his voice booming.
"A special treat tonight, players! On the the DDR stage, Otaku, reigning DDR champion is about to kick some poor guy's ass in a Numa Numa Challenge!" Krystal's heart sank even further. This was going to be nasty...the crowd suddenly doubled in size. People cheered and yelled, more schoolgirls showed up. She was suddenly keenly aware she hadn't showered or even changed clothes in two days. She grabbed Soul by the arm.
"Soul!" She hissed into his ear.
"Kryss, I got this." He murmured. He pulled off his coat, and handed it to her. She took it and stepped back behind the safety rail, fuming silently. Her eyes widened as Soul also removed his shirt. The crowd yelled in appreciation, accompanied by a number of wolf-whistles and cat-calls. The bandages on his arms were wound tight all the way to his elbows, and he was only wearing a sleevless black undershirt. His upper arms were an orgy of silvery scars. "Ready when you are," he said to the opposing dancer, who nodded, licking his lips nervously. He hit the button, and the bass started. The crowd roared. The two dancer flew into motion, their moves perfectly identical. Krystal's eyes widened...Soul was matching his opponent step for step. She glanced up at the enormous screen...perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Neither dancer was missing a single step! The crowd's yelling battled with the booming dance music. Perfect, perfect, perfect...
The crowd gasped as one.
Soul jumped and spun...he was facing away from his screen! The crowd was silent for about a second, then the screaming resumed, twice as loud as before. Soul didn't miss a single step...his feet flew around the dance pad. Krystal stared in amazement...he was doing the moves in reverse! Their eyes met. Soul looked down at Krystal, sweat glistening on his forehead as moved. He mouthed the words to the song as he danced. The song changed...it had already been going for two minutes! Both dancers were covered in sweat...Soul's eyes never left Krystal's.
I think of you and wonder if you think of me too,
Because we are lost in a maze of love...
Soul's opponent slipped.
BAD! His screen proclaimed. Krystal squeeled, and the crowd roared. Soul grinned, and spun back around. Perfect, perfect, perfect...his feet flew.
You are the King of the World! Your dance will save us all! Perfect! Too perfect!
Both dancers finished in perfect unison. The music ended, and Krystal stared at the gigantic screen. Soul's side was a flurry of flashing lights and fireworks.
"Oh my fucking God...a triple A plus!"
"He did it backwards!"
"Fucking smartass!"
"Did you see that?"
"I have to ring my cousin!"
"I'm never washing these eyes again!" Soul and the Japanese guy were facing each other. The latter was talking angrily, his finger waving under Soul's nose. Soul just shrugged, and turned his back on him. He stepped down off the dance pad, grinning at Krystal. His bandages were stained with sweat. He pulled his coat on, and faced the whooping crowd.
"Dude, you fucking rule!"
"Yeah man, you're the shit!"
"Fucking dance machine, man!"
"Sign my breasts!"
"Marry me!" Krystal frowned, and took hold of Soul's arm possessively.
"Come on!" He shouted to her over the noise, "I need a smoke!" A girl in a tiny skirt and boob tube winked at him. She frowned, and pulled him towards the door. They pushed through the crowd and out into the walkway, and she continued towing him along at a quick pace until they were outside in the night. The air was cool. She finally released his arm.
"What was that?" She asked him incredulously. She flashed her a smile, wiping the sweat off his face with the back of a bandage.
"I used to play now and again," he replied flippantly. He was clearly enjoying himself.
"Well, you've just made about a million fangirls." She snapped. He raised an eyebrow.
"Ah well, maybe they'll bring a price on Ebay."
"Seriously, Soul...where did you learn to do that?" He shrugged.
"I went through a phase where I did nothing but play DDR for about two months. Day and night. That was my favourite song."
"Why did you suck so hard to start with then?"
"Oh, that! I was faking it. I didn't like that guy's attitude. He was rude."
"Did he pay up?" Soul frowned.
"No. He said I cheated."
"Little prick!" Krystal exclaimed in disgust.
"Hey, asshole!" Krystal spun around. Soul just took another drag on his cigarette, watching impassively. The Asian guy Soul had just beaten was striding towards them, two larger guys following him. He looked pissed.
"I told you, keep the money. I don't care." Soul told him, as he got closer.
"I don't give a shit! You think this is about money eh, asshole? Fuck your money! You made a fool of me in there!"
"No, I beat you."
"Yeah? Well, now maybe I beat you, eh?" Krystal's view was suddenly obscured by Soul stepping in front of her.
"Three on one?" Soul asked mildly.
"Fuck you man! Don't you fuckin insult me! I'll fuck you up myself! I'll-"
"OTAKU!" A screech from behind. Otaku winced, turning slowly to face a tiny Asian girl.
"Oh, hey, Sis...we were just talkin', you know-"
"Talking! Don't give me that shit, you fucking prick! You lay one hand on that boy, and I'll have your fucking ears off, you hear me!" She shoved him angrily.
"Argh, hey, come on, sis! I was-"
"Don't sis me, you prick! Someone beats you at DDR, so you and your loser friends break his face, that it?"
"No, hey, come on-"
"You're a fucking thug! A common thug! What would Ma say! Huh? What's she going to say when I tell her you beat this guy up?"
"Hey! That's not fair!"
"Not fair?! You sack of shit!" She shoved him roughly aside, and approached Soul. She held out six bills.
"Here's you money, ok? Now get out here. I'll deal with this dickhead!"
"I don't want the money," Soul shook his head, "it's not important." Otaku's sister rolled her eyes in frustration. Soul was still looking over at Otaku, who looked very sheepish indeed. Krystal fixed him an angry glare.
"Look, man-" Otaku began.
"Don't you talk to him! You've done enough! Get your ass out of here, fucking thug!" His sister yelled.
"Hey, shut up for a second, sis! Look, guy...I'm sorry. Lost my head there, man. I'm sorry, eh?" Soul just looked at him. Otaku extended his hand. "My name's Otaku, man. Look, I tried to screw you, and you made a dick of me. That's how it goes, man. All cool now?" Soul took his hand slowly and shook it. Otaku nodded, his face breaking into a smile. "Man, I never seen moves like that, and I've been around for a while. Where the hell you from? I never seen you before."
