Cafeteria Chaos

Tionne trudged into the Food Court, dog tired after only getting three hours of sleep; walking straight to the counter where Jerry stood, chipper as always, he slumped forward, mumbling unintelligently. ''Gimme some coffee, pwease."

"Oh, honey! You need more than that for breakfast! Here, I'll give you a streudel as well, with my extra-strength coffee!" Jerry cried out. Tionne cringed before asking pitifully "Please don't yell. My head is killing me..." After recieving his tray, he walked to a table and fell forward with his head resting on his arms.

White walked into the cafeteria leafing through another one of her books, stopping at the window. "Mr. Jerry, I'd like some scones, please," she said, "along with some orange juice if you don't mind."

"Coming right up, dear!"

White always liked coming to the cafeteria in the mornings, Jerry's cheer being something she enjoyed in the usually lazy mornings of the order. She took the tray and saw Tionne slouched over the table nursing a cup of coffee and looking generally dead to the world. She frowned.

Hey, lookit Tionne, Grey said. Looks dead. Perfect chance to mess with him a little, eh, White?

"I think not," she answered before walking over to sit across from Tionne. "Tionne, are you alright? You look kind of sick."

Growling at whoever dared disturb him, Tionne gave a death glare to the fuzzy blob in front of him until he realized it was White. "Nng." the acrobat grunted, waving his hand in greeting. He wasn't a morning person normally, but even then he was more active than this; but running on three hours of sleep and just two sips of coffee? Not enough to get him through social activities.

"How you, White? Grey being a pain, again?"

White gave a chuckle and took a bite off her scone, "Not anything I'm not used to." White finished her scone off quickly, taking a sip from her orange juice. "Other than that, I'm fine, really," she said. "I finally remembered something this morning so I was happy."

So I can't have a little bit of fun? Grey pleaded. White narrowed her eyes at this. I promise, I won't do anything...bad.

"Highly unlikely," she retaliated, this time making sure it was in her head.

Hmph, be that way, Grey said. White felt satisfied until she felt that familiar tugging. Her eyes soon turned to Grey's familiar red, but he kept on drinking as if nothing happened.

"I'll still have my fun anyway," he mumbled.

Grey!! White complained but Grey ignored her.

Glancing up, Tionne noticed immediately that something was wrong; for starters, White was talking to herself. And for another, her eyes were red instead of blue. "Oh, crapola." Tionne said with a hint of anxiety in his voice; he knew that Grey could get into all kinds of trouble when he was controlling the body that he and his sister shared. Deciding to face the trouble head-on, Tionne offered his mug of Java to his fellow exorcist.

"Mornin', Grey. Fancy some coffee? Jerry says it's extra strong."

(You're probably wondering why he seems to have perked up. This is because at the nearest hint of trouble, he immediately get's wide awake. Circus training. Gotta love it.)

(Gotta love it indeed!)

"Nah, we're not too much of a coffee person but thanks for offering," Grey said, placing his drink down and smirking. "Just saw you looking dead and wanted to bother you, but White wouldn't let me." Grey watched a female exorcist walk by and gave a low whistle.

"That one, she was nice looking, wasn't she," Grey said, motioning to the female exorcist that had walked by.

Grey, stop it!! White said. Grey leaned forward on the table.

"Anyone catch your fancy yet?" Grey asked the acrobat, tone hinting something more besides plain curiosity. "Knowledge...information, maybe--"

STOP BEFORE YOU FINISH THAT SENTENCE!! White shrieked, causing Grey to clutch at his head as a monster head ache surged through.

Noticing immediately what Grey was implying, he smirked and said ''No...why? Are you jealous, maybe?" before standing up and sashaying up to the counter for more coffee and a little bottle of cream.

Sitting back down, he winked saucily at Grey and said "Because, if you are jealous, I can completely understand." Sighing dramatically, he continued. "Lonely is the life of an acrobat. Always wandering from town to town, never settling down anywhere..."

White was flushing bright red in their head, and Grey knew it. He gave a mock laugh, "Jealous? I may be...I do feel lonely when you don't look at me." Grey ignored the other exorcists near by, the stares from finders.

Stop it, you're embarrassing me! White said. Grey stared evenly into Tionne's eyes, his red eyes smoldering.

"We can help each other ease the loneliness away," Grey said. "I myself am also curious about how...flexible an acrobat is. Especially one that has been away from the circus for so long."

At this point a couple of people had stopped to watch the small little spectacle. White was panicking.

You're attracting attention, the wrong kind of attention! It's bad enough you hit on girls, now this and--Oh GOD did I just see Lavi walk in!!? White said, voice frantic.

You're just being paranoid, Grey answered, determined to keep his fun going.

(By the way, I'll just keep White and Grey's thoughts in italics when they're talking to each other inside their head.)

