Disclaimers: All characters belong to rightful owners.
Story concieved by Lee.


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"No," Sophia said sharply, "it is not." She shuddered very slightly; yes, she could understand why Alexei would think this was the only avenue of justice open to him, but what he didn't yet realize was how flawed his thinking went. Even if the story of possession was true-- and she was by no means convinced-- he still had no idea, none at all...

"Alexei," she began again, her voice dropping back down into its usual muted tones, "I'm terribly sorry for you... I know what such a loss is like. But you have no right to take someone's life-- no one does."

She paused to press her lips into a thin line, throat working to surpress the faint warning of tears in the back of her throat. *Think about it some other time, now is not the time, not the time at all. Don't you dare indulge yourself.* "And--" she forced out, "why- - why is Sam a part of this?"

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"Well, let's see... I'm nineteen, and heir to the Capulet Corporation. Which means, when my dad kicks the bucket, I am going to be stuck as the head of that gigantic writhing monster. Don't get me wrong. It's a great company and all! It's just not what a vivacious thing like me wants to be spending my life on..." Kisoku offered the other a wink, before turning his head away from the redhead to let out a tiny sneeze.

"Oooh, sorry about that. Someone must be talking about me, ne?" Kisoku tilted his oblivious, little blonde head and grinned. "Oh yeah, I'm mostly Japanese... not quite sure of my heritage on my mother's side. Single. Hobbies include long walks with my cousin and bodyguard following exactly fifteen feet behind me--and I promise you that it would measure perfectly each time--hanging out with my fellow bandmates, going to clubs--/I love the nightlife! I've got to boogey/. No, I am not a natural blonde, but I am one in spirit. Aaaand, I guess that's about all I can think of at the moment."

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"Well, you certainly do seem to get all the high points." Sam agreed readily, even if noted a somewhat odd tightness to Lukas' tone. Idly wondering over this, he tipped his head on side as he stretched a bit within the confines of his position. "Still, I most certainly wouldn't mind hearing your sexy southern drawl 24/7..."

"Yea, I _know_ that you're perfectly capable of getting your own dates and all, but, you know, I just want you to be happy, Lukie." He blathered on, completely oblivious to his friend's wishes to keep him out of his lovelife. Of course, it wasn't a vindictive or mean- spirited wish, but more just a rather misguided effort.

"I have the perfect girl in mind, too. Beautiful, smart, witty, charming, _incredibly talented_..." He grinned as he tipped his head on side. "D'you remember that Mary chick from the last Wingless meet and greet?"

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"Mm." Flushing darkly at Sasurai's repitiion of pet, he shook his head quickly and, dropping his eyes to the ground, he stared idly at the bit of ground between them. Still, he found a small smile shaping his lips as his friend thanked him and, again shaking his head, he closed his eyes. "There's... there's no need to thank me. I... I wanted to stay. I... I promised that we'd watch the play together, after all."

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"I-I-I know..." Sasurai blushed, unable to prevent her cheeks from turning a rather prominent shade of red, "It's just..." How could she explain in thorough detail how much this meant to her, how can she explain that he was the *first* friend she'd made in... how many years? Twiddling her fingers slightly, she chuckled, "I know you promised that... I just... well... I just felt like thanking you..." her voice dropped slightly as she said with embarassment, "again." Mousy, finding it safe to peek out his head, climbed on to his old friend's shoulder, noticing the odd look of childish embarassment and hidden joy in her eyes.

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"Mmm... I believe you can request vegetarian-type foods most anywhere," Sui mused, "But without _any_ sort of animal products. Oh! I know. There's a small, trendy little place down in Valhalla, Sprouts Cafe. It's supposed to be vegetarian. Shall we head in that direction?"

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"Ah. Well, in... in that case..." Shaking away the lingering embarassment, Lem turned his face again to Sasurai and, closing his eyes, he offered the girl a broad, sweet smile in which he hoped to offer the gratitude, the contentment, pretty much everything he'd been feeling since they'd first bumped into each other. "You're very welcome."

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"But we promised Sergei we would kill Them, and we never break promises to Sergei. He does not like it," He paused, "Chachacha... So Sam is the blind one's name. He is possessed by one of Them, one of Azazel's friends. Whichever one He is, He will cause trouble."

