Orion

[Guest]

Stars were out tonight. Their small lights reflected easily through the clear, aqua eyes of a girl laying on her back in the middle of Central park. Endlessly long, white hair lay sprawled out above her head, gathering the night's settling dew. Though the stars were burning bright overhead and an array of constellations were scattered about in obvious sight, the girl wasn't looking at them, no; her eyes were trained on the street light some feet away. There was nothing special about the streetlight itself. It leaked soft, yellow light and a simple wooden bench rested below it. What really fascinated her so dearly were the moths that crowded around it. Large, patterned winds flapped like the size of small birds. Featherless, light, airy colors added a charm to the solitude of another lonely night.

She rolled over onto her stomach and bent her knees, feet brushing the sky. Crickets chirped a chorus around her, masked beneath the long, dark green grass. She had on a long peach-colored tank top of extremely light and soft cotton. It was see-through, but because she had a white bra on, it didn't matter. At the bottom of the tank top with black lace which hung at uneven intervals, giving it the appearance of being pleated. The girl also wore short white shorts adorned with various buckles that hooked to white leggings. All that was revealed of her legs was a small portion of her thighs. She wore no shoes, no jewelry or accessories (for she didn't have any); she only sported an untidy bandage from her elbow to her wrist. It was wet with blood from a long gash she had acquired from a cruel man. She hadn't gotten stitches though she may have needed it, nor had she even bothered with anything besides the bandage. She had not the talent for caring for herself. It just was too much trouble. Besides, she had much rather just lay there and watch the moths dance in the artificial light.

[Guest]

"Pesky moths, stop bugging me..."

After a short pause, Ike chuckled at the sentence he just mumbled, Moths..."Bugging". Genius. Shame no one was around to hear it. However that wasn't much of a surprise, seeing as its late at night and he was in the Central City park, which at this time, wasn't very busy.

Ike Harvard had nothing planned tonight, no alcohol fueled escapades with the head of central HQ, no midnight assassinations with the head the most powerful underworld boss in Amestris. Well, he did have some plans, he was considering ordering some midnight pizza, and renting some DVD to fall asleep to. Yep Ike planned tonight to be Pizza night...just like last night. The thought made Ike sigh,

"Nothin' going tonight either it seems. Oh well , at least Kira-Kun gave me these awesome gifts!"

These "awesome gifts" were in fact a physicians lab coat, with Ike's name and fake details upon it, which he was currently wearing to see how it fit (very well as it seems), and also a shopping bag full of candy. The first gift was a a joke because Ike would often introduce himself as a doctor to others to hide is criminal life. At that moment the words Kira-kun said to Ike at that moment came flashing back

I noticed you've been playing doctor with all your friends. Well here is a little gift for you so the game is a little more realistic. Oh and take this, you can thank me later Ike-Kun!

While Ike was thinking about what Kida said, he had been walking quite quickly and failed to see a banana peel up ahead. Now if Ike had any luck he might had been able to step over it, but Ike didn't have any luck and, slipped, quite dramatically when he stepped on it.

The worse part was that the shopping bag full of candy flew out of his hand off in some direction, spilling out candy like rain, over a woman was a close by. While face down of the floor, Ike had no anger or confusion in his facial features, merely surprise, and he manged to get out a sentence

"Wow, Déjà vu..."

This stunned stillness only lasted for a second. Until he got up and saw that most of his candy had fallen upon a young woman. She had long white hair. and was in fact extremely beautiful. Ike rubbed the back of his head and gave a nervous laugh while ran over to here. He immediately knelt down next to her and began picking up the candy,

"Er, sorry about this, it was an accident, As a sorry, help yourself to some candy." Ike gave a small smile to the woman.

[Guest]

A shower of bright wrappers invaded the sky and tarnished the view of powdered wings. As they crinkled to the ground around her, she pulled herself up like a cat would after a long nap. Her back arched and then straightened, knees digging into the soft earth. She knelt there, eyes capturing the scene before it was taken from her. There was a man. A blond man to say exactly. He was wearing a long, white coat... Without realizing, she tilted her head to the side in confusion, blinking ice-colored eyes. It seemed that when he had fallen, his bag of candy flew from his grasp. She reached a tentative hand and picked up a piece, examining it. It was butterscotch; her all-time favorite. A small smile so discreet that anyone who didn't know her wouldn't be able to see it formed on her natural-hued lips.

As the man gathered himself together after the shock, he immediately came over to her. The girl leaned backwards slightly, the candy slipping from her hand as she placed both behind her to hold her weight. Too close. Through her undisclosed fear, she recognized a squashed banana peel right where the white-coated man had fallen. Flushing slightly with shame, she brought a damp hand from the grass and to her lips. She ran a finger over them in a moment of thought before she straightened herself back into the man's closeness. She bowed her head, glistening white hair falling all around her and shielding her downcast eyes. "I sincerely apologize for my previous actions." She raised her eyes quickly--almost too quickly--and shook hair away from her face. With gentleness, she took the masculine hand that was gathering the sweets into her own, trying to smile despite the old memories flooding her perception. "That banana peel was mine from earlier." She used her eyes to direct him to a bag some distance away. It was full of used peels, browned from the old morning sun. It had been her breakfast--the only meal she had managed to purchase for herself all day. In the bag as well, was a copy of a book called Moonlight and Rain by Ueda Akinari. She had spent the entire day out in the grass reading it and eating bananas. Until now, she had barely moved at all if only to turn the pages.

