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Vash's mind had gone silent after Halycon had withdrawn from his talking, but he left a pounding head ache as a replacement. With no painkiller to ease it, the noble had found himself in an environment that actually had fresh air, instead of the thick humidity that lingered in the white building. The streets of Pendant. He was heading no where in particular, in attempt to relieve himself of the frustration that had built up after the argument beforehand. The man was staring straight ahead, emerald eyes distant and expression irritated, not looking where he was going. At all.

He was about a block or two from the apartment flats, eyes neither raising nor lifting. Vash saw not point in looking where he was going, because everybody, as he knew already, avoided him. So really, there were people moving out of the for him, not the other way around.

And why would he? The thought never struck him as egotistical.


Hunger began to slowly corrode away at Noem's entire being. Why did he have to be so spiteful? He should have just sucked it up and gone into the building with that boy but oh no. He had to prove a point. He couldn't let some unknown man just waltz up and tell him what to do. Well, even if he had no food, he still had his pride.

But pride wasn't going to get him anywhere. He could die as the proudest man in the world but that wouldn't lessen the fact that he was dead. Noem would like to live much longer, thank you, even if he couldn't rememember the early years of his life.

Noem's musings had taken all of his attention. So much, in fact, that he did was not watching where he was going and abruptly pumped into a tall man with ebony hair and emerald eyes. Not bothering to conceal his poor mood, Noem simply spat, "Watch it, buddy." before walking around the man and carrying on in his search for a meal.


With walking into somebody the farthest thing from his mind, Vash found it to be the first anything that had happened since leaving the white building. A much younger boy, who seemed to have a frown plastered onto his lips, simply bumped right into the 6'5 noble. And considering the fact the citizens of Pendant had literally leaped on to other side of the street due to his annoyed facial expression, it was almost shocking that the one street rat had walked right into him. Almost, that is.

Emerald eyes caught the boy's own, just enough to see his soul. At first Vash would've choked the street dweller, but now...

An insane smile instantly appeared, followed by a hand plunging towards the rude little brat and grabbing the back of his neck tightly. The slender hand spun the boy around to face him, eyes narrowed.

"To think such a perfect soul could be trapped in such a repulsive brat." Vash sneered. His day had just gotten better, almost enough to forget about the pounding head ache. Almost.


Some days just went to the dogs. Noem knew this quiet well. His mood had worsened when he bumped into the man (who did not even bother to aplogize either) but this man would not leave him alone!

Noem gasped as he felt cold fingers curl tightly around his neck and was forced to face the dark haired man. The boy's eyes widened in fear for the briefest of moments as the man spoke before he pushed away from the man and stumbled backward.

"Perfect soul?" Noem asked, continuing to edge away. "What the hell are you talking about?!"

Funny how the kid didn't even deny the fact that he was a little brat. The thought echoed in his mind, barely registering to the man. There was something far more interesting he needed to collect, and it just so happened to be encased in the worthless piece of trash in front of him.

"I should've known you wouldn't even be aware of just how precious that silver orb in your chest is." he replied with a smirk. Once he stole the boy's soul, then there would only be five more to acquire.
"Now..." Once again, Vash took ahold of the street rat's neck and slammed him against the side of some cafe building he couldn't remember the name of. "..this won't take long. You're lucky I don't have the time or patience to make you suffer even more."


"What're you... or--!?" Noem had no time to complete his sentence. He felt himself being lifted up by the much larger man and slammed against the wall. Pain shot through his back and his throat seared as he coughed, attempting to breath in any air he could. The coughing fit made it near impossible to hear the man's second statement though his tone made it obovious enough.

With two hands, Noem attempted to pry the much larger man from his neck as carefully as possible so he would not injure himself in the process. "Let... go of me!" Noem gasped, struggling to free himself.


Frowning in irritation, the noble could feel his head ache returning. This was taking too long, and the annoying kid had decided to put up a fight. What was with that anyway? Most of his subordinates just shriveled a corner...Vash narrowed his eyes. This boy was a lot different. Then again, he had noticed that most kids on the streets of Pendant were very, very different. It wasn't too hard to realize after meeting Halycon.
"Can't you simply make this easier? Really, you're wasting more time than I expected you to." he snapped impatiently. The lack of patience was due to the fact he was merely seconds away from collecting the first of six souls in order to relieve his pounding head ache and of course, return Halycon to his frail body. Though, taking somebody's else's life could become quite tiring when they wouldn't stay still. Vash loosened his grip slightly, enabling the street dweller to take in oxygen just barely.


