*Two weeks have passed since Rog tried to take first Josh and then Shalohim, and there have been no further incidents. Josh has healed up nicely, and could theoretically go back to the streets; however, even he realizes how stupid that would be, and is still staying with San. Tonight, both are sleeping peacefully. Or - so it appears...* Josh: *has gotten up and snuck into San's room, nekkie except for a pair of boxers (in case you're one of those silly people who wonders about that kind of thing); now slips into the huge bed and sort of wiggles his way towards San* Josh: *starts touching San rather - intimately* San: *awakes suddenly and sits up* Wha-?! Josh: *jumps a bit himself* San: *looks down* J... Josh? Josh: o^-^o San: *looks slightly - very slightly - panicked* What are you... doing? Josh: Just what I know how to do. Josh: Look - I mean... *looks rather embarrassed* I - I wasn't just - I thought you'd wake up, I wasn't... San: *blushing slightly, glad that it's dark enough so Josh can't tell* I... I didn't think you were... Josh: I'm - I mean - oh, FUCK this. *tries kissing him, rather inexpertly* San: *Unconsciously, takes control of the kiss, showing Josh how it's done. Then realizes what he's doing and breaks away.* Josh: ?.? *looks rather scared* San: *tries to pull away* I... Josh, I shouldn't be doing this, I... Josh: Why not? *doesn't only look scared, IS scared - that San will reject him, or even worse, throw him out* San: *shakes his head* I... I shouldn't, and I can't... *is scared himself - that Shiko will get mad at him!* Josh: *looking heartbroken and even more like Shalohim* Please... *touches San's chest softly* San: *can feel his heart melting where Josh touched him* Ah... Josh... San: *tries to shove him away, but can't seem to be able to do it* Josh: *a little more confident, keeps touching* Please, San. I... Josh: *can't finish the thought* San: *sighs and thinks to himself* "I know I'm going to regret this... Forgive me, Shalohim." *leans down slowly and kisses Josh, very, very gently* Josh: *kisses back, still a bit inexperienced but improving; is feeling much more secure now* * * ** *This means it's none of your business, ya perverts! ^-^ This message brought to you by Shiko. Josh: *afterwards, lies snuggled up to San looking all sleepy and cute* My God... I didn't know it could BE that good... Josh: *snuggles closer* San: *is snuggled, knowing he's going to have hell to pay and, for the moment, not caring* Josh: *falling asleep, most of his surface thoughts concerning - well, sex* San: *sighs and strokes Josh's hair* Josh: *asleep, for once not curled into a little ball and not having nightmares; just asleep* *And the scene fades out.* Josh: *during the morning after, gets up early and happily bounces around the apartment, trying to figure out how to make some sort of breakfast* Josh: *feels incredibly better about a lot of things and is generally in a good mood* San: *sleeps late, for once* Josh: *pokes head into bedroom* Yo, lazy. I made breakfast. San: *wakes up* e.e? Josh: *smiles at him a little, shyly* I figured out how to make some food. Want any? San: *Sits up, has minor headache from worrying so much while he slept. Also looks incredibly hot as he does so, being naked under the sheet.* Sure... Josh: Okay! *goes back to the kitchen and starts arranging burnt French toast slathered with cinnamon sugar and butter on two plates* Josh: *hums tunelessly under his breath, feeling all funny and housewifish; kind of enjoys the feeling* Josh: *puts plates on the table, pours them each milk* 'S ready! San: *goes to table after pulling on boxers, eats* e.e Josh: *nosebleeds on French toast* San: *inwardly is disgusted by the burnt toast, outwardly eats it without protest* Josh: *eats toast happily, except for the bled-on parts* San: *continues to eat* e.e Josh: *done eating very quickly* You okay? San: *headache increases* Yeah... Josh: ~.- Sure? You look kinda down. Josh: *is developing at least a VAGUE sense of empathy* San: *IS down, but won't admit it. Gives Josh a weak smile.* Nah. I'm fine. Josh: ~.- Want more toast? San: No, that's okay. Josh: *shrugs* Okay. San: *tries to hide a small grimace at the thought of more* Josh: *sees grimace* -.- Is it THAT bad? San: No, no... It's not... Josh: *sixth sense for bad things acting up* It is, isn't it. San: *doesn't really want to lie, but does, because he also doesn't want to hurt Josh's feelings* Well, for someone who doesn't cook a lot... Josh: Well, FINE. Just because no one ever fucking bothered to teach me anything fucking USEFUL... San: It's not your fault... *is inwardly banging his head against a mental wall* Josh: FINE. *takes the plates to the kitchen and dumps them in the sink, along with the rest of the French toast batter* San: *bangs inward head harder against inward wall* San: *goes into kitchen after him* Josh... San: I'm sorry. Josh: For WHAT? Josh: *standing at sink running water over the dishes, in case that's how you wash them* San: *isn't quite sure* For... for everything, I guess. Josh: Everything is a hell of a lot of nothing. San: *wonders what that means* It really wasn't that bad... I swear, I've had much worse from gourmet chefs. Josh: ~.- Really. Josh: *doesn't look quite as tense any more* San: Yes, really. You should see what some of them do to lettuce. It's not pretty. Josh: *snorts with laughter* Josh: *turns the water off* I'll do 'em later. Like, when I know how or something. San: Here. I'll show you. Josh: Really? San: Yes. After you're done rinsing them, which you've done pretty well, you put them in the dishwasher with some soap - *demonstrates* - then you start it. *is saying all of this mock-seriously* Josh: *slightly lost* Okay... San: *puts soap in dishwasher, clearly showing Josh where he keeps the soap, then turns it on* See? Josh: Okay, I got it. *no longer lost* Josh: Thanks. San: Not a problem. Josh: *since San is right next to him anyway, leans on him; slightly nervous that he'll get shoved away, but not as scared as he was last night* San: *gives him a quick squeeze, then separates himself* Say, how about we go shopping? You need some new clothes. You can't borrow mine forever, you know. San: *is saying all of this kind of lightheartedly* Josh: ~.