#celty ic

Hesitation was evident in the stilling of the dullahan’s fingers as Celty slowly strung together words on her PDA, head tilting to the side as though to portray an uncertain response to the other’s declaration,

[ Are you sure…?]

As part of her human facade Celty was always certain not to take anything that did not directly belong to her, making her hesitant to accept the blonde’s advice straight on. 

[ Hey, aren’t you Shizuo’s co-worker?]

The message was typed out leisurely as the Black rider held up her PDA for Vorona to see, hoping the whinny of her bike upon her arrival was enough to gain the other woman’s attention without accidentally spooking her. 

Night had fallen hours past, casting them both in a sea of shadows interrupted only by a dim street lamp overhead the bridge they were currently occupying, housing just enough light to make out the blonde’s general features. 

She was a little over average in height and wore a biker suit similar to that of Celty, her blank facial features practically giving away what she assumed to be her Russian heritage, proving to only further the Dullahan’s suspicions that this lady was the same one that Shizuo had told her about. Aside from herself there were very few Foreigners in Japan.

But then, what was she still doing out so late? It was dangerous to be alone at night, especially if she was as troubled as her pensive expression portrayed.  

For one reason or another Celty could swear that the kid standing only meters in front of her looked familiar, helmet tilting to the side in subtle confusion. 

   He kind of looked like that kid that Anri and Mikado knew, but yet also had distinguishing features that were undoubtedly not him, such as the way he dressed and held himself- his personality no longer appeared as exuberant and energetic as it did in the past.. 

The blonde also seemed to hold a unique method in speaking from the few words he heard the other mumble, taking on a diction that the dullahan placed back in Victorian times. 

                                          Strange...

The urge to speak to the stranger was strong, quickly masking any reservations the headless rider had for limiting her interactions with others she didn’t know and thus motivated her to park shooter on the side of the road and approach the shorter kid carefully in an attempt not to startle him. 

    [ Hey... Sorry to bother you, but do I know you? You look kind of like someone I know...] 

              Or would knew have been better terminology? 

                                    [ Are you alright?]

It wasn’t as though this was a new occurrence, in fact, Celty mused that it was becoming almost habitual in nature, unfortunately. 

  With the raising numbers of fights and property damages being dealt onto the city from the heightening animosity among the color gangs the cops were nearing their wits end with charges and a need to blame someone for all the trouble. Anyone plausible would do, they just needed a name to dirty, a name which just so happened to be Shizuo Heiwajima.

  After all, the man was already known throughout the city for his tendency to beat others up and destroy public property, so no one questioned the sudden increase in his arrests, regardless of the fact that every time he was allowed to leave after just a short while free of charges. Everyone needed a scapegoat and it seemed as though Shizuo would serve that need whether it was fair or not. 

   This time it was destroying a convenience store that the blonde was locked up for, only to be acquitted of all crime not even two days later, much to both Celty and Shinra’s relief. 

       [ They told me your release time and I figured you’d want a ride.]

It had been only an hour ago that the headless rider had received a call from the police signifying that the past bartender would be relieved of all crimes and would be released within an hour, explaining why she was currently waiting outside of the police station with her phone shoved in the blonde’s face.

Celty and Shizuo fighting together, back to back.

                   [ So... Want to tell me what happened...?]

Leveling her scythe to rest before her in defense, Celty tilted her head to the side to indicate that she was speaking to Shizuo, phone flashing in front of the blonde before lashing out again with her shadows, attempting to subdue the advancing gang rather than harm them.