Snippet #2161628

“So, where’d you want to go?” Ash asked casually, fixing her hair as she started pulling on her helmet, taking a moment to grab the spare and toss it Sebastian’s way. She didn’t get why her sister was making her shepherd this kid around, but it was a bet, and she’d lost it fair and square. Not that it was ever in her favour. Watching Sebastian catch the helmet, Ash continued to make some last minute checks on Umbra as he spoke. “I remember there being a sort of fancy restaurant several miles from here... It's not that expensive, but it has some really good food."

“You want to eat somewhere like that?” Ash asked a little bluntly turning to face him. She was never that big of a fan of ritzy places like that – Especially if the food wasn’t worth the amount you were paying. “I hate to break it to you but I’m not exactly rolling in cash at the moment.” As if to answer her concerns, Sebastian began waving around a crisp $100 bill, causing Ashley to raise an eyebrow. “I appreciate the gesture, but I’d like to pay my own way, thanks.” Folding her arms, she watched Sebastian sigh – Maybe he was a little annoyed at her? Well, she wasn’t about to let some kid treat her to things. She had some pride to maintain. He seemed to accept that for the moment, inquiring into just how much she had on her.

“About $40, give or take.” Ash estimated, not bothering to check her pocket. For now, it seemed he had his heart set on things, so she may as well get it over. Whistling in her head, it took only a moment for Umbra to come driving into the garage, sliding to a stop in front of them as Ash climbed aboard, Noir leaping to snuggle into her lap. “Well, get on. You’ll need to direct me.” With another heavy sigh, Sebastian climbed on, Ash speeding them out and off through the streets. It was a quiet ride, Sebastian occasionally speaking up to direct her. Finally however, she coasted to a stop outside the place, kicking the stand and removing her helmet. “So, this the place, huh?”

Sebastian nodded and took off his as well. "Yeah... This is where Lucy, me and.... Someone else, use to go... Or whatever she calls herself now -- Lucifer or some bull like that." Ash noted the annoyance in his tone, but decided to ignore it, instead deciding to make some idle conversation. “You could afford something like this?” Sebastian sighed as he got ready to head in. "Yep... Lucy always had the money somehow - me and Rob... Well, we use to be thankful, despite wondering how she had it. Now that she's a demon -- one of those seven demon girls... It just doesn't feel like the same girl I grew up with."

"People change. It's kind of inevitable." Ash commented, pushing open the door and heading inside, taking a moment to look over the interior as Sebastian slowly following in after her. "Yeah... I guess. I just wish Deon had told me sooner about it... Oh well, let's just enjoy the day." Ash nodded a little at his comment, before heading over to the one of the waiters, asking for a table and being escorted to one of the back seats. After politely declining entrées, she began to examine the menu, looking for something tasty, and in her price range. It was all pretty fancy, but she’d probably end up going with something basic like a risotto. Not glancing up as Sebastian began speaking, as his voice lowered she was forced to drop her menu in order to listen in. "... So uh, do you ever know what happened to those two we met at that church?"

“Can’t say I have any idea. I’m sure they’ll turn up eventually.” Ash responded dismissively, having not really thought on their disappearance up until this point. Honestly? She was just thankful she was still alive and okay – as selfish as that concept may have been. "So... How was it? The WDL, I mean?" Sebastian prodded her again, causing Ash to sigh and rest her chin in one hand, leaning on the table. “It was different. Kind of like going back to school. We didn’t exactly get to stay there that long though.” Sebastian nodded at this. "So I remember... You aren't curious how Hell is like?"

“Not particularly. I imagine I’ll find out myself one day.” Ash chuckled a little to herself, closing her eyes. "... So is this a hint you want me to stop asking questions then?" Sebastian asked, causing Ash to open her eyes to regard him. Shifting to sit back, she folded her arms behind her head. “No, it’s alright. I’m just not that good at keeping conversation.” Ash responded truthfully, not entirely used to this sort of setting. Sebastian seemed a little taken aback, but his curiosity continued. “.... Oh. Well, I was wondering if you could tell me more about yourself."


"Like what?" Ash asked, looking to see where the waiter was so they could order. Honestly, for a high quality place like this… “Like.... What do you do in your free time?" Sebastian spoke again, Ash almost having forgotten he was there. Shrugging she settled back into her seat. “Normal stuff mostly. Working on my bike and driving it around. I used to play some videogames back at home, but we don’t exactly have that luxury here.” Ash sighed a little, thinking back to her normal life back at the house. It seemed so distant now… "Who knows, maybe you could ask them if you could go home... Even though some of us don't have homes to go back to." He admitted as he shrugged his shoulders. "But I'm probably boring you telling stuff like that."