- Sure. Josh: *then looks up at him, looking remarkably like Shalohim for a moment* That would be fine... San: *can feel his heart twinge, a very, very strong twinge* Josh: *looks away again* We better go, then. San: Uh... yeah. *goes to get dressed* *Fade to lunch at school, back to about a week after visiting San's apartment. Kallahandra is eating with Shiko, Damien, and Alison, Shiko having adroitly maneuvered them together; Judy, Valentine, and Tamisha are elsewhere eating with other friends.* Shiko: *happily chowing down on tofu* Kallahandra: *eats pork chops* =d Shalohim: *eating a perfectly neutral PB&J sandwich* Shiko: *as usual, makes faces at Kal's meat* >.< Kallahandra: *makes faces at the tofu* >.< Shalohim: *stays out of it* Kallahandra: *then continues eating her pork chops* =d Shiko: *makes one more face, then keeps eating* Alison: *is ignoring both of them, trying to eat disgusting cafeteria food* Shalohim: *noticing* Miss Alison? Do you want me to see if I can find some better food? Shalohim: *has been rather mopey the last week* Alison: *smiles at him* No, that's okay. I can stomach it. *looks back at her food* On second thought... Shalohim: *smiles at her for the first time all week* I'll be right back. *gets up and disappears to conjure up some food* Shiko: 9.9 Alison: *quietly* Okay, I made him smile. That's a good start. Shiko: ^-^ Yeah. I don't know what's gotten into him lately... Kallahandra: ^__^ Good job, Alison! Alison: *blushes* Shiko: ^-^V Kallahandra: *to Alison* Want a pork chop while you wait? Shiko: =p Kal... Alison: No, thanks. Kallahandra: What? Kallahandra: There's nothing wrong with being an honest carnivore! Shiko: But don't try to convert her! Kallahandra: XP Oh, please. Shiko: :3 Kallahandra: One pork chop doesn't mean she's converted for life! Alison: *sweatdropping throughout* ^-^;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; Shalohim: *comes back just in time to prevent a full-fledged war* Is this all right, Miss Alison? *presents a very nice-looking meal that obviously didn't come from anywhere near the cafeteria kitchens* Alison: Thanks, Damien. *smiles and takes it* Shalohim: ^-^ *sits down between Kal and Shiko, starts eating again* Kallahandra: *makes another face at Shiko, then goes back to eating her pork chops* Shiko: *loftily ignores the look, enjoys her tofu* Kallahandra: *thinks about what she has planned for the history class for the next few weeks* Alison: *casually* Hey, Shiko... Shiko: Un? Alison: There's been something bugging me lately... Shiko: ^-^ Feel free to ask. You know the big secret already. Kallahandra: Yup, yup. Shalohim: *listens, being as quiet as before* Alison: Well... I know about Damien, and I know about Mr. Watcher... *Refrains from using their real names in the middle of the cafeteria. Points her spork at Kallahandra and Shiko.* What exactly are you guys? Shiko: ^-^ Forty-five hundred years old! Alison: !.! Kallahandra: *pokes Shiko* Give her a straight answer before I force- feed you a pork chop. Shiko: !.! All right, all right! Alison: *at that as much as what Shiko said* !.! Shiko: *sighs and starts over again* I'm human, Alison. It's just... well, I guess I'm a little more, too. So's Kal. Kallahandra: ^__^ Kallahandra: I'm super-human! Shiko: ^-^;;; Alison: ?.? Shiko: You see, every human being has a spark of angelic power in them... Kallahandra: Mmhmm. Shiko: And if they're taught how to use that power, they can do amazing things - like shapeshift, heal almost any wound - live for thousands of years... Kallahandra: Ho-hum. Kallahandra: Normal, boring stuff like that. Shiko: 9.9 You have something to add, Kal? Kallahandra: *grins* They can also develop their bodies to their physical peak and make it stay there for thousands of years. Don't forget that one. Shiko: There's that, too. Kallahandra: *becomes Fighter, mumbles* I like swords... Alison: @.@;;;;; Shiko: ^-^;;; Anyway, like I said, I've been around for about forty- five hundred years. Kal is about twenty-five hundred. Kallahandra: I'm a new kid. Shiko: Actually, we're some of the oldest - not a lot of people can manage to live through as many changes as it takes to survive centuries, let alone millennia. The oldest is Tim - Utnapishtim... then there's a lady a couple of centuries younger than he is... then there's me... ^-^ Kallahandra: Like I said. I'm one of the new kids. Shiko: We're all members of an organization called CHAD - Community of Human Angels and Devils. Kallahandra: I'm of the second variety. *grins* Alison: *at all of this* @.@!!!!! Shiko: *pokes her* You are, but not like THAT. Stop it before you confuse Alison into thinking you carry a pitchfork or something. Kallahandra: *snickers* Shiko: ^-^ Alison: @.@? Shiko: *explaining* A devil doesn't mean a bad person - it just means someone who doesn't agree with God, who's gotten into trouble with It, or just plain doesn't like It. The latter being the case with Kal... Kallahandra: *darkly* For good reason. Alison: ?.? Shiko: *sighs, leans on Kal* I know... Shalohim: *has remained quiet up till that point, since CHAD is a human matter; now blushing* Lady Kallahandra... Kallahandra: I can't STAND it! Shalohim: o6.6o Demo... Kallahandra: It's not only not fair, it's not right! Shiko: *pokes Shalohim* Oi. Let the lady stand up for you if that's what she wants. Alison: *is confused* @.? Kallahandra: *reaches over and huggles Shal* It isn't right... Shalohim: *is huggled, blushing furiously* I just don't want anything to happen to you because you tried to help me... Kallahandra: *makes a face at him* I'm tougher than that and you know it. Shiko: *huggles Shal too, turning it into an official brusha* Hey, don't worry about