Dis Aliter Visum - Chapter 77 - 2,415 words
Note: Uh, yeah... this didn't come out as well as I had hoped it would.
Beta-reader: Cookie
Chapter summary: Eloped!
Chapter 77
“That was absolutely delightful!”
Kuroro glanced to his left.
“Miss Florenzia.”
“And you were actually worried,” she laughed. “Oh, you must dance another one!”
Kurapica tugged delicately at his sleeve in warning, not that Kuroro needed it.
“Ah, maybe in a moment,” he offered. “It's been a long time since I've danced like this and I don't know for my sister, but I could use ten or fifteen minutes.”
“Then we should get away from the dancers,” the young lady reminded them.
She walked closer, but to Kuroro's surprise, she went to Kurapica and slipped her arm through his.
“Ah, I'm so jealous of you right now,” she informed the Kuruta, walking him towards the large French doors that opened onto a terrace. “Your brother is amazing! Tell me, tell me; is he married?”
Kurapica coughed to cover something; whether it was shock or laughter, Kuroro didn't know. He wanted to hear what Kurapica answered, but the older gentleman got his attention.
“I'm sorry,” he told Kuroro. “For someone who so loves a time when the ladies were more quiet and subdued, Florenzia can be quite a bit to handle.”
“Not at all,” Kuroro answered politely. “I think her enthusiasm is quite charming.”
“You only think that because you didn't raise her,” the proud father answered with a chuckle, though his chest puffed up a bit.
“She must have been quite a spirited child,” the Spider Head agreed.
He kept his eyes on the two 'ladies' in front of them, and saw Kurapica indicate the doors. Florenzia dutifully guided her guest outside. Kuroro and the old gentleman followed. They stood just outside, a little to the side so as not to block the doors, while Florenzia led Kurapica to a small group of elegant, beautiful young women. They gathered around the young man, talking excitedly.
“I'm Florenzo,” the hostess' father introduced himself, before adding an amused, “I know, I know; my wife didn't have the most dizzying imagination.”
Kuroro chuckled and glanced at him.
“Isn't it rather that she loves you very much?”
Florenzo looked surprised for a moment, then cleared his throat.
“Well, hum!” He eyed the Spider Head. “What are you, an elite businessman? You sure know how to compliment people.”
“Nothing so glamorous, I'm afraid,” Kuroro assured him. “I usually deal in art and antiques, but not so much on the people front. I'm on vacation now, sort of.” He indicated Kurapica with his head. “She wanted to see the world before settling down.”
“Wholfir, huh,” Florenzo commented. “Let me tell you this now: the only thing I know about your people is what my daughter just told me, about your sister being engaged and how you must stick to her like glue. She was really disappointed that she could not dance with you.”
“I could always return once my duties are done,” Kuroro pointed out. “I'll dance with her then, if she hosts another such party.”
“You won't, though,” the old gentleman commented.
Kuroro smiled. “Maybe not. How did you know?”
“I happen to be an elite businessman in my own right. I can spot an empty promise when I hear one.”
“I'll keep that in mind,” Kuroro laughed.
A few eager gentlemen joined the young lady and her charge again and Kuroro frowned, keeping his eyes on the group. Really, those guys should get a clue. At least two of them had been turned away by the girls a little earlier. There was this foppish young man with curly brown hair who was trying yet again to get to Kuroro's young accomplice.
“Should you intervene?” Florenzo asked him.
“Not yet,” Kuroro answered. “For now, I'll just keep an eye out. There's nothing improper with him trying to get close to her. If my sister can't deal with him, she'll let me know.”
“Sounds tough,” the old gentleman commented.
The young dandy was desperately trying to get Kurapica's attention. When he put his hand on Kurapica's arm, Kuroro took a step forward, but the younger man deftly and easily slid out from under his grasp. It was followed by a solid thwack of the dainty fan, right across the knuckles. Kuroro winced, but at the same time, he felt an odd sense of pride with Kurapica's reaction. He held his peace.
“Ouch,” Florenzo commented. “She's deadly with that fan.”
“Serves him right for not taking a hint,” Kuroro answered right away.