She was hungry, and the candy was reminding her of it. The sugary smell of butterscotch invaded her senses and brought forth the forgotten news that she hadn't had real food in quite many days. Books were what had been occupying her existence these last couple weeks. The girl hadn't felt the need to work, no, she didn't want to. Men...were cruel, vicious animals whose lust and sex-drive led them on a path to insanity. After Ike seemed to grasp that the entire situation was her fault, her depressed eyes caressed the small stitches in the fabric wrapped around her damaged arm. That was from two weeks ago when a man didn't know when to stop. Her pain couldn't be compared however; he was laying in a sewer still, his body still undiscovered. She hadn't been planning to kill him, but his hands wouldn't stop trying to undo her buttons. He turned violent to her protestings and she had no choice. The blond's white coat reminded her of her childhood...and the first person she killed: her doctor... The blood...the--

She looked up suddenly, thwarting the onslaught of memories with her current regrets. Humans weren't perfect. Men were animals. Women were victims. But women...could also be animals. "I'm..so sorry I didn't realize...I'll--I'll..." What could she do to compensate? She pondered to herself. Having never been in the wrong so bluntly before, she was at a loss for how to react. Kindness. It was something the world surely lacked much of. She knew this very well. The city was cold...even in the springtime. Carefully she lifted a piece of candy--the butterscotch one--and placed it in his hand that she was still holding. A mild blush alighted her cheeks in embarrassment and she suddenly gathered more. "I'll help you. It's my fault anyway." She was realizing with strange clarity that it was possible for even someone as damaged as her to show kindness.

[Guest]

The banana peel was hers then? Well, it had to be someones, unless a monkey left it there or something. Ike wasn't that bothered, in all truthfulness. She had pointed out a bag full of banana skins, and a book, before she

"Thank you for helping me, although there is no need to apologize, after all it was an accident primarily caused by me not looking where I was going. It's just nice that you offered to help me."

Ike then looked at the candy she had just put his hand, butterscotch. He only glanced at it briefly before putting it into his lab coat pocket and picking up the rest of the candy to put them back into the old shopping bag from where they came. There were all different types of candy lying around of all different shapes and sizes. Ike had to wonder why he'd been given a large bag of candy. He did have a sweet tooth but not one this big. It had also been the weapon Ike had accidentally used to ruin this girls night. Come to think of it, Ike didn't know the girls name, although, he didn't suppose she'd be any mood to tell him. For now he just focused on picking up these candy. Every so often looking over at the girl. It wasn't anything perverted, it was just the way she acted before, and way she looked, it was peculiar, which in turn was interesting. He was curious about this girl, and that was unusual for Ike.

Once they had picked up the majority of the candy, Ike was finding it harder and harder to find the odd pieces scattered around in the grass, especially so since it was night time. Ike inspected the bag, he wasn't really fussed if he had lost some candy in this whole event, seeing as three quarters of bad was now full of candy and that was too much for him anyway. Then he had an idea. Ike stopped searching for candy and sat down on the grass placing the bag next to him. He sighed and the spoke to the girl kind enough to help him.

"Well, thanks for helping me there, we sure got through it quicker than usual, I don't think there's anymore need to continue looking. Here, have this for your troubles."
Ike reached into his pocket, pulled out the butterscotch candy that she had previously handed to him and held out his hand, so that she could take it back.

"I know one piece doesn't seem like alot, but i was gonna ask you if you wanted to help me eat these " He asked, referring to the bag of candy, " Seeing as its far to much for me on my own. "

He then used his free hand to take a piece of candy, he used his teeth to unwrap it and then of course ate it.

"They're really good as well, by the way I'm Dr Ike Harvard."

[Guest]

She was squatted in the grass, crawling around on all fours with her head so close to the grass, that it was tickling her cheeks. She sighed and lifted herself to face him when the man spoke. She then frowned in confusion. "But it's not all--" He handed her a butterscotch candy that he had kept in his pocket. She fell silent and stared at it like it was something holy. Binging it in both hands to her chest, she felt herself smile, lips unused to a genuine thing. "Thank you..." she murmured, blue eyes alight with the kindness shown. She proceeded to unwrap it in the same manner as he, copying him, for she had no clue as to how it should be done. She placed the round, hard object into her mouth and was immediately overcome with the sweet syrup of butterscotch. "It's so good~" she chimed absentmindedly, "I haven't had anything like this since I was a child!" It was true. The doctors used to reward her with all sorts of candy, but it always felt to her like they were trying to compel her desire to become sane. It never worked; that was something she couldn't control.

"If you want...I will help you." Her cheeks felt hot and she didn't understand why. All those other encounters with males and those of the opposite sex always resulted in her manipulation of them. For once, she realized with horror, she was the one being led--she was submitting to him. She usually didn't do this... But why? Was it because of her mistake? Was that why she felt inclined to do his bidding or... There was something about him... The energy he emitted calmed her. He wasn't a threat. He wasn't someone that deserved to be used by her. He didn't require punishment like the others. No impurity. She touched her cheek, knowing, just knowing that it had to be red. She looked down at her bare feet, glad that it was dark.

She alerted to attention when he spoke his name. She smiled sweetly to herself without realizing it. "Doctor Ike Havard?" She had heard a lot of doctor's names in her life and an infinite amount of male names in general. She had never heard one quite so... He didn't sound like a doctor. Needless to say, she was intrigued. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Saga Tsukino." There was no need for her to lie; she had no plans to steal from him. They were even now. "You can just call me Saga, Doctor." Her stomach growled. She grimaced.

