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


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Lukas didn't even try to suppress the shout of laughter that escaped him at Jeremy's comment. He wished Sammy or Kiso... or both... had been there to hear it-- the kid was a breath of fresh air. Personally, he thought both the above-mentioned songs were crap... honestly... he didn't know where Sammy and Kiso had dredged up that 'Bedroom Window' song... probably from the bottom of a bottle of saki... and even though he'd written "Soulless" himself, he thought it was one of the more pathetic examples of existential teenaged angst in a vastly overcrowded genre...

"Hnn... that's a tough choice..." Lukas replied, "They're both pretty even as far as merit goes... Actually... my current favorite is a little somethin' I've been workin' on lately... Haven't even played it for the other guys in the band yet..."

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"Aah, guess you can't sing it for us, then...?" Estelle fluttered her lashes and gave Lukas a cute, pouty face.

Arvel didn't quite catch the hint, instead agreeing with the words and not the implication. "Yeah. But we were going to go eat at the McParadise. Wanna come with?"

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Lukas just happened to have his six string with him, and would have been glad to serenade the trio for a few minutes, but Arvel's words brought a chuckle to his lips. "Sure, petite, I could use a bite 'bout now." Rising to his feet, he offered Estelle a smile, "Eh... you ain't missin' that much, cherie. So far, it's just a tune-- no words yet. That's Sammy and Kiso's department." Glancing at his three young companions, he smiled broadly, "Well... are we ready?"

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Alexei was delighted that his grandmother had allowed him to go to the ice skating rink. He twirled and glided on the ice, accompanied by Erik, while the old woman watched, hoped her presence would keep him in line.

Other people his age were starting to filter in. Apparently school had just gotten out. Nobody evil, nobody to kill, no reason to avenge Sergey. Why did he always have to think about Sergey at such inoportune moments? Like always? Because he couldn't stop the tears that always seemed to fall.

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Shittsui surveyed the boy before him. Such a timid little thing, really, but adorably cute.

"I need you tonight," he didn't feel inclined to explain that he was meeting with that horrible man Ausar, his rival, and would rather not be alone. Having Lemy with him would comfort him. Of course, he could never say that, but he also knew Lemy wouldn't care, would jump at the opportunity to be with him no matter what the reason was.

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Arvel nodded eagerly, grinning foolishly at the thought of eating lunch with his current crush. He didn't think he had any more of a chance with Lukas than he did with Jeremy, whom he hadn't quite gotten over, but that didn't stop the butterflies, blushing, and racing heart any.

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Too happy to be feeling more or less normal for a change, Lukas wasn't quite his usual perceptive self. Although he noticed that Arvel seemed to be blushing quite a bit, he didn't take it in any way personally. If he ascribed it to anything, it was more along the lines of either the fact that he was a rather popular upperclassman, or his association with Wingless. If he had realized that the younger redhead was harboring a crush on himself, he might have been a bit more circumspect in his behavior-- after all, who knew better than he what it was like to carry a torch for someone who just didn't give a damn?

As it was, however, he didn't suspect a thing, and so turned to Arvel, a teasing light dancing in the cobalt blue eyes as a matching grin formed upon his lips, "Eh, bien..." he chuckled, dropping the younger boy a wink, "Laissez les bontemps rouller!" His grin widened a bit as he translated, "That means... let's party!"

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Darran winced a little as he caught a background demand quite obviously from Dante, and all thoughts of thanking the guy promptly flew out the window. Just his luck that overprotective brother was around... he figured he'd better sit tight and not make noise till he was sure Para had full control over the phone.

He grinned a little as he listened to the story Para was making up on the fly, and replied in a slightly lowered voice to be absolutely sure Dante couldn't overhear. "Sure thing, babe, I'd love to. You know that coffeehouse on the corner of Sixth and Hampter, in Nirvana? I can make it there in half an hour if you can..."

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"This isn't excitement," Sophia observed quietly, "it's grotesque. Malicious." Frowning slightly, she gazed at Nevan for a moment, trying to determine what it was, exactly, he was trying to hide. Because he _was_ hiding something: someone entirely ignorant of the meaning behind this would've reacted with disgust, perhaps some horror, then simply thrown it out. But he could hardly bear to look at it, let alone touch it. So he knew what it meant... whatever that was.