Florenzo glanced at him, an amused twinkle in his grey eyes. Kuroro met his gaze, but both returned to Kurapica when another resounding thwack was heard.
“He's persistent,” the older gentleman commented.
Kuroro frowned. “She'll fend him off,” he assured Florenzo. “She's not nearly as fragile as she looks.”
“Mm,” the man hummed. “That must make your job easier.”
“Not nearly easy enough,” Kuroro answered with a sigh.
They watched Kurapica for a moment. The young lord had finally learned not to touch the young 'woman' and was now trying to convince him to tell him his name. Kurapica kept right on ignoring him. He was insanely patient. Kuroro felt sure that his companion had loved the chance to snap that fan on the idiot's hand. More girls gathered around them and were now trying to form a wall between the young impertinent lord and his target.
“I've been meaning to ask,” Florenzo suddenly said, “You're not really her brother, are you.”
Kuroro inwardly swore.
“Pardon me?”
“I said,” Florenzo repeated, amusement clear on his face, “you're not really her brother.”
“What gave you that impression?” the Spider Head asked carefully, needing to know what had given that information away.
“Mm,” his interlocutor hummed softly, as if analyzing things he'd observed but not consciously processed. “Just a hunch,” he finally answered.
He observed the young man quietly for a moment, studying his face, which Kuroro was careful to keep blank, save for a look of friendly curiosity. Florenzo's gaze was heavy, searching.
“Well,” he finally said, the word slow and drawn-out, “I think your demeanour is not quite something I'd expect if you were really siblings.” He glanced towards the Kuruta before returning to his eyes. “It's the looks you give her, especially since those young men started flocking around her.”
“You know I have to protect her honour,” Kuroro enunciated carefully.
“You can't fool me,” the old man said with a shake of his head. “No brother would look at his sister like you look at her.”
Kuroro had to think, and think fast, but to his horror, he realized that he wasn't sure of the looks he was sending Kurapica. Was he looking at him like he would and underling? Surely not like an enemy, as he had not viewed him as such since York Shin. Maybe he looked on as a mentor, since he was using this excuse, searching for the Scarlet Eyes, to teach Kurapica the basics of what being a Spider entailed.
Florenzo's lips curled into a smile. “Ah,” he said with a knowing look, “forbidden love! How wonderful. Must be nice to be so young.”
Kuroro tried not to look as dumbfounded as he felt. “I'm sorry?”
“Oh, you don't need to pretend; not with me, anyway. I won't out you, no worries. Just confirm this for me; you've eloped, haven't you?”
“We haven't,” he started saying, but Florenzo cut him short.
“I told you, there's no need to pretend. So, an arranged engagement with another man forced you to take matters into your own hands and elope, right? Or have I gotten everything wrong?”
Thinking fast, Kuroro took on a pleading look. “Don't tell anyone, please. Our lives are in your hands. And don't let her know you've found us out. She'll become extremely anxious and I cannot bear to see her unhappy.”
“Oh,” Florenzo nodded, “you can count on me. I'll take your secret to my grave.”
The old fool had gotten everything wrong, but Kuroro had built up a rapport with both Florenzo and his daughter, which would help in the end. As he stood there, watching his young protégé lie and act the part of a noble born Wholfir lady, the sun dipped behind the horizon. It would soon be time to initiate the plan.
Kurapica caught his eyes, but Kuroro looked away, grabbed a glass of whiskey from a passing staff holding a tray and he pretended to sip at it. It was a clear not yet sent at the younger man. He started milking Florenzo on his business, on the off chance that he find a use for the information in the future. He kept an eye on Kurapica and the endless stream of suitors that kept trying to approach him.
When he deemed the hour sufficiently late and the night dark enough, Kuroro silently set his glass down. A moment later, Kurapica noticed and excused himself from the group. Just before he left, he leaned closer to Miss Florenzia and whispered something in her ear. She nodded and smiled, then Kurapica made his way to Kuroro.
“I'm going to freshen up my make up,” the young Kuruta told him, perfectly in character. “Would you accompany me?”
“But of course, my lady,” Kuroro replied, an edge of teasing in his voice.