[Guest]

Ike gave a small laugh when Saga's stomach growled. He was glad to see that she would share this bag of candy with him. After all she was an intriguing person, she seemed to be quite reserved

"Well it certainly sounds like you're hungry, Saga." Ike started, with the remnant smile of his laugh still on his face.

"here," Ike moved the bag of candy so it was in between the two of them, so they could both easily reach in and take some. Ike was the first to reach in pulling out a chocolate truffle. So it wasn't all just hard boiled sweets and candy? Ike opened it and lightly threw it into his mouth, his smile seeming to be revived by the taste.

"Oh by the way," He said while eating the truffle, "Call me Ike 'kay. Its not like your my patient...even then I still asked to be called Ike."

Ike fell backwards, so that he was lying down staring at the stares, just as Saga was doing before he arrived.

"I can see why you came here Saga, especially at night, this place is so relaxing."

Ike paused, thinking about what had just happen previously.

What the hell are you doing Ike? He mentally said to himself, if you keep acting all kinda and outgoing, you'll eventually fall for someone. If its not Saga then it'll be someone else, and you know that can't happen, you decided it can't when you lied to her about being a doctor. A criminal lifestyle doesn't have room for a half decent relationship

Although for the first time, he found himself ignoring his own warnings. This was nice, getting to know someone else, and just acting as if he was a doctor or anybody with a normal job.

"Make sure you get a handful," Ike said to her, while he was still lying down, "I can't eat them all myself, there's no fun in that."

[Guest]

Saga felt her face get even hotter, immune to the cool night breezes of spring. She shivered slightly and smiled. She was getting him to laugh without even trying? This was new. Maybe charming men was easier than she had been making it all this time? But she didn't want to control the doctor here, she just wanted... She didn't honestly know. Saga was just reacting normally without careful plotting like she usually did. Everything now was just...natural. There was no end result she wanted to achieve... She was just enjoying herself while partaking in this tribute of human virtue called kindness.

The bag of candy was moved in between them. After the doctor took a piece, she did the same, searching for a replica of the one he took. If it was anything else, she was sure she would embarrass herself by not knowing how to eat it. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched carefully as to how he placed it in his mouth. And once she found a chocolate truffle of the same wrapper, she mimicked him perfectly. As she was chewing the sugary dairy softness, she watched him as he spoke. She really liked his hair. It was like hers, but just a slightly different shade.

"Okay I'll call you Ike then." She swallowed the last of the truffle and reached for another--not a handful--but just a single piece. The girl withdrew it and examined it for a very long time, but gave up when she couldn't figure it out. Saga turned to the man, but found he was now laying on his back. Ike was watching the stars as she had once been. She smiled, feeling a chill as she moved from her warm spot. She swooped her face in front of his and grinned childishly. She waited for his surprise and then held up the candy to abate it. "Can you tell me what color this is? I hate being surprised." Her hair hung all around her, curled among the grass. And a piece even ventured to brush against his side. Saga realized this immediately and angrily flicked it behind her. It would have been perfect had she been trying to seduce him like all the others. But this was different! She had to keep reminding herself that this was just a fellow meeting between two people. That was all.

Saga smiled nervously, sitting back on her butt. She crossed her legs Indian-style, admiring the unknown candy. "Hey... do you know of any places that have--I don't know--pizza or something that are open this late?" She should know...she had lived in Central for the longest time, but... she never went out unless it was to snare a man. Usually she cooked for herself when she did eat... except she knew all-too-well that there was absolutely no food left to make in her apartment. Reading books kind of...prevented her from going food shopping.

[Guest]

Ike was enjoying how he'd been able to meet some one new, and the smile on his face showed that. Although the smile quickly changed to a look of surprise. Surprise because the girl he thought could possibly be shy had suddenly moved her face in front of his, and to be honest, it caught Ike off guard. She asked him about a candy she had, but unfortunately he couldn't concentrate on the candy. Even though he'd never admit it, Ike was kinda nervous and his cheeks were slightly big, he was such a pansy.

So close...maybe this will bec- Ike's thoughts were interrupted by her moving back and sitting down again.

Nope, no it wasn't, curse my over imaginative mind...

Ike dragged his upper body up, back into an upright sitting position, and rested his arms on his knees. Listening to the Saga talk,

"Pizza...huh. Sure I know a few pizza places that will still be open at night. Its a bit embarrassing, but i'm sure the people who the run them also know me pretty well."
Ike trailed off with a weak chuckle before continuing.
"If you don't mind, can I tag-along? I haven't eaten yet and I could really go for some pizza!" Ike grinned which he had been doing alot recently.

"By the way you asked about the color of the candy, well, this wrapper is purple, if that helps, anyway..."

Ike got up picked up the bag of candy and then let out his hand, to help saga get up, like any gentlemen would do.

[Guest]

Saga glanced at where her watch was supposed to be and sighed angrily when she found only the dirty bandage there. That's right...the time-keeping device had disappeared somewhere after the bastard attacked her with his pocket knife. The girl shuddered in remembrance at the searing pain. If his cut had been just a bit closer to the vein in her wrist, she probably would have bled to death especially considering she hadn't gone to the hospital since. That, of course, didn't matter now. The past was the past. With a whip of white hair, she shook her head, clearing her mind. Saga was getting good at blocking out the past.