Gasping, Noem glared at the man with the most hateful of gazes. What was going on? Make what easier? Thoughts filled with confusion and a growing desperation to flee began buzzing faster and faster through Noem's mind. "Make it easier...?" the boy wheezed. "If I'm wasting so much time, maybe you should just go attack someone else and leave me alone!"
Gritting his teeth, Noem braced himself on the man's arm and plunged both feet into the man's stomache and to push him away. This had to work. He had to get away. Desperation and fear continued to grow within him causing the adrenaline to churn faster and faster throughout his body.


Hearing the questions hardly escape the boy's lips, Vash smirked.

"What ignorance..." was all he managed to respond with before his stomach was finally greeted with a rebellious kick. Angry little brat... The ebony-haired noble's hand ceased its firm grip on the kid's throat, body instantly tensing. Then, he relaxed. And smirked.

"This may seem very pointless to you, but I do have a reason for attacking you, boy." he replied almost nonchalantly. "And I never thought your soul was to be delivered right to me too." Vash's tone dripped with mockery. The kid looked around 14-16, and he still didn't know how special he was. Or more specifically, his soul.


"What the... my soul?" Now really! Who did this guy really think he was? A reaper or something? Nevertheless, that gnawing need to leave kept rising. Frowning, Noem answered, "Listen, go play vampire or whatever somewhere else and leave me alone!"
With that, Noem took off running in the same direction of the apartment. His legs pumped and he dared not to look back. He just had to find other people... to find help!


The response allowed the man to laugh under his breath in sheer amusement. In all of his 25 years, Vash Purgier had never been accused of being a vampire. He rolled his emerald eyes in aggrivation as the amused little smirk was very quickly replaced with another frown. How much effort did it take to steal a single street rat's soul? A lot more than you'd think. The answer to his own question made him sigh. If only that wasn't true...
The irritated lord vanished, ebony butterflies flocking around his reappearance a few feet from the running victim, arms crossed.

"Like I said before, why don't you make this easier on yourself? It's not like living on the streets of Pendant is exactly an ideal life anyway." he muttered. What did he know about ideal living anyway? That's right. Nothing.


The apartment just came into view when a flurry of ebony cluttered his path. It took him a few moments to discover that this obstruction was constructed of raven black butterflies. As soon as they dispersed, Noem's attacker appeared. Noem stumbled backward with eyes as wide as moons. How was that possible?! What was going on? Souls? Butterflies? Noem had seen many things on the streets of Pendant, far too many than he would have liked, but not once had he even heard of this.
Slowly, Noem took a few retreating steps, only to trip and stumble to the ground. Fearfully he asked, "... who are you?"


Rubbing his temples, Vash glared down at his victim more out of frustration than trying to intimidate the poor adolescent.

"You really don't want to know that, kid." the man murmured, more to himself. "Now stand up before I strangle you." the noble threatened, somehow calm. He had been in his place before. Ignorant, confused, and obviously wounded both physically and emotionally. The afteraffects had caused permanent mental unstability, among other things.

Vash vaguely wondered just how the teenager had ended up on the streets, but immediately dismissed the thought. It was time to collect the first soul.


Not only was he lost, he was confused. For whatever reason, Noem was compelled to rise to his feet,though he did put a good distance between himself and this man. He raised his arms to protect himself from whatever move or attack the man might make.
Noem could find no words to say but it seemed now escape was impossible.
This time, he'd have to fight.

The slight chance that the boy would actually give up and make this all easier had vanished as he put his arms up in defense. The ignorant child just wouldn't give in, would he? Vash sighed, knowing that even if the youth screamed nobody would come to help him. Pendant was gave an advantage to the attacker and a disadvantage to the victim. The noble preferred to be the one attacking, if that's what this was anyway. It was more of the stubborn adolescent not willing to stay in one place. And even now, after standing still, he was defending himself pointlessly. Vash shook his head.

What was the point? His perfect silver soul would be his soon, whether the boy defended himself or not. The tall man took a few menacing steps closer until he was looking down at his victim, thin eyebrow quirked in disapproval.

"Really now, is living on the streets of Pendant that appealing?"