"I play at home," Soul replied, still eying Otaku warily.
"Well man, I ain't kidding. That's some tournament shit right there. Backwards man? You fucking smartass!" He grinned widely, playfully patting Soul on the shoulder. Soul smiled.
"Thanks, Otaku." He said.
"Hey man, what's your name?"
"I'm Soul. This is Krystal."
"Hey man, she ain't your sister, is she?"
"No."
"Damn, that's a shame. She's hot!" Krystal raised an eyebrow, and Otaku's sister punched him hard in the arm. "Ow, fuck!"
"Back off, you fucking sleaze!" She turned to Soul. "I'm Minako. I'm sorry for my brother's behaviour...he's a dickhead. I try to raise him right, but he's just such a fucking retard sometimes."
"Hey, fuck you!" Krystal smiled faintly. Minako extended her hand to Soul, who shook it.
"Nice to meet you." He said.
"Hey, man, like I said, I'm sorry. You and me, we're homies now! We're the best dancers in this shithole, we gotta be friends, right! Hey man, anyone in this dump gives you a hard time, you just tell them you friends with Otaku, they'll back the fuck down, or I fuck them up, got it?"
"Thanks, Otaku."
"Hey man, that's for real. We friends, and I look after friends. You and Krystal here, you come around the arcade anytime, everything's free. Just tell 'em Otaku sent you, they'll set you up nice. Maybe I can teach you some moves, eh?" He grinned. Soul returned the grin.
"I just might do that."
"Alright man, I gotta fly. You take care, ok? Remember, stop by anytime, say Otaku sent ya. Have a good time, man, keep dancin'."
"Nice to meet you, Krystal." Minako smiled, "you too, Soul. I'll see you both around." They headed back into the Mall, Minako talking quickly and Otaku trying to hide in his jacket. The two large men followed them unobtrusively. Soul and Krystal let out a loud breath simultaneously.
"Fucking incredible." They said.
Krystal smiled at the bustling throng of people. It was safe, in the Mall...lots of people all around. Bright lights, music coming from the shops. It was a friendly sort of place.
Soul was in hell. Everywhere he looked, millions of people. There had to be at least a million! They were everywhere! Everywhere he looked! It was bright, noisy. People looked at him, said things. It was awful.
Krystal raised an eyebrow as Soul drew close to her. He didn't seem to realise. She considered taking his hand for a moment, but immediately discarded the idea.
"If I owned this place and hell," Soul murmered tightly, "I'd rent this place out, and live in hell."
"Don't be silly," she said, "this place is wonderful! It's the Mall! It's commercialism's finest hour!"
"I think I just saw Satan raping a kid." Soul muttered.
"Oh, shut up. Come on, this was your idea."
"My idea? It was your-" She waved him to silence.
"Hush! Come on, let's go shopping."
Krystal strolled through the brightly glowing stores, clothes, toys, food, everything a person might need. She was headed to her favourite store. Well, not her favourite, but her favourite of the shops that were affordable. She was too afraid if she went into the others, Soul might buy something she was too afraid to wear. The most expensive item of clothes she'd ever owned was a pair of shoes that cost one hundred dollars, and she'd only worn them twice for fear of ruining them. She turned to Soul, who was glancing around, his eyes rolling this way and that like a caged animal.
"See that shop?"
"Yes."
"That's Slutpray."
"I think that's pronounced Soopray."
"Slutpray."
"Are we going in there?"
"Fuck no. You want Satan? She buys her clothes there." He shuddered. They continued, Soul sticking close to Krystal's shoulder. He was like a small child afraid of getting lost, she mused. Suddenly, she realised Soul was gone. She turned around, to see him staring into space. She hurried back to him.
"Soul? Are you alright? Oh my God...Soul, are you...crying?" He was...there were tears welling in his eyes.
"It's just, so...beautiful." He whispered. She turned to see what he was staring at.
"Oh, you're shitting me." Soul started to walk forwards. "Oh, for fuck's sake..." She shook her head in disbelief as she followed him into the arcade.
"It's incredible."
"Soul, it's a gaming arcade."
"When I die, I'm coming here. Fuck the afterlife."
"You're really just a small child on the inside, aren't you?"
"Oh my fucking God..." He strode over to one of the machines, running his hands over an iron bar, presumably to stop people falling over backwards. "I didn't know they made arcade machines out of this game!"
"You play this shit?"
"Oh, you know, once or twice," he replied dismissively, "can I play it? Can I please?" His eyes were wide with boyish innocence.
"Only if you stop making that face at me. You look ridiculous." His face returned to normal, although he still looked excited.
"w00t!" He exclaimed. He headed to one of the machines.
"I can't believe you actually like Dance Dance Revolution."
"It is the epitome of grace." He said, looking around for a coin slot.
"HEY!" Krystal jumped, turning around to the source of the cry. It was a small man of Asian descent, she guessed Japanese. He was wearing a white muscle shirt, his arms bare. She noticed his arms had silver scars on them in places, presumably from being stabbed. He had two cliched Asian Schoolgirls in miniskirts standing behind him. They looked sassy. Krystal started to worry. Soul just blinked, looking wary.
"What's up?" He asked.
"What's up? You're using my machines, man! Who said you could use my machines?" Soul looked confused.
"Sorry!"
"Don't be sorry, man! You aren't sorry yet! You're about to be sorry, though! Right after I kick you ass!"
"Hey, man, come on..." Krystal felt her heart going faster. Not again...
"That's right, man! You and me, right now, Fifteenth Mix! Or aren't you man enough to take me on?" Krystal let out an explosive breath. Soul relaxed visibly.
"Alright," Soul said, "I'm up for it."
"Hey, that's what I like to hear! But first, you gotta put your money where your mouth is, you know what I mean?" The little Asian man rubbed his fingers together.
"How much?"
"Fifty big ones, tough guy. Unless you ain't got the stones for that kind of money, that is."