Kurapica sighed in a definite little-sister-annoyed-with-the-teasing sort of way, and his lips twitched in a tiny little smile. Kuroro offered him his arm.
“If you'll excuse me,” he told Florenzo, “duty calls.”
“Of course, of course,” the gentleman replied.
Kuroro led his 'sister' away, smiling pleasantly at other guests, but deftly avoiding any real conversation. All in all, he was trying to portray that they were perfectly average party-goers. When they reached one of the large washrooms, in a quiet hallway on the second floor, Kuroro went in with his companion.
“Ten minutes,” he reminded the younger man. “Ten minutes and you have to be back.”
“I know,” the blond replied, already taking off his wig.
He turned around so that Kuroro could help him out of the dress. The older man quickly loosened the corset and undid all fastenings on the skirt. He took a step back and called up the Skill Hunter. The Fun Fun Cloth appeared and with it, a duffle bag.
Kurapica, now down to his underwear, quickly dug out a T-shirt and a pair of loose-fitted jeans. He put them on and changed shoes after putting lifts in the ones he was to wear for the mission. He pulled a baseball cap over his hair, the bill neatly shadowing his face. He picked up the empty bag.
“Be careful,” Kuroro told him.
“I will,” Kurapica assured him. “Help me up?”
Kuroro heaved him up and the blond pushed one of the ceiling tiles up, then pulled himself through the hole and disappeared from view. Kuroro hated to let him go alone, but they had both decided that this was the best way to get the Scarlet Eyes without harming any of the guests, something that the blond was ridiculously insistent about.
Once Kurapica was gone, the Spider Head put all of Kurapica's costume away in the Fun Fun Cloth before dismissing the Skill Hunter book. He then stepped out of the room and took position in front of the door, mentally counting seconds and minutes, waiting for Kurapica to return.
A few people came by and one tried to raise a conversation, but Kuroro skillfully deflected questions and sent them on their way.
To pass the time, he tried picturing Kurapica's actions. First, the younger man would crawl in the ceiling/floor space for a few metres, then go through the floor of the third story where no guest was allowed to go. From there, he would find his way into Florenzia's private library. That's where the entry to her safe would be, as best the could tell from the floor plan they'd found in the public records at the public library. He'd schooled the younger man in the ways to crack open a safe, and he was fairly confident in Kurapica's skills.
The minutes ticked by, creeping by, agonizingly slow. He started fiddling at his phone, partly so any camera pointed at him would show a bored brother waiting on his little sister, partly so he could keep an eye on the time. All of his senses were turned outwards, wanting to know well in advance whether someone dangerous was coming his way or worse, near Kurapica on the floor above. Every creak of wood, every voice rising from somewhere in the house, every movement of shadows on the walls caught his attention and annoyed him. The creaking was old wood settling. The voices came from the party-goers downstairs. The shadows were just wind making the drapes move.
Finally, finally, he heard (just barely) Kurapica jumping down from the ceiling in the bathroom behind him. A moment later, there were two light knocks on the door. Kuroro opened it and quickly slipped into the washroom. Once they were locked in, he called his book and from there, the nen cloth and Kurapica's costume.
“Got them?” he asked the blond.
“Yeah,” Kurapica assured him, placing the bag onto the counter with so much reverence that the Spider Head knew the statement to be true.
“All right,” he said, taking the hat off of the blond head, “let's get you dolled up again.”
Kurapica sighed, but he stepped into the skirt, pulled it up and fastened it. Only then did he get rid of the pants. He took off his T-shirt and Kuroro stopped him for a moment so that he could make sure that the tattoo had not smudged. He had used professional body paint, and it had held. Kurapica slipped on the blouse and the corset, then turned away so that Kuroro could tighten the lace.
“Ugh, so tight,” he groaned. Once it was tied, he said, “The wig.”
Kuroro handed it to him and together, they put it back on him and hid all of his golden hair under the cap. The Spider Head took a moment to make sure that the transformation was complete, then they picked up the clothes, the hat and the bag with the Eyes, and Kuroro put them away in the Fun Fun Cloth once more.
As they came down the stairs on the way back to the main floor, an alarm rang twice. Kuroro inwardly swore. He didn't think the theft would be discovered so quickly.