Noem's eyes narrowed and flashed with wrath as he remained unmoving and looked up at the man. A newfound courage began to grow and swell with the question. This man knew nothing. By the way he was dressed, it was obvious that he lived in one of the higher estates where food was served and the question of whether or not you would live to see the next day was nonexistent. Noem could only feel spite for the man now but all fear had dissipated. Instead of running, he would prove just what was sowed on the streets of Pendant.
"You think you know everything," Noem spat. "You're assuming that living like this is all I want... that it's all I know!" In truth, the streets of Pendant was all he knew. Noem knew nothing of his childhood. His first memories were in the alleys and dark places of the city, alone and hungry. But what had happened to him previously? He could very well have lived here all his life or he could be the son of a noble that was long forgotten.
But whatever his past was, he was going to get off the streets and away from this mess.
As soon as he was finished with this man...


Vash blinked in surprise, but soon composed himself. This kid knew nothing either. Appearance could fool anybody these days...and he supposed it even included him at the moment. A frown.

"Well, isn't that a pity? You should be glad that's all you know, brat." the man informed him in a rather irritated way. The fool was lucky he didn't know anything but the streets of Pendant. A lot luckier than Halycon, that was for sure. Unless, of course, the rude brat had experienced something like abuse and his mind had pushed itself to memory loss in order to save his sanity.
Too bad that never happened to either of us. he thought silently. Insanity could be seen as both a curse and a blessing, much like a soul connection.
His focus returned to the boy again, eyes narrowed and suddenly furious with the boy. This was taking too long, and the noble would end this now.

One hand shot forward and pulled the youth's arms down, leaving the opening for his neck, which was quickly taken advantage of. Vash's free hand grabbed the kid's neck and lifted him off the sidewalk, emerald eyes peering into the other's soul and ripping it out in the most vicious of ways, all with a satisfied smirk.

One down, 5 to souls to go.


He was going to win, here and now. Noem was going to prove himself. Then his name would spread through the streets. He would be the one that fended off a noble attacker and defeated him! If people on the streets knew of him, the people in the homes would soon hear of him. Then maybe, just maybe, he'd find a true home. He wouldn't have to wander aimlessly in search of nothing. He'd have a place to stay and even a family. And if he had a family, they may help him find a way to get his memory back... to get his childhood back.
But things did not always go as planned.
Noem gasped as his hands were forced down and he was lifted up into the air. A tightening feeling spread through his chest. It was as if the weight of the world was now crushing on top of him. He dangled helplessly, clueless as to how it was possible. The boy was able to glance down at the man as the world around him began to distort and darken.

The last thing he saw was that smirk of pure satisfaction.



((Finally editted this. @_@ I had fun exercising Vash's b*****d-y approach. >D))

I didn’t mean to keep it from him. It just… happened. It wasn’t my fault… was it? Halycon rubbed at his head as he sat on a bed in Vash’s mind, curled up into the wall. He felt a pounding headache from the conversation. Or was it Vash’s? He couldn’t tell. A soft sigh escaped his lips. Only one-way to get rid of a headache: sleep it off.

It didn’t take long before Halycon’s eyelids were sagging, yawns becoming a common thing. When was the last time he’d slept? The blonde had lost track of the days, but the soft, welcoming bed beneath him wasn’t making it any harder to fall asleep. A noise of contentment escaped his lips, something almost like a purr. Dreams flooded his mind like water loose from a dam, and he decided not to shun this time. Better a dream than this migraine.


This was so very unlike any other nightmare he’d ever seen. Well, not seen, per se. Everything was totally black, as if someone didn’t want him to see something. The thought was unrealistic, of course, but it didn’t cut out the possibility. He moved his hand. He felt it as he was lying there, totally asleep. There was the wall, right where it was before. The bed sheets beneath him. And, what was most recognizable, his own figure. The hourglass figure, generally bestowed on women, which graced his form from malnutrition. So, if he couldn’t see this nightmare, couldn’t feel it, what was going to happen?

Almost as if in response, Halycon heard a voice, an all too familiar voice, at that. One that sent shivers down his spine, and also one that captivated him. The voice belonging to the man he always was intrigued by, but too overcome by pain and fear to show any curiosity. Lord Currise Tribulation. His father, his only childhood acquaintance, his headman. A cold shudder ran its fingers down his spine at the thought. He’d completely missed his father’s words. But he did here another voice, now.

A sweet, loving voice, so full of affection that it just might burst in the air. A voice that was familiar, but foreign. The dying ember of a memory… Halycon brought it all in with a matter of seconds, this time taking in the woman’s words.

