Never Ever (continued - Storm/Stella/Alex)

[Noctis Lucis Caelum]

~ There is Nothing either Good or Bad, but thinking makes it so ~

[/size][/font]
[/center]

A subtle chime came through the speakers that had been silent and secret doors of the glass elevator opened. Noctis hadn't been facing it when he was musing to himself out the window at the view, it had been a minute's way down but it was still fantastic everytime he was in it; it was probably the only reason he ever used this chute since he didn't need to. With Stella here, he may well do it more often until she got used to the place and could go about it on her own without getting lost; directions were going to be a misshap to his plans of letting her stay. It took him all the while through childhood and puberty until he knew this house like the back of his hand, but even then, the back of his hand was a map he covered with his gloves; some of the most remote passages around were like that, unseen too.

When she'd asked him as though he had everything to be proud of, he closed his eyes, believing that everyone in this world was going to think he had it all. The truth was not savagely clean, there had been a lot of underhanded dealings to build up this empire and to sustain it, those became tradition, which was only a nice way of putting it. To obtain these rare things as a fortune had cost many lives, cost many good dealings and alot of retribution; those who had committed to their jobs with the rules that were set, had tainted hands.
Noctis wondered if hell existed more than the fire burning pit that was close to home, nearly all members of the council had some thing to be ashamed of, something to spare from others knowledge and anything had to be secured; blackhearts ruled this city, did she not know? The look on her face told him she didn't, she was like white, not a colour and not one of them; she was simple and innocent in the darkness of man's heart despite her knowledge and experiences... confidence and kindness deceived her from becoming just like them.

Both his father and hers were accustomed to each other's ruling, he knew how tough it was to keep their lives this way and individual, they were criminals masterminding common life with the underground. Blood sucking all the funds in a way that was like taxing, though they still played games with the people of the city; gamblers were prey, sinners were prey and even the police were black and white. They went with both, justice and injustice and Noctis was caught in the stream of it, on both sides equally.

"Yes... because of how to get them and the lengths it took for people to obtain such things that everyone wants."
When something was priceless and sought after by many with similar abilities, what did you do? There wasn't a way to start explaining but it was all infernal affairs and he had turned to exit; she would be amongst such a collection of things if someone else were to take interest in claiming her...
The slit as the doors parted opened wider and wider...
He looked up and out calmly until he saw in his face and shotgun less ...
it was a ...Storm... Exclamations, a shout, a yell...
The shotgun hit the floor; his friend didn't even bother with the love of his life right now; Noctis was, preparing himself for a good scolding that even the shotgun could not distract Storm from doing.

His face and hair were blown over as he stood, his name ringing in his ears on loop, about to step out and the sensor of the lift paused as he remained in between going out and staying in. The eyes of him shut tight and then peered in apology, a faint timidness he did once in a blue moon show around someone as attached to him as Storm, to his friend, who could probably die with the shock; what he was saying was reasonable. There was much to tell... if he didn't, he wouldn't be much of a friend but how was he to go about it when Stella was around? She was probably still revolving in her terror and it wasn't easy to convince an enemy as friend overnight. Storm had better get some coffee and stay up with him...

Noctis' mouth opened as he strained for an answer, hearing his nickname morph back to the full word; he knew he'd done something blasphemous... To Storm, he was always Noct... it supposedly clung like how tight their bonds were; being Noctis, was only when he did something Storm didn't understand and felt apart, he assumed.
The little jawdropped expression became an oval as he breathed deeply and slowly, almost like cold sweat would break out at him. There was something really uneasy for him, as he didn't want Stella to be out of place and neither did he want Storm to apologise for something misunderstood. At the moment, he was a cake layer, sponged to absorb and release... suitable answers...