They obviously had a long night ahead of them.
Beta-reader: Cookie
Chapter summary: Eloped!
Chapter 77
“That was absolutely delightful!”
Kuroro glanced to his left.
“Miss Florenzia.”
“And you were actually worried,” she laughed. “Oh, you must dance another one!”
Kurapica tugged delicately at his sleeve in warning, not that Kuroro needed it.
“Ah, maybe in a moment,” he offered. “It's been a long time since I've danced like this and I don't know for my sister, but I could use ten or fifteen minutes.”
“Then we should get away from the dancers,” the young lady reminded them.
She walked closer, but to Kuroro's surprise, she went to Kurapica and slipped her arm through his.
“Ah, I'm so jealous of you right now,” she informed the Kuruta, walking him towards the large French doors that opened onto a terrace. “Your brother is amazing! Tell me, tell me; is he married?”
Kurapica coughed to cover something; whether it was shock or laughter, Kuroro didn't know. He wanted to hear what Kurapica answered, but the older gentleman got his attention.
“I'm sorry,” he told Kuroro. “For someone who so loves a time when the ladies were more quiet and subdued, Florenzia can be quite a bit to handle.”
“Not at all,” Kuroro answered politely. “I think her enthusiasm is quite charming.”
“You only think that because you didn't raise her,” the proud father answered with a chuckle, though his chest puffed up a bit.
“She must have been quite a spirited child,” the Spider Head agreed.
He kept his eyes on the two 'ladies' in front of them, and saw Kurapica indicate the doors. Florenzia dutifully guided her guest outside. Kuroro and the old gentleman followed. They stood just outside, a little to the side so as not to block the doors, while Florenzia led Kurapica to a small group of elegant, beautiful young women. They gathered around the young man, talking excitedly.
“I'm Florenzo,” the hostess' father introduced himself, before adding an amused, “I know, I know; my wife didn't have the most dizzying imagination.”
Kuroro chuckled and glanced at him.
“Isn't it rather that she loves you very much?”
Florenzo looked surprised for a moment, then cleared his throat.
“Well, hum!” He eyed the Spider Head. “What are you, an elite businessman? You sure know how to compliment people.”
“Nothing so glamorous, I'm afraid,” Kuroro assured him. “I usually deal in art and antiques, but not so much on the people front. I'm on vacation now, sort of.” He indicated Kurapica with his head. “She wanted to see the world before settling down.”
“Wholfir, huh,” Florenzo commented. “Let me tell you this now: the only thing I know about your people is what my daughter just told me, about your sister being engaged and how you must stick to her like glue. She was really disappointed that she could not dance with you.”
“I could always return once my duties are done,” Kuroro pointed out. “I'll dance with her then, if she hosts another such party.”
“You won't, though,” the old gentleman commented.
Kuroro smiled. “Maybe not. How did you know?”
“I happen to be an elite businessman in my own right. I can spot an empty promise when I hear one.”
“I'll keep that in mind,” Kuroro laughed.
A few eager gentlemen joined the young lady and her charge again and Kuroro frowned, keeping his eyes on the group. Really, those guys should get a clue. At least two of them had been turned away by the girls a little earlier. There was this foppish young man with curly brown hair who was trying yet again to get to Kuroro's young accomplice.
“Should you intervene?” Florenzo asked him.
“Not yet,” Kuroro answered. “For now, I'll just keep an eye out. There's nothing improper with him trying to get close to her. If my sister can't deal with him, she'll let me know.”
“Sounds tough,” the old gentleman commented.
The young dandy was desperately trying to get Kurapica's attention. When he put his hand on Kurapica's arm, Kuroro took a step forward, but the younger man deftly and easily slid out from under his grasp. It was followed by a solid thwack of the dainty fan, right across the knuckles. Kuroro winced, but at the same time, he felt an odd sense of pride with Kurapica's reaction. He held his peace.
“Ouch,” Florenzo commented. “She's deadly with that fan.”
“Serves him right for not taking a hint,” Kuroro answered right away.
Florenzo glanced at him, an amused twinkle in his grey eyes. Kuroro met his gaze, but both returned to Kurapica when another resounding thwack was heard.