"You're on." Soul smiled. Krystal grabbed his arm.
"Soul!" She hissed, "these guys are good, Soul! They live in this fucking place! He's going to humiliate you!"
"Hey, man, I think your woman is trying to warn you! You should listen to her, man." Soul just gave Krystal a quick wink, and turned back to his challenger.
"You going to talk, or can you dance?"
"Oooh! Alright man, them's some big words there! Let's see your money." Soul grinned, and handed a fifty dollar bill to one of the schoolgirls. She stuffed it down her shirt. Good idea, thought Krystal, you can use all the help you can get. Soul and the Asian guy took positions on two of the dance pads.
"You got a preference, or should I just beat you down to any old tunes?"
"It's all good." Soul replied calmly. Krystal stepped back...this wasn't going to be pretty.
It wasn't. Soul went very poorly indeed, and the two schoolgirl's giggled while throwing Krystal the occassional dirty look Krystal's way. The song ended, and the Asian guy slapped Soul on the back.
"HA! Good try man, but don't quit your day job, know what I'm sayin'? You got no rhythm!"
"Wait," Soul said. Oh shit, don't you fucking dare! "I'm getting the hang of this."
"Hey, man, it was fun beating your ass and all, but...I don't want to take any more of your money."
"Double or nothing." Soul said. Fuck.
"You fucking crazy man!"
"Double or nothing." Soul said again. The other man shook his head.
"Alright...sorry to do this to you man." Soul handed two fifties to the schoolgirl, who smirked obnoxiously at Krystal. She glared. "You got a song for me this time?"
"All the same to me," Soul replied.
"Alright! Let the whooping begin!"
This song was even harder than the one before. The Asian guy got an A, Soul only managing a D. A crowd was beginning to gather, and they all whooped with laughter at Soul's crushing loss. Krystal tried desperately to fade into the background.
"Ouch, man! That's gotta fucking sting, yo! Don't worry though man, I'm gonna take my two ladies here out to a nice dinner with your green." The two schoolgirls batted their eyelids and did other disgusting things. Krystal shuddered.
"Triple or nothing." The crowd went silent, and Krystal felt her stomach fall into her feet. The Asian man stared at Soul in disbelief.
"You're talking about three hundred dollars, man. Don't be stupid about this, come on!"
"Triple." Soul said, gazing levelly at the other man.
"Aww, shit...you're puttin' me in a hard position, man."
"Don't got the balls, man?" Soul asked with a smirk. Krystal rolled her eyes. They'd only been here ten minutes, and Soul was already being influenced.
"Ooh, that's it, bro! You're on! Lay it down!" Soul handed him three hundred dollar bills, which he shoved into his pocket. The schoolgirls looked hungrily at the money as it disappeared. "Choose your fucking song, man!" Soul just smiled, and stepped on the down arrow. Down down down...and he stopped. The crowd gasped. Even the Asian guy hesitated.
"You sure, man? I mean...that's a hard song."
"If you want to back out, I'll need my money back." Soul said levelly. His opponent drew himself up, and shook his head.
"JAMAHL!" He yelled over his shoulder, "Main screen turn on!" The man behind the nearby counter looked over and nodded. The huge screen in the middle of the arcade changed to show the two dancer's screens. He spoke into a microphone, his voice booming.
"A special treat tonight, players! On the the DDR stage, Otaku, reigning DDR champion is about to kick some poor guy's ass in a Numa Numa Challenge!" Krystal's heart sank even further. This was going to be nasty...the crowd suddenly doubled in size. People cheered and yelled, more schoolgirls showed up. She was suddenly keenly aware she hadn't showered or even changed clothes in two days. She grabbed Soul by the arm.
"Soul!" She hissed into his ear.
"Kryss, I got this." He murmured. He pulled off his coat, and handed it to her. She took it and stepped back behind the safety rail, fuming silently. Her eyes widened as Soul also removed his shirt. The crowd yelled in appreciation, accompanied by a number of wolf-whistles and cat-calls. The bandages on his arms were wound tight all the way to his elbows, and he was only wearing a sleevless black undershirt. His upper arms were an orgy of silvery scars. "Ready when you are," he said to the opposing dancer, who nodded, licking his lips nervously. He hit the button, and the bass started. The crowd roared. The two dancer flew into motion, their moves perfectly identical. Krystal's eyes widened...Soul was matching his opponent step for step. She glanced up at the enormous screen...perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Neither dancer was missing a single step! The crowd's yelling battled with the booming dance music. Perfect, perfect, perfect...
The crowd gasped as one.
Soul jumped and spun...he was facing away from his screen! The crowd was silent for about a second, then the screaming resumed, twice as loud as before. Soul didn't miss a single step...his feet flew around the dance pad. Krystal stared in amazement...he was doing the moves in reverse! Their eyes met. Soul looked down at Krystal, sweat glistening on his forehead as moved. He mouthed the words to the song as he danced. The song changed...it had already been going for two minutes! Both dancers were covered in sweat...Soul's eyes never left Krystal's.
I think of you and wonder if you think of me too,
Because we are lost in a maze of love...
Soul's opponent slipped.
BAD! His screen proclaimed. Krystal squeeled, and the crowd roared. Soul grinned, and spun back around. Perfect, perfect, perfect...his feet flew.
You are the King of the World! Your dance will save us all! Perfect! Too perfect!
Both dancers finished in perfect unison. The music ended, and Krystal stared at the gigantic screen. Soul's side was a flurry of flashing lights and fireworks.
"Oh my fucking God...a triple A plus!"
"He did it backwards!"
"Fucking smartass!"
"Did you see that?"
"I have to ring my cousin!"
"I'm never washing these eyes again!" Soul and the Japanese guy were facing each other. The latter was talking angrily, his finger waving under Soul's nose. Soul just shrugged, and turned his back on him. He stepped down off the dance pad, grinning at Krystal. His bandages were stained with sweat. He pulled his coat on, and faced the whooping crowd.
"Dude, you fucking rule!"
"Yeah man, you're the shit!"
"Fucking dance machine, man!"