"St-.... I... went out earlier..."
Storm knew that already, it was nothing unusual... his conscience Tsk-ed him and gave him a thumbs down but he wasn't going to fret now that the worse was over; he didn't need to worry about how Storm was going to react or how long it would be until he would react. It was all like a thunderbolt striking him, no... more of a canon blast.
Sighing, he shook his head and tilted it to look at Storm then skipped a crucial part; Noctis' habits loved cliff hangers but it would've been detrimental had he joked coldly, which he would be tempted to do if this wasn't such a serious issue. It was Storm he was thinking about here, he would have been open to silliness to some degree with him but Stella, she'd never seen Noctis beside himself.
The little tingle of her hand reaching his kept him in order, and holding it firmly, told him he wasn't allowed to get carried away even seeing that expression on Storm's face; it was classic and forever imprinted in his mind. If anyone had seem his face like this who was neither him nor Stella, they would have keeled over, desperate not to choke on laughter and ab pains.

"Stella... this is Storm... and... she is staying with us from now on..."
There were inevitable pauses, he squeezed her hand in his with a gesture to wonder why she grasped him as though she was life threatened even in his presence. He could feel that she'd sprang to hide behind him for protection of some sort, but he wasn't thinking of protecting her, only that she had much to be saved from such as her fears now.
"What?"
It broke the impending silence and became what he penultimately said to Storm as he stared at Stella, and Noctis turned to pull her forward closely next to him so she couldn't reject; forgetting how wrong it would look to Storm that he was holding her hand. Directing it, he always asked Storm what... it was less why; the why's were always thrown at himself. He wanted to continue by telling Storm he would promise to explain and that it was nothing a brother should worry about; he didn't kidnap her or anything.

"We met earlier... something came up; it was necessary to bring her home... "
There was a lot he missed, the details of how dire the circumstance had been and little choice he had; as for his feelings towards her being here, he would need to tell Storm privately and man up to what he'd never explain in front of Stella; stuff about feelings, however vague they were. There was just too much in his life! This little outcry sounded like something only Storm had the right to say currently and he retreated a little with his indifferent expression; it showed a glimpse of his actual apprehension and insecurities about what he chose to do without consultation. "...I should've called you, but we just arrived a short while ago..."
Right now, he was sure she wouldn't want Storm to know what she'd gone through... they were strangers only on the verge of friendly terms. His phone, wasn't even on him and Storm would only want to smack him for never figuring out what the little device was useful for; it was one of those things in technology he was glad did not further develop and rule their lives even when everything else was now gravity defying.

[Prompto (Storm) Zarxen]

{{Storm Zarxen}}

Storm stood there with the dumb expression still on his face, one of complete shock. Never in his life had he felt this much shock, not over anything. The calm expression on Noct’s face had become…less calm, flustered, more flustered then he had seen him in…forever? He didn’t have the mind to actually think about that though, so complete was his shock. His eyes had not returned to their original size yet, still staring at Stella.

He saw Stella Nox Flueret…holding his…HAND?! Shaking his head, he tried to clear it, was he dreaming? Was he really sleeping in his bed? Or might he perhaps have gotten shot? Had he shot himself during target practice?! He stood there in a stupor, watching Noct, the friend he thought he knew everything about, holding onto her, tightening his grip. In concentrating hard, he could see the timid look he barely knew creep up on Noct’s face. Muttering to himself, he rubbed his face with his hand, trying to see if he was indeed dreaming. He didn’t feel any pain, so he couldn’t have shot himself…right? Dreaming…that was the only possible answer, but no, Noct was right there, everything was so real.

When Noct made his first attempt to explain, Storm stared at him. “I know you went out earlier Noct! But what the…?!” Trailing off, he didn’t wish to be ruder to the woman who was obviously terrified at his reaction to her. He coughed quietly, choking for some reason. It might be that the saliva in his mouth had collected from his mouth being open for so long. Gulping, he glanced away, trying to make head and tails about why Noct would bring her of all people to their house. Had he even thought of the consequences?! “Oh god!” He groaned even before he had told him anything more. Just thinking of her angry father made him want to slap Noct. Why? Why her? Had he kidnapped her? But now, she wouldn’t be clinging to him if he had. Bringing her would open complete war, and he would tell him that, if he hadn’t thought about it himself. If he had brought her here…that was terrible judgment!