“He's persistent,” the older gentleman commented.
Kuroro frowned. “She'll fend him off,” he assured Florenzo. “She's not nearly as fragile as she looks.”
“Mm,” the man hummed. “That must make your job easier.”
“Not nearly easy enough,” Kuroro answered with a sigh.
They watched Kurapica for a moment. The young lord had finally learned not to touch the young 'woman' and was now trying to convince him to tell him his name. Kurapica kept right on ignoring him. He was insanely patient. Kuroro felt sure that his companion had loved the chance to snap that fan on the idiot's hand. More girls gathered around them and were now trying to form a wall between the young impertinent lord and his target.
“I've been meaning to ask,” Florenzo suddenly said, “You're not really her brother, are you.”
Kuroro inwardly swore.
“Pardon me?”
“I said,” Florenzo repeated, amusement clear on his face, “you're not really her brother.”
“What gave you that impression?” the Spider Head asked carefully, needing to know what had given that information away.
“Mm,” his interlocutor hummed softly, as if analyzing things he'd observed but not consciously processed. “Just a hunch,” he finally answered.
He observed the young man quietly for a moment, studying his face, which Kuroro was careful to keep blank, save for a look of friendly curiosity. Florenzo's gaze was heavy, searching.
“Well,” he finally said, the word slow and drawn-out, “I think your demeanour is not quite something I'd expect if you were really siblings.” He glanced towards the Kuruta before returning to his eyes. “It's the looks you give her, especially since those young men started flocking around her.”
“You know I have to protect her honour,” Kuroro enunciated carefully.
“You can't fool me,” the old man said with a shake of his head. “No brother would look at his sister like you look at her.”
Kuroro had to think, and think fast, but to his horror, he realized that he wasn't sure of the looks he was sending Kurapica. Was he looking at him like he would and underling? Surely not like an enemy, as he had not viewed him as such since York Shin. Maybe he looked on as a mentor, since he was using this excuse, searching for the Scarlet Eyes, to teach Kurapica the basics of what being a Spider entailed.
Florenzo's lips curled into a smile. “Ah,” he said with a knowing look, “forbidden love! How wonderful. Must be nice to be so young.”
Kuroro tried not to look as dumbfounded as he felt. “I'm sorry?”
“Oh, you don't need to pretend; not with me, anyway. I won't out you, no worries. Just confirm this for me; you've eloped, haven't you?”
“We haven't,” he started saying, but Florenzo cut him short.
“I told you, there's no need to pretend. So, an arranged engagement with another man forced you to take matters into your own hands and elope, right? Or have I gotten everything wrong?”
Thinking fast, Kuroro took on a pleading look. “Don't tell anyone, please. Our lives are in your hands. And don't let her know you've found us out. She'll become extremely anxious and I cannot bear to see her unhappy.”
“Oh,” Florenzo nodded, “you can count on me. I'll take your secret to my grave.”
The old fool had gotten everything wrong, but Kuroro had built up a rapport with both Florenzo and his daughter, which would help in the end. As he stood there, watching his young protégé lie and act the part of a noble born Wholfir lady, the sun dipped behind the horizon. It would soon be time to initiate the plan.
Kurapica caught his eyes, but Kuroro looked away, grabbed a glass of whiskey from a passing staff holding a tray and he pretended to sip at it. It was a clear not yet sent at the younger man. He started milking Florenzo on his business, on the off chance that he find a use for the information in the future. He kept an eye on Kurapica and the endless stream of suitors that kept trying to approach him.
When he deemed the hour sufficiently late and the night dark enough, Kuroro silently set his glass down. A moment later, Kurapica noticed and excused himself from the group. Just before he left, he leaned closer to Miss Florenzia and whispered something in her ear. She nodded and smiled, then Kurapica made his way to Kuroro.
“I'm going to freshen up my make up,” the young Kuruta told him, perfectly in character. “Would you accompany me?”
“But of course, my lady,” Kuroro replied, an edge of teasing in his voice.
Kurapica sighed in a definite little-sister-annoyed-with-the-teasing sort of way, and his lips twitched in a tiny little smile. Kuroro offered him his arm.