“He gets it from you, I’m sure. After all, you’re so dashing. He’s got the same eyes as you, almost. Only missing those shining silver pieces…” Her voice trailed off into a giggle.

As his father began to speak again, a blurred vision came to view. A nursery, that was obvious. Two figures, standing close, just by a crib. His vision cleared only to see his father kiss the woman affectionately on the cheek. A wave of revulsion turned his stomach at the sight.

“But, love, he has your adorable little nose, doesn’t he? What a precious child.” Currise bent down over the crib to kiss the child. It was very likely on the forehead, but Halycon could feel his stomach knotting more and more as he watched the seen unfold.

But a startling revelation flashed through his mind. This was his mother. She was absolutely gorgeous, on top of it all. The scarlet, feminine hair that cascaded down her shoulders, the perfect curves of her body (almost identical to his own, only with more filled in). The adorable smile. The cute, rounded off little nose, just like his.

“If you say so, Dear Currise. If you say so.” She leaned against him, arms wrapping fondly around his waist with melted eyes on their son. Her head rested on his chest as he stroke it slightly, arms enveloping her. Halycon felt his stomach twist and knot. The scene was so beautiful, yet so disgusting.

“Though… he does have that hair, just like yours. It fluffy, though. Such a cute little boy…” The woman smiled fondly, eyes shutting in utter love.

Ah! Get me out of here! I can’t stand another moment of this! Halcyon’s mind screamed out against the events, but his last glance at his mother was suiting, regardless that this escape was his decision. As the room around him blurred, his eyes became regretful, staring at her until her figure was replaced by the inside of his eyelids, which he popped open, only to have a hand wrap around his mouth. Coral eyes flew wide, looking over his shoulder.

“Shhh, Halycon. Vash is conducting some business. It’s best to leave him be.” The man behind him said with eyes. The pale skin of the man was soft, smooth, and white as ivory. His scarlet tresses, streaked with ebony, fell in his face. The eyes were narrow, and identical to his father’s. There was a light, elegant hum of alto saxophones playing in his ears. They were familiar, and coming from this man? Halycon gestured at the lanky hand, trying to tell him to take it down.

“Will you stay silent?” Halycon nodded vigorously. “All right, then.” The man removed his hand as the blonde sat up, folding his legs. The man in front of him looked at him with a high chin and hands now deep in the pockets of his white and ebony pants.

“Tell me, Halycon… Do you remember the song?” A mischievous twinkle found its way into the man’s onyx eyes, head cocking to the side.

“Song…? What song? What is your name, anyway?” The last question was easily more important than the first to, but the scarlet-haired-man simple bypassed it as he lifted his chin, eyes shut, in song.

“Feel the darkness smiling, every note is dying, silence is refining every thought in his heart. Still the fates are weaving every note that bleeding as he sits there seething all along in the dark. Alone in the dark, alone in the…” the man opened his eyes, settling on Halycon’s with a smirk. He knew this song! The voice was strong with it started out again.

“But in the night, the darkness breathes, if he will sit to be. Before his eyes, the music dies, but he will always hear me. He sits alone. The cards are shown as he embraces the dark. The only sound that he will hear is there in his heart.” His voice trailed off, leaving him to sit there, shocked, simply staring at the man. A vague thought tickled his mind. Could Vash hear this all?

“My name is Klemenis, Halycon, and I believe you know me better than you know most.” And for a second, the blonde thought his heart had stopped. Just… just who was he?

“—Play vampire or whatever somewhere else and leave me alone!”

The voice was one he didn’t know, one from the outside world. Halycon’s attention was caught again.

“Don’t do anything, Halycon. He’s conducting business. Let him be—“

“What kind of business? What’s happening out there?” Before the blonde knew it, he was roaring at Klemenis, who remained completely composed.

“He is stealing a soul for his collection, the collection to return you to your body, love. Odd how a perfect soul was in a street boy, though…” Well, at least Klemenis was polite enough to use the term street boy, instead of street rat, as Vash had said. Perhaps the man had forgotten that the boy he was trying to kill wasn't very different from Halycon at all. A bubbling anger built up inside of Halycon, but he said absolutely nothing. He would have his turn with Vash later.