"Oh, I can assure you...I am very...very...flexible." Tionne replied as he leaned in closer, and whispered that last part huskily into Grey's ear. Straightening back up, he said nonchalantly "But I doubt someone like you could handle me. After all, as they say, I am as wild and passionate as Nature herself."

Standing up, Tionne decided to take things into his own hands. "How about I show you how flexible I can be?" he asked before stepping onto the table and doing a back bend, several flips and then an aerial sumersault, landing onto his hands, and then split his legs into a perfect 180 degree angle. Clapping could be heard from everyone as they watched the acrobat perform his stunts and flips.

Grey clapped along with them, a rather predatory smirk on his face. This one actually liked to play back.

I feel faint, I feel an ulcer coming, it's ALMOST as bad as that one time in New York, White mumbled.

"Wild like Nature herself, huh," Grey said. He moved so he could practically purr his next lines into Tionne's ear, "Well, then, I fancy myself being strong enough to tame Nature..."

You...you're really having fun with this, aren't you? White asked. She was becoming paranoid of the multitude of people watching now and Grey's glee only seemed to have increased.

I've only flirted with women before, not men, this will be chance to learn something more, Grey said.

I still think I see Lavi! Bookman Jr. is ALWAYS interested in crowds!

And I say you're still paranoid, White.

White just gave a pathetic whine.

Tionne smiled, and decided to play some more with this one; after all, he had a reputation to uphold.
"Ok, I'll admit, not many would dare say that. But now, I think you need to learn what you can from me and then decide, lover." The acrobat cleared his throat and started to sing, hoping that everyone would get the hidden message in the song.


(Background and the song Tionne sings...)

White yelped in their head when Grey stood up on the table with Tionne when the song was done. Even with the couple of inches Tionne had on them, Grey let his presence be known when he wrapped an arm around Tionne's waist and pulled him into a dip.

What're you doing!!? White shrieked. That's just, why did!! Oh, I give up!!

Everyone watching gasped, not expecting such a show in the morning.

"Hmph, trying to woo you with anything besides my own skill was not on my agenda," Grey said. "I'd rather do anything I could to have you like me for who I am."

You serious? White asked. This is a new one. Definitely a new one. I'll give you about a minute or less before he laughs in your face.

All risks, my dear, Grey answered. My shame and my pride has long since been tossed out to be eaten by wolves.

Gasping in surprise, Tionne almost thought he was serious...almost. But still, one always had to be sure..."Good, lord, boy! You certainly are persistent, aren't you?" Tapping his chin in thought, he said in a resigned sounding voice "I suppose I could surrender myself to your whims..."

Leaning in and whispering so only Grey could hear, Tionne asked "Please tell me that this is still just all a joke..." in a hesitant way.

Grey grinned, whispering back, "All in good fun. I'm sorry if I'm making you feel uncomfortable. That was not my intention. If you want, I can always turn back to White." Grey pulled Tionne back up, stepping off the table and dusting off his jacket.

"I am a very persistent man," he said, though a wolfish smile was still on his face. "Though, it seems I have to work harder still if I am to get your full permission."

You...you just LOVE to cause trouble, don't you! White groaned. Okay. Now I definitely know that you're almost as bad as Lavi when it comes to trouble!

Somewhere, Lavi sneezed.

Winking, signaling that he was still fine, Tionne said "In order to woo one such as I, it takes time, patience and discipline. Something I feel that you excel at; however, I must warn you. Boxes of chocolates and simple poetry won't do." Turning about, Tionne raised his voice loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Let it be known to you all that I am to be wooed by roses, and roses alone. They are to be crimson red, mixed with bunches of baby's breath; anyone who seeks my hand in courtship is to do this, but if they do it for frivolous reasons, then be warned. I shoot to maim and harm, not to kill; you will lose a foot, hand, or...a certain male anatomy piece that is vital." At that, every male blushed and crossed their legs.

Turning to face Grey, he smiled devilishly and said "There, now I do believe I must be going...Unless you have something else you'd like to say or do?"

Grey shook his head and waved his hand, "No, that's fine. I have a feeling I know what to do next. Until next time."

White blinked when she was suddenly back in control, hand still up in the wave that Grey did. "What...what happened?" she asked, looking around at all the blushing male exorcists and then up at Tionne. An angry glare soon passed over her face.

"I...I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU TWO DID THAT!!?" she yelled. Grey started laughing in her mind.

Blowing a kiss at White, Tionne skipped towards the door before remembering he had left his coffee and pastry back at the table. Going back to get it, he said to White "Chill, dearie; after all, wasn't it just a little fun for you? Because I certainly enjoyed myself." Winking, he continued back to the door, but paused long enough to say "Oh, and gentlemen? I want those roses sent to my room; not on the breakfast table. I tend to want to see what I'm eating..." before cackling madly.

