— [AU] Gone away
She simply nodded to the reply. Ginji was childish and she didn’t need to point it out anymore. Again he could not take the hint, was he choosing to ignore them now? Leyna didn’t want his thanks. “I don’t need it. I wasn’t doing it to be kind, I honestly don’t care.” As usual she would avoid or decline it, not used to receiving such words.
It was obviously that Ginji wanted to ask more, why she couldn’t leave the city so freely. He was a curious person, and that wasn’t a good thing. Even if she wanted to tell him, her faith would stay the same regardless. Lucky he decided against asking more about it, only scuffing the floor with the end of his boot and muttering a short reply. Leyna only nodded, resting his arms against the table with a soft sigh.
“I’m already bitter and I don’t care about being lonely. I reply only on myself because it’s better this way. Though.. why are you caring about it? It shouldn’t matter to you.” She already accepted the loneliness from an early age, it didn’t bother her anymore. Yet, Ginji was protesting against it. Why was that?
He didn’t need to be forced, huh? “I see.” She couldn’t help arching a brow in curiosity from his comment. It wasn’t that simple? Now she felt like Ginji was trying to hide something. “Whatever. I doubt you would tell me if I asked why you’re avoiding making friends- rather the true reason behind it.” With that she turned completely away from Ginji.
Leyna could hear his shouting but she ignored it, pretending that she couldn’t hear him. Even after leaving the building, she couldn’t help glancing back. It was foolish of her to come to the bar. She should have kept declining that offer, and now she was stuck coming back here tomorrow evening. This wasn’t a good thing, not at all.
Yet she could still feel it; the lingering touches of his hand on hers. Leyna frowned, pausing her walk and looking down at the hand. It shouldn’t matter; this shouldn’t be catching her attention. But it was, and she didn’t like it. That was the first time someone had ever held her hand so gently. “….how troublesome,” she muttered, closing her fingers momentarily. Leyna had to get back home before her father would notices she was missing. Nodding lightly and dropping her hand, she continued walking back to the manor.
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It was unusual for her to leave the manor so early. For some reason she felt restless and wanted to escape from everyone in that house. Of course there was another argument when she returned home last night, mainly about her sneaking around and being disgraceful— Leyna left halfway through it, not wanting to stick around for anymore insults. Duke wouldn’t be happy once he woke up, seeing that she was gone.
Not knowing where to go she walked around aimlessly, checking out shops and stores once in a while, but mostly checking around the area. Perhaps she would see him again— where did that thought come from? The chances of seeing Ginji was slim to none. Even if she did see him somehow, she would only ignore him. Leyna still wasn’t sure about returning to the bar tonight.
Such a response. So blatant, and cold was she. Unwilling to accept the simplest of a thanks, or display of kindness, for whatever obscure reason. But that nature of his only drew his curiosity even more. He had to wonder why. When things interested him, ah, he wasn’t the kind to stop until he knew everything about it. Be it a bit of machinery, or a art, or a place. Or a person.

Once more, she was curt, and bitter. Questioning his motives. After all, he had nothing to do with it. No reason to care for the loneliness of a stranger. Maybe it was just because of his curiosity toward her, or a bit of morality he managed to hold onto. Simply, he grinned. “You really have a problem accepting kindness from a stranger, hm?” That was his motive, he decided. He only cared to show kindness. It was a logical thought.
But it would appear he was not the only one who knew there was more to be said than the face on the surface. Asch, though she did not probe for an answer, made it clear she felt there was more truth behind his own lack of friends here than he let onto. There was, really. But Ginji simply smiled, and shrugged, until she turned away.
Fool, his mind shot back at himself. Ridiculous fool. This is exactly why you don’t make friends here. He never had been the best liar. Things slipped, far more often than they should. He couldn’t jeopardize his position here for a mere conversation…

Ginji hesitated after she left, without a word of farewell. Such a strange girl. He nearly wondered just what he could dig up on her, if he tried. After all, his entire purpose here was gathering intelligence. A little settling of his curiosity toward this Asch the Bloody wouldn’t hurt.
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There really was nothing. Not a note, not a trace. Not a bit of information he could dig up, of anyone by the name of Asch the Bloody. Not until the past few years, at least. As if the red-head just appeared out of no where, making only a name on the streets. There was no blood-line, or family of any kind. It made no sense.
The male sighed in exasperation, rubbing the back of his neck as he wandered through the town. It was early, and the place was shamefully devoid of life because of it. There were still people, of course, but it was nothing like the city was during the day. Shame. Honestly, Ginji was used to loud noises, arguments, and rackets. He felt much more at home around that kind of noise.
Dropping his hand back to his side, he carried on rather aimlessly. Really, he should have been paying more attention… It was no surprise that he stepped too quickly around a bend, running haphazardly into another pedestrian on the street. Moving back, he was quick to apologize for the mistake. At least, until he raised his head and got a good look at the individual he ran into.

“Hey! I know you!” Smiling again already, once he recognized the bitter red-head before him. Certainly didn’t expect to see her out so early… Not that he found he minded, really.