--

Halycon listened to the hunt going on outside, rage flaring throughout the entire thing. He waited until the soul was gone from the boy’s body and Vash’s soul was bubbling with contentment to say anything. Klemenis retreated from the boy, leaving for another room. This wouldn’t end well; they both knew that. He was glad that Klemenis had left the room. At least he wouldn’t dish out insults where they weren’t deserved.

“Vash… May I ask you something?” The tone was dripping with contempt as he hissed at the man whose mind he was sitting in.

Dorian stirred in his sleep, whispers from someone outside intersecting his dreams. Something about innocence, lies, and definitions. Eyes fluttered open, half-squinted against the light filtering through the nearby window. Looking around, his brow furrowed-- where...?

Right, Asher's place. That was the only explanation for the fluffy blanket draped across his lap. If it were left up to him, the skater would never ever think of owning such a thing. Too floofy and uhm... awkward.

He stood up and stretched, arms arching above his head gracefully. As he turned around, the teen caught the last trail of pink-colored hair flitting out the door. Mendacious, the pink hair belonged to Mendacious. An odd name for a girl, really. Oh well. Curiousity nagged at him a bit until he caved and walked out the door. He did have to get to his apartment anyway. Figured he would be a gentleman and walk her to her room... or the front door-- whatever.

"Hey! Hold up for a sec!"

((WHEE. I'M ALIVE. <3))

It wasn't until Vash had made his way back into the White Building, smirk still on his lips, when Halycon began to speak again. Luckily the migraine had dissipated, too, for there the boy's tone was smothered distinctly with venom. There was a foreshadowing sensation in the query that caused the content little smirk to be wiped clear off the noble's mouth. The man teleported back into his room before answering warily.

"Yes, what is it, love?" Vash somehow kept himself composed, though. If there was anything worse than Halycon getting angry at the tall noble, it was feeding the most likely raging fire even more so. Something was unsettling about the voice inside his head, (although that in itself was rather difficult to get over) and his soul tingled as if it had tasted something remarkably new.

Vash's attentioned turned immediately back to Halycon. He had learned by now that ignoring the boy always resulted in guilt.

And the noble knew how much he loved guilt.

The wishgranter wrinkled his nose at Esperence's view on having a master. Well, it was partly true, for Evonne had terrible...terrible experiences with one owner, Lady Purgier, but he had almost completely and successfully surpressed those memories. He felt a cold shiver ripple down his spine, remembering her eyes that seemed to carry throughout the damned family. But his attention soon flickered back to Esperence. Evonne had made sure to enter into another room, oddly vacant, in the apartment, before beginning to speak. His voice was solemn and formal, wide eyes narrowing so that he took on a more adult look.

"Everything, actually. They, meaning everyone important in this wretched city, are going to be separated from their respective others. I'm sure she's spoken to you about this once or twice, hm?" He referred to the one who gave the orders calmly and casually, but really it was a serious matter. There were only a few times Evonne could be seen like this--cutting off his emotions like all wishgranters were capable of. It was what made them dangerous, a threat. One of the reasons so many of them were taken away from Pendant so many years ago.

"Multiple people will be sent to another city, while their respective others will stay here, hopefully to keep the city...real, if you will." He spoke the last few words with hesitation, unsure if Esperence really understood what this meant. Real was something people took for granted. And yet it represented so much right now.

Evonne suddenly paused. "...Where's Anakera?"

His heart skipped a few beats.

"What?" Evonne snapped, casual expression dropping immediately. It wasn't the comment about watching Anakera that made him snap, but the fact that Esperence had no idea where she was. Neither of them did. His bi-colored eyes narrowed, kicking himself mentally for not realizing that he couldn't even feel the presence of her winged soul. It was all because he was preoccupied with taking care of his three masters that he had no time to even think about what Anakera was doing...or where she was.

His happy-go-lucky attitude was corroded away by alarm and seriousness. The urge to shake Esperence's shoulders in complete irritation was pushed back by the need to remain calm. Panic was the last thing the two wishgranters needed right now....not that Esperence would panic about Anakera missing. Evonne frowned mentally. Now wasn't the time to think about caring in regards to the white haired wishgranter in front of him.

The boy shifted his shoulders, getting prepared to let his wings out if needed. His now narrowed, unnerving eyes glanced up at Esperence.

"Stay here with everybody, Esperence." The wishgranter ordered softly, turning to leave. But he paused for another moment.

"And Esperence...keep them safe."

Evonne left swiftly, blue tinted wings allowing him to scan Pendant from above.

If anybody even touches her...