001: Rooftop Refugee

[holydemon]

[Nero, like most others, was not happy to be here. Upon finding the dorms a few days ago and realizing that they lacked any real sense of privacy, he took it upon himself to use his Devil Bringer to haul a mattress and sheets up to the roof. Nero tucked this bed away in a corner behind one of the entrances to the roof and decidedly called this his temporary "room".

"Home" wasn't a word he'd allow himself to use, but it was here he retreated after the last few fights he'd been in and here that he sat curled up in the sheets thinking of Kyrie back home.

It was pathetic, when he thought about it, but he'd already gone through the whole building. Even his Devil Bringer failed to break down the walls, and there was some sort of invisible barrier keeping him from simply leaping off the roof.

So as Nero lays on his side on the bare mattress, he stared intently at his Devil Bringer. There was a sick churn in his gut as he wondered that maybe this was for the better. After all, if Kyrie and the rest of the Order found out about his arm...they'd likely exile him. Dealing with this place was better than dealing with the pain of what might happen if he went back home, but that didn't mean he didn't want to try...for Kyrie.

Or maybe just himself.]

((ooc: so basically Nero is sulking, oh no! made this post because I have some thread plans, but anybody is free to find him and tag o/ ))

Comments

[itisntmyfault]

No..! [The usually-quiet girl exclaims; growing increasingly frustrated.]

I was just saying-- I mean--

[Pyrrha fumbles her words as usual; equally tense as she tries her best to be as inoffensive as possible.] I...

I'm sorry...! [It was the only thing she could ever think to say.]

[holydemon]

[Nero quickly turns his face away from Pyrrha's, jaw clenched.]

Stop apologizing!

[He turns to look at her again, eyes narrowed. There was a slight twinge in his brow, as if hurt.]

I don't want to hear it! [Nero takes a slight step back as his anger reaches a boil. When he speaks again, it's harsher than before.]

I'm already a monster, right? So just go away.

[itisntmyfault]

[Pyrrha visibly jumps.] I'm s--

[Catching herself before the words leave her mouth, the girl goes silent. His words cut straight through her like a knife; a sudden reminder of her own harsh words.]

[Guilt-ridden and defeated, Pyrrha lowers her head; turning to leave the roof as instructed...]

[...But then, she stops.]

....


No. [The word was spoken so softly that it was barely audible. And then, with a clenched fist and a knot of worry in her stomach, the girl turns to repeat herself.] No... I.... I wont leave yet.

[holydemon]

Why? [Nero barks back, holding his hand out at his side.] I've got nothing to say to you. You're just a demon.

[While he sneers, his eyes trail off to look down at his Devil Bringer. He clenches his fist, the light within it shining brighter. When Nero speaks again, it's softer, but just as harsh.]

And I kill demons. So get out.

[itisntmyfault]

S-stop it... [Pyrrha furrows her brow; clearly hurt by his words.] Please stop trying to push me away.

[The girl swallows as she eyes his corrupted hand; voice wavering.] ..Do you really... hate me that much...?

[A moment of silence. And then-] Then... If that's how you feel...

...Do it. [She steps forward; almost challengingly.] -Kill me now.

[holydemon]

[Nero has nothing to say as she goes on. Her pleads and questions go completely unanswered as he stares wide-eyed back at her.

Did he hate her? Maybe, in part, because she reminded him of himself.]

Well...if that's what you want. [He tightens the grip on his sword before swinging it upward to point at her.]

How can I resist? [Nero forces a smile and takes a few daring steps forward.]

[itisntmyfault]

[As Nero approaches, Pyrrha goes entirely rigid; face pale and body trembling. She's not just nervous- she's scared to death... but... she stands her ground.]

I'm not... I'm not running this time.

[holydemon]

[Nero keeps approaching until the blade of his sword is mere inches away from her throat. His lips draw into a tight line as he studies her face carefully and takes note of her trembling.]

You know... [Without warning he pulls the blade back and slams it blade-first into the floor, effectively grounding it there.]

...You're as stubborn as you are cute. [Despite the compliment, he's still frowning.]

[itisntmyfault]

[And with that, Pyrrha suddenly exhales a breath; only now noticing herself that she had been holding it in the first place. The blonde reaches up to her neck; fingers still trembling with residual fear and anxiety. She really didn't want to die.]

[Normally, she'd be quite embarrassed at the compliment... But she's a bit too busy being happy that she's not actually dying.] N- Nero...

[She catches her breath.] I... I have to tell you something...

[holydemon]

Yeah? [Nero leans against his sword, his chin propped up against the back of his hand. He looked at her from the corner of his eyes as she spoke.]