us. We've managed before, no da? Alison: *looks at Shiko* ?.? Shiko: Ummm... This is really Kal and Daemon's story. I was only there for a little bit of it. Alison: *looks over at Kal and Shal* ?.? Kallahandra: It's very tangled and knotty. I didn't understand half of it while it was going on. Shalohim: 6.6 Shiko: 9.9 Shiko: Fine, I'll take a stab at it... Shiko: Well, this was just before Shal fell... He and San were traveling through the Arabian desert on assignment... Kallahandra: *reminisces, still huggling Shal* Shalohim: *helpfully* I was a girl, then. And S- S- Mr. Watcher was pretending to be my servant... Kallahandra: They were traveling in the same caravan as I was. Kallahandra: I was pretending to be a boy at the time... Shiko: Yup. And the two of them started talking, and demons showed up at random times, and eventually Daemon ended up telling Kal who he - she - whatever was. Shalohim: And we left right afterwards - but I told her where to find CHAD... Shiko: Yeah, you sent her right to Tim. Kallahandra: Tim's a nice guy. Shiko: ^-^ Yeah. He's been my family almost as long as I've known him - which is almost as long as I've lived... Shiko: Anyway, to get back to the story, it turned out Kal was one of the people who aren't supposed to know the truth at ANY cost, so Shal got kicked down to demon and San turned his eyes black, and things have been crazy ever since. Not that they weren't crazy before... Shalohim: 6.6 Shiko: So - that's about it. Shiko: Unless you've got something to add, Daemon? Shalohim: 6.6 *almost whispering* No. Shiko: Well, then. There you have it. Kallahandra: *huggles Shalohim* I hate God. Shalohim: *sweatdrops* Kallahandra: He's mean and stupid. Kallahandra: And selfish, to boot. Shiko: *says nothing, which says a lot* Alison: *digesting all that's been said to her* You mean... Mr. Watcher's eyes weren't always... Shiko: Nope. Shalohim: 6.6 *speaking almost unconsciously* They were blue, like the edges of the sky on a clear day... Shalohim: And they went on forever, just like the horizon... Shalohim: *realizes he said that part out loud* !.! *closes his mouth firmly, looking innocent* Kallahandra: ;.; *huggles Shal* And most of the time I saw him he was drunk... Shalohim: *sweatdrops again* Shiko: *ruffles Shal's hair* I know... Shiko: *isn't talking about the drunkenness part* Alison: *thinks about this* Kallahandra: Drunk, yup... That's what he was... *saying this innocently* Shiko: ^-^;;; San can overdo the drink a little sometimes. It doesn't affect him, but he does it sometimes anyway... Shalohim: ;;;;;;;;; Kallahandra: He was a happy drunk... He slept a lot, but he was happy while doing it... Kallahandra: *still acting innocent* Shalohim: ;;;;;;;;;;;;;; Alison: ^-^;;;;;; Shiko: *pokes Kal* Okay, now we're overdoing it. Give Daemon a break. Shalohim: o6.6o Kallahandra: Okay, okay. *huggles him once more, then lets him go* Shalohim: *Not actually any happier because of this. Less embarrassed, but not any happier.* Shiko: Anyway - where were we again? Alison: Wow... *thinks about everything* Wow... Shiko: It is kind of a lot, I know... If you have any more questions, go ahead and ask whenever you think of them, I'll be happy to answer. Alison: So... What exactly do you do? Shiko: Mostly we observe, along with the real angels and devils. We also try to improve the quality of human life whenever we can, using our powers subtly... Alison: Oh... That's good... Shiko: *looking rather solemn* Sometimes - we also have to keep things under control. Shalohim: o6.6o Kallahandra: Yup! Shiko: *doesn't point out the obvious example of San and Daemon* Like - well, with Hitler. He was one of us - a little. Kallahandra: *shudders* Icky. Shiko: Yes. And because of that, we were the ones who had to bring him down. I wasn't there personally, but Tim was. Alison: Why weren't you? *slight emphasis on the "you"* Shiko: *looking away, ashamed* Because - I had been the one who chose him... Alison: ?.? Shiko: I saw a few of his landscapes, and I thought - I thought that with the power, he would be able to create even more beauty... paintings that would last forever, preserved by us, one of those little things that make the whole human race worthwhile... *swallows* Shiko: I didn't realize just how - twisted he was, inside. And the power only twisted it further... Alison: 6.6 Oh... *feels guilty for asking* Shalohim: *loyally* You couldn't have known, Shiko-san. Kallahandra: Yeah. Kallahandra: *huggles Shiko* You're an idealist. Kallahandra: *realizes what she's doing and stops huggling* Shiko: o^-^o You don't have to beat that into my head, I figured it out a LONG time ago. Kallahandra: I, on the other hand, am a cynic. Shiko: Hai, sou desu! Shalohim: *loyally says nothing* Alison: *smiles* Someone told me once that all cynics used to be idealists. Alison: Before something crushed their dreams. Kallahandra: *looks away* Yeah... Kallahandra: *gets a wistful, far-off look* Pretty much... Shiko: Whoever said that was very wise. Gimme their phone number! Shiko: *joking, to lighten the mood* Alison: 6.6 *feels guilty and wishes she hadn't said anything* Kallahandra: *continues looking far-off and wistful* Shiko: *in a daring mood, sits right next to Kallahandra* Daijoubu? Kallahandra: Huh? Kallahandra: *snaps back into normal mode* Of course! Shalohim: Okay. *smiles at her* Shiko: ^-^ Kallahandra: *sweatdrops like mad* Never better. Alison: @.@ Shiko: *finishes up her tofu* =d Wonderful, this stuff. Kallahandra: >.< Shiko: =p Kallahandra: *finishes her pork chops* Mm... Reminds me of war time, when we used to eat fresh horse meat. ^____^ Those were the days, yep... Shiko: >.< Alison: *looks sick to her stomach* Shalohim: *loyally refrains from saying anything again* *Fade to Latin class, half a week or so after Shiko and Kallahandra explained CHAD to Alison. The class's latest assignment, a paper in Latin about the Roman emperor of their choice, is due by the end of the period; almost all of the students are working on it frantically.