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"Well, if you're sure that it wouldn't be a problem." Nevan ventured slowly. Of course, he knew that his eating habits could be a bit troublesome--especially for those who didn't share his beliefs--but, well, he just couldn't see letting those poor animals suffer just so he could eat... especially when there're lots of other good alternatives. Still, pushing these thoughts down, he turned to Sui with a broad smile. "If you'd rather somewhere else, I can just have a salad or just a drink. I'm really not so hungry, anyway..."

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Gazing up at that bright, broad, and let's not forget, sweet smile, Sasurai felt her heart skip a beat... or two. Never has anyone smiled that way for her, at least... never in the past years. "...Kakkoi..." She murmured silently to herself, looking down on slightly, to gaze back up and made a sweet smile of her own, not as broad or nearly as bright, but a gentle smile that displayed the subtle, yet deep contentment and happiness she felt all during that fateful afternoon, "I'm so glad I have met you..." Looking back towards the stage, Sasurai could feel her inner child bounce up and down in complete utter joy.

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"Wow. Is it lots of fun having money to spend and having hot guys want to date you?" Arvel wanted to know, "Do you get your very own bedroom? Like, a real one with a bed and everything? You must really be rich to be able to afford that!" Yes, the poor boy is very clueless when it comes to the lives of normal people. Having your own bedroom must mean your a millionaire.

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"Ah..." Lem found himself momentarily speechless under Sasurai's gentle if not understated smile and, his grey eyes widening a bit, he found himself marvelling that he could possibly cause such an expression in anyone. Still, he found himself very happy to see such an expression on the girl's features, especially considering what he'd learnt of her throughout their brief interactions.

"I... I'm..." Just now noticing the silence that'd been hanging as he dealt with his thoughts, he flushed and, offering a bit of a sheepish smile, he shook his head. "I'm....really glad to have met you, as well. This... this is one of the best days I've had in... I... don't know how long."

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Not bother by the silence, Sasurai smile gave way to another chuckle, "Same here... in fact... never have I believe I'd have a day like this... I-I should come outside more often just for days like this... I even think Mousy agrees." Mousy, not liking the spotlight creep up on him, hid in the black mass of his friend's hair. "Heh... now Mousy is being shy..." Sasurai took gentle hold of her small friend, her grey eyes still lit with a joy that replaced the dull void she hid herself in.

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Kisoku blinked a few times, then grinned. Well, the boy was nothing if not enthusiastic. "Well, the hot guys are definately a plus, but I'd like to think that I'd still have that even if I were poor. Really, the only perk that I feel like I really need is the security around my apartment--and, yes, I do have a bedroom. You can see it anytime you want!"

He winked at the boy, suggestively. Though he wasn't sure if the naive boy would catch the innuendo, but it was fun enough to attempt flirtation.

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"It isn't a problem," Sui assured Nev, "Really, it isn't. Unless you would just rather not travel all the way over to Valhalla. There's a little pizza shop nearby, we could just stop there if you'd rather. Either one is fine by me."

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"Really?" Arvel blinked large grey eyes up at Kisoku, "Well, mebbe you _would_ still have hot guys fawning over you if you were poor, but _I_ don't have any. I'm sure being rich and famous helps alot. And I guess that seeing your bedroom would be nice, if your family doesn't mind me coming over."

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"You don't have any hot guys fawning over you? I find that hard to believe..." Kisoku smirked, idly playing with the younger boy's hair. "You're an incredibly cute, incredibly sweet boy. Any guy who didn't fawn all over you would be a complete idiot!"

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"I... I think you should come out more often..." Lem agreed readily as he smiled brightly to both the girl and her mouse. It was nice, really nice, to see the girl almost visably become less shy, less uncertain, and it was even better to think that he had some part in this change. "It seems to do you a lot of good, really... and Mousy, too."

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"Whichever would suit you best." Nev smiled brightly. Yup. He couldn't make a decision to save his mother's soul or, perhaps more truly, he wouldn't make a dicision for chance that it might be something which his companion would find unsuitable. Besides, really, he wasn't all that picky about these things...

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"Hai... it does seem to doesn't it? How odd..." It was odd. Usually she was nervous outside, unbreably nervous crowds, yet it didn't bother her so much. In fact, for a little while, she didn't even notice. Remembering she was in crowd did cause he twitch to come back, but only a little, since she was in the presence of her friend, "Usually... since it's rare for me to go outside, Mousy would try to make me... and usually I-I-I would say no... but..." She gently placed the small creature on her friends' shoulder, her eyes closed in a soft smile, "But I'm glad I agreed this time and Mousy is happier now."

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