//------------------------------// // Aria: First Step // Story: Going Our Own Way... // by Dreagknight-LostWriter //------------------------------// Aria grumbled to herself, storming down the streets and brushing pass any pedestrian in her way. Her anger seeping through her like a dark vile from tartarus, anyone who looked at her received a death glare. With her hands deep in her hoodie pocket, all she could do was grumbled and keep walking forwards. “That damn Adagio! This is all her fault.” Aria said bitterly. “Why did I ever listen to that muffin hair head’s orders?” Growling to herself, Aria stormed through the sidewalk, nearly knocking people over. One person tried to call her out, but Aria chewed him out before he had a chance to even approach her. Venting, Aria turned her back to him and walk into a nearby alley, not wanting to run into anyone else or risk pummeling them. Going through the alley, Aria anger started to simmer down to just mumbles and grunts to herself. Still, this didn’t slowed her pace as she continue to stormed through the alley. Heading out the alley, Aria knocked into someone who rounded the corner. “Watch it!” A guy yelled out, stumbling backwards. “How about you watch it!” Aria retorted, hissing through her teeth. “You're the one who ran into me, so how about you apologize.” The guy said, crossing his arms. “Pfft.” Was the only thing Aria said, as she started to walk away. “Hey!” The guy called out, grabbing Aria by her wrist. “Do you know who I am, must not or you would be begging for mercy.” Aria looked the guy up and down. He looked to be only a couple years older than her. He wore a long black trench coat that was litter in holes, a green bandana on his head and a image she didn't really care to look at. “What are you suppose to be, a gangster or something?” Aria asked, a smirk crossing her face. Grabbing his wrist, Aria twisted his hand, using her siren strength and force him to let go. “Grab me again and I'll break every bone in your damn wrist.” She finish, flicking his hand away. The guy grab hold of his wrist as he was dropped onto one knee. Smiling triumphantly, Aria turned to walk away. She only manage to get a few feets from the guy before he let out a raged scream. Aria sighed as she turned around, ready to take her anger out on the hot headed guy. That was until she saw the large combat knife in his hands and the killer glare he was giving her. Aria froze where she stood, looking at the large knife before her. The guy stepped closer as Aria took a stepped back. “You're going to break every bone in my wrist you say? Let's see you try that with a six inch blade deep inside you.” The guy said, taking another step closer. Aria wished once again that she had her voice as her eyes was fixated on the blade, fear running through her. She knew she was fast, but she didn’t know if she could out run this person. The guy launched forward as Aria turned on her heels to run, only to stop when a another person ran passed her and into the guy, shoulder bashing him into the side of a building. Before the guy could have even tried to stand up, the mysterious person rushed over, grabbed him by his collar and punched him in the jaw, knocking the guy out in a single blow. Dropping the unconscious guy, the mysterious person turned to look at Aria, brushing his shoulder off. As he came into full view, Aria was able to get a better look at the guy. The mysterious guy was a little bit taller then Aria herself, his eyes barely going over her head and he seemed to be around two or three years older than her. He wore a white jacket and black gloves. He had violet purple eyes and dark blue hair that was pulled into a short ponytail. “Hey, you okay there?” The guy asked, walking to Aria. “Do you need any help?” Aria surprised face turned to a scowl as she looked at him. “No.” She answered through her teeth. “I could have taken him?” “Really?” The guy said, eyeing Aria up and down. “Maybe in a normal fight, yeah. In a knife fight, not likely. And if he had a gun, you're better off tying yourself down and waving a red flag in front of a bull.” Aria just rolled her eyes at his statement. “So now what? You want me to be all like; ‘Oh thank you for saving my life, is there anything I can do to returned the favor’.” Aria said mockingly. The guy looked at Aria, scretching the back of his head. “Is this how you treat someone who just helped you?” He said, pushing past her and towards a group of bags that was dropped to the floor. “You know, a simple thanks would have suffice.” Aria sighed, figuring that he was at least right. Turning her head, Aria mumbled ‘thanks’ under her breath. “What was that?” The guy asked, perking his head up. “I said thanks.” Aria yelled out, her face turning red. The guy stared blankly at her before a smile crept on his face. “I suppose that’s the best you could do.” He said and an almost mocking voice. Aria gritted her teeth. “Thank you for helping me. Better now?” The guy only chuckled to himself as he shook his head. “What, not good enough?!” Aria screamed, her anger raising once more. “No no, it's good.” He answered, putting both hands up, his bags dangling from one arm. “My name is Quick Rush.” He stated, reaching his hand out for a handshake. Aria glared at him, causing him to slowly retreat his hand back to his side. “Okay,” he said awkwardly. “Can I at least asked your name?” “It's Aria.” Aria stated bluntly. “Okay, progress.” He