What had possessed Noct to bring her here?! Had he thought about what would happen? Her father…groaning slightly while thinking about it, he put his head in his hands, letting the shotgun fall completely on the ground. He also knew what Noct was in, right now he probably couldn’t explain all with her standing right there, things would all go smoother if they were alone. Just when he thought things could get no worse…Noct had to go and open his mouth again. His head jerked up, mouth dropping open again. For a second, he just stared at Noct, nothing coming out as he forgot to breath. STAYING?! “What?! Noctis?! Why?! Staying??!” Breathing just as heavily as Noct was, he could do nothing but stare into his eyes, trying to get a hint for what was going on.

He watched as he pulled her closer, and backed up a few steps, covering his face with his hands The questions he wanted to ask swirled around his brain. ‘it was necessary?!’ uncovering his eyes, he tried once more without success to figure out what might have happened. He couldn’t stop the next outburst, “hell yes you should have called!” Cringing when he saw the insecure look on Noct’s face, he stopped speaking then. Maybe he should just walk away…that might be the best option. He glanced down the hallway, thinking about making a run for it. This was the weirdest situation he had ever been in, and it just kept getting worse. It had gone from seeing them simply together to them now holding on to each other. He felt a little dizzy, his head was spinning. Looking down, he tried to pull himself together as he saw his gun lying on the floor. Had he dropped it? He hoped Noct told him what the hell was going on, because at the moment, he had not a clue…

“I…uh…gotta…” He wanted to run away, to get away, to get a drink…or poor an entire bucket of cold water over his head. That might get his senses back, possibly…so he tried to think of an excuse to get away that sounded real and not made up. Yet his blank mind couldn’t think of anything at the moment. Reaching down, his eyes still staring at Noct and Stella, he picked up his shotgun…

[Noctis Lucis Caelum]

~ There is Nothing either Good or Bad, but thinking makes it so ~

[/size][/font]
[/center]

This was ready to blow. No, they were not whatever Storm was mistaking them to be...
Noctis was not crazy. Not yet, or so he thought; then again, insanity was harboured in anyone to some degree and how was he to think he was insane, if he was insane?! Where this was headed, they didn't need breaks; they'd crashed through much worse than the accident he'd been in earlier. Windows would split, mountains would cave in... this was where Storm's shock was coming from...

He would've framed what was happening all on a wall, awarded it for the most exciting, unusual, impossibly retarded moment of the year, or rather all his life.
It would definitely be the finest addition to his home, as a painting, a video, anything; it defeated what he'd ever felt, hands down. This was emotion he was seeing... adrenaline induced and enough to turn his stoicism as anything classified to be emotional quality, into debris.

The hands on Storm's blonde head were scrunching his already messy hair. His face was just too much to handle, and he knew what was going on in his head; there was turmoil with everything he didn't know and couldn't get an explanation out of screaming at him as messily as the strands of his golden hair overlapped. Noctis wasn't about to let his best'est' friend disappear anywhere without another word though, who knows what else he'd put himself up for having dropped his beloved shotgun; the man would marry that thing if it could answer yes!
Aware that mistakes were made tonight, he gathered this was no solution, he should've called but now was his calling.

Storm looked like a perfect mannequin out of a wax museum with his mouth agape and swallowing, even choking on his own breath and words. A fly would've stuck itself in there if he didn't shut it at last.
Noctis wasn't calm but he wasn't entirely amused with himself either, it was just that Storm was so funny he was about to blow up inside unable to release everything; the situation went up with the hilarity and then down as his friend seemed to back away, avoiding before he had even managed to deliver an answer. Thankfully, it was fluctuating fast so he couldn't crack up; his eyes transformed as the iris swirled into an icy blue, tributing to Storm's disc like eyes right now.

