Better the Devil
Chapter Four
The silence in the dark room where had laid on her stomach in the bed were
suddenly broken by the sound of haunting sorrowful melody which came from a snow
globe-like music box.
stared at the miniature of a beautifully cavern of a Victorian house, at
the figurine of small children and at the fluttering white snow inside the
globe. It was ’s favorite treasure. It was given by Tyki for her at
Christmas a few years ago.
FLASHBACK
had been skeptical when the Earl had said that they have to prepare for the
upcoming Christmas. For crying out loud, they are what most people would call
devil (despite their “good” intention), why would they celebrate such a
goodie-good-like celebration thing that supposedly only good people will care?
Road had been the most happy during the occasion, yelling something about
getting presents and stuff. had never celebrated Christmas in her life
before and she wasn’t exactly enthusiastic about it either.
When told of her feeling about celebrating Christmas, had laughed
and said, “We are of Noah Clan, and Jesus was the son of the God we serve, it is
only right that we celebrate his birth…”
The Earl had made it clear for everyone to get ‘involve’ in this Christmas
thing. He even told that he expected a present from her!
shook her head at that, annoyed. For God’s sake, her family is one weird
bunches. “Fine, but I suck at choosing presents so if you don’t like the present
from me, don’t go and flame me!”
had smiled at her comment and assured her with: “The thought and effort
that you put on choosing and buying the presents for us that counts, …”
“Well, before we go on the let’s-all-celebrate-Christmas mode, there is one more
mission that you have to finish first, -chan…” The Earl said.
“What is it?” asked.
The Earl grinned. “Go to Russia and fetch Tyki-pon…”
almost flinched at the mention of Tyki’s name. “Why me?”
“Because I want you and Tyki to work together for our last mission this year...”
The Earl said.
“And who is the target this time?”
“Cell Roron would tell you and Tyki the list of the name of people you guys have
to ‘delete’…”
sighed. “Alright, I will get right on it.”
“Good.” The Earl look pleased. “Come back soon with Tyki-pon…”
-----------------------------------------------------
was standing in an abandon tunnel somewhere at St. Petersburg. was in
her white form. She stood there, arms crossed, clearly impatient at how late
Tyki is.
Tyki approached her. He was also in his white form. He was wearing a
ridiculously thick glasses and his chin unshaven. His clothes were messy too. He
had his bag over his shoulder. He grinned when he saw the younger girl shot him
an annoyed glare. “Have I made you wait too long? Sorry, sorry, my job in the
mine kept me quite busy…”
turned toward the older man; arms still crossed, and sighed. “Let’s just
get this over with, alright…”
“Still cold as ever, you used to be cute…” Tyki teased.
flushed a bit. She turned away to hide the blush. “You do aware I’m here
only because the Earl assigned us on the same mission…”
Tyki grinned mischievously. “Yes, yes, I know… Geez, all work and no fun someday
will make you grow old, you know…”
spun toward him. “You… You are so annoying! Why do you always have to mock
me?” She said with angry pout which Tyki found cute. She was always made
speechless by the older man. found the human version of Tyki is rude and
annoying. “Can we just get on with the mission already?”
Tyki laughed. He decided he would stop the teasing for now. “Since you ask so
nicely…” he mocks her again. He started to revert back into his black form. He
ran a hand over his soft hair and smiled faintly, eyes closed. When he opened
his eyes again, golden eyes meet ’s green ones.
found herself mesmerized with those eyes. She forced herself to look away
so she missed the amused look crossed Tyki’s feature. “So…what was the
assignment?”
Tyki pulled out the card contain Cell Roron and the tiny creature passed them
the list of names the Earl had wanted them to take care.
---------------------------------------------------------
Tyki and stood on top of a cliff where they could see their targets, a
group of exorcists and finders.
“So here we are…” sighed. She glanced at the older man. “Which one is the
target?” asked finally.