Well, it seemed it was already much past midnight...but she couldn't be sure. It was extremely dark out even despite the amount of stars crowding the sky. Maybe it was a new moon tonight...? A quiet smile grew on her lips as she turned soft blue eyes onto the man known to her as Ike. "You must eat pizza a lot, then," she laughed, "I usually cook...but I haven't gone food shopping...in a long time," Saga was surprising herself with how open she was being. It was fun..sharing random things with this stranger. It was like nothing mattered; she didn't need to make an impression on him--there was no need to try so hard. Her personality was just flowing straight from her. "I would actually like it if you came!" she blurted out, this time embarrassed beyond belief. What was she saying?! Her unfiltered thoughts may be taking it a bit too far now... Maybe it was because she was too used to flirting with men that it just burst through her subconscious? Except...that wasn't it. It was entirely different. What was this blind excitement?

She waved her hands in front of her face, blushing bright colors. "Wait, wait, don't get me wrong..I sound like a perverted old woman!" She covered her face dramatically with a pale hand and fell backwards into the grass. She felt like she just committed a sin. Not to him, but to herself for revealing her true feelings so easily. This never happened. Her shields were breached...by herself. No, no it wasn't a big deal. It was a simple matter. She would still be able to survive after this. Just after tonight...After tonight.

Peaking from behind her hand, she saw him reaching out to her. This...was a first... What a gentleman! Tentatively, she placed her hand in his, the icy touch of slender fingers against the warmth of a masculine hand. He pulled her to her feet. She noticed absentmindedly that he was just an inch or so taller than her. Usually all her men were shorter. It was a more than a welcome change. "Thanks..."

Saga was so caught up in the moment that she barely registered what he said about the candy. Oh right... She stared at the gray-shaded thing still in her other hand and smiled nervously. "I..I--well, I'm color blind...I have issues sometimes. Like..." she trailed off, unsure if he was interested in what she had to say or not. Maybe she should just shut up. She was probably annoying him anyway. But...she wanted to continue. All this time, she had never been able to share anything about herself. And now...she desired to hand over the key to the safe to some random stranger? No, that was just it. It was because he was a complete stranger. That was why she could trust him. "I can only see the color red. So when the wrapper isn't labeled, I can't tell by the color, and I hate not knowing what to expect. Like if I think it's orange and it's grape...it's so obnoxious." She was staring at their hands until the connection broke. Looking towards the wind, she let the cold blow across her cheeks and through her hair.

"Lead the way."





[XD! You picked the one color she can actually see! -falls over laughing- (she's colorblind all except for reds). I'm going to pretend he said purple if that's okay. <3]

[Guest]

(XD Mega Ike fail :P, yeah I change to post.)

"Color blind...I must say that in my 25 years of living, you're the first person I've met with such a unique characteristic."
Ike walked a forward, heading to the park pathway. He stopped once he thought of something, before tilting he head slightly to the side, to look back at her.

"If red's the only color you can distinguish, then whats your opinion of that color?" He paused before turning his head back, "Never mind, I often get too nosy, ignore what I said. Anyway, the Pizza place..."

He trailed off, before turning to face her, smiling back to her, seeing as he had just spoken it a softer, more serious tone Ike decided that a smile was in order to make sure he doesn't get too depressing. He then bowed, as if presence of royalty. "If you wouldn't mind following me, I shall take you to your desired destination."

He looked up at her and winked at her before laughing.
"This has been fun Saga, I've not been able to just kick back and relax, there's always been something on my mind recently."
There was something on his mind right now, and it hung over Ike like a cloud. A constant reminder. Ike just tried his best to push it to the back of his mind.

"Aww C'mon lets pick up the pace" Ike shouted enthusiastically running back to her and taking her hand in his.
"Aren't you hungry too?" He added, leading her on her way to the pizza place, which was about a 20 minute walk away from where they were. He tried his made to make sure he wasn't tugging or pulling her.

[Guest]

"Is that so?" She said absentmindedly, pulling down her white shorts so they wouldn't ride up as she walked. She followed him to the brick-enlayed pathway and stopped when he did, bright blue meeting a soft gray. She couldn't tell the color, but she guessed from his light hair that it was a shade of brown. Saga smiled to herself, twirling a long piece of hair in front of her ear. "I like nosy people sometimes. It just means that they are interested in others outside of themselves. It's that lack of selfishness that I admire..." She let the piece fall and moved closer to him. Acting as a newborn child would, she tugged lightly on a chuck of his hair. "Don't be so uptight~ I'm an...open person I guess." Saga tried to sound encouraging, though she was probably the one who seemed too serious. It was a hard struggle for her to avoid putting on her seductive facade and to just be herself in situations like these. She had to enjoy herself as her real self for once.

"Red... well, it's the color of blood," she smiled sadly, "I hate blood. It's so painful...a harsh color that screams death." Saga switched gears, looking up at the sky with a bitter laugh. "I also hate the flavor cherry even though it's the only one I can see." She looked back down from the stars and straight at him inquisitively. "Doesn't that suck?"

Ike was a man of chivalry. She liked that. Very much. Though she was often treated as royalty by her...customers, this was entirely different; it wasn't forced. She felt that for once, she was in reality; this was real-time. It wasn't a show or display of wealth, he was acting genuine and even jokingly so. She was extremely amused to say the least. "Of course! Take me away gallant knight!" She wasn't exactly good at role playing, but she tried. Usually by the time she would have to reply to the man displaying his courtesy, he would drop dead...literally. As explained before, this was much different. Nothing of the case would occur. Saga was ready to stake her life on it. Ike... was the only man she had ever met who had her heart racing every moment. She was nervous, jittery--not the cool and collected Saga she was supposed to be. Welcome to the real world. She was very afraid.

