Wicked Elixir

The Girl In Black And White

It's after sundown and you've found yourself walking around, almost sulking. It's been two weeks and you can't get that girl out of your head. Fucking hell, you've even stopped fighting. You've been sleeping at home every night. Even Jake's noticed and you'd never know how annoying he can be until he's nagging you all the time to open up. He makes you so mad. You've (more than once) hung around in alley's for "no reason".

And still nothing.

Tonight you feel on edge and mostly upset. You couldn't even track down a girl paler than Dave. That mother fucker sticks out like a... a... what's the phrase? Orange thumb? Yeah sure, that. You've stopped walking. Here before is an exceptionally dark alley. Behind you, you hear footsteps but don't think anything of it until someone has a knife to your throat and stomach.

"I'm not afraid to strike, so start fuckin walkin, punk," they say.

The voice is neutral so you don't know whether they're a male or female, but you oblige due to an overpowering feeling of weakness and fear. You've stepped into the darkness when they throw you against the wall and have an arm across you, running the length of your chest. There's now a knife to the back of your head and one that if plunged in the right angle, would cross your heart.

Their eyes go wide and then eyebrows pull together in frustration.

"You," she barks. "You almost fuckin killed me some time ago-"

"I've been looking for you," your words are simultaneous with hers.

"What?!" She looks alarmed.

"Yeah, I have some... Questions."

You feel her arm loosen up for a second but then she bares back down. You shrug.

"Why the fuck would you think that's any kind of a good idea hm? You think I'm not ready to fucking kill you right now. Fuck you."

"You wouldn't."

"Don't test me, punk ass kid."

You look away from her.

"I am sorry," you say.

You don't think you've ever been more genuine in an apology before now. Hell you're not even sure you've ever apologized to someone before.

She rolls her eyes.

"Well, get your ass movin," she says motioning to the fire escape.

She keeps a knife to your back as you walk up. It's tense but you deal.

"Top floor, kid."

Kid who the fuck she think she is? Actin like she any older than me. Fuck that. I should kill her now.

When you get into her apartment she ties your wrists down to a chair and sits across from you. The rope is digging into your skin.

"This is kind of kinky don't you think," you ask.

She rolls her eyes and frowns.

"Well what is it you want to know you stupid little clown and what's you're name."

"With that shitty attitude you'll be gettin nowhere with me."

"Good, then I can get straight to killing you."

You laugh openly. She growls, and then in one swift movement is standing over you, a blade under your chin forcing you to look up at her. You swallow hard and unintentionally. 

"That's more like it," she mumbles.

"I was just kidding anyways, no need to get all up in my face like mother fuckin crazy or some shit..." You pause, genuinely frightened. "So how did you get all with crazy pale skin and deep black blood?"

Her eyebrows scrunch together again.

"I am the product of a rainbow drinker-" the blade pierces your skin slightly "-and someone with very dark blood is all."

She pulls the knife away from your face. The knives she's using are small and elegant. The handles have dragons on them, it's mouth open to the blade. Two other prongs come out on either side, both are shorter than the center blade, rounded, and dull so she can tuck them places like on her leg or in a boot. She inspects the blood.

"The old castes would put you in a highblood status. That is, assuming they're facts and not fiction." She looks at you. "What's your name, boy."

You don't hesitate to answer.

"Gamzee."

"Interesting."

She chuckles and then sits back. It's very silent and you end up making some horrible joke. Suddenly she's in your face again slapping you. You grip the arms of the chair in pain.

"Oh great now I have your shitty face paint on my hand."

You apologize again. What the fuck is with you today world record apologies for Gamzee Makara mother fuckers, he's broken his own personal best of never ever apologizing and for what? A girl!

"You can't tell anyone about my blood. And not because I'm going to kill you. I've decided it's not in my best interest to murder you right now. But I'll have you know, there are people who want your head on a stake and your heart on a platter, so one word and-" she snaps "-your head will be clean off." She pauses. "I'll be keeping an eye on you."

"Wait... Why does this mother fucker want so badly for me to keep my lips all locked up with a key and all that."

She looks out the window and crosses her arms.

"I'm not like anyone else. Nothing about me is normal, if anyone finds out, I'll be the one being burned and boycotted and all that hoofbeastshit. Just like so many others have been."

She unties you. You move your wrists around and rub them lightly. They're all bruised and rope burned. You stand and walk to the balcony door. You wink and then get going.

"Hey," she calls. You pause and look up. "My name is Vesta."

You nod and then continue home.

~~~

"What the fuck happened to you, what's with your face it's all flushed purple," Karkat inquires.

You scowl.

"Wait did you get slapped?"

You collapse on the couch.

"Honk! You shut up I'm going to sleep."

You kick him in the leg and then curl up. You slowly fall asleep.