“Does it matter?” Tyki said with a shrug. “We should just eliminate all of them;
show them no mercy, left no eyewitnesses…”
’s eyebrow furrowed in displease but she didn’t object. “Let’s just get this
over with then…”
Tyki summoned a few akumas and ordered them to attack the carriages where the
group is. The akumas were soon defeated by the exorcists. “They were quite
good…”
didn’t comment. She watched as the humans struggled to fight using all
their might.
Tyki tipped his top hat a bit. “Looks like we do have to make our appearances
after all…” he said with a twisted grin which sends a chill to anyone who sees.
“Shall we?”
nodded and the two rushed toward the group with a flash. The groups almost
didn’t know what hit them. made a clean, fast massacre out of her victims
but Tyki, on the other hand, made damn sure that his victims suffered a painful
death.
had finished taking care of the exorcists against her. She saw Tyki who was
dealing or rather ‘playing’ with an exorcist. She saw him teasing and taunting
the wounded exorcist. She saw the lust for blood and the pleasure of causing
pain in his eyes. He enjoyed torturing his victims. disliked his way but
remained silent. heard the exorcist begged Tyki to show mercy on him.
flinched at the pain she felt from the exorcist but quickly pushed that feeling
away from her mind and heart.
Tyki smirked at the exorcist’s pathetic attempt at fighting him and now he was
begging for his life. He summoned his flesh-eating golem and put it inside the
exorcist’s body. Tyki witnessed the exorcist writhed his body in pain and fear.
He laughed. He stood up and spun to see who approached him with a troubled
look. “This is too easy, I felt so cheap…” he said with a hint of mockery.
“Then let’s just end this… There is no need to torture him like that. Just put
him out of his misery so that we can go back already…” replied.
Tyki chuckled. “As usual you’re such a softie, …”
shot him a glare. “The Earl is waiting for us in the manor, we have to
hurry…”
Tyki turned to see the exorcist tried to crawl out his chest in a desperate
attempt to get Tease out of him. He grinned and ordered the golem inside the
exorcist to finish him off, causing more unbearable pain for the exorcist.
had to look away at the bloody sight when the butterfly-shaped golem
emerged from the exorcist’s body and it had multiplied. She closed her eyes and
sighed. ‘We’ll surely go to hell…’ she thought sadly. ‘I thought I have come to
term with it. I have to accept it. It’s a small price in order to realize our
dream of new world…’
Tyki watched the sorrowful look on the young girl’s feature and shook his head
knowing the inward battle within the girl’s mind.
-------------------------------------------------------------
After reporting to the Earl of their yet another successful mission, the Earl
gathered all the Noah on another dinner night together. The Earl said that they
can now rest for a bit and celebrate Christmas together, once again reminding
to prepare the gift after mentioning how this is her first Christmas together
with the family…
Everyone seems quite enthusiastic with this celebration except and Skin
Boric. The twin weren’t too happy about it either but realized if they went
along with it, they shall get a lot of presents. Kids!
Tyki noticed that had barely touched her food but she forced herself to eat
it anyway because it would displease the Earl if she hadn’t. Whether for real or
not, the Earl valued the family dinner so much and that’s why nobody had dared
to miss a dinner with him.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Later on, approached with an invitation to go shopping for Christmas
with her. “I heard you have a problem choosing presents for the family… Would
you like to go with me so that together we can figure out what to choose?” she
said with a warm smile.
nodded with a relief smile. “Oh, thanks God, that would be great, Sister
. I don’t know the others well enough to know what they would like to have
for presents…”
smiled. “I will tell you a bit about them and then you go decide yourself
what to give. It wouldn’t be fun if it wasn’t come from the person herself…”
smiled faintly.
When and were in the living room to go on their way out, they saw
Road who was pulling on Tyki’s coat, demanded him to accompany her to go out
there shopping for Christmas.