"And what has been on your mind?" She asked sensitively, aware of the fact that she was now prying into his life. The last thing she found she wanted to do was to upset him. Why? Why did it matter? He was just some random stranger whose hair color could be orange for all she knew. "Ah-aah okay!!" Saga stammered abruptly, dashing after him. Their hands connected and the sweet sense of safety drugged her control, bringing the blush back, but this time, to lamplight. This simple act...why did it take the wheel of her emotions? She couldn't quite understand any of it. Though she felt, the best thing to do would be to ignore it and to just go with it. Besides, for the first time in her life, she didn't feel alone.

"Starved!"

[Guest]

"Starved, huh? Thats good, 'cause it means we can get a really BIG pizza with loads of different toppings." Ike replied with enthusiasm. Enthusiastically was Ike's usual way of acting. He liked to think that he was an enthusiastic, positive person most of the time. He slowed down, so that he wasn't leading her, but just walking with her...and holding hands. It was nice, and it made Ike happy that he'd decided to walk through the park, and that he'd met Saga. He glanced over to her and noticed something. She was blushing!

Does this mean that she- Ike cut himself off, paused for thought and then changed his mind. Never mind, it'll probably be my over imaginative mind again...

Throughout his mental thoughts he had been looking at Saga. Once Ike came to realized that he had now been looking at her for quiet a while, he immediately shifted his eyes back onto the path ahead of his feet, scared that he might have been caught 'staring' at Saga.

Well done , you Idiot, you've probably been caught staring and now she thinks your some weirdo or possibly she thinks you're just a good for nothing pervert.

That thought actually made him sad. He cared for what she thought of him, he wanted her to like him. Ike was now pretty certain that he really liked this girl. She was an interesting person, especially to Ike, and when he first met previous girls that he eventually went on to date, he was never this interested in there personality. There was that and that fact she was ridiculously attractive.

He thought about turning around to look at her, but before he could he found himself talking to her, continuing a topic he didn't really want to continue.
"Red is the color of blood and therefore has a negative feeling to it. There's alot of truth to that, but have you ever thought about the idea that red is used for other things. Red is also to symbolic color of love isn't it? What about a red rose?" He trailed off, realizing what he was doing.
"Once again I apologize, its not my place to try and change your opinion..."

[Guest]

Th--they were still holding hands, and he wasn't ahead of her anymore, but walking directly next to her, their speed in sync. Saga's heart skipped a beat. What was this? She just didn't understand why this felt so different. How many other male hands had grasped hers? She had done much, much worse, but still this was grating her emotions and mixing them around until she became so confused. He was only twenty-five too; most of the scum she went out with were...fifteen years his senior to say the least. Saga shook her head, white hair waving downward with the motion. There was a lot of difference, and she just didn't understand exactly why it should be that way.

Her bare feet slapped quietly against the walkway through the park. Her blue eyes watched their shadows meld together in the gray streetlights. She looked up at the first on-comings of his voice and smiled. "Cheese? I love cheese... and mushrooms! But I hate onions..." She shivered at the thought. "I mean, they smell good, but...the way they crunch it's just ugh!" She never cooked with onions either. If the recipe called for them, she ignored it, pretending the words were never written there.

Wait... She blinked. Was he staring at her? She turned away and pretended to fix her hair. He was definitely staring. What was wrong? Something had to be amiss with her. Saga became immediately self-conscious, mentally checking herself over to make sure that she didn't have eyeliner running down her face or anything. Her lipstick was smeared? Nope, didn't feel like it. No. No, it was her feet! That had to be it. Maybe he hadn't noticed before when they were sitting that she wasn't wearing any shoes. Oh no. Was that bad? But wait, he was looking at her face, not her feet. There was something off there... No, no, it was definitely something else that caught his attention. Saga sighed, defeated. She opened her mouth to ask, but suddenly Ike began talking again, continuing a conversation she also didn't really want to continue.

Smiling softly, she took in his words. "A rose...?" Roses were beautiful. Saga adored them. And regardless of who gave her them, she was always thankful even if it was from a piece of scum. Roses were innocent and yet untamed despite being grown just to be cut. They lived fleeting lives, protecting themselves from greedy hands. Soft petals that could easily be ruined, absorbed artificial colors, yet were still able to retain its natural hue deep inside. And when the petals eventually fell and withered, they still clung to that color despite death having already taken it. Saga lifted herself from her reverie and met Ike's eyes. Was he being genuine? Wait, love?

She jolted at the false word and bit her lip. Oh shit. Was that what this was about? He was trying to con her. Did she really look like she had a lot of money? But did doctors in lab coats really go after cash like that, orrr what is a muse? Hah! A disguise. He was good. No, he was too good. Almost as good as she was. Saga stared at their hands. Was this false too? The world was a cruel lying bastard, leading her on always with the prospect of something good. But once the curtain was lifted, she saw the truth. Maybe it was a curse--being able to see the truth. Would it be better if she were gullible? Maybe just as gullible as her sister, Reila, with no knowledge of the real world and human's lustful, money-hungry nature. Could...he really? Saga was willing to test him, she knew all the ropes anyway. Seeing through him would be a cakewalk. She just couldn't get sucked into it...

...

Wait a second. She raised her eyes and blinked at him. They had exited the park and were walking alongside the street now, passing fancy restaurants and the like. If he was really trying to con her, he would have taken her to the Italian pizza place with all the lights on the corner they just passed. First step to wooing a woman was to go towards the fancy lights. Every guy knew that. Saga felt instantly guilty and was so glad she didn't say anything. If he truly was real, thinking such a cold thing about him would surely hurt. She knew... it hurt even when it was true.