* Shiko: *one of the few students who is done, leans back and relaxes* Shiko: *whispers to Shalohim, who's also done, in modern Hebrew* "Boy, this teacher is a slacker. I want San back, darnit!" ;.; Shalohim: *in the same language* "I don't think she's doing that badly..." Alison: *is mostly done already, makes a few minor notes from a textbook, then closes it and relaxes* Girl in Front of Alison: *turns to Shalohim and Shiko, speaking hesitantly - but also in Hebrew* "What - said you - about our teacher? Did not understand..." Shiko: !.! Shalohim: !.! *hides his face* Alison: *notices them talking, and that someone besides Shal and Shiko can speak the same language* Shiko: Ummmm... *thinks* Nothing important. Alison: *to girl who's speaking Hebrew* Oh, don't mind them. They speak all these different languages all the time... Alison: *smiles* You get used to it after a while. Girl: Really? *smiles at her* It was a little funny to hear Hebrew... mostly only my parents speak it... Shiko: *always happy to meet new people* I'm Shiko! What's your name? Girl: I'm Rachel. Alison: I'm Alison. *smiles again* Rachel: *smiles at Alison* Shalohim: *perfectly happy to remain anonymous* Alison: *has been feeling generally more happy since she's been told what the heck's going on, points at Shal* And he's Damien. Alison: *in a stage whisper* He's a bit shy. Shalohim: *nods once, not being talkative; blushes a bit* Rachel: I remember - a little bit... You're the one who always seems so scared of Mr. Watcher, right? Shalohim: *blushes furiously, hiding his face again* Shalohim: *muffled* I'm not "scared" of him... San: *at home, sneezes* Rachel: Okay... *turns back to Alison* Do you have your essay done? Mine's almost there, I just need a decent conclusion... Alison: Who're you doing it on? Rachel: Caligula. Alison: *snickers* Sorry, can't help you there... ^___^ I was going to pick him, but I couldn't think of how I'd conclude other than "yep, he was a crazy weirdo!" Rachel: *laughs* I know - that's where I keep getting stuck... Shiko: *looks insulted* He wasn't THAT bad! Shiko: Now, Julius Caesar - oh, boy, don't even get me STARTED on him... Alison: *giggles* Shalohim: *still hiding his face* You did your essay on him, didn't you? Shiko: ^-^;;; How'd you know? Rachel: *confused, but tries not to show it* Shalohim: You ALWAYS write about Julius Caesar. And you always start it the exact same way... Shiko: Well, he WAS a perverted power-crazy tyrant! Alison: *to Rachel, quietly* They've known each other a long time... Lots of inside jokes between them. Rachel: R- really... @.@ Alison: *nods* Just like the languages, you get used to it after a while. Rachel: Well - at least you speak English most of the time, right? *looks hopeful* Alison: *laughs* It's the *only* language I speak. Rachel: Phew... *looks relieved* *Fade out.* *Fade to a week or so after the fateful night; San has not yet returned to teaching, and Josh remains a houseguest. Josh is still officially sleeping on the sofa bed, having to sneak into San's room if he wants - affection. San does not protest these visits, but he doesn't encourage them, either. Tonight, San has been out on a date; thinking that Josh would be asleep, he's bringing his date home.* San: *opens the door to the apartment quietly* San: *looks around quickly, then lets his date in* Date: *follows him, also quietly, though she's not sure why* Josh: *lying awake on the sofa bed, almost jumps when he hears the door* San: *doesn't bother to see if Josh's awake or not, since he assumes he isn't* San: *makes quick stop by the fridge to pick up a bottle of wine and some glasses, then leads his date to his room* Josh: 0.0!!! *speaks almost without realizing it* Who's the chick? San: O.O Date: *jumps about ten feet into the air* !.! San: *in his head, quietly (imitating Josh)* "Oh, shit." Date: *looks at Josh, who's sitting up* 0.0 Date: *turns to San* Angelico... You didn't - I mean, who is - I mean... Date: *unable to think of a way to politely phrase the question "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!"* San: *opens his mouth to explain, then shuts it again, wondering how the hell to explain without getting smacked by either Josh, his date, or both of them* Josh: *looking incredibly hurt and more than a little mad* Date: *just surprised out of her mind* San: Well, this is - I mean - well... Josh: *flatly* It's what? Date: @.@ San: *decides to be truthful* This is... Josh. He's been staying with me. Josh: *at date* -.- Yeah. San: *doesn't specify anything else* Date: @.@ Oh. Okay... *not stupid, but does have a fairly simplistic view of things and wouldn't think there was anything else that could be there* Josh: *at everything in general* -.- San: *to his date, so Josh can't hear* I'm sorry... I thought he'd be asleep... I'll call you, I promise. Date: *also quiet* You can just come over to my place, if you want... Josh: *heard her anyway* -.- Yeah. Go have a good time. *curls back up on the bed* San: *makes excuse and sends her on her way* Date: *leaves with promise of call, still rather confused* Josh: *still curled up on the sofa bed, ignoring San as hard as he can* San: *feels awfully guilty* Josh... Josh: *puts his head under his pillow* San: Josh, please... Josh: *muffled* Lemme alone. San: *figures saying "I thought you were asleep" is a bad idea* But... Josh: *still muffled* But what? So I've been a fucking idiot, what else is fucking new. San: *feels his heart break in his chest* No... I'm the fucking idiot... *goes to his room, knowing anything else he could possibly say won't matter* Josh: *stays in his bed that night* Josh: *not asleep* San: *doesn't sleep either, mostly just tells himself how stupid he is* *Fade to a day before San is supposed to be back at the school. Unable to restrain his curiosity, Damien has decided to pay San a visit and see why he's been gone for so long. In the apartment, things have settled back into a semblance of routine after the disastrous date, though Josh has remained out of San's bed for the most part.