"Sign my breasts!"
"Marry me!" Krystal frowned, and took hold of Soul's arm possessively.
"Come on!" He shouted to her over the noise, "I need a smoke!" A girl in a tiny skirt and boob tube winked at him. She frowned, and pulled him towards the door. They pushed through the crowd and out into the walkway, and she continued towing him along at a quick pace until they were outside in the night. The air was cool. She finally released his arm.
"What was that?" She asked him incredulously. She flashed her a smile, wiping the sweat off his face with the back of a bandage.
"I used to play now and again," he replied flippantly. He was clearly enjoying himself.
"Well, you've just made about a million fangirls." She snapped. He raised an eyebrow.
"Ah well, maybe they'll bring a price on Ebay."
"Seriously, Soul...where did you learn to do that?" He shrugged.
"I went through a phase where I did nothing but play DDR for about two months. Day and night. That was my favourite song."
"Why did you suck so hard to start with then?"
"Oh, that! I was faking it. I didn't like that guy's attitude. He was rude."
"Did he pay up?" Soul frowned.
"No. He said I cheated."
"Little prick!" Krystal exclaimed in disgust.
"Hey, asshole!" Krystal spun around. Soul just took another drag on his cigarette, watching impassively. The Asian guy Soul had just beaten was striding towards them, two larger guys following him. He looked pissed.
"I told you, keep the money. I don't care." Soul told him, as he got closer.
"I don't give a shit! You think this is about money eh, asshole? Fuck your money! You made a fool of me in there!"
"No, I beat you."
"Yeah? Well, now maybe I beat you, eh?" Krystal's view was suddenly obscured by Soul stepping in front of her.
"Three on one?" Soul asked mildly.
"Fuck you man! Don't you fuckin insult me! I'll fuck you up myself! I'll-"
"OTAKU!" A screech from behind. Otaku winced, turning slowly to face a tiny Asian girl.
"Oh, hey, Sis...we were just talkin', you know-"
"Talking! Don't give me that shit, you fucking prick! You lay one hand on that boy, and I'll have your fucking ears off, you hear me!" She shoved him angrily.
"Argh, hey, come on, sis! I was-"
"Don't sis me, you prick! Someone beats you at DDR, so you and your loser friends break his face, that it?"
"No, hey, come on-"
"You're a fucking thug! A common thug! What would Ma say! Huh? What's she going to say when I tell her you beat this guy up?"
"Hey! That's not fair!"
"Not fair?! You sack of shit!" She shoved him roughly aside, and approached Soul. She held out six bills.
"Here's you money, ok? Now get out here. I'll deal with this dickhead!"
"I don't want the money," Soul shook his head, "it's not important." Otaku's sister rolled her eyes in frustration. Soul was still looking over at Otaku, who looked very sheepish indeed. Krystal fixed him an angry glare.
"Look, man-" Otaku began.
"Don't you talk to him! You've done enough! Get your ass out of here, fucking thug!" His sister yelled.
"Hey, shut up for a second, sis! Look, guy...I'm sorry. Lost my head there, man. I'm sorry, eh?" Soul just looked at him. Otaku extended his hand. "My name's Otaku, man. Look, I tried to screw you, and you made a dick of me. That's how it goes, man. All cool now?" Soul took his hand slowly and shook it. Otaku nodded, his face breaking into a smile. "Man, I never seen moves like that, and I've been around for a while. Where the hell you from? I never seen you before."
"I play at home," Soul replied, still eying Otaku warily.
"Well man, I ain't kidding. That's some tournament shit right there. Backwards man? You fucking smartass!" He grinned widely, playfully patting Soul on the shoulder. Soul smiled.
"Thanks, Otaku." He said.
"Hey man, what's your name?"
"I'm Soul. This is Krystal."
"Hey man, she ain't your sister, is she?"
"No."
"Damn, that's a shame. She's hot!" Krystal raised an eyebrow, and Otaku's sister punched him hard in the arm. "Ow, fuck!"
"Back off, you fucking sleaze!" She turned to Soul. "I'm Minako. I'm sorry for my brother's behaviour...he's a dickhead. I try to raise him right, but he's just such a fucking retard sometimes."
"Hey, fuck you!" Krystal smiled faintly. Minako extended her hand to Soul, who shook it.
"Nice to meet you." He said.
"Hey, man, like I said, I'm sorry. You and me, we're homies now! We're the best dancers in this shithole, we gotta be friends, right! Hey man, anyone in this dump gives you a hard time, you just tell them you friends with Otaku, they'll back the fuck down, or I fuck them up, got it?"
"Thanks, Otaku."
"Hey man, that's for real. We friends, and I look after friends. You and Krystal here, you come around the arcade anytime, everything's free. Just tell 'em Otaku sent you, they'll set you up nice. Maybe I can teach you some moves, eh?" He grinned. Soul returned the grin.
"I just might do that."
"Alright man, I gotta fly. You take care, ok? Remember, stop by anytime, say Otaku sent ya. Have a good time, man, keep dancin'."
"Nice to meet you, Krystal." Minako smiled, "you too, Soul. I'll see you both around." They headed back into the Mall, Minako talking quickly and Otaku trying to hide in his jacket. The two large men followed them unobtrusively. Soul and Krystal let out a loud breath simultaneously.
"Fucking incredible." They said.
-
Princess_Lorien
- Redshirt
- Posts: 1041
- Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2003 12:57 am
- Location: Under your bed with a knife
- Contact:
Chapter Twenty One
"So can you teach me to dance like that?"
"Sure. It's not that hard."
"Backwards?"
"That's a bit trickier."
"You're all sweaty," Krystal complained, wrinkling her nose.
"Yeah, sorry about that. I lost my shirt."
"I think some fangirls are sniffing it." She shuddered, "you need a drink."
"Can you get coffee in this place?"
"Coffee? You need something cold to drink."
"Oh," he said, disappointed.
"Come here." He followed her to a drinks machine. She put some money in, and pressed a button. She took out a can of something and handed it to him.
"Drink this."
"I don't want to."
"Drink it!"