"Ne, Ike, ...I'm sorry."

[Guest]

(ooc; Your last post was ridiculously long, it was like the size of some peoples History! lol)

They were walking down the street, walking past all these expensive restaurants. It probably would have made a better impression to offer to go into one of these posh places, but Ike thought that it might be a bit pushy if he offer, and he might come off as desperate and too forthcoming, plus it wasn't like he was carry a insane amount of money with him, he wasn't fully prepared for a bill of great magnitude. Hopefully she'd just be alright with a run of the mill Pizza joint. Ike looked over too her, before piping up

"I think the word sorry is being thrown around too much in our recent conversations. We can't allow this to continue 'cause if we do, this could get very depressing, very fast. Trust me, I know from past experience that stuff like this gets extremely awkward if we don't try to enjoy ourselves to the fullest, even if were only going to get pizza, its the little things in life which....er... " He paused "I'm rambling again, it must be annoying when i do that. I'm sorry, wait THERE IT IS AGAIN! ohh I just went back on myself." Ike covered his face with his hand at his own failure.

They'd just turned the corner when they saw the place, it wasn't big or fancy, just a fast food place that Ike though cooked some damn good Pizzas. He let go of Saga's hand and ran down the road turning when he got to the pizza place. He opened the door and waved to her, before doing another bow,

"C'mon Saga, I thought you were starved?" Ike teased. From this perspective Ike was able to actually get a good look at what Saga was actually wearing, " You must be freezing! Lets go get some Pizza! and something to drink as well. I'll treat. After all, times like these I should be a gentleman, even if I don't look like one...or act like one. "

[Guest]

[Weird huh!? I think it's cause Saga likes Ike~ ;D Now, see I made it shorter for you, better? =3]

"Hahahaha! You're right," she giggled, running a hand through her long, white hair. But in the next moment, she wrapped both her arms around his and placed her cheek against his lab coat. Grinning with pristine teeth, she then let go. She figured hugging his arm was better than anything else she'd normally do. She didn't know him well enough to gauge his reaction that she oddly cared about. For now, this would be best. "It's fine, it's fine! Okay no more from now on," she offered, nodding in conclusion. Though she had wanted to tell him what she was thinking. No, she wanted him to know who she really was, not who she appeared to be. She conned men, she killed men, she...was not meant for this. She didn't really...deserve this sort of fun, did she? She wanted to ask him, but... the moment was already gone.

When they turned the corner, Saga's blue eyes lit up as if she were gazing upon a six-star restaurant. "Waaaa~" she sounded like a little girl filled with excitement. It was needless to say that this particular pampered girl preferred normal to fancy. How many guys had taken her out? Numerous. How many to five-hundred-million-dollar restaurants? All of them. This...well, this was real to her. This was real life. She needed this. The moment he let go of her hand she felt empty, but excited at the same time. Would she...get to again? Maybe. She dashed after his shadow in the streetlights. "Waiiitt! Bare feet! I am starved just hold on!" She called after him, stepping on a stone. Saga winced. Ouch!

When she reached him, she realized he was checking her out. "Hot right? Yeah..." She laughed nervously. Why so nervous? She hadn't a clue really. "I wasn't planning on staying out so late, but... I did so." She shrugged. "I don't really get cold; I should be fine, but the pizza looks so good. Be prepared I can eat a lot!" She plopped down on a chair and grinned up at him. "You look like a gentleman to me. What kind of doctor are you?"

[Guest]

"Nothing more than your average physician, basic stuff really." Ike lied, sure Ike had the university education in biology so was able to start medical school if he wanted to, but the fact was he didn't. His life had been in the criminal business, and Ike was comfortable with it staying there. He walked up to the counter. There were a few chairs and tables but this place was manly a takeout pizza joint and not the most beautiful sight.
"And I could argue all night that I'm more of a lovable oaf than a gentleman, but I never win when it comes to changing people’s mind. Maybe it’ll be nice to be thought of as a gentleman. ANYWAY PIZZA TIME!”

Ike was giddy at the thought of pizza, it was awesome stuff. Especially with company, and even more especially when it was very attractive company. Yep it doesn’t get much better than this.

Sorry Spade old buddy,I’ve found a new Pizza buddy. Then it him, he turned back to Saga, with a determined but confused look upon his face, his eyes although they seemed to be upon Saga, were actually unfocused

Spade. If he were to meet this girl there might be a slight chance he’d be interested in her, He focused again and looked at Saga, become immediately becoming lost once again in his thoughts.

Strap that last part; he’d definitely fall for her. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d snatched a girl I’d taken a liking to from right under my nose. He seems to have some sort of strange power that lets him pick and chose whichever he wants.

It was a mixture of jealousy and depression which made go into a fetal like positron at the front of the counter, which his hand holding on to the edge of it. The guy behind the pizza bar knew Ike seeing as he was a regular customer, and was accustomed to this extravagant behavior. He just sighed and asked Ike if he was going to order anytime soon. Ike shoot up and leaned against the counter, his chin resting on his hand.

Johnson is right Ike. You’re a semi-attractive man with a unfixed income and a good apartment. What’s not to love?

At that very moment a 'chibi' version of his friend spade popped up in his imagination.
"Maybe its you're terrible dress sense or the fact that you're a smoker and an alcoholic." It teased, the now annoyed Ike was quick to reply to the imaginary Spade, which seemed to have the same ability to annoy him as the real thing.

YOU'RE ALL THOSE THINGS TOO, YOU FOOL!