Walking up to the desk, Sophia gingerly touched one shattered porcelain cheek. She glanced up at her teacher, then decided yes, it was worth testing to see how much power this 'prank' had over him. "Will you throw this out? Or may I?"

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Lem stood still under Shittsui's glance and, head inclined, he noticed a soft warmth in his cheeks. Still, even for his slight flush, he felt more at ease in the man's presence that he did just about anywhere else in the world and, though he could never explain it, he knew that he was simply grateful that Sui let him hang around, regardless of the circumstances. Truly, he'd do anything to keep from endangering the luck which allowed this arrangement, even if it was nothing more than pimp and whore.

Still, as he registered Sui's words, Lem's breath caught audibly in a small gasp. Master Barano... needed him. He _needed_ him. Were there any sweeter words in the world? Not to Lem. Nothing was better than to know that Master Barano wanted him, needed him.

"O-of course, Master Barano..." He agreed quickly, easily. Naturally, he didn't even try to hide how happy this prospect made him, though any attempt would likely be futile for the soft but entirely joyful smile at his lips.

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Again, Nevan was met with the almost frighteningly adult glance that Sophia seemed to possess and, though it grew harder with each passing second, he did what he could to contain his thoughts behind the barrier of a kindly smile. After all, what right did he have to press his problems onto anyone, let alone onto someone who, for all rights and purposes, was a child? It simply wouldn't be right, by any stretch of the imagination.

Still, he was hard put to maintain this as Sophia walked over to the desk, then even moreso as she reached to touch the hated thing. Slowly, reluctantly, his eyes followed the movement of her hand and, as she touched the broken white of the thing's cheek, he winced fully. As if afraid that the thing were alive and about to strike the girl, he quickly moved to grab Sophia's arm by the wrist and, once again ungodly pale, he tried to jerk her away from the broken object. His gaze back on the broken doll, his eyes were wide and undeniably afraid as they once more walked through those memories usually reserved for his darkest hours. Still, his lips moved to speak in a tone very small, very scared.

"Don't... please... please don't..."

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Sophia stared up at her teacher in surprise, eyes wide at his reaction. What she saw in his face made her drop her eyes in sudden shame. She'd been wrong, entirely wrong... whatever this was, he wasn't hiding out of fear of punishment. Just simple, wretched fear, and she'd been wrong to provoke him.

"I'm sorry," she murmured, not bothering to pull her wrist away from Nevan's grasp. Then she looked up to meet his eyes again-- now, she wanted to know the truth for a different reason. Whatever troubles might be dogging him, it would be better if she knew. Even if she couldn't help. "Mr. Alraune... please... what's wrong? Please don't say nothing."

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"Yea, I _love_ that place. They have the _best_ triple cream mocha caramel cappucino _ever_." Para giggled, though she couldn't quite keep from looking wholly thrilled that Darran still wanted to meet with her, even after all that. God, the man _was_ a saint. Of course, she tried, again, to lessen the heartfelt joy on her features as she caught her twin's suddenly suspicious glance.

"I should be able to make it in half an hour..." She nodded slightly, though it could hardly be seen on his end, as she made a few mental calculations. That _should_ give her enough time to pick up Cordy, drop her stuff at home, and change into something more appropriate to the situation. "Though don't be too heartbroken or upset if I show up just a _little_ late, okay?"

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"N-no..." Nevan murmured quietly as he winced just slightly. Still, this time, it was more for Sophia's reaction than any other outside reason. Smiling just a bit waveringly, he gently released her wrist and, digging a kerchief from his pocket, he passed this same over his face.

"No, I'm sorry, Sophia." He continued softly as he managed a sheepish smile. Studiously ignoring the broken object on his desk, he was suddenly hit with a tumult of guilt and shame that had nothing to do with his memories; it was horrible to think that he had lost it so badly at school... and in front of a dear student. There was no excuse for that. "I really had no reason to react as I did. I didn't hurt you, did I?"

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"Good," Sui nodded approval. He'd known Lemy would accept. "We need to be there soon. Go change into something a little more modest and we'll get going." There was no way in hell he would let his rival see more of his favorites than necessary.

He tapped his fingers against the edge of his chair as he waited for Lemy to change. He gifted his whore with a pleased smile at the chosen outfit and suitably shy demeanor of its wearer. "You look charming, Lemy." He purred, standing and escorting his "date" to the car.