"I guess this place is probably what you'd consider home now. The Renegades I mean." Ash mused slightly, wondering if she though of the Renegades as home too. She hadn’t been there that long, but… "... No. Not really. It's an army to me - nothing more." Ash blinked a little at Sebastian’s comment, a bit surprised by it. "Guess you're not too fond of the atmosphere there, huh?" Ash tried to make some ‘friendly’ talk, but all that seemed to do is bring up more unpleasant memories for the boy. ".... No. I almost died there - while you were fighting that other demon. Another demon showed up and stabbed me through the chest in five different spots at the same time and I nearly died of blood loss..."

"Oh uh... Wow. Kinda awkward..." Ash mumbled, not really sure what to say in response. That feeling persisted as Sebastian continued. ".... You know, ever since I've been brought into that church, I've been thinking to myself. Of how some feelings started to nag at me, I started contemplating what obsession felt like... Then I went into hell, and I felt like I died a thousand times over - no, more then that. When I got out of it, I felt like I had died a hundred times. But the obsession was still there... Then I met someone else and I started to think of what it means to know someone before having feelings for them. Then I met Lucifer, who went crazy from liking me so much.... As I stood there, on the line between life and death, I played a song my mother used to play for me... A song, she said that she and my dad used to dance to or something like that... I tried to send a message, I tried to use it to help, but... In the end, it was pointless." He sighed and put his forehead on his hands. "... I guess that pretty much sums up everything I've been doing since I got out of hell."

Remaining silent, Ash thought to herself about what she should say. Was it appropriate to say something? She had no idea if she was supposed to be trying to comfort him or what. It was times like this she wished she had Claire around, so that she could come up with something smart or philosophical to say. Maybe even crack a joke if it looked like it might work. But Claire wasn’t here, and she had no idea what to say, so she remained silent. It was probably thankful that the waiter arrived then to take their order, Ash ordering her meal and then retreating back into quiet solitude. Sebastian seemed to do the same, happily speaking with the waiter before returning to a sombre expression, clasping his head and leaning over the table. Ash sighed. “So did you actually come out here to enjoy yourself or are you just going to mope?”

Sebastian looked at her. "You aren't exactly helping me enjoy this. Someone I've been waiting to talk to for days now - and suddenly it feels downhill." Ash frowned, annoyance beginning to creep into her voice. "What exactly do you want from me? I already told you I'm not good with this sort of thing..." Her frown persisted, even as Sebastian tried to explain himself. "I wanted to get to know you better, okay? I just didn't want us to forget we even existed... Ugh, that sounded better in my head."

“I’m not even sure I understand what you mean by that…” Ash muttered, placing a hand to her forehead. Sebastian didn’t seem fit to explain it, and instead, decided to go with a more simple request. “Never mind.... I want to be friends." He stated simply, Ash sighing a little as she looked to him. “Simple enough kid. It’s not like I can ignore you if we’re going to be working together.” Glancing up, it seemed the waiter was approaching, which made it seem like a good place to stop. She’d thought that they’d come to a good agreement, but it seemed Sebastian didn’t think the same. "... That's partners. Just... Forget it. It's obvious this isn't going to work." Ash went to interject before the food arrived, forcing her to hold her tongue as she accepted her plate. Finally, after the waiter vacated, she was able to speak her mind. “Alright, I get it. You want me to be your friend – But honestly, I don’t get what more you want me to do. We’re gonna be working mostly, and I can’t imagine you’re gonna want to hang out with me during your breaks.”

"..... I honestly don't know myself any more. I'm so confused... I don't even know who I am any more." Sebastian mumbled, looking quite pathetic in his sorry state. Honestly, it was sad how messed up this kid had gotten from becoming involved in all this. “You’re you. I think that’s pretty obvious. And you make yourself into whoever you want to be.” Ash stated, beginning to munch on her food. She wasn’t sure if what she said made sense, but hopefully Sebastian got it. What he said next, probably was indicative that Ash had been missing the point the whole time.