Ike stopped, and took a moment to calm down. He then came back into the real world, and out of his mental thoughts. He'd been getting caught up in things that hadn't even happened.

“Alright Johnson my main Pizzaman! You always know what to say to cheer me up. Anyway I think it’s about time I ordered.” Johnson sigh, knowing that Ike probably didn’t hear what he’d actually said, at the same time the blonde turned back to Saga, “What pizza do you want? Or should it be plural for Pizza? Although I doubt you’ll be able to eat THAT much I mean like, you’ve already eaten TWO pieces of candy, that would make anybody full. ” Ike said the last line sarcastically to entice her into a contest, if she was so starved then surely she’d be up for a eating contest, especially when he’s paying .

[Guest]

[Hell yes that's more like it! Ike is awesome!]

The words 'average physician' spiraled through her mind without brakes. Tentatively, she looked up at him like a little girl afraid to ask for ice cream. Taking a breath, she hesitated and it was clear that she was about to ask him for a favor that she really shouldn't--especially considering that they weren't really close... Her blue eyes darted to the bandage on her arm and then focused steadily on Ike's once more. "Wh-what color is your hair?" She blurted out, her cheeks pink with failure. It was okay, it was okay though. Ike didn't seem to be paying attention. She was safe because he was spacing out about something. Whatever it was, it had just saved her from a lifetime of embarrassment.

She decided to stand there quietly and gather herself while Ike leaned against the counter. She took deep breaths to calm down and finally when she obtained a state of calm, Ike turned to her. Dun dun dun... She blinked once, twice, and then had to cover her mouth to keep herself from laughing. "Two...right that would fill anyone up," she answered daintily, her deep eyes speaking more than her words. "Would it be okay to get mushrooms with extra cheese?" That would...rock. She smiled slightly, her earlier blunder still haunting her. She had to ask him...eventually or something terrible could happen. There was NO way in HELL she was going to go to a hospital and ask about it...

Twirling strands of white hair around her finger, she flopped up to the counter close to him. "No one has ever bought me anything like pizza before...it's a bit..." she thought a moment, searching for the right adjective, "exciting?"

[Guest]

Ike smiled as Saga came to the counter. He adjusted his Doctors lab coat, it'd had helped alot in supporting his lie, although Ike wasn't sure if lying to her was necessarily the best thing to do.

"You've not bought been bought pizza before? Shame on any man who lucky enough to have you as company and not buy pizza. Mind you I bet anyone that took you out would take you to the posh fancy restaurants..."

He trailed off. He thought about how if someone had taken her out to a fancy restaurant then surely she must thinks he's cheap. Being seen as cheap is something Ike should have been able to avoid easily, being actually quite rich, but he always seemed to come off as some one with a low salary. Especially at bars where half the time he spends the night trying to convince others to buy him drinks, until he's inevitably thrown out.

Don't get to full of yourself His inner voice scolded him She probably doesn't see this as a date yer idiot.

The voice inside his head was right. But that didn't matter, if he made a good enough impression, maybe she'll at least remember his name.
"Two pizza's, alright then." He turned to Johnson, a goofy grin on his face.
"We want...FIVE PIZZAS! We want lots of stuff on them, and alot of extra mushrooms and cheese too...oh yeah, no onions on any of them." He remembered Saga saying she disliked onions. Johnson just left to go make the pizza’s and turned around to face to door and large window. He leaned against the counter.
“I hope you don’t mind me-“He turned to face her again but he noticed something that he should have noticed before. A bandage on her arm. He moved in next to her leaned forward on the counter
“What’s that” He signaled the bandage, “Don’t tell me you’ve injured yourself, let me see.” His voice was strangely calm, it can’t have been that serious, could it? The main thing he was thinking about was the fact that she thought he was a doctor but still didn't tell him about her injury. That thought took him out of his little fantasy and back into reality. He was thinking about her as if he'd known her for ages, but he had, they'd only met tonight. You don't become good friends in one night. You don't trust people you've only just met. Ike wasn't sure if he believed in things such as love at first sight where feelings for another person blossomed instantly.

[Guest]

[Sorry for the wait and my 900-word post <3 =3]

"Yeah I don't like fancy restaurants--being high strung all the time," she said like her words were a sigh of relief that it was all over. She wasn't going to get pulled into their shit anymore. Instead, she was going to pull them into hers. Fake fun--fancy flamboyancy was a mask to hide the corruption of society clashing with her own existence. No more. Things would be different now; Saga wasn't going to let what happened to her the other night ever occur again. The fear rose like a cold finger trailing down her spine in the snow--the white snow. She was staring at her hands suddenly, tracing her nonexistent fingerprints with her eyes where they used to be. Her memory was stuck in that time, frozen and trapped in the eternal snow of her worst nightmares.

She looked up suddenly, barely registering that Ike had ordered five pizzas rather than two. She felt a ghost of a smile caressing her lips before her mind gathered what was happening. She closed her eyes, absorbing the blissful feeling in which she had never endured. This was entirely different than any other pleasure that life had given her before. Then her amused blue eyes were open and focused fervently on the doctor as he seemed to just notice the sticky, itchy bandage that had been driving her crazy this entire time even despite the fact that she knew she was already crazy. Whatever; it didn't matter; what mattered was that he did in fact notice. Now that they were in a more decent lighting, he probably could see her much better now. She probably had grass in her hair. As discreetly as she could, she began combing through her hair with her free hand while Ike took on a serious air that made her blood steam and her heart beat faster.