Tyki tried to get away from Road, saying that he was tired and needing rest. “Go
by yourself! I’m not going to be your groceries boy! You want me to come just so
to get me to either pay the things you want or ‘help’ you bring what you buy
around…”
Road pouted. “Tyki, you’re so mean!” She looks over at the other man. “What
about you, Brother ?”
looked up from the book he read and smiled faintly. “I think I will pass on
that…”
entered the room with and smiled kindly at Road. “Why don’t you join
us then, Road-chan? We’re going shopping now. It would be fun for us girls to go
shopping together; it would be much fun than do it with the guys…”
Road grinned in agreement. “Girls’ night out it is!”
smiled, a little unsure now whether to go or not. Not that she dislike
Road, it just that the girl is too noisy for her taste.
“…” called out.
turned to face .
“I’m looking forward to receive your present…” said with a smile.
smiled a little and nodded with a small pink flush.
Tyki sat on the cushion, watching the way behaved toward . The girl
respected and looked up to the man obviously. He wondered if had feeling
for more than as sibling and found himself felt disturbed at the thought.
is smart, wise and charming but Tyki was sure that he himself was the most
attractive of all of the Noah men. There is no way any women could deny his
charm and hotness.
suddenly realized something. “Ah, I have to get my coat first. The weather
is almost cold, isn’t it?” She said.
“You were right…” said. “I also…”
“Let me take your coat!” offered. “You too, Road-chan?”
Road shook her head. “I’m fine. I like cold anyway…”
“That won’t do, Road-chan!” reprimanded. “Please take Road’s coat too, -chan.
Thank you.”
nodded and left to get their coat.
stood up. “I will be in my room.”
“Brother , are you sure you don’t want to come?” Road asked.
grinned. “Persistent, aren’t we? Don’t worry; I already have all the
presents secured safely in my room…”
“Really?” Road asked, excited. She started pestering on the older Noah for
information about her present. “So you have already prepared the presents? What
did you get for me? Come on, come on, tell me!”
walked out of the living room with a ‘it’s-a-secret’ smile.
smiled, watching trying to pry the girl off him. She looks at Tyki
who look troubled. “What about you, Tyki? Care to join us?”
Tyki sighed tiredly. “Just go you girls and have fun. I will go when I felt much
better.”
“Well, don’t forget to buy our presents; you almost forgot last year…” Road
suddenly poke her head from the doorway and yelled at Tyki.
Tyki rolled his eyes though a faint smile displayed in his face. “Ok, ok… Don’t
worry, I won’t forget about it…”
“You better not!” Road yelled before disappeared outside the living room.
Tyki sighed.
smiled. “You have a lot in your mind, huh?”
“What do you mean?” Tyki asked.
“You used to be excited during Christmas…”
“I still am. I’m just a little bit tired right now. There is still time till
Christmas anyway; I’m sure by then, my Christmas spirit would return…”
returned, bearing the coats.
Road quickly yelling about have to go now.
------------------------------------------------------------
, and Road had quite a fun together. They remained in their Noah form
but make sure that the cross mark in their forehead remained hidden in their
hair bangs or hat.
When they were walking, a lot of gentlemen were looking at , bowing and
smiling at the beautiful lady. felt proud at for the older woman was
beautiful, smart and charming, unlike her and she wanted to be like .
didn’t know about the seductress in because she never shows it around too
much. Although aware that had many admirers (mostly men), the older
woman always behaved like a real lady, just like she had taught .
Among the three, the one who is not behaving as a proper lady would be Road. She
was childish, naughty and free-spirited; and she wasn’t afraid to show it. She
dragged and to many stores and sometimes pulled a harmless prank on
people and have a good laugh.
couldn’t help but smile. She envied both of them, each to have their own
uniqueness. She felt herself is too dull but then again what used she has for
that kind of trait? She was currently the enemy of humanity, most considered the
Noah as evil. It would be better if she could be emotionless, surely would make
things easier for her. But she was determined not to lose her focus on her
target to make a reality of what the Earl dreamed of a new world. And for that
reason, she shouldn’t need to worry about her look, appearance or personality,
should she? She quickly shook that disturbing thought of her mind when she heard
Road’s cheerful tone.