* Shalohim: *knocks on the door to the apartment, rather faintly; is extraordinarily nervous* San: *is doing laundry, doesn't hear* Josh: *as a lazy bum, is doing nothing; goes to get the door* Josh: *freezes, staring wide-eyed at Shalohim* Shalohim: 0.0 *also frozen* Shalohim: *having experienced many a strange phenomenon before, is the first to find his voice* You're - you're the one whom... Josh: *still frozen* 0.0 San: *comes out of laundry room, happening to be shirtless, with pile of clothes* Hey, Josh - *sees Shal, falters as a faint blush spreads* Oh... Hello... Shalohim: *blushes a little himself* Josh: *gives San the most broken look possible, then turns and runs out the door, right past the bewildered Shalohim* San: *drops laundry* Josh! *runs after him* Shalohim: @.@ *confused, but slightly pleased anyway; decides he's probably done enough for one day and leaves* Shalohim: *closes the open door behind him* Josh: *is now sitting in an alley a few blocks away, legs drawn up to his chest with his arms wrapped around them and his head on his knees* San: *catches up to him, gets a major heart twinge when he sees him like that* Josh... Josh: *not looking up* Whatever the fuck you have to say, I don't give a fuck. San: Josh... *can't seem to think of anything at all to say but his name* Josh... Josh: *still not looking up* I said I don't care already! Just go the fuck away! San: It's not... I mean, he's not... we haven't... *stumbles over words* San: It's not like that, Josh, I... Josh: *bitterly* The fuck it isn't! Josh: *voice beginning to crack* I thought your stupid "friend" was at least living in some other fucking town, not dropping by your goddamn apartment to say "Hi"! Josh: What the fuck do you need me around for, anyway? San: I don't need you around as much as I want you around. Because I care about you, and because it's a hell of a better life than the one you were leading when I found you! Josh: Like hell. You only give a fuck about ME because I look like HIM. Josh: You never even fucking ASKED if there was anyone else who needed out! You never fucking asked about Jon or anyone! Josh: What a fucking saint that makes you! San: *Is shocked and hurt... more because it's true than anything else.* Josh: *gets up, with angry tears visible on his face* Well, the FUCK with you. At least people are fucking honest about not giving a shit about anyone out here. Josh: *walks off, not even bothering to run, not once looking back* San: *stands there for a few minutes, then turns around to head home, his heart lying broken inside his chest as he thinks about how true all of Josh's words were* *Fade to the next day. San is finally back in school, teaching just like normal. However, Shalohim has told Shiko about what happened yesterday, and she's especially alert today.* Shalohim: *keeps shooting hopeful glances at San, kind of hoping for a positive response* Shiko: *knows better, is keeping one hand at her throat* San: *is mostly keeping quiet, not even bothering to stop students from talking, even though only the bravest try these days* Alison: *can feel strange things in the air, looks at Shiko questioningly* Shiko: *shrugs and whispers* Josh and Daemon ran into each other yesterday. Daemon may be happy about it, but I don't think it was what he thinks it was... Shalohim: *happily oblivious* Alison: *is still slightly lost, but can pretty much deduce what's going on* Shiko: *sighs* If things start looking scary, head for the nearest exit, okay? San: *is pointedly ignoring Shal's many glances his way, is trying to keep his temper reigned in* Shalohim: *is happily oblivious to San's mood, too* Alison: *nods firmly* Shiko: ^-^;;; Good. I'll try and keep them under control if it looks too bad. San: *at the end of class, as the students are leaving, calls Shal up to his desk* Shalohim: ?.? *slightly confused, but not unhappy* Shiko: *tenses* Alison: *heads for the door with the other students, just in case* Alison: *pauses at the door and looks back at Shiko* Shiko: *gives Alison an okay sign* Alison: *goes to wait just outside the door, so she can still hear everything, but is out of sight* San: *quietly but forcefully, obviously angry* I am holding you personally responsible for whatever happens to that boy. Do you understand? And if ANYTHING happens to him... *gets a threatening look in his eyes* Shalohim: *taken aback, just looks at San for a moment, the entire picture he'd built up crashing down* San: *continues glaring at him* Shalohim: *tears begin slowly running down his cheeks* Alison: !.! Shiko: *has one hand at her throat still* San: *turns away before he can feel bad for making Shal cry, gathers the papers he needs to take home, and leaves* San: *ignores Alison when she gives him a stunned look in the hallway* Alison: *her look clearly says "How could you do such a thing?"* Shalohim: *sits down, not bothering with a chair, and just keeps crying, silently* Alison: *looks back into the room, feeling very bad for Shal, and very angry at San* Shiko: *puts one hand on Shal's shoulder, briefly, then goes to Alison and whispers* Why don't you stay here and talk with him for a minute... I need to speak with San... Alison: *nods and goes into the room* San: *is in the parking lot, heading for his car* Shiko: *runs after San, catches him just before he gets in* San: *turns around* What? Shiko: *somehow sounding gentle and stern at the same time* I know what Josh meant to you... but you can't blame this entirely on Shal. You know how he doesn't really understand these things... Alison: *hesitantly, almost afraid to say anything, goes over to Shal and sits next to him* Shalohim: *still just crying, but is a little glad that someone's there, anyway* Alison: *somehow, knows words won't help, so just leans over and rests her head on his shoulder, being a comforting presence* Shalohim: *leans