What was this? She almost felt nervous. The attention he was giving her was so strangely genuine, she had to wonder once again what his aim was. Saga decided that she would test him tonight, no, it wasn't a test really. Maybe this was something she wanted. If they parted after tonight, would she ever see him again? This was what she wanted: she would go home with him tonight. And tonight if he went for her, she would know what he was after. But something told her he wouldn't. He didn't seem like one of them. Was he even a man? No, he was one of those real gentlemen; the ones who she had been sure didn't exist.

He was serious--with his calming voice and piercing eyes whose gaze did not hurt, but did something quite different then what she was used to. Saga lowered her gaze from them before she got lost and took a deep, silent breath. He couldn't be human; he was too perfect. "No..." Saga felt herself murmur with a strange lack of energy. She raised her eyes back to his, withdrawn, quiet eyes. She looked like a caged animal let out from the bars for the first time and suddenly hadn't a clue how to act, or in this case, react. "it wasn't me..." her soft, feminine voice stopped abruptly. She shouldn't tell him the truth; if she told him the truth, then everything they had now would be ruined. It would all be over. She didn't want it to be over. Could she finally get what she wanted? But no, she had to explain. This was one person she felt she didn't want to lie to. Let this be it, she thought to herself. Let him be the only one.

For once, Saga was sure of an undying truth--she tasted eternity and though it pained her, she knew this was what was called 'love at first sight.' Was she living a fantasy, no, but this...was so unrealistic that it had to be real. She knew her mind never rationalized well, but it made sense. It did. Hell, she couldn't perceive time, but she knew this had to be what she thought it was...

"Someone--a man...wouldn't stop." She grabbed for a slice of pizza straight out of the oven and began to eat it, not realizing she was practically burning herself. "He did this. And then I killed him." She was completely serious, a small taste of her venom entering the edges of her soft, whispered voice. "I..won't lie to you. That's what I do; I kill people." Her eyes dropped like rocks to the bottom of a lake, murky at the bottom, and mixed with tears. Why...did she have tears in her eyes? It angered her, made her feel weak. So instead of looking down, she looked up. The stars spread out before her in constellations she could never guess, but she knew only one: Orion's Belt. Her mother had told her about it once when she was very young...before she died. And there it was, clear as day--burning balls of fire, flickering down at her from another dimension. Looking up at the stars sometimes made her wonder if she was even human. "My mind...is broken too," she whispered to the sky as if she had been talking to it this entire time. Then, she took another bite of her pizza and smiled.

[Guest]

OOC: I'm sorry for the delay, I've been kinda off lately


Ike simply stared at the girl. Wait, she wasn't just some girl, her name was Saga. His attention had been drawn from her injury to her face. It had been hooked and pull up like a fish on a rod. It was what she said, she confessed to killing someone. Not only that she mentioned that the murder was in self defense against some sort of rape? What did she think he was? Did she trust him that much after meeting him tonight, that she felt she could confess such serious things like murder and Rape. It didn't seem to make sense. How could she trust him? If he was in her position, then he wouldn't have the trust to reveal such things, in case that the person he confined to would betray him and turn him over. But maybe that was just him, being scared of the police. He was by no means a pure person, and from the sound of it neither was she. Maybe this was better for them, if she really was a murder, then his true line of work would be such a shock and more importantly if he was the get close to her, then maybe she wouldn't be in as much danger as someone else would be. Maybe he could tell her his secret...

Then there was a flood of thoughts in his brain, all of them trying to convince himself that it was in no way a good idea. She could be lying, trying to test him, but she seemed so sincere. There was also the idea that even if she could protect herself, the dangers in his world were immense. The pizza had lost its importance, pretty much everything had, apart from these two.

"A broken mind, huh?" He spoke simply, lacking he enthusiasm he had only moments ago. He stood tall, looked at her before, somewhat awkwardly, lightly embracing her. Nothing to serious, just a caring heartfelt hug.

"That's pretty bad. Its going to take all my energy fixing it..." It probably sounded like the cheesiest thing he'd said all night, all week even, but it felt right. If she could confess to him, then he could accept her and her problems and do his very best to help her out.
"What you do doesn't change the person you are, Saga. It merely changes the opinions of those who don't know you. Fortunately, I know you."

[Guest]

As she was swallowing her pizza, sweet blue eyes raised in shock to settle on the doctor. What was he...what was he saying? A smile lit up her face, a drop of pizza sauce coloring the corner of her lips. With a whip of white hair, she flung herself into his arms. Shutting her eyes tightly, she took deep breaths to prevent the sobs from breaking free from inside of her. In so much time...she had never felt something so whole--so complete. Her entire being was heightened and it took all of her energy just to regulate her breathing. "Do you?" She asked softly, a cloud of her breath touching his ear. She let go of him slightly and pulled away to look directly at him without fear--no--hiding the fear inside. She was afraid...already afraid of losing this person...this person who could say things like that. She needed him. He was essential to the continuation of her existence. "I want you to know me," she took a deep breath, "that's why...that's why I told you something..." she looked to the side, staring at the puddles of grease atop the steaming pizza, "so randomly that I've never told anyone else before. And I don't know why, I--" She buried her face in her hands, no longer able to hold back the sobs that rocked her body. She bent down to the dirty ground and then sat down, curling her arms around her knees and quietly cried. What should she do? Saga was so shocked...she couldn't catch up to the situation. Her body and mind was so bewildered that this was the only thing that she was capable of doing.

And finally when she was able to breathe again, she raised her head and in a pathetic voice, asked a simple question that held meaning for the first time in her life: "Stay with me?"

[EXIT TOPIC]

[Let's throw them together in the mission! <3]

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