Those were so bright; luminescent, in the dark even, he could see how clear they were for the first time because he'd never ever maintained such strong eye contact with anyone. His best friend's eyes were popping like ping pong balls about to drop out and by some foreign magnetism he was drawn to staring back at him.
Somewhere inside, he began to wonder if the man could see his own stupor as a reflection in his eyes; there was a fire that alighted in them and told him he couldn't let his friend burn alone in miserable confusion. If Storm could read minds, he'd likely have punched him by now, whether it was out of spontaneous frustration or simple throw hands up worthy annoyance; that would be a new insight...

They shared the troubles and gun fire wouldn't separate them so nothing like this could, Noctis needed to take advantage of what he knew about Storm and it was mandatory to keep his friend from heartbreak that he had been so careless not to inform him at first notice; the value of friendship, a brotherhood, quiet that Stella wouldn't experience in his opinion.

Anything that burned could lead to a tragedy, and he didn't want to let his judgment or lack thereof be the match that started it. Out of the elevator, he took a large stride and put a hand on Storm's shoulder, stepping up so he was almost neck and neck; they were approximately the same height and it was easy.
"...I know..."

His gaze drifted from such intense stares and then he leaned in closer, his head bowed to face the side and whispered only audibly to Storm; his movement stretched his arm out so that Stella did not have to be dragged with him and can't see his lips move to talk.
"Just stay, I'll explain it all when she's eaten and slept; it's a lot... but you know that already..."

Their negotiations were very casual, nothing would prevent him from spilling his heart out to Storm any night as fitting as this one. He drew away from the personal perimeters and took a step back, much smaller a foot than the one he'd taken forward and turned to Stella, gesturing with the hand he now took off Storm's shoulder, to invite her out of the transparent bullet chute.

From the corner of his eye, he glimpsed Storm and tilted his head to survey the area for any one who might have been watching; it was empty as he desired but he would have to go find someone to cook, and the kitchen was smelling of food that must have tempted Storm as he'd heard the stomach grumble even from that verbal blasting. Really though, he sought some advice that he couldn't rip from his insides; he only sought to add a bit more information so he could demand from both of them to make chemistry like apple and cinnamon, simple and good to last!?

In too deep with this food thing, Noctis pressed his free hand on the bridge of his nose as he always did when pressuring squeezed his head; nothing was a headache now, how could he think it was, but there was difficulty dealing with it without help!
He was much better at being a dictator than a politician to satisfy all parties and votes; first, he was going to make sure Storm figured out his reasons that it wasn't so bad to have her on their side, her father would always want his head on a silver platter regardless of her input. This could even be a blessing... to end the feud...

"There were some complications, I understand them... but she has to stay here now... I will address the council tomorrow. For this time... make peace... things are not the same as they were Storm... as for our stance, that can never change. I haven't got a clear road to take... but things will be taken care of..."

It was upon his word, that had to be acceptable. In spite of that, was it enough truly for people who cared sincerely? He felt that it was one of those times alcohol would resolve things as far as he learned from his father; it spun them out of heavy hearts... perhaps he would toast Storm but that was all his imagination. Ridiculous!

He rested his case... he was going to take Storm's shotgun if he had to leave! It was last resort; praised honesty, seldom shown by him because it revealed his private life, was the second last. " Stella, I will attend to your order now... I apologise for what just happened... you may trust Storm as you do me, he is as good a second of me as one can find."

[stella]

"Yes... because of how to get them and the lengths it took for people to obtain such things that everyone wants."

"St-.... I... went out earlier..."

"Stella... this is Storm... and... she is staying with us from now on..." Stella stayed where she was holding his hand...."What?" "We met earlier... something came up; it was necessary to bring her home... " "...I should've called you, but we just arrived a short while ago..." Stella hoped that he was able to get trough to to his best friend.....