You have my attention. [Compared to earlier his voice was rather...flat. While he felt a bit of guilt for the way he treated Pyrrha just now, he was also relieved. Nobody would stand there like that if they didn't mean what they said. He was sure of it.]

[itisntmyfault]

Well... I...

[A pause. The girl furrows her brow; a look of shame crossing her features.]

I kind of hate you too.

Okay?

[holydemon]

... [Nero actually does a double take. He was surprised, but really...he knew he shouldn't be. Still, he can't help but grimace.]

Uh. [He reach up with his other hand, musing his hair awkwardly.]

Well I can't really blame you.

[itisntmyfault]

You can't?

[Pyrrha's expression suddenly turns into one of relief; visibly relaxing a bit as if a small weight has been lifted from her shoulders.] Oh... good. -Well, not good, but...

I'd like... to like you, a bit more... as in... friendship.

[A pause.] I mean... I think that we should be friends.

[holydemon]

[Nero squints one eye in a baffled expression as Pyrrha asks to be his friend, of all things.

There's really not much he can do besides crack an awkward smile and ask a bemused question of his own.]

I thought you hated me? You know, you really send out mixed messages.

[itisntmyfault]

[Pyrrha furrows her brow.] I'm sorry... I can't help hating you.

Not so long as you remind me... of... [Not so long as you remind me of myself.]

[The girl pauses; looking down at Nero's demonic arm. She bites down upon her lower lip for a moment before speaking again.] In time... maybe...

...Maybe we could learn... to accept each other? Even if we are... you know...

[Even referencing herself in that manner was proving to be difficult right now.]

[holydemon]

[Nero thinks he knows where that sentence was going, because he felt the same way.

As she speaks of acceptance, Nero can only shake his head and let it droop to the handle of his sword. His Devil Bringer runs through his hair, distressed, as his voice breaks. It's laced with anger that only seems to escalate the longer he speaks.]

No. I don't know why God gave me this arm--but it all feels like a sick joke.

[He grabs his sword suddenly and tosses it at the side of the roof. Not surprising to him, it bounces back and clatters beside him, nearly missing Pyrrha.]

And I can't even get out of here! I can't-- [Nero growls and lifts both his hands up, frustrated to the point of boiling.]

I can't...Kyrie...

[itisntmyfault]

[Pyrrha jumps a bit at the outburst; flinching as his sword just barely manages to miss her. The blonde blinks; looking from Nero's sword back to the man himself; furrowing her brow in empathy at his words.]

...Kyrie..?

[Hesitantly, she asks;] Is that... your wife's name?

[holydemon]

[While his chest is still heaving, Nero seems to have calmed down a bit after getting that out.]

...No.

[He walks over to pick up his sword and sling it back over his shoulder.]

It's not.

[itisntmyfault]

...But... she's the one you had in mind earlier, isn't she?

The person "waiting for you" on the outside..?

[holydemon]

[It takes Nero a moment realize what she's referring to, but considering hasn't been the most talkative person, it doesn't prove difficult.]

[When he speaks, it's slightly defensive.] What's it matter if she is or isn't?

[itisntmyfault]

[Furrowing her brow.] ...I'm just trying to get to know you....

[And you're not exactly making it easy.] I think it's nice.

[Also it's reassuring to know that you really are capable of caring about other people]

[holydemon]

[Nero grimaces and then turns to walk back towards his bed.]

Well who said I wanted to share? And what's nice? Is this your idea of nice? [He holds up his arm to make a point, fingers tense and emphasizing their claw-like nature.]

Because it sure as hell isn't mine. [He throws his arm back down.]

[itisntmyfault]

Well I... I think sharing is how you make friends after all...

[Pyrrha goes to follow him as he walks off.]

[Hesitantly, Pyrrha tries again.] ...Does she know about it..?

-What you are, I mean?

[holydemon]

I'm not here to make friends.

[Nero keeps walking, hoping that maybe Pyrrha will get the message and stop following him. After all, he hadn't agreed to be her friend. It was weird to even ask in the first place!]

... [Her next question makes him stop dead in his tracks, his Devil Bringer balling up into a tight fist.]

No. [He reaches his mattress and heavily drops down to take a seat, back still turned to Pyrrha.]

[itisntmyfault]

[Pyrrha frowns slightly; getting increasingly tired of being blown off. He's really not the easiest person to like... But still, she is determined.]

[The girl follows; sitting down next to the mattress. She continues to speak, even despite his back being to her.]

Don't you think... making friends could help make things a little less... lonely, for you?

I know that you may not like me very much, but... I am one of few people who actually knows how you feel in this building. Doesn't that count for anything...?