(Untitled)

[dreamtaker_noah]

[Well, the Dressing Room hasn't seen this in a while. A room full of dead bodies - mostly Finders and other unfortunate NPCs that usually get the short end of the stick when Noahs go on a rampage. Though strangely enough, the room is lacking the usual blood and gore that usually accompanies a Noah having too much fun. Just quiet lifeless bodies

Comments

[fallforthesky]

[Given that half the room is comprised of people checking for signs of life, Lenalee has forgone that option and is just... standing over near said wall with both fists tightly clenched, having read and reread the message at least a dozen times already. There's a handful of denizens she can see at a mere glance who have Rhode's symbol emblazoned across their face, and still others that she hasn't been able to get a glimpse at... Slowly tearing her gaze away from them to look, almost blankly, at Allen while he checks the corpses over.]

Allen, look at me.

[meansprout]

[...He looks over at her after closing a Finder's eyes.]

Lenalee?

1/2

[fallforthesky]

[And there's his mark. Even though she'd been expecting it, something in her chest still violently twists upon seeing the purple spirals playing out over his face. Taking one very small step back, because while no one who's been marked thus far seem to have taken to attacking anyone, it's still an automatic response after what Lavi had done back home.]

[fallforthesky]

You, too... She got you, too.

[meansprout]

She--? [He watches Lenalee take a step back, wide-eyed; what did he do, is this still about the-- when he actually catches a glimpse of the message on the wall by her.

He rubs his cheek, prying his eyes away from the words and back to her. His stomach twists. He really would have preferred she hadn't found out about something like that.]

I'll be fine...

[fallforthesky]

That's a lie. [She can barely hear herself over the blood pulsing in her ears. If he still has Crown Clown after going home, then he probably knows what Rhode...]

[meansprout]

I will! I'll be fine. Lavi was fine. [If Lavi can do it, then so can he, right?]

[fallforthesky]

[Ah, so he does.]

That was-- that was luck. [She's still not sure how he managed to defeat her, and Lavi was only fine after nearly breaking every bone in Allen's body and then some.] And I don't think this is going to be the same as that! Rhode wanted to make you turn on Lavi back on the Ark, but now she's... she's... I-I don't even know...

[...stepping forward now, just a little bit, to get a better look at the mark. Her stomach's still twisting. Faintly:] She's simply being sadistic.

[meansprout]

[He glances at the bodies briefly, before getting to his feet.] That's all she ever is.

But I'm not gonna let her win, whatever she tries. She'll be stopped. [He sounds sure of himself, at least.]

[fallforthesky]

[There's a lot of doubt shadowing her features still, but the set of her jaw is quick becoming all steely determination. Matching his self-assured tone remarkably well for someone without a functional weapon:] Me neither. I won't let her hurt you.

[meansprout]

[Don't think he doesn't notice the lack of Innocence there. He doesn't quite make eye contact because he's sure she'll object, but he has to say it;] I won't let her hurt me. You should-- worry about yourself. You shouldn't... be around people with the mark this week...

[fallforthesky]

[It is completely inconspicuous, what are you talking about. And she bristles instantly, disguising any hurt with grit teeth. He may not realize it, and possibly might never hear it (especially not in so many words), but she's found herself developing something of an Allen complex. So damn straight she's objecting.]

What are you talking about? Saying to stay away from everyone while this happens- that's like saying I shouldn't be around Noah when they're dangerous, or civilians when they might possibly be Akuma, or Exorcists when they might--! [Be Noah.] --Aren't you the one who told me that people shouldn't be so quick to act like there's a truce here? Just because Rhode didn't choose me doesn't mean-- doesn't mean this doesn't involve me!

[A pause, wherein she tries to compose herself after that lovely outburst. Then, slightly more calmly:] You, of all people, asking me to walk away? Really, Allen?

[meansprout]

[He doesn't say anything for a moment. Normally he would yell right back, be a massive hypocrite and not give a damn. But HE DOESN'T WANT TO ARGUE WITH HER hngggg. Fists clenched, eyes glued to a empty spot on the floor. Looking like he expects to be slapped.]

...I'm asking you to stay safe. You don't... have your boots right now, so... [He doesn't want to end up attacking her. He wouldn't ever under any circumstance, of course, but it would just be so much worse if he had that kind of advantage over her.]

[fallforthesky]

[Shame that they've already done the attacking-one-another thing. The sentiment would mean a lot more if they hadn't. As opposed to getting close and hitting him like he seems to be anticipating, Lenalee starts backpedalling again, hand going down to the pouch her anklets are in. Emotional blackmail of the highest degree; that's what you're doing now, Allen. Intentional or not.] Don't.

[meansprout]

[He looks up at her, but keeps his mouth shut. All he's thinking of right now is keeping her away before he ends up attacking her and they find themselves in the same situation as before, roles reversed, and it's the last thing either of them needs. He's not sure what else he can say to her, but he's not about to stop her from stepping away.]

[fallforthesky]

[Just keeps on backing up. That's what he wants, after all, right? For her to stay out of it and do everything on his own. She knocks heels with a Finder, but doesn't seem to notice for how she's staring at him.] ...You're just like him, you know.