"Ok, ok..." He read the can suspiciously, and chuckled, "r00t b33r."
"What's so funny?"
"R00t b33r!" He insisted.
"You're a weirdo. Drink it! I still need some clothes, unless you'd like to make some more fans."
"Why do you keep going on about that?" He asked curiously, popping the can open. She rolled her eyes.
"Never mind."
As they went from store to store, Soul couldn't help smiling. She was having such a good time. How could she complain about something so unimportant as money, when she was enjoying herself so much? He worried that perhaps Krystal was a bit dense...she didn't seem stupid, but she seemed confused about money. She'd have to be a bit dense to not see he'd prefer she was having a good time over having a few pieces of green paper. He also thought her taste in clothes was a little...understated. He wasn't an expert, though, so he kept his opinions largely to himself. She bought a lot of black clothes, though, which he approved of. They suited her.
"I'm running out of money." He confessed finally.
"What??"
"On me, I mean, not altogether."
"Oh, thank God. Well, that's ok, I've got enough stuff for now." She was carrying a bag in each hand, and Soul had two in each.
"Is there an ATM somewhere?"
"This way." She led him down a corridor that branched off from the main...Soul wasn't sure what to call it. Street, he supposed. There was the ATM.
"Good old automatic teller machine machine."
"Machine machine?"
"ATM machine," he explained.
"You're a fucking weirdo, did you know that?"
"I'm a dancing machine!" He said sarcastically, sliding his card into the slot. Krystal just rolled her eyes, leaning back against the wall. Soul wondered if there were any drink machines nearby, so he could get more r00t b33r. He asked Krystal.
"Soul, you've already gone through four cans in the last two hours." He extracted a receipt and handed it wordlessly to Krystal. He pressed a few more buttons, and waited for the money. It eventually appeared, and he shoved it and his card back into his wallet. Picking up his bags, he started off.
"Kryss?" She hadn't moved. "Krystal? You alright?" She was staring at the receipt he'd handed her. "What's the matter?" She looked up at him, her eyes wide. He sighed.
"Where did you get all this money??" She demanded.
"Well, I wasn't entirely honest with you about my job."
"No shit!"
"Well, it's not the kind of thing I just...tell people!"
"Well, you better tell me the truth before I kick the shit right out of you! What is it? Drugs?"
"Drugs?! Of course it's not bloody drugs!"
"What then? Prostitution?"
"I don't have the build for it."
"Soul..." Her voice was dangerous.
"I'm a hacker."
"A what?"
"You know...hacker. Like Swordfish, except I'm not Hugh Jackman, and my boss is a better actor than John Travolta."
"I see. So you stole all this money."
"No!" Krystal looked at him. That look made him feel threatened. "Look, I gather information. Sometimes I break things. I get paid for this."
"Who pays you?" He hesitated.
"I can't tell you that."
"What?"
"Kryss..."
"Don't Kryss me! You're a criminal!"
"Sssh! Yes, I'm a criminal."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Oh...sorry. I should have just mentioned it sometime in the last three days."
"Well...yes!"
"Kryss, come on! Did you really think I had all that security on my machine because of some mp3s?"
"I just thought you were paranoid!" He was a little hurt by that.
"Look, no one ever gets hurt. I just find things out, tell my...employees, and they send me money. End of story, end of my involvement."
"You sabotage the government!"
"What? No I don't. It's all corporate shit. I don't fuck with the government, and I don't spy on individuals."
"How very noble."
"Jesus! Cut me a bit of slack, for fuck's sake!"
"Tell me who you work for."
"I can't!"
"Tell me, or you can go fuck yourself." She looked serious. Warning bells went off in Soul's head...how long had he known her? Three days? She could work for anyone. He remembered how helpful the police had been, telling him especially to look after Krystal. He remembered Krystal saying her house being destroyed wasn't all that bad...his eyes narrowed. She used Linux! He was getting screwed! He glared at Krystal, thought of shaking her, asking who she worked for. She'd get that scared look in her eyes...he looked away. Well, if she wasn't who he thought she was, then damn it all to hell. He didn't care anymore. He liked Krystal, and if all she was was some kind of undercover spy, then fuck it. Fuck it all.
"Robert." He muttered. He waited for who to read his writes, or...or shoot him or something.
"Robert?" She asked. He refused to look at her.
"Yes, damn you, Robert."
"The guy on the phone?"
"That's all you're getting from me!"
"Who's he work for then?"
"Screw you," he muttered. He didn't care anymore.
Krystal kissed him on cheek.
"What the-" He blinked, confused.
"Thank you for being honest."
"You're not...going to arrest me?"
"Soul, why the fuck would I arrest you?"
"Well, I figured you were..." He trailed off.
"What? A cop?" She gave him a worried look.
"Well..."
"Soul, when a girl wants you to stop bullshitting her, that doesn't mean she's a cop." She smiled.
"Ah, fuck," he muttered.
"What?"
"I feel stupid."
"So you should," she said firmly, "now come on. We should be getting home."
"Don't you need more clothes?"
"Meh, keep your filthy stolen money. This should do me."
"It's not stolen!"
"Whatever you say, Swordfish."
"Don't call me that. It's insulting."
"Sorry about that, Napster."
"Fuck you."
"Maybe later." Soul didn't hear her.
"Ooh," he said, "hold on there for a second. I want to look at something." He wandered off into the crowd.
Krystal stared after him exasperatedly. She jumped as someone touched her shoulder.
"Hey there," Minako said.
"Oh, hey, Minako. You scared the shit out of me."
"Mmmhmm. I do that. Come on."
"What? Where?"
"We need to go hang out somewhere."
"But Soul-"
"He'll be fine. I think he'll be busy for a while." She pointed at Soul, who was perusing a life-size cardboard cutout of Gordon Freeman.
"You don't understand, he gets scared if I leave him alone in the Mall."
"My hero. Look, I'll have one of my bro's goons look out for him. Come on!" She let the protesting Krystal off into the Mall.
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see. So...when did you meet Soul?"
"Three days ago." Minako gave her an amazed look.