"There's three people I like right now and I'm not sure who I'm supposed to try and... See if they feel the same and want to try something." Ash nearly choked on her food, taking a moment to chug down some water before eying Sebastian warily. “So that’s what this is about. You took me to this fancy restaurant because…”

"Because I was asked to help you take your mind off of pain." He finished for her. "... Something wrong with helping others out?" Ash blinked a little, before breathing an internal sigh of relief. “No, no. There’s nothing wrong with that. Anyway, I’m not exactly the kind of person you should turn to for love advice. I’ve been burned and burned far too many people already…” For a moment, Ash's mind drifted back to that night...

"So? I'm already asking you for a reason." Sebastian’s words put Ash’s back up once more as she returned to alertness – but, seeing as he was being rational about this, she could probably play it calm, let him down easy… “If you’re interested in me, I’d say there’s way better fish out in the sea. I don’t think we’d work out – And you’re a bit young.”

"... I've been trying to get over you ever since I recovered from the whole stabbing - trying to bring you back through a song - it got ignored and I ended up nearly dead for no reason... No, it's someone else I was on about."

“If that’s the case, then I think it’s quite clear that I’m not right for you.” Ash stated calmly, eager to sway any lingering thoughts about her he may have had. It was amazing how emotionally confused this boy was… "..... I -- ugh.... Look, I need to know things about your sister, okay?"

“Wait wait wait, hold up. You’re asking me about Claire?” Ash pinched the brow of her nose. This was getting more and more awkward by the second. Sebastian gave a subtle nod and yes, causing Ash to run her hand through her hair. Ugh, this wasn’t exactly what she’d thought she was getting herself into when she’d agreed to that bet… "Excuse me miss." A man working for the restaurant said as he had just come over. "You have a visitor outside who wishes to speak to you."

“Huh? Oh, sure. I’ll be back in a sec Sebastian.” Sitting up eagerly, Ash was happy to take whatever chance she could for some fresh air and to clear her thoughts. Stepping outside, she saw a cloaked figure leaning on the wall as he looked over at her, his eyes hidden in the darkness of his hood. "I don't have much time, so I'll make this short and quick." He stated, as she saw lightning literally travel across his body, the man skulking towards her. "My name is Bellfoar. Bellfoar the Boom Racer. Your family probably will know my name, as well as the name of our leader - Balarus of Kallos. Yes, he is back... And I want you to make sure they know somehow. Oh yes... I think you see where I'm going with this." He stated with a confident smirk, walking around her slowly now in circles. "We want the Evolution Child. If you do not bring him to us by 9 AM, we will take extreme measures. A town full of people will be blown to shit, we will torture the Renegades and... Your last name IS Clade... Right?"

"That's right. And you should know that the only thing I'll be giving you is my fist to your face." Ash responded, her eyes narrowed and her body tense.

"Try me." He responded, as she saw lightning arcing across his face again, his smirk present hidden beneath the sparks. If he was so confident, she’d have to use that opportunity to lay a beating down. Ash started moving up towards him, cracking her knuckles, then, well before she reached him, Belfoar's shadows swirled beneath his feet, entangling them as she came in for a heavy punch to his face. At first, it seemed like she was right on target… But then, right as she was about to make contact, a sharp bright light shot up between her target, and as Ash's fist collided with his face, she felt electricity coursing into her arm, sending jolts of pain through her, and the whole limb numbed, the occasional zap of pain still intermittently hitting her once she’d recoiled. Bellfoar shook his head as he looked at her. "Oh I know all about you, miss Clade... You see... I'm a Lightning Demon. Do you know that means for you?"

Wincing from the shocks still punishing her, Ash held her arm and glared at the ‘Boom Racer’. "That punching you wasn't my smartest move?" She retorted hotly through gritted teeth, which only seemed to widen the smirk on the lightning demon’s face. "That, and I can cancel out your little abilities on me. But we will meet again, soon I hope. Remember, the Evolution Child... Or your parents are mine."

"What?!" Ash's heart leapt in her throat, her body trembling from more than just the shocks for a moment. "You're bluffing!" Her accusation flew out in denial, but she wasn’t given an answer. Instead, the demon took off like a rocket, his laughter and a flurry of papers left in his wake as the wind whipped about. That bastard… What he was doing was lower than… Ugh, that piece of shit scumbag! Turning, Ash kicked the wall – hard - frustration building up inside her. Well, there was nothing she could do about it for now – She’d have to get back to Sebastian just to make sure he wasn’t in danger, and then, she’d probably have to speak to Claire and see what she thought about the whole thing. Flexing her arm to try and get rid of the last of the jitters, Ashley slowly made her way back into the restaurant.