Color Blind

Base Coat

(Meanwhile with Blender)

He was sitting at his desk at the far end of his bedroom; with a girl waiting for him in bed. "What a stroke of luck. I have lil baby Arco and the unofficial princess herself as my doll. I'm so lucky," he chuckled to himself as he shuffled papers. The phone on his desk rang. "Hello?" He answered. "Master Blender; Sir this is Lieutenant to Primary Azul. You wanted to speak with me?" The voice responded. "Yes yes. Seems I have a little present that belongs to you. Why don't you come here. Of course I mean alone, and I would prefer if we didn't speak to anyone about this," smiled Blender as if he was teasing. "I see. I'll be there first thing tomorrow," he responded again. "That sounds delightful my little Narañja," he said before hanging up. "This is going to be smashing," he chuckled before getting up and heading for bed.

(Meanwhile with Arcoiries)

"The plan is that there is a shaft from the top of the grand staircase. It's a sort of landry shoot," she said carefully. "Nice; so we jump and land softly at the bottom," Arco smiled. "Not exactly. The bottom is a furnace. That's what heats this hell trap. He never wears the same suit twice," she sighed. "Then why would we go in there," asked Arcoiries confused. "Let me finish. There is a Small lever half way down, that closes the bottom of the shaft and supposedly there's an opening. It leads somewhere. I haven't figured out where," she said sadly. "How did you figure all that out," he asked leaning closer to her. "He once did me in the library. After he was done he locked me there over night. I can read a lot in one night. One book that I found was a blue print notebook locked in his desk. Stupid bastard left the key in the lock. Anyway if I'm wrong then we could both be setting up ourselves for a double suicide," she whispered. She began to tense up and in response Arcoiries put his hand in her shoulder. "I trust you," he smiled. "You're an idiot if you blindly trust me," she said as she looked way pushing is hand away. "Then in the biggest idiot in the world," he smirked and she sighed. Arcoiries looked at the night sky then the clock. It read 2:38 am. "OK, well I guess I'll take the floor," he said cheerfully as he stood right up.
"Hu?" She said confused. "What? You want me to sleep with you," he teased. Her face turned bright red.

She got up and walked to the other side of the bed and got underneath the covers. "Why'd you go all the way over there," he asked confused. "Get in to bed, stay on your side, and don't touch me," she snapped. He didn't try to say anything. Just softly smiling as he climbed in and she turned off the light. Later that night he heard a soft almost whimpering sound.

Arcoiries slowly opened his eyes to the sound of Kuroh's broken breaths. He gently scooted over. "She's crying in her sleep. I wonder how many sleeps I ruined for her," he put his arms around her and brought her in closer. "I love you Kuroh," he whispered as he gently held her sleeping body. Her whimpers stopped and she unknowingly nestled in.

The light streamed into the bedroom and Kuroh woke up to hot air blowing on her forehead. She realized she was being held. For a split second her memories came flooding in and she screamed. "Ahhhh," yelled Arcoiries jolting awake. "What happened, what's going on," he freaked out. "Oh it's just you," she whispered calming herself down. He turned to see her breath heavily, and one hand gripping her collar while the other clutching the bed. "Are you ok," he asked putting a hand on her shoulder, but she jolted so he took it away. "I'm fine," she said quickly as she got up. "If you say so. It's only 6 am. Pretty early if you ask me," he yawned.

"Well I don't plan to stay for brunch. We need to get out of here," she snapped. "Fine," said Arcoiries before giving a another yawn. Mornings were not his strong points. Kuroh put her ear to the door. "On 3 we'll push the doors open, and make a break for it," she whispered. "Deal," said Arcoiries giving her a thumbs up.

On 3 they pushed the door open. The doors flew open and smacked the walls. There wasn't anyone guarding the door! "Where are the guards," asked Kuroh. "This is weird," said Arcoiries. "Forget it. Let's run," snapped Kuroh and he nodded.

They burst through the door leading to the foyer when Arcoiries froze. There standing at the top of the stairway was a man with sleeked red hair and sporting an army uniform. His eyes were fixed on the empty air infront of him. Like he was made of stone. Arcoiries didn't dare move. "What's wrong, who is he," asked Kuroh preparing to run again. "Narañja..." he whispered and the man turned to face him. "What in the Lord's name are you doing here," he said with no cadence in his voice. He was surprised though his face failed to show it. Before he could answer Narañja saw Kuroh. "Who's she," he asked. "This is Kuroh she's-"

"A god damn Noir," he glared interrupting Arcoiries. Kuroh took a step back. The room became tense and Arcoiries stiffened. "Hey stop it. We're all on the same team," Arcoiries snapped. "Same team....SAME TEAM!?!?!! Look at what you're doing!? You would rather be with this girl then join your own family in the war!!??! Instead of helping us avenge who killed our little sister!!!?? What stunt are you trying to pull here; you trying to prove something!??? Do you have a lead; is she the one who did it. Answer me dammit!!!!" Narañja yelled. He was unraveling. His voice echoing through the manor.

The room fell quiet as Narañja breathed heavily. Such a strong man loosing his composure... they locked eyes, and Arcoiries gave him an almost pitied look. "Are those how my eyes looked when we were training.." Arcoiries spoke softly and his brother was taken back. Arcoiries took a deep breath before saying, "I just think it's funny. How our people are known for choosing love over war. Now here we are holding guns. It's almost laughable....I'm sorry; but that's not who I am... I found someone who right now I would gladly die for." Arcoiries took a pause letting what he said sink in then saying, "So Lieutenant I have a question for you. Have you seen my big brother?"

Narañja took a deep breath before looking blankly at Arcoiries almost as if he was tired. "You haven't changed, at least not like I have. I did this all for Ecset. That's what I kept telling myself. I let my rage fuel the fire I had in my heart. I want you to get out of here," Narañja sighed. "What," said Arcoiries like the word fell from his mouth. "You heard me! Take your girlfriend and get out while you still can," he snapped.

Arcoiries headed foot steps. Blender. Like that was his queue. "Hurry," snapped Narañja. "Not with out you," yelled Arcoiries planting his feet. "Kuroh," yelled Narañja. She nodded; grabbing Arcoiries by the arm and jumping down the shaft. That was right next to Narañja as he held the door open"NARAÑJA!!!" yelled Arcoiries before his world went dark.

"I may not have been able to save Ecset, but I can save my little brother," he said as he did a soft smile, before Blender and his guards charged into the foyer.