“I know you went out earlier Noct! But what the…?!”

“Oh god!”

“What?! Noctis?! Why?! Staying??!”

“hell yes you should have called!”

“I…uh…gotta…”

"...I know..."

"Just stay, I'll explain it all when she's eaten and slept; it's a lot... but you know that already..."

"There were some complications, I understand them... but she has to stay here now... I will address the council tomorrow. For this time... make peace... things are not the same as they were Storm... as for our stance, that can never change. I haven't got a clear road to take... but things will be taken care of..."

He would have to go before a council because of her? Stella let go of Noctis hand....."He's right...I don't belong here...." Stella looked down then....As much as she had to admit it....Storm was right....Why would she think that they would all accept her? She really felt out of place then....The voice in Storm's tongue when he said she was not suppose to be here....Was enough to let her see that he did not accept her...She wanted to run away from them.... " Stella, I will attend to your order now... I apologise for what just happened... you may trust Storm as you do me, he is as good a second of me as one can find." "No....He's right...How could I ever think that this could work out....I mean you have to before a council for me tomorrow....Why? It won't change....They will not accept me as one of like they do you and your friends....I just....I wanna lay down....Okay...Please...I just wanna sleep...."

She had not slept all night....and that hot bath made her sleepy....She was trembling as Noctis would see now....That she did not belong here....She was his enemy....None the less.....Their lives would never be able to collide and just be the friends she always wanted....and what's worse she did not tell Storm that she fell in love with Noctis and was not going to....Stella saw that Storm was trying to find an excuse to get away....And she looked down then when he picked his shot gun back up....Stella started then to save Storm the trouble and walk away all on her own.....But would Noctis let her? She wished that she could just run away for ever and not look back....But she was not leaving Noctis....to deal with that coucil on his own....It was her duty to help him....."I...I'm sorry for acting as I did Noctis.....I want to stay here with you....For you are the only one that has reached out to my aid....And helped me....Can we have that supper now?"

[Prompto (Storm) Zarxen]

{{Storm Zarxen}}

Storm had managed to collect himself in the slightest way, yet his eyes were still large, breathing still increased, he could feel his heart pounding. He couldn’t even imagine what his best friend had been thinking when he had come up with this idea. Stella Nox Flueret…?! The daughter of their enemy…was in they’re house! Even with whatever had prompted Noct to feel sorry enough to let her live with them…had he considered she might be going undercover for her father? What story had she come up with? He hated to think of these things, but since Noct obviously hadn’t, it was up to him. His left hand was still on his forehead, fingers messing up his hair.

He wished he could drag Noct away and get some answers that instant. In front of Miss Flueret…he couldn’t do any such thing, but the look he sent Noct told him he wished to do just that. His face pinched from shock to a scowl, which was probably comical. He never scowled, especially at Noct…but the circumstances made it unavoidable to him. He still wanted to find and out, some reason he could state to get away from them. He needed a second to collect his thoughts and be able to be around Noct without wanting to beat some sense into him. He really wanted to smack him…his best friend, he viewed Noct as his best friend, a brother, and yet, right now all he wanted to do was slap him…

He hoped his thoughts weren’t too plain, he didn’t want Stella to know…and well…Noct would figure out just as soon as they were in a private place where he could get some answers out of him. Noct might be able to figure out what he was thinking since they were so close, but he doubted Stella could since she didn’t know him in the least way. He glanced down to his right hand, which held his shotgun in the firmest grip he had ever griped it. His knuckles were white, and he forced himself to loosen his grip on the gun.

He had backed up quickly, his thoughts still scattered to kingdom come! His eyes now searched for everything else but Noct and Stella. He didn’t want to see them holding on to each other, in fact it made him dizzy and the room spun then. He turned half to the side, he was a split second away from leaving the they’re presence. Shaking his head more, he started to walk away in a stupor. He needed to get out of there, maybe some water over his head would help him to get clear on what was going on, because Noct wasn’t tell him anything! Why? Noct always told him everything…except looking at Stella Nox Flueret standing in their elevator…he cringed. apparently he doesn’t tell you everything….