"Damn, you work fast, girl!"
"What do you mean?"
"He's in lurve with you, Krystal. He besotted. You managed that in three days? Damn!"
"What? That's absurd."
"No it ain't! I'm telling you girl, he's nuts for you." Krystal just smiled. "But onto more important shit. I gotta apologise for my meat-head brother."
"Hey, no, it's all sorted now, right?"
"Hell yeah, it is! If I catch him acting like a dipshit again, I'll fucking haul him home by his ear to explain himself! Anyway, I saw the look on your face. No, no, shut up. Ain't nothing to be ashamed of. You aren't the only one who's been beat on by an asshole." Krystal started in surprise.
"How did you-"
"It's in the eyes, Krystal. I saw it. I can tell you know the kinda shit a man can dish out on a woman. I know my jackass, insensitive brother scared the shit outta you, and I feel like shit about it."
"It ain't- er, I mean it's not your fault, Minako. Soul shouldn't have acted like such a smartass."
"Hey, dont' be dissin' him. He's got mad skills! You should be proud. Besides, Otaku was getting too cocky anyway. He needed a good ass kicking to bring him back down to earth. Now, I need to tell you something else, using my mad powers of perception."
"Oh?" Krystal was interested.
"That boy's a slasher, you know that, right?"
"A what?"
"Cuts himself? I figured you'd know, but seeing as you've only known him three days, figured you might need a heads up."
"Oh," Krystal looked at her feet sadly as they hurried along, "yes, I know."
"Well, you need to put a stop to that shit, for your sake."
"My sake?"
"Hell yeah. What he wants to do to himself is his own shit, but when a man can cut himself up without thinking twice, he can just as easily do the same to you."
"He wouldn't!" Krystal objected, then she remembered Soul hitting her in the face. She wasn't so sure, all the sudden.
"It's not my business what you do. I'm just warning you. Let that kinda shit go on too long, and it'll come back on you. Scars don't look so good on a lady."
"Alright, Minako."
"Good girl. Now, here we are, and we can stop talking gloomy shit. We're gonna get you some clothes."
"What? I already bought some-"
"No no, by 'we' I mean 'I'. I gotta make up for Otaku's behaviour."
"I can't accept, Minako."
"The hell you can't! Besides, Otaku already owes your man six hundred bucks, so don't worry. This purchase is coming out of his pocket, not mine." Krystal sighed, then noticed where they were.
"I can't wear anything from here!"
"Why not? I think it'd look fuckin' amazing on you."
"This shit is way too expensive!"
"Like I said, six hundred bucks."
"Minako, seriously, this isn't...necessary..." She trailed off, staring at a dress. Minako followed her gaze.
"Black lace...not bad. Shame I got no chest...too short as well. On you, though..." Krystal took her eyes off the dress reluctantly.
"Minako, I can't, much as I'd love to. I just can't." Minako just looked at her steadily.
"Seriously." Minako kept looking. Krystal shifted uncomfortably.
"Minako, stop it. I can't." Minako kept looking at her. Krystal fidgeted.
"Ok fine!" She said, throwing up her hands. Minako grinned, and waved an attendant over.
"Hey, Minako." She smiled. Minako pointed to the dress.
"That one."
Soul walked into the store, and was relieved to see Minako.
"Hey, Soul, you're just in time."
"Hi, Minako. A couple of goons directed me to this shop...is everything alright?"
"Everything's great, and they're about to get much better. This'll blow your mind."
"What will? And where's Krystal?"
"All things in time, man! Chill!" Soul shrugged.
"Alright. Where's Otaku?"
"I dunno, probably sleeping off the beating I gave him." Soul smiled.
"I hope you didn't hurt him too badly."
"He deserved worse."
"No real harm was done, Minako. I'm fine."
"Ain't you I'm worried about, Soul. Krystal." Soul's face became pensive. Krystal indeed. She'd been pretty pissed at him. He was still pretty confused about the whole thing, actually. He put down the bags of clothes he'd been carrying.
"Yeah, I think she got a bit spooked. Her, uh, ex boyfriend is a royal piece of fucking shit."
"Hey, maybe you aren't as brainless as I had you pegged."
"Huh?"
"You know that if you ever hurt her, I'll hunt you down and have you gutted like a fish, right?" Soul blinked.
"Sorry?"
"You heard me. Best take that seriously too."
"Krystal can look after herself, Minako. She doesn't need to worry about me."
"Just don't you be laying a hand on her, without her permission, or you'll wish you hadn't."
"I get it, Minako. Relax. Last thing I want to do is upset Krystal." Minako nodded, satisfied.
"Ah, speak of the devil, and she shall appear." Krystal stepped out from a change room, clothed in a black dress. It was cut low, and had lace running down the arms and across the bodice. Soul's mind was suddenly burning.
A girl...black lace...pain, his head felt like...an angel...
He chased the thought, but it escaped him. Something about...he noticed Krystal again. She looked...well, she looked like an angel. She looked stunning.
"Fuck me." He murmered.
"Well...it's traditional to take her out to dinner first," Minako quipped, "but there's something to be said for the direct approach." Krystal smiled shyly.
"You like it?"
"Hell, I love it. What do you think, Soul? Hang on, give him a second to pick his jaw up off the floor, there..." Soul closed his mouth, and frowned.
"I think..." he thought hard, "I think, you'll have to wait until later."
"Until later for what?" Krystal asked him.
"Until later for me to think of a suitable word. I might have to invent one." He mused. Krystal smiled.
"We'll take it." Minako said. Soul reached for his wallet. Minako shot him an angry look. "You put that shit away, Soul! This one's from me...you help her pick some other dress." Soul shrugged.
"Thanks, Minako. I appreciate that."
"I bet you do." Minako smirked. Soul's face flushed.
"So can you teach me to dance like that?"
"Sure. It's not that hard."
"Backwards?"
"That's a bit trickier."
"You're all sweaty," Krystal complained, wrinkling her nose.
"Yeah, sorry about that. I lost my shirt."
"I think some fangirls are sniffing it." She shuddered, "you need a drink."