back, grateful* San: *hangs his head, his hair falling in front of his face and obscuring his expression* I know... But it's so damn hard... *is feeling massive waves of guilt already, and his voice drops to a whisper* He never understands... that things can't be the same as they were... Shiko: *stands next to him, leans on him a little* I know... but it still isn't fair to take it out on him. Alison: *still has her head on Shal's shoulder, being a comforting presence and feeling bad for him* Shalohim: *wiping his eyes* I'm sorry, M- Miss Alison... Alison: No, it's all right... I don't care if you cry... Shalohim: *smiles at her* Thank you... Alison: *smiles back* No problem. Shiko: *standing up straight* Well - I didn't want to lecture you too much about something I've already told you about a thousand times... San: *nods slowly* Shiko: Do you want any help finding him? San: I know where to look. Shiko: *nods* Wakatteru. I'll see you tomorrow, then. Shiko: *walks away* San: *gets into his car and drives off* Shalohim: *standing up* I - I should probably be going... Alison: Yeah, my mom will be wondering where I am... Shalohim: *feeling awkward* Um - I'll see you tomorrow, Miss Alison... Alison: *isn't about to let him go that easily* What, you're not going to walk me home? *is kidding, lightly, trying to get him into a better mood* Are you a gentleman or aren't you? Shalohim: *sweatdrops* Anou... Of course I'll walk you home, I didn't mean... anouuuu... Alison: *smiles at him* I was just kidding with you, silly. Shalohim: ;;;; Shalohim: *then smiles at her again* Are you ready to go? Alison: *checks her backpack* Yup! Got everything! Shalohim: ^-^ Let's go. *picks up his own backpack and starts walking out* Alison: *walks at his side, chats away about this and that, avoiding any subject that could in any way connect to Latin class or San* Shalohim: *chats back a little* *Fade out.* San: *Pulls up to the building that Rog works out of, and looks the building over. It is run-down, dirty, and otherwise perfectly suited to the business Rog is in.* San: *doesn't bother to hide his disgust as he gets out of the car* Thug at the Door: *stands in front of the door* Whatcha want? San: I would like to talk to Rog. Thug: -.- Who says ya can? San: *narrows his eyes just slightly* Who says I cannot? Thug: Me. San: I'm sorry, I do not agree. San: *calmly shoves his hand through the thug's chest, picks him up, and moves him over, then wipes his hand on the thug's shirt* Thug: *be’s dead* San: *walks into the building* Rog: *is hanging around near the front door, flirting with a potential customer; looks up and sees San* 0.0!!!!!!!!!! San: -.- Rog: *starts backing away* Wh- wh- what do you want?! Customer: *wisely fades into the background* San: Where is he? Rog: Wh- who? San: Josh. San: Tell me where you're keeping him, before I kill you, slowly. Rog: *points mutely down a hallway, too scared to speak* San: *walks down the hallway, not looking back* Rog: *goes to gather large numbers of henchmen* Josh: *is in a room at the very end of the hall, handcuffed to a bed; is slightly bruised and dirty, but not in as bad a shape as he's been in before* San: *finds the door locked, breaks the lock easily and opens the door* Josh: *looks up* 0.0! What the hell are you doing here?! San: Coming to get you. Josh: Shit - you IDIOT, you shouldn't be doing this... Rog'll never let you back out... San: *breaks the handcuffs* I'm not leaving you here. There is no fucking way. Josh: *looks almost ready to cry* You idiot... San: Maybe I am an idiot. *his face softens, and, almost inadvertently, he caresses Josh's cheek* But I told you, I'm not leaving you here. Josh: Fine. Get us both killed... *stands up anyway, wincing a little* Come on, let's go walk into certain fucking death - it's supposed to be a real rush... San: Just stay behind me. Josh: 'Nkay... *follows him, staying very close behind* San: *opens the door into the hallway* Rog: *along with a ton of evil-looking henchmen, is standing in front of the door and smirking* Rog: *is much braver with lots of back-up* You didn't think you'd really get out that easy, did you? San: *silent* Rog: *motions some of the thugs forward* Kill the blond bitch - but try to leave our little runaway alive, okay? San: You will not touch him again. Thugs: *move forward, preparing to attack San* Josh: *curses under his breath, "idiot" being the least abusive word used* *Suddenly, the first thug has a large hole in his chest, and San's left arm is bloody.* Josh: 0.0! Other Thugs: *having second thoughts, begin backing away a little* Rog: *screams at them hysterically* What the fuck are you scared of?! It's just one guy and a fucking teenager! Kick their asses! *Another second, and another thug is down, his throat ripped out. Now San's other arm is bloody.* All Henchmen: *begin backing off, some of them even slipping away if they think they won't be noticed* Rog: *continues yelling at them to little effect* *A third thug is down, but not dead. His arms have both been ripped off. Now there is blood on most of San's clothing.* Josh: 0.0!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rog: *finally getting a clue, as most of his muscle has abandoned him; begins backing away, slowly, until his back hits the door* San: *walks over to Rog, slowly, non-threateningly* Rog: *scared anyway* D- d- d- Rog: D- don't k- kill me, p- please... San: You're not worth it. Josh: *still hiding behind San, breathes quick sigh of relief* San: San: Rog: ?.? Josh: ?.? San: San: San: San: San: *backs down from the "avenging angel" and becomes just plain threatening* And if you ever touch him again, your life will become a personal hell even worse than the one I described to you. San: *turns to Josh, looking more normal* Let's go. San: *turns back to Rog* Oh, and lest I forget... Josh: ?.? Rog: @.