Sighing, he was suddenly stopped by Noct walking up to him. He had only made it about a step, but turning, he saw his eyes were an icy blue. He put his hand on Storm’s shoulder, which was normal, and it calmed him down somewhat. His eyes went from Noct’s to Stella over his shoulder. I know…wasn’t much of an answer…but it showed he cared. Closing his eyes, his breathing stopped being so fast. He was whispered too, it would be a lot of explaining to explain this. He glared at Noct, and muttering quietly, “You had better explain all of it, because this is insane!” He more grumbled it, but his eyes were not wide anymore, except when he glanced at Stella they would become such again.

When Noct held out his hand for Stella, Storm shook his head and turned away. He heard him speak, and nodding once, he sighed. taken care of?? He was still starving, but didn’t know if he could eat, especially if they were going to do that as well. He should just walk out the door and cool down a bit…or maybe go up to his room, shut the door and blare the music so loud it blocked out all his thoughts. He was squeezing the shotgun again, and taking in a deep breath, he relaxed his grip and put it and rested it on his shoulder. He was going to get a headache if his thoughts didn’t collect themselves. Before he had had it in himself to get angry with Noct, but that had all changed when Noct had looked at him that way. They had been through to much to have this pull them apart and make him angry. He took in a deep shuddering breath, and trusted his best friend’s judgment. It was hard since Noct’s judgment went against Storm’s, but it showed his friendship and trust he had in Noct. He had always trusted Noct before, their group of friends were really tight.

When Stella talked about not belonging, he felt himself agreeing, yet then he felt bad. Noct would probably just get angry if he knew that was in fact his opinion. Squeezing shut his eyes, he forced his brain to stop swirling. He actually started thinking Stella was going to stick to her thought and go home to where she belonged…but in the end, she changed her mind yet again. When she spoke of aid…he once again wondered what the hell had happened that had made Noct bring her here. It must have been something major, to impede his judgment like it had. He started thinking about the council then. He wouldn’t want to be Noct and have to explain this to them, yet he would help his friend explain if he ever found out what had happened. Noct was his best friend, and right now, he probably needed him to be such, not angry or acting different. First he had to find out what had happened though, hopefully Noct would be able to tell him that. He was going to try to be understanding, and as always, he would take Noct’s side and support him, yet if he didn’t tell him what the hell was going on that would be difficult.

He was hungry, but he didn’t really want to be with Stella and Noct while they ate. That would just get awkward, but yet, it would look rude if he ran away since at least to Noct, it had been clear he was going to the kitchen before. Stella probably wouldn’t know where he had been going to, but Noct defiantly would. Maybe he could grab something and run…? He didn’t always eat in the dining area, in fact he was usually the one to drag his food around with him instead of sitting down. What he probably needed right now was some alcohol…but Noct would probably just take it away and tell him to stop being stupid. His eyes flickered back and forth as his brain swirled. Not bothering to wait for them, he turned and stumbled down the hallway to the kitchen, his eyes didn’t focus on anything, they simply stared into nothing. Yet he knew the place so well he knew where to turn without even looking. They came after him, since they were going to the same place. When he got to the kitchen, he groaned and wanted to bang his head against something.

Looking around him, he grabbed a bucket and hauled it to the sink. Filling it with cold water, he thought about dumping it over his head. As Noct came in, it was filled. “Hey…Noct…would you do me a favor and pour this over my head?” He asked it so serious, he didn’t sound teasing. He was actually serious, that might be the only way his thoughts actually got collected, or he could be pulled out of the trance he was in. He held out the bucket, his large blue eyes looking into Noct’s. He didn’t know if he would do it, but it was worth a shot!