“If you'll excuse me,” he told Florenzo, “duty calls.”
“Of course, of course,” the gentleman replied.
Kuroro led his 'sister' away, smiling pleasantly at other guests, but deftly avoiding any real conversation. All in all, he was trying to portray that they were perfectly average party-goers. When they reached one of the large washrooms, in a quiet hallway on the second floor, Kuroro went in with his companion.
“Ten minutes,” he reminded the younger man. “Ten minutes and you have to be back.”
“I know,” the blond replied, already taking off his wig.
He turned around so that Kuroro could help him out of the dress. The older man quickly loosened the corset and undid all fastenings on the skirt. He took a step back and called up the Skill Hunter. The Fun Fun Cloth appeared and with it, a duffle bag.
Kurapica, now down to his underwear, quickly dug out a T-shirt and a pair of loose-fitted jeans. He put them on and changed shoes after putting lifts in the ones he was to wear for the mission. He pulled a baseball cap over his hair, the bill neatly shadowing his face. He picked up the empty bag.
“Be careful,” Kuroro told him.
“I will,” Kurapica assured him. “Help me up?”
Kuroro heaved him up and the blond pushed one of the ceiling tiles up, then pulled himself through the hole and disappeared from view. Kuroro hated to let him go alone, but they had both decided that this was the best way to get the Scarlet Eyes without harming any of the guests, something that the blond was ridiculously insistent about.
Once Kurapica was gone, the Spider Head put all of Kurapica's costume away in the Fun Fun Cloth before dismissing the Skill Hunter book. He then stepped out of the room and took position in front of the door, mentally counting seconds and minutes, waiting for Kurapica to return.
A few people came by and one tried to raise a conversation, but Kuroro skillfully deflected questions and sent them on their way.
To pass the time, he tried picturing Kurapica's actions. First, the younger man would crawl in the ceiling/floor space for a few metres, then go through the floor of the third story where no guest was allowed to go. From there, he would find his way into Florenzia's private library. That's where the entry to her safe would be, as best the could tell from the floor plan they'd found in the public records at the public library. He'd schooled the younger man in the ways to crack open a safe, and he was fairly confident in Kurapica's skills.
The minutes ticked by, creeping by, agonizingly slow. He started fiddling at his phone, partly so any camera pointed at him would show a bored brother waiting on his little sister, partly so he could keep an eye on the time. All of his senses were turned outwards, wanting to know well in advance whether someone dangerous was coming his way or worse, near Kurapica on the floor above. Every creak of wood, every voice rising from somewhere in the house, every movement of shadows on the walls caught his attention and annoyed him. The creaking was old wood settling. The voices came from the party-goers downstairs. The shadows were just wind making the drapes move.
Finally, finally, he heard (just barely) Kurapica jumping down from the ceiling in the bathroom behind him. A moment later, there were two light knocks on the door. Kuroro opened it and quickly slipped into the washroom. Once they were locked in, he called his book and from there, the nen cloth and Kurapica's costume.
“Got them?” he asked the blond.
“Yeah,” Kurapica assured him, placing the bag onto the counter with so much reverence that the Spider Head knew the statement to be true.
“All right,” he said, taking the hat off of the blond head, “let's get you dolled up again.”
Kurapica sighed, but he stepped into the skirt, pulled it up and fastened it. Only then did he get rid of the pants. He took off his T-shirt and Kuroro stopped him for a moment so that he could make sure that the tattoo had not smudged. He had used professional body paint, and it had held. Kurapica slipped on the blouse and the corset, then turned away so that Kuroro could tighten the lace.
“Ugh, so tight,” he groaned. Once it was tied, he said, “The wig.”
Kuroro handed it to him and together, they put it back on him and hid all of his golden hair under the cap. The Spider Head took a moment to make sure that the transformation was complete, then they picked up the clothes, the hat and the bag with the Eyes, and Kuroro put them away in the Fun Fun Cloth once more.
As they came down the stairs on the way back to the main floor, an alarm rang twice. Kuroro inwardly swore. He didn't think the theft would be discovered so quickly.
They obviously had a long night ahead of them.