The girls then went on their own separate way to start their hunt for presents.
had a small notepad which containing her idea of presents for everyone,
except for the Earl and Tyki. She didn’t know what to give to them. She didn’t
buy everything right away though, she just keep note so that later on she could
started buying it. She didn’t want to risk being seen or found out about the
presents which surely ruin the element of surprise in it.
stood in front of a toy shop window, watching in quite fascination on a
certain thing which was shown in it. She smiled.
“I didn’t know you have an eye on such girlie thing like that…” Tyki said,
amused.
spun around in surprise. She looks annoyed to see the older man. She opened
her mouth, ready to make a harsh comment or something.
“Easy there, kitten, I’m not here to annoy you or anything…” Tyki raised his
hands in placating gesture. He smiled kindly. “I’m here to enjoy some cocoa in
my favorite café…care to join me?”
stared at him in disbelief. She suddenly remembered that they used to be
close to each other before that incident. She often wondered why she couldn’t
get close to him anymore without a mix-up feeling of love, adornment,
embarrassment, pain, sorrow and scorn. She hate that he could stir up many
emotion in her. She was confused with her own feeling because of him.
“…?”
“Alright…”
“What?”
“I could use some cocoa now…”
Tyki smiled, pleased. He led her to a small café down the street. They ordered
two cup of hot cocoa to go to. “So where are Road and ?” he asked as he
handed her the cocoa.
took the cocoa with a faint smile. “Around. We went on our separate way so
that we might not spoil the element of surprise in choosing and buying the
present…” She blew the hot cocoa a bit to cool it down.
“I see. Have you figured out presents for everyone?” Tyki asked as they started
to walk together lazily.
“I’m trying…” replied quietly as she took a sip of the cocoa.
“Do I get a present from you?” Tyki asked with a hint of teasing.
lowered her gaze away from the older man.
Tyki didn’t push for answer.
They walked together randomly, not talking, but content at each other’s
presence. They passed a choir group singing Christmas Carol.
“It’s peaceful…” suddenly said.
“Ah…” Tyki agreed. “Christmas tends to give that kind of sense…”
“I wish the world could always be this… Gentle… Warm… Peaceful…”
“…”
stopped suddenly at a shop window.
“What is it?” Tyki asked when he realized had stopped walking.
shook her head. She started walking but a faint smile was on her face.
Tyki raised an eyebrow in curiosity but decided to remain silent.
-------------------------------------------------------------
On the Christmas day, the Earl gathered everyone for a Christmas dinner before
on to the opening and exchanging presents. A delight cries and exchanged words
of happiness filled the room as everyone started to open their presents
together.
felt a sense of warm, fuzzy feeling in her heart as she watched everyone’s
happy, excited features. She smiled as she slowly observed what she got from
everyone. She was surprised to see a snow globe-like music box on one of the
presents she received. It was the thing that had caught her interest on the toy
shop window. She saw the small card and found out that it was from Tyki. She
looked up to see Tyki and locked her gaze with him.
Tyki smiled at her before continue to open his presents. He received a golden
pocket watch from and was very pleased.
was pleased to have limited, old and new edition of books as presents.
was trying on her new necklace from Tyki.
Road was showing everyone her new outfit which she got from .
The twins started to show each other their new toys happily.
Skin looked gloomy. He dislikes his presents. All he wanted was eating his
precious sweet cakes again.
The Earl watched the family and a look of fatherly crossed his features.
END FLASHBACK
smiled at the memory. She touched the music box lightly with a faint smile
displayed on her face. She suddenly was feeling very sleepy. Her eyelids started
to drop slowly after resting her head on the pillow.
--------------------------------
Cassiel Lorna
Edited by Butterfly - May 28, 2008
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Author's Note:
1. Is that even possible? I wish the Earl look human instead of monster-like.