@? San: *reaches down and applies eight pounds of pressure in the right place* Rog: 0.0 *sinks to the ground, hands going to a very sensitive place that has just been vacated; faints from blood loss* Josh: 0.0!!!!!!!!!!!! *instinctively winces* San: *turns back to Josh* Now, we can go. Josh: *nods, wide-eyed and nearly as scared now of San as he was of Rog* Josh: *starts following San out to the car* San: *opens the door for him* Josh: 6.6 Thanks... *gets in* San: *gets in himself, drives home* Josh: *is mostly quiet on the way back, just looking out the window* San: *drives silently, looking very tired* San: *when they reach the apartment, gets out, goes over and opens Josh's door for him* Josh: *gets out* Thanks again... *kind of stands there, looking and feeling awkward as hell* San: *starts to head for the apartment, but stops* San: *turns back to Josh* I'm sorry you had to see what I did back there... Josh: *still looking down at the ground* 'S not a problem... Not like I never saw anything bad before in my life or anything... San: I didn't have time to just then, but... San: I promise I will close down Rog's business and find a way to keep you and the rest of your friends off the streets for good. Josh: *looks up at him, again looking eerily like Shalohim* Really? San: *nods* Yes. San: Tomorrow, I'm taking you to stay at Shiko's house. Josh: ?.? *not quite getting it* Josh: Who? But - but why? San: It's safer with her. She is a good friend of mine, and she will take care of you. San: *goes over to him and hugs him tightly, even with blood all over his clothes* I care about you too much to let you stay here... San: *steps back, a little embarrassed* Josh: *hugs back, even tighter, not caring if he's embarrassed* I didn't mean it... I didn't mean what I said... Josh: I don't care if you only like me because of him... Josh: Just don't - don't make me go away... San: *can feel his heart begin to break, gently separates Josh from himself* Let's go upstairs and sleep. I'm tired. Josh: *head down* 'Kay. San: *doesn't look at Josh, leads the way upstairs* Josh: *follows, dragging his feet and just generally looking like Angst Incarnate* *A couple of hours later, Josh has fallen asleep, and San is trying, but can't.* San: *gets up and goes out into the living room where Josh is sleeping soundly* Josh: *sleeps soundly, curled up into his customary little ball* San: *Gently brushes a stray strand of hair out of Josh's face. For the first time in a while, a tear slides down his cheek.* San: *whispers* I'm so sorry... I don't want to... But it is better for both of us this way... San: *shakes his head and goes back to his room* San: *lays down and silently cries himself to sleep* *Fade out.* *It's the day after Josh's rescue. San has brought him to school so that they can talk with Shiko about Josh living with her; Josh has been sitting in San's Latin class the entire time with paper and pencil, working on something that he keeps carefully shielded. Now it's lunchtime, and San and Josh are sitting off by themselves, eating.* Josh: *eats rather mechanically, but still a lot* San: *feels slightly sick to his stomach, but eats anyway* Shiko: *sitting with Shal, Alison, and company, spots them; excuses herself, telling Shal to stay put in no uncertain terms, and goes over to talk to them* Alison: *chats with her friends, doesn't notice Shiko leave* Shalohim: @.@ *stays put, not even looking over towards where Shiko went* Shiko: ^-^ Hey, you two. San: *looks up, slightly startled* ?.? Shiko: *sits down* Just saying hi... Shiko: *pulls a crying face* ;.; Aren't I allowed to do that anymore, San? Josh: @.@ San: Of course you are! *gives her a look that says "Thank you SO much for coming over and talking..." in a good way* Shiko: ^-^ Hey, Josh. How're things going? *ruffles his hair a little* Josh: *flinches, but only a little bit* Shiko: *notices anyway, sits on her hands* Sorry... Josh: @.@ 'S fine... Shiko: *switches to Latin* "So, San - is there a reason you're bringing him here? Other than to rub things in Shal's face?" *trying not to sound too mean, just curious* San: *gives her a very, very hurt look* "I was wondering if you could take care of Josh for me... Josh: *not understanding, but can pick "Josh" out of there* 6.6 Josh: *keeps eating* Shiko: *looks at both of them* "I see... It wouldn't be a problem for me, but what does he think about it?" San: 6.6 Shiko: *sighs* "You know this kind of thing puts me in an awkward position... and it's going to sound really funny if I just ask him out of the blue about it..." San: "I told him yesterday that you would..." *looks hopeful* Shiko: ^-^;;; "San, he doesn't know me from Eve. This is going to be really hard on him..." Shiko: *looks over to where Shal is sitting and carefully concentrating on Alison and company* "But rebuilding this city from scratch is going to be even harder... so..." San: "So...?" Shiko: "I guess I'll do it." *sighs and goes back to English* Ne, Josh... Josh: *looks up from eating, rather sullenly* What? San: *sits there and looks at his feet* Shiko: San told me - he said... *swallows and tries again* Do you mind staying with me for a while, while San gets everything sorted out? Josh: 6.6 Josh: *finally mumbles* Sure. Shiko: ^-^ You can walk home with me after school, then. It'll be fun - I have a lot of stuff we can do... Josh: 6.6 Sure. Whatever. San: *gets up suddenly* I have some tests I need to correct, I'll see you guys later... *drops his tray off and leaves the cafeteria* San: *goes back to the Latin classroom, unlocks the door, then goes inside and locks it again* San: *sits down at his desk and puts his face in his hands, begins to cry* Josh: 6.6 Shiko: *sits a little closer to Josh* It'll be fine... Promise. Josh: 6.6 Fine. *Fade to seventh period Latin class. The students are coming in the door a minute or so before the final bell rings; Josh is sitting at a spare desk in a corner, still working on the shielded paper.