White frowned, "I guess it was a little fun..." She walked back over to the table to pick up her book. She found her place and started back to her room.

"Why is most of my friends like to have too much fun?" she mumbled, only to pause when she was met by a wall of exorcists and finders. "What?"

"Can you tell us where Tionne's room is?"

"We'd appreciate if you could help us!"

White felt a migraine growing.

Lavi stood shocked at what he had seen; Tionne and Grey had been flirting, and then Tionne just goes and tells every man that if they are to attempt at wooing him, they have to send roses to his room! Now, practically every male in the Black Order was asking where his room was!

"Yo, I just saw him run towards the training room!" he yelled, hoping to help out White. After everyone left, he said "Can you believe that? Now every girl here will try to murder Tionne in his sleep!"

White stared at Lavi with fearful eyes, "Tionne!! Tionne!! Oh, God, if not him then definitely me! Grey was the one who instigated everything!" She sighed, shaking her head. "Thank you for helping me out, Lavi," she said.

"What're we gonna do now?" Lavi asked.

"I don't know about you but I'm going to see if I can find a way to stop this," White said, marching out of the cafeteria to find one of the sources to all her problems that day.

Tionne skipped down the hall, humming various songs, when he heard a sound that was reminiscent of an earthquake. Turning around, Tionne saw a horde of men running towards the training room; squeaking in fright, the acrobat hid in a nearby alcove until they passed by.

"What the hell is going on here?" Tionne wondered aloud when a voice behind him said "Tionne; I feel what you did in the cafeteria started an all out hormone war." Jumping, the acrobat saw the elderly Bookman standing beside him, smoking a cigarette.

"Oh, Bookman, you startled me. For a moment there, I thought you were..." "Never mind that, Tionne; by stating that any male who wished to court you was to deliver roses to your room, you caused every male under 40 to want to court you." "But how did I do that? It's not like I have an Innocence that caused this to happen, right?" Bookman just shook his head and said to him "No, Tionne, you don't. But instead, you informed everyone you were single and interested in a relationship."

"Oh, my God. What have I done?" Tionne moaned before sliding down onto the floor, hugging his knees to his chest. "You started a chain reaction, and the only thing to do is to find a way to stop this."

White skid down the hallway, frantically looking for Tionne. "Okay, where's that trouble maker!?" she growled. She yelped when she saw a crowd of exorcists pointing at her, yelling that she'd know where Tionne was.

"ARGH!!!" she shouted, diving into the nearest place she could to avoid the crowd. Looking around, she was thankful to have avoided the crowd and continued her man hunt.

This is entertaining! Grey sang happily.

"This is annoying!" White said. "Okay, Champion, can you sense his innocence anywhere?"

There was a moment, and then a dull throb. White turned her head to look down an alcove she had missed earlier. "There?" she asked.

Tionne was pacing back and forth, while Bookman calmly smoked a cigarette, his eyes watching the pale-skinned exorcist walk. "Tionne, if you keep that up, you'll be too tired to run; that crowd will find you again."

Tionne looked at Bookman and said "Do I look like I can calm down, Bookman?! Look at my hand!" he yelled before holding his hand out, which was shaking and jerking uncontrollably. "Hands aren't supposed to do that, except Ricky the Cannonball, but only because he hit a stonewall head-first one time, and the nerve damage was irrepairable."

Going back to his pacing, he was thinking quickly and rapidly, as Cloudnyne trained him to do in a crisis. "Okay, don't panic...I just need to find a way to remedy this situation..." Turning around, Tionne asked "What if I had a good friend pretend to be my lover, and told everyone that I was unavailable?" Bookman shrugged, as if he didn't know that it would work-which he didn't.

White approached the alcove and gave a triumphant shout when she found Tionne. The usually timid exorcist tackled Tionne to the ground, hands gripping the collar of his uniform and shaking him back and forth.

"There you are you fiend!" she shouted. "Because of you people have been chasing me to no end asking where you were!!!" She paused to give a polite nod to Bookman, who acknowledged her with a nod as well.

Hey~, it was all in good fun! Grey said.

"Shut up, Grey," White said, a murderous aura starting to come forth. "I'll deal with you later."

...yes, ma'am... he said.

"Yes...but...I...didn't...mean...for...this...to...happen!" Tionne cried in between shakes. When she stopped to threaten Grey, he said ''But I have an idea on how to stop this from escalating any further!"

"If I can find a guy who wouldn't mind helping me out, I might be able to convince everyone that I'm unavailable for wooing!" Bookman stood silent, watching the two interact; if he didn't know any better, he would swear that the two were somehow related...but that was impossible.

"White, I know you probably hate me and Grey, but we didn't mean for our joke to go this far! I didn't know that this would happen!"