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Chapter 17: The Party

Allen's POV

The night prior, Allen dreamt a dream. In that dream, Mana was there, just sitting beside him on a park bench. The entire park was silent and desolate, as though no one had been there for decades or centuries. It was a ghost town and the silently falling snow added to the lack of sound.

They were just sitting and sitting, not saying a word or even breathing loud enough for the other to be heard. No movement was made - not even a shuffle. Not until Allen scat slightly closer and clenched his fists on his thighs, biting his lip slightly and wondering if he should or should not drive out the silence. Eventually, he decided upon doing so.

"Mana?" The clown gave no answer and no movement, but somehow the boy knew that he was listening, so he continued smiling innocently, allowing his joy to leak through, entirely. "I wanted to ask... I really do like Tyki and he doesn't seem like such a bad guy. None of the noah do, except for Sheril, Lulubell, and maybe the twins. Wouldn't it be okay if I stay? Wouldn't it be okay if I were to... possibly... lo-"

"Allen", his step-father boomed, startling the smile off of his face. Mana rarely scolded him but, when he did, he knew that he was in trouble. Besides, he didn't want to upset him or disappoint him. "The noah are your enemies. They killed me and several of your friends. Have you forgotten what Tyki Mikk did to you? How he nearly killed you on several occasions? Don't let your guard down, Allen. They specialize in deceiving others."

He lowered his head to hide his tears but responded obediently, "Yes."

Tyki's POV

Road came to a halt at the entrance of the ballroom and turned around, spreading her arms in a welcoming gesture and smiling widely. "Welcome home, Allen!"

The ballroom had a sign hanging from the ceiling with those same words printed on them and several tables were randomly placed around the room with different types of food and drink fountains on top of them. Tyki imagined it should be a perfect heaven for the boy, yet when he looked into his eyes, he only saw sadness.

Road seemed to notice as well and ran behind him, pushing him toward the center of the room. "This is your chance to acquaint yourself with the family! Don't miss it!"

"Okay, okay", he said, sounding incredibly nervous.

He walked over to Sheryl and held out his hand, smiling with that charming smile of his and saying, "Hi!" Short but simple, Tyki thought. I guess it could work.

Or not.

"We still intend to interrogate you, when the time is right, Allen Walker", the puppeteer said, coldly.

The boy seemed to scrunch down slightly and a bead of sweat rolled down his temple, but he continued to hold his hand out as though he were too shocked by the response to remove it.

Tyki came up behind Allen and wrapped his arms around him tightly, as though he were hugging a life-sized teddy bear. "Awe, be nice! He is my Shounen, after all."

Sheryl glared at his brother and the ex-exorcist stiffened briefly before elbowing his glomping friend off, turning around, and chopping him in the head, sending him to the ground in a puddle of excruciating pain. "I am not your Shounen! Stop being a pervert, Tyki Mikk!" The boy stomped across the room to Wisely, grabbing a drink from an akuma on the way there. Just last night, he was so affectionate and loving. Why, now, is he acting as though none of it ever happened?

"I believe if Devitto were in my place, he would say-", Sheryl began.

"Don't say it", Tyki cut in, rather sternly.