said, putting his hands in his pocket and looked up to the night sky. “Where are you heading Aria?” Aria open her mouth to retort, but stopped as she thought about it. Where was she going? She left so abruptly and stormed through the streets without thinking that she soon realized, she had no idea where she was going. What was she even planning to do? Aria sighed as she pinch the bridge of her nose, forgetting that Quick Rush was still there. “Hey, call me out on this one if I’m wrong, but do you have a place to go?” Aria quickly shot her eyes open and glared at Quick Rush. “And what would give you the idea that I don’t?” Quick reeled back from the harsh outburst, but nevertheless continue on with what he was going to say. “Well for starters, wouldn't a normal answer be something like: Home, where do you think, or, none of your business. You just stood there with a horrified expression on your face, like you just realize something for the first time.” “Tch.” Aria clicked her tongue as she scowled at Quick. She had to give him props, he was a lot more observant than she would have given him credit for. “Would it matter anyways, not like if I said yes you would, help me find a place to stay or something like that.” Quick put a hand to his chin, looking Aria over once more. “Eh, you might be right. I mean, I could invite you to stay with me…” He said, his voice trailing off. “W-what?” Aria stuttered in surprise. “Well, I could invite you.” Quick repeated himself, turning around as he began to walk away. Aria stood there for a moment, processing what Quick just said. If he was serious, this could be a rare opportunity she could use to get off the streets before she ends up sleeping on the streets. Though she didn’t want help from anyone, especially a stranger, she figure what good would that do her if she ends up on the streets begging for money or scavenging for food. Quickly, she ran up in front of Quick, who was walking at a slow pace. “Wait,” she called out, causing Quick to stop. “Are you serious?” She asked, a bit of hope dashed in her voice. “Serious about what?” He asked, beginning to walk again. “About letting me stay with you.” “I never said that I was going to let you stay with me. I said I could invite you to stay with me. Could.” He said, making sure to emphasize the word ‘could’. Aria stopped following him as a scowled grew on her face.” Never mind. Why did I even bothered asking?” She question herself, turning to walk the other way. That was, until Quick walked up to her and laid his hand on her shoulder, stopping her. “Hey, I only said could, that doesn't mean it's a no.” He stated more firmly, letting Aria go. “I can at least let you spend the night over. Then, depending on how things go, we could talk about you actually staying,” he said, eyeing Aria one more time. “But if you're a runaway, I will not hesitate to tell the police where you are.” He said jokingly, but there was truth lace in his words. Aria stared blankly at him before laughing to herself. “Trust me, I doubt anyone would so much as even ask where I am.” She mumbled under her breath. *** Following Quick to his apartment, Aria was surprised to see how big it was for a single person. “Just so you know, this is a school dorm apartment.” Quick said, surprising Aria as he unlocked the door. “There is an extra room you can use. It use to be my friend’s, but he recently moved out and back home with his family.” Quick stated, pointing to a room in the far back. “Now I’m sure you're tired, so I’ll keep things short and simple. Down there is my room and in the middle is another room that been converted into a gaming room. The bathroom is down the hall and the kitchen is over there.” He said, pointing to each room, giving Aria a brief layout of the place. “Any questions?” Aria looked around, shaking her head ‘no’. Nodding, Quick took the bags into the kitchen as Aria walked around a bit. She was hungry, but, she was more tired than hungry and just wanted to sleep the rest of the day away. Walking into the room that would be hers for the time being, she was happy to find that the bed was already made, yet she noted that there was no blanket on it. At the moment, she didn’t care, seeing as she would be sleeping in her clothes. Locking the door, Aria sat down on the bed and removed her boots, hoodie and shirt, revealing her purple tank top. Pulling the two star hairpin out of her twin tails, she let her hair fall down to their full length. Letting herself relax, she grabbed the nearby pillow and scooted herself up on the bed, hugging the pillow tight. “Dammit, what am I even doing? I don’t even have a plan.” Aria grumbled to herself before lifting the pillow up in screamed into it. After a few moments of screaming to herself, Aria dropped the pillow back down and hugged it tightly. “Dammit Adagio, you’re the one who we always left the plan making to.” Aria eyes started to drop at the thought. “Me and Sonata both.” Aria sighed, thinking just how much they left to the eldest siren. “Maybe this is the best for all three of us.” Placing the pillow back down, Aria laid her head down and look up at the ceiling. Closing her eyes, she tried to go to sleep before shooting them back open when she heard the shower started. Getting up, she crept into the kitchen and found a knife. Going back into her room, she place the knife under her pillow before nodding off. “Just incase he tries something while I’m sleeping.”