The ride was too short. He kept hoping it wouldn't end, but he did need to talk to Ausar. The man was stealing his clients, stealing-- and even killing-- his whores. This needed to be stopped. He pulled Lemy out of the car, kept the young boy close to him as they walked into the building.

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Ausar glanced up as Sui and Lemy entered his office. "Shittsui, my old friend! What a pleasant surprise!" he purred, just as if he hadn't been expecting his long time rival. Rather abruptly deposing the pretty, dark-haired youth who had been straddling his lap, the Egyptian rose to his feet, extending a hand to the other pimp. "And who is your charming young companion...?" he inquired, obsidian eyes raking hungrily over Lemy's slender frame. Turning to the dark haired boy, he snapped his fingers imperiously, "Tesu! Where are your manners? Offer our guests something to drink at once!"

Ducking his head, the young dancer mumbled out an inquiry as to what Sui and Lemy would like, barely waiting for an answer before darting off to retrieve it.

Ausar smacked the boy's shapely rear affectionately as he passed, rolling his eyes a bit at his two guests, "Please forgive Tesu... he's a beautiful, charming creature... and quite talented in his own way... but I fear intelligence isn't among his virtues..." Crossing back over to his desk, he sat down once more and beamed across the desk at his visitors, "Now... tell me... what can I do for you, Shittsui?"

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As they stood in Ausar's office, Lem curled himself as close to Sui's side as he possibly could and, eyes on the floor, he toyed endlessly with a curl of his hair. To say that he was nervous about being there would be like saying that getting a finger cut off is a bit painful and he could only flush absolute crimson under the other pimp's raking glance.

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"Great," Darran said happily, and added a fist-pump of victory that sent Kein into a silent little spasm of laughter. Completely disregarding that, he chuckled and continued, "Aw, well, I'll try not to show it... just go sniffle behind my cup, and you can comfort me when you get there, eh? See you soon, babe." Christ. Was this suddenly a _perfect_ fucking day or what?

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"No, of course not," Sophia replied with a quick shake of her head. She frowned a little, noticing how nervously he danced around answering her question, and this only made her more worried. Was the doll a sign, some sort of threat against him? "Please, Mr. Alraune, explain to me what this means. What you think it means. It's not just some random prank, is it?"

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Before the thronging masses of students had flooded the hallways to leave for the day, Lucia had managed to scuttle away from study hall under the pretense of preparing for her after school peer counseling: an excuse she would've been happy to follow through with. However, when she approached the small office that she and two other students used, she found herself staring at a very blank roster.

'Oh c'mon! Somebody has to have problems these days... Dammit!' She grumbled irritably and about faced back into the hallway where the flood of students caught up with her. A particularly large football player blindsided her and her books tumbled to the ground.

"Fucking hell..." She muttered under her breath as she stooped to gather her things. Nothing had gone right all week. Not a damn thing since _He_ showed up out of the woodworks. Everyday she woke up and prayed that she wouldn't bump into Him in a random hallway. She found herself recommending vitamin C to all of the faculty and pointing out how Mrs. Hathoway should really get her cough checked out, much to the dismay of her fellow classmates who had been hoping to postpone their big science exam. So really, it was no suprise that Fred the quarterback had sent her things flying to the ground without the slightest effort to help.

'But you watch yourself, Fred. On the day of reckoning, I will make sure you suffer in a most horrible way!' And it was this violent train of though that carried her out into the fresh air and sunshine.

"...God..." A laugh... a rather hopeless laugh at that. "Sugar..." She turned her head to the oh-so-familiar sound of teenage confusion and misery, but this particular case was different from the rest of teen angst that she saw on a day to day basis. This was Sam... and Sam, of all the other mortals in the world, deserved his angst. He looked like a wreck, and for a moment, she almost felt a twinge of guilt. Afterall, she had been filling his mind with new and strange thoughts... but he would've remembered it all eventually. It was inevitable. Besides, the conversations she had had with Sam over the past week had been, without a doubt, the only enjoyable moments of her hellish week.

Her lips curled up into a devilish grin, as she stealthily crept up upon the boy. She took in a deep breath before throwing her arms around him and squealing with glee. "SAAAAAAAAAAAM!"

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