* Shalohim: *sees Josh as he comes in; goes straight to his desk and rests his head on his arms, hiding his face* Alison: *sits down at her desk, looks over at Shal, sighs and begins copying down the exercises on the board* San: *keeps his eyes on the tests he's correcting, which he said he'd be correcting at lunchtime* Shiko: *goes and peeks over Josh's shoulder, looking at the paper* Paper: *is full of little sketches of San in different poses while he was teaching* Josh: o!.!o *tries to hide the paper* Shiko: *pins it down so she can keep looking at it* Hmmmm... Shiko: Smooth, even lines... good balance... shading's a bit awkward, but then it's always a bugger... These are really good. *smiles at Josh* Josh: o6.6o They're just some dumb sketches... I didn't mean... Shiko: *whispers in his ear* Tell you a secret - if I could draw, I'd draw San all the time, too, just because he's always posing! Josh: *at Shiko* ~.- *then looks at San* San: *is leaning back in his chair, his arms folded behind his head, looking very hot without even trying* Josh: *snickers* Okay, you got a point. Shiko: ^-^ *goes and sits in her seat* Rachel: *looks at Shal, then turns to Alison* What's wrong with your friend Damien? Rachel: I'd think he'd be happy to have his twin brother visiting him... *points at Josh* Alison: *wonders how to answer, sighs again* Alison: It's a long and complicated story, Rachel... And we really shouldn't be talking... Rachel: *covers her mouth* Sorry... *goes back to working on the exercises* Alison: *sighs once again and works on her own exercises* Shalohim: *keeps his head down for the entire class* Time: *skips to the last bell* Alison: *has been thinking while doing her homework, now turns to Rachel* Hey, Rachel, d'you want to come to my house this afternoon? I was thinking we could watch a movie or something... Rachel: Really? Sure, that'd be great! I don't have anything to do at my house besides sit around and mope... @.@ My parents are so last- century, we don't even have a VCR! Alison: Oh, we have lots of great movies! Rachel: ^-^ Cool! Alison: Meet me at the front of the school in five minutes, okay? Rachel: Sure! I have to stop by my locker anyway! *Fade to that afternoon at Alison's house, where Rachel and Alison are watching Dogma together.* Rachel: *absorbed in the movie, although she occasionally asks questions when she's confused on some point of Christianity; is Jewish* Alison: *answers all of her questions* Rachel: *during the part where Bethany thinks Bartleby and Loki are a couple* 0.0 Rachel: Do you think God would allow gay angels? I mean - there's so much in the Bible about... but... @.@ Alison: *thinks for a few minutes* Well... Alison: The Bible was written by people, wasn't it? And maybe they just... changed a few things around to their liking... Rachel: *thinks about it* I guess that's true... Rachel: It's just - kind of funny to think about. Especially since - well, no, that's different, I guess... Alison: Hmm? Rachel: *blushes a little* Nothing - I mean - nothing. Alison: Are you keeping a secret from me? *looks intrigued* Come on, I like secrets! And I promise I won't tell anyone... Rachel: o^-^o;;; It's not a secret, really - I mean... It's just... Rachel: o6.6o Well - um - sometimes I wonder if your friend Damien might be - um... Rachel: You know... Alison: *smiles* Let's just put it this way. Rachel: ?.? Alison: Damien falls in love with people regardless of gender. Rachel: @.@ Oh. Okay... Rachel: ^-^ That's kinda cool, actually. Rachel: *goes back to watching the movie, concentrating on it rather - intently* Rachel: *at the part where the angels unveil their wings and have the armor on and start smiting* 0.0 Rachel: That's kind of scary... Alison: *nods, sadly* Rachel: I mean, you always hear all kinds of New Age stuff about angels being healers and guardians of light - but I guess this is kind of closer to what real angels might be like. Alison: I think... I think they're a little of both... Alison: *looks remarkably old for a second, tucks a strand of hair behind one ear* Yes... They're a little of both... Rachel: *looks at her* You know a lot about this kind of thing... Rachel: I think that's pretty cool. My parents aren't very orthodox, so I don't know much about religion... Alison: I used to go to church a lot when I was a kid... Read the Bible and everything... Rachel: Why not anymore? Alison: I dunno... I just kinda stopped after a while... Alison: There's only so many times you can hear the same sermon about hellfire... Rachel: *laughs* Yeah, I guess. I think that's the Hebrew word I know best... Rachel: *settles back into the movie, not asking any more questions until God shows up* !.! Rachel: Alanis Morrissette is GOD?! Alison: *laughs a little* I was surprised by that too... Rachel: *laughs* Now I guess we've seen everything, huh? Alison: Pretty much, yeah... Rachel: ^-^ Alison: ^__^ Rachel: *watches the end of the movie without asking any more questions; is too caught up* Alison: *watches it also, seeing things completely differently than when she watched it with Shiko* Alison: *thinks to herself* "She's just like I was... So... cluelessly innocent... I feel so old..." Rachel: *turns away from the TV, stretching* Well - THAT was pretty interesting... Rachel: I don't think I've ever looked at religion that way before. It was - well - it was cool. Alison: *nods* Yup. Rachel: *turned away from Alison, casually happens to say* It's kind of funny, but those two angels - they sorta reminded me of Shiko and Damien. Just the way they have all those in-jokes and stuff... Rachel: Like they've been around for ages and ages. Alison: *starts, then smiles, trying to hide her nervousness* They've known each other for a long time... Alison: It make me feel a little left out sometimes, but they're such wonderful friends that it doesn't happen as often anymore... Rachel: ^-^ Well, that's good. Alison: Yeah. *smiles* So, do you need a ride home? Rachel: No, thanks. I can just call my mom and she'll come pick me up... Alison: Okay. *leads the way downstairs to the kitchen* Rachel: *follows* *And - fade out.*