Posts by Crepe

Ivan almost objected, but he would never try to argue. He nodded quickly, and scurried off to find his old clothes to wear.

|| Timeskip to the morning? Unless you had some plot idea in mind! ||

|| Okay! ||

I got up as soon as the sun rose and quickly got dressed. Normally, I would go on a ride, but I don't trust Ivan and Joan together. Ivan is bound by a blood oath, but that doesn't mean he can't aid someone in an escape. I mumbled a few curses under my breath and opened the door to see Ivan patiently standing in the hallway. I brushed past him and down the stairs. Much to my dismay, he followed. "No sign of the hooligans that attacked yesterday," He told me, trying to conjure up a conversation. An empty gesture. "Fetch Joan, bring him to the library," I said curtly shooed Ivan away.

I settled into the library, sitting with my back against one of the shelves and a book in hand. Ivan had made it to the guest room and he softly tapped his knuckles on the door. "Sir? Are you awake? You're requested to go to the library," He said to the door, pausing to wait for a response.

I didn't look up from my book and spoke. "Read. You said you wanted to," I told him, flipping a page in my book. I didn't fully trust him to be alone with my books, so just for today I would watch over him. The bitter taste of ash still clung to my taste-buds. Phoenix blood was about a 2 in quality, the ashy aftertaste combined with the watery texture wasn't great.

I looked up, scanning him with cold eyes. "I wasn't asking," I reminded him, snapping my book shut. I grabbed another one from a pile I had made beside me. I was sure that he wouldn't try to leave, so I didn't bother to stand up to intimidate him. He wanted to read just a bit ago, I couldn't understand why he wouldn't now.

I turned to him, to look directly at him. "Yep. Spectacular view," I said with a small smile, mostly to myself. Suddenly, I pulled off my boots and rolled up my pants as far as they would go. Probably ruined the ironing on my pants, but it didn't matter that much. Without saying anything, I stepped into the water and whirled around to face the younger male. "It's f*cking freezing, come on in," I winked at him. I wasn't sure why I had randomly decided to stick my feed in the muddy bank of a freezing lake, but why not? The slope was terribly slippery, even so, I didn't warn him.

"Sit, stop acting like a child," I told him, my tone getting a bit irritable. He was acting totally unreasonable! I hadn't done anything to him. Even when I bruised his neck by strangling him, he didn't act this way. I didn't appreciate that he continued to make useless retorts.

I loudly shut my book and stood up. In a fit of rage, I threw the book across the room and at Joan's head. Although I would never actually throw it at his head, so I threw it to the right of him. I loud whack resounded when it hit the wall, and again when it hit the floor. I adjusted the sleeve off my blazer and folded my arms across my chest. "Obviously you're worth something, I haven't killed you yet. Obviously I understand you're scared. Obviously I understand you're angry. But you," I approached him, pushing him against the wall. "Obviously don't understand what kind a position you're in."

I returned his glare. "And how do you recommend doing that?" I hissed through gritted teeth. I didn't understand how humans could be so difficult! "I did save you from that crazed maniac, didn't I? I could've let you die. If you mean nothing then why am I trying my damned hardest not to trample on your feelings? It's troubling that I don't know how to act around a child."

"That can be easily arranged." When he leaned close, I pushed him back against the wall. I had forgotten that I told him that. Great, now he thinks he knows everything. Add that to the list of things I hate about people. "If you wish to be killed, so be it. It'll just put another person in your place. If you need so badly to be worth something in society's eyes, maybe you should've started with not showing your body off to old men for money," I said. Now that comment probably warranted a slap. Even I knew that it was a low blow.

I let him push me back, not trying to stop him. I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. Ivan had only just made it to the library after hearing the thud and he scowled at me. I decided to let that one slide, seeing as I deserved it. "Sir..." He started, choosing his words carefully. "I suggest you leave him be. With all due respect you aren't the best with people," He muttered quietly and I rolled my eyes. Duh. Of course I know that. I waved him off, knowing he would try to console Joan.

Ivan knocked softly on Joan's door. "If you'd like to be alone sir, I can go. But I'd much rather stay with you this time..." He said through the door, not caring if I heard. Which I did.

Ivan had finally found clothes that fit him. He wasn't satisfied with the monotone grey suit that he had on. but there weren't too many options. He smiled sadly at the younger male's hesitance. "What he said was awful and uncalled for, that's not what defines you. He knows this, he just said something that he thought would hurt you," He said quickly. Although, it sounded too much like he was defending the perpetrator. "Don't get me wrong, he's not a good person..."

"Of course you did, you didn't do anything wrong, sir," Ivan reminded him gently, not moving from his position at the door. He ran his thumb over his knuckles and looked to Joan. The little old man in him wanted so bad to hug the hell outta that boy, but he told himself not to.

Ivan snorted. "It's because I'm old isn't it? You rascals, always discriminating against your elders," He said, his attempt at a hard tone cracking into a light laugh.

"I wouldn't say nice. I haven't gotten you out of this mess, and I couldn't protect you earlier. I can't exactly do anything," Ivan admitted quietly. "But I'll take it as a compliment," He managed a smile, fixating his gaze on the ground.

Another sad smile lined Ivan's features. "It's.. Yeah. Yeah. I guess," He nodded to himself. He didn't particularly feel like a good person. "Would you like me to retrieve a few books?" He asked suddenly.

My hands shot out to grab him, but I didn't have good enough footing so I ended up falling on to my hands and knees on top of him, Freezing cold water enveloped my hands and knees, not that it mattered much, since my skin was already ice-cold. I laughed, wobbly standing up. Once I was sure that I could stand properly, I extended a hand to him. "Sorry, I didn't think you'd fall," I laughed.

I grabbed his hand pulling him up. Even though I thought I had a strong stance, I still ended up wobbling a bit, but luckily we didn't fall again. I shook the water off of my hands with a quiet 'ugh'. I wasn't fond of water. "Your horse is going to be so happy that it has to drag your wet ass back to the house," I chuckled. I probably should've warned him about how slippery it was, but I purposely hadn't. "When you visit in the warmer months," I made extra sure that I used 'when' instead of 'if'. "It won't be as miserable."

Ivan gave a quick smile. "I'll grab a few of my favorites," He said, and briskly walked out. Once he made it down to the library, there were books scattered about, particularly from one bookshelf. I was sitting on the sofa, inspecting the papers that had been laying there. "What happened?" Ivan asked, scooping up a bunch of books to put them back on the shelf. He would arrange them properly later. "I punched it," I said nonchalantly. Ivan sighed and picked out a few books for Joan. I stood up and took a book from the shelf, then gave it to him. "Give him that one," I said. Ivan tilted his head, skeptical, but took it from my hands anyway. He read the cover aloud. "Sorry? That's the book you're giving him? Okay," Ivan returned to Joan with an armful of books.