"Can you get coffee in this place?"
"Coffee? You need something cold to drink."
"Oh," he said, disappointed.
"Come here." He followed her to a drinks machine. She put some money in, and pressed a button. She took out a can of something and handed it to him.
"Drink this."
"I don't want to."
"Drink it!"
"Ok, ok..." He read the can suspiciously, and chuckled, "r00t b33r."
"What's so funny?"
"R00t b33r!" He insisted.
"You're a weirdo. Drink it! I still need some clothes, unless you'd like to make some more fans."
"Why do you keep going on about that?" He asked curiously, popping the can open. She rolled her eyes.
"Never mind."
As they went from store to store, Soul couldn't help smiling. She was having such a good time. How could she complain about something so unimportant as money, when she was enjoying herself so much? He worried that perhaps Krystal was a bit dense...she didn't seem stupid, but she seemed confused about money. She'd have to be a bit dense to not see he'd prefer she was having a good time over having a few pieces of green paper. He also thought her taste in clothes was a little...understated. He wasn't an expert, though, so he kept his opinions largely to himself. She bought a lot of black clothes, though, which he approved of. They suited her.
"I'm running out of money." He confessed finally.
"What??"
"On me, I mean, not altogether."
"Oh, thank God. Well, that's ok, I've got enough stuff for now." She was carrying a bag in each hand, and Soul had two in each.
"Is there an ATM somewhere?"
"This way." She led him down a corridor that branched off from the main...Soul wasn't sure what to call it. Street, he supposed. There was the ATM.
"Good old automatic teller machine machine."
"Machine machine?"
"ATM machine," he explained.
"You're a fucking weirdo, did you know that?"
"I'm a dancing machine!" He said sarcastically, sliding his card into the slot. Krystal just rolled her eyes, leaning back against the wall. Soul wondered if there were any drink machines nearby, so he could get more r00t b33r. He asked Krystal.
"Soul, you've already gone through four cans in the last two hours." He extracted a receipt and handed it wordlessly to Krystal. He pressed a few more buttons, and waited for the money. It eventually appeared, and he shoved it and his card back into his wallet. Picking up his bags, he started off.
"Kryss?" She hadn't moved. "Krystal? You alright?" She was staring at the receipt he'd handed her. "What's the matter?" She looked up at him, her eyes wide. He sighed.
"Where did you get all this money??" She demanded.
"Well, I wasn't entirely honest with you about my job."
"No shit!"
"Well, it's not the kind of thing I just...tell people!"
"Well, you better tell me the truth before I kick the shit right out of you! What is it? Drugs?"
"Drugs?! Of course it's not bloody drugs!"
"What then? Prostitution?"
"I don't have the build for it."
"Soul..." Her voice was dangerous.
"I'm a hacker."
"A what?"
"You know...hacker. Like Swordfish, except I'm not Hugh Jackman, and my boss is a better actor than John Travolta."
"I see. So you stole all this money."
"No!" Krystal looked at him. That look made him feel threatened. "Look, I gather information. Sometimes I break things. I get paid for this."
"Who pays you?" He hesitated.
"I can't tell you that."
"What?"
"Kryss..."
"Don't Kryss me! You're a criminal!"
"Sssh! Yes, I'm a criminal."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Oh...sorry. I should have just mentioned it sometime in the last three days."
"Well...yes!"
"Kryss, come on! Did you really think I had all that security on my machine because of some mp3s?"
"I just thought you were paranoid!" He was a little hurt by that.
"Look, no one ever gets hurt. I just find things out, tell my...employees, and they send me money. End of story, end of my involvement."
"You sabotage the government!"
"What? No I don't. It's all corporate shit. I don't fuck with the government, and I don't spy on individuals."
"How very noble."
"Jesus! Cut me a bit of slack, for fuck's sake!"
"Tell me who you work for."
"I can't!"
"Tell me, or you can go fuck yourself." She looked serious. Warning bells went off in Soul's head...how long had he known her? Three days? She could work for anyone. He remembered how helpful the police had been, telling him especially to look after Krystal. He remembered Krystal saying her house being destroyed wasn't all that bad...his eyes narrowed. She used Linux! He was getting screwed! He glared at Krystal, thought of shaking her, asking who she worked for. She'd get that scared look in her eyes...he looked away. Well, if she wasn't who he thought she was, then damn it all to hell. He didn't care anymore. He liked Krystal, and if all she was was some kind of undercover spy, then fuck it. Fuck it all.
"Robert." He muttered. He waited for who to read his writes, or...or shoot him or something.
"Robert?" She asked. He refused to look at her.
"Yes, damn you, Robert."
"The guy on the phone?"
"That's all you're getting from me!"
"Who's he work for then?"
"Screw you," he muttered. He didn't care anymore.
Krystal kissed him on cheek.
"What the-" He blinked, confused.
"Thank you for being honest."
"You're not...going to arrest me?"
"Soul, why the fuck would I arrest you?"
"Well, I figured you were..." He trailed off.
"What? A cop?" She gave him a worried look.
"Well..."
"Soul, when a girl wants you to stop bullshitting her, that doesn't mean she's a cop." She smiled.
"Ah, fuck," he muttered.
"What?"
"I feel stupid."
"So you should," she said firmly, "now come on. We should be getting home."
"Don't you need more clothes?"
"Meh, keep your filthy stolen money. This should do me."
"It's not stolen!"
"Whatever you say, Swordfish."
"Don't call me that. It's insulting."
"Sorry about that, Napster."
"Fuck you."
"Maybe later." Soul didn't hear her.
"Ooh," he said, "hold on there for a second. I want to look at something." He wandered off into the crowd.
Krystal stared after him exasperatedly. She jumped as someone touched her shoulder.
"Hey there," Minako said.
"Oh, hey, Minako. You scared the shit out of me."
"Mmmhmm. I do that. Come on."
"What? Where?"
"We need to go hang out somewhere."
"But Soul-"
"He'll be fine. I think he'll be busy for a while." She pointed at Soul, who was perusing a life-size cardboard cutout of Gordon Freeman.
"You don't understand, he gets scared if I leave him alone in the Mall."
"My hero. Look, I'll have one of my bro's goons look out for him. Come on!" She let the protesting Krystal off into the Mall.
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see. So...when did you meet Soul?"
"Three days ago." Minako gave her an amazed look.
"Damn, you work fast, girl!"
"What do you mean?"
"He's in lurve with you, Krystal. He besotted. You managed that in three days? Damn!"
"What? That's absurd."
"No it ain't! I'm telling you girl, he's nuts for you." Krystal just smiled. "But onto more important shit. I gotta apologise for my meat-head brother."
"Hey, no, it's all sorted now, right?"
"Hell yeah, it is! If I catch him acting like a dipshit again, I'll fucking haul him home by his ear to explain himself! Anyway, I saw the look on your face. No, no, shut up. Ain't nothing to be ashamed of. You aren't the only one who's been beat on by an asshole." Krystal started in surprise.
"How did you-"
"It's in the eyes, Krystal. I saw it. I can tell you know the kinda shit a man can dish out on a woman. I know my jackass, insensitive brother scared the shit outta you, and I feel like shit about it."
"It ain't- er, I mean it's not your fault, Minako. Soul shouldn't have acted like such a smartass."
"Hey, dont' be dissin' him. He's got mad skills! You should be proud. Besides, Otaku was getting too cocky anyway. He needed a good ass kicking to bring him back down to earth. Now, I need to tell you something else, using my mad powers of perception."
"Oh?" Krystal was interested.
"That boy's a slasher, you know that, right?"
"A what?"
"Cuts himself? I figured you'd know, but seeing as you've only known him three days, figured you might need a heads up."
"Oh," Krystal looked at her feet sadly as they hurried along, "yes, I know."
"Well, you need to put a stop to that shit, for your sake."
"My sake?"
"Hell yeah. What he wants to do to himself is his own shit, but when a man can cut himself up without thinking twice, he can just as easily do the same to you."
"He wouldn't!" Krystal objected, then she remembered Soul hitting her in the face. She wasn't so sure, all the sudden.
"It's not my business what you do. I'm just warning you. Let that kinda shit go on too long, and it'll come back on you. Scars don't look so good on a lady."
"Alright, Minako."
"Good girl. Now, here we are, and we can stop talking gloomy shit. We're gonna get you some clothes."
"What? I already bought some-"
"No no, by 'we' I mean 'I'. I gotta make up for Otaku's behaviour."
"I can't accept, Minako."
"The hell you can't! Besides, Otaku already owes your man six hundred bucks, so don't worry. This purchase is coming out of his pocket, not mine." Krystal sighed, then noticed where they were.
"I can't wear anything from here!"
"Why not? I think it'd look fuckin' amazing on you."
"This shit is way too expensive!"
"Like I said, six hundred bucks."
"Minako, seriously, this isn't...necessary..." She trailed off, staring at a dress. Minako followed her gaze.
"Black lace...not bad. Shame I got no chest...too short as well. On you, though..." Krystal took her eyes off the dress reluctantly.
"Minako, I can't, much as I'd love to. I just can't." Minako just looked at her steadily.
"Seriously." Minako kept looking. Krystal shifted uncomfortably.
"Minako, stop it. I can't." Minako kept looking at her. Krystal fidgeted.
"Ok fine!" She said, throwing up her hands. Minako grinned, and waved an attendant over.
"Hey, Minako." She smiled. Minako pointed to the dress.
"That one."
Soul walked into the store, and was relieved to see Minako.
"Hey, Soul, you're just in time."
"Hi, Minako. A couple of goons directed me to this shop...is everything alright?"
"Everything's great, and they're about to get much better. This'll blow your mind."
"What will? And where's Krystal?"
"All things in time, man! Chill!" Soul shrugged.
"Alright. Where's Otaku?"
"I dunno, probably sleeping off the beating I gave him." Soul smiled.
"I hope you didn't hurt him too badly."
"He deserved worse."
"No real harm was done, Minako. I'm fine."
"Ain't you I'm worried about, Soul. Krystal." Soul's face became pensive. Krystal indeed. She'd been pretty pissed at him. He was still pretty confused about the whole thing, actually. He put down the bags of clothes he'd been carrying.
"Yeah, I think she got a bit spooked. Her, uh, ex boyfriend is a royal piece of fucking shit."
"Hey, maybe you aren't as brainless as I had you pegged."
"Huh?"
"You know that if you ever hurt her, I'll hunt you down and have you gutted like a fish, right?" Soul blinked.
"Sorry?"
"You heard me. Best take that seriously too."
"Krystal can look after herself, Minako. She doesn't need to worry about me."
"Just don't you be laying a hand on her, without her permission, or you'll wish you hadn't."
"I get it, Minako. Relax. Last thing I want to do is upset Krystal." Minako nodded, satisfied.
"Ah, speak of the devil, and she shall appear." Krystal stepped out from a change room, clothed in a black dress. It was cut low, and had lace running down the arms and across the bodice. Soul's mind was suddenly burning.
A girl...black lace...pain, his head felt like...an angel...
He chased the thought, but it escaped him. Something about...he noticed Krystal again. She looked...well, she looked like an angel. She looked stunning.
"Fuck me." He murmered.
"Well...it's traditional to take her out to dinner first," Minako quipped, "but there's something to be said for the direct approach." Krystal smiled shyly.
"You like it?"
"Hell, I love it. What do you think, Soul? Hang on, give him a second to pick his jaw up off the floor, there..." Soul closed his mouth, and frowned.
"I think..." he thought hard, "I think, you'll have to wait until later."
"Until later for what?" Krystal asked him.
"Until later for me to think of a suitable word. I might have to invent one." He mused. Krystal smiled.
"We'll take it." Minako said. Soul reached for his wallet. Minako shot him an angry look. "You put that shit away, Soul! This one's from me...you help her pick some other dress." Soul shrugged.
"Thanks, Minako. I appreciate that."
"I bet you do." Minako smirked. Soul's face flushed.
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