Welcome to Hell!

The train was dead silent, not a peep from either passengers. Viola merely sat straight with her hands on her lap and her viola case by her side. Her position reminded Al of a shy child that hides her existence in the corner of a room. He himself sat sloppily, leaning back with his hands behind his head and a foot resting on top of the other. Viola was older than he expected, when he learned that he would be watching over his boss's kid, he was expecting someone no older than fifteen…maybe sixteen. But she looked only a year or two younger than him. The train in which they sat was silent; they were the only passengers in the empty cart. Destination: Lucifenia, Hell.

Viola felt uncomfortable being alone with a complete stranger; she didn't know him at all. The only thing she knows about him is that he works for her father. She didn't know what he was like, or what kinds of things he was capable of. Alistair could occasionally see her staring at him from the corner of his eyes; she would quickly look away once his eyes turned to her. She tapped her foot nervously, trying to ease her mind in any way possible. Sensing this, Al decided to strike up conversation.

"So…how long have you been playin'?" His voice broke the immense silence that choked the room.

Her response came quickly and in a whisper-like manner "Since childhood."

"Oh. Well I only play the piano...but I haven't been playin' recently."

She then noticed a slight accent to his manner of speech. He tends to make the 'G' at the end of some words silent. The way he slurs the end of his sentences also made a foreign impression contrasting the manner of speech that she was accustomed to.

"W…where are you from?" She was hesitant to ask, not wanting to sound rude.

"I'm from the wide open lands of Xera. I only moved to Luncanae recently, so I'm still gettin' used to the big urban setting." He straightened his back and removed his hands from behind his head.

"So what brings you here?"

"Personal reasons." He answered with a chill manner.

Viola has heard of Xera, a small and peaceful country. Not much ever goes on there; many towns in that land are small with little population. Its main industry is farming and lives stock. In contrast to Luncanae, which has many crowded and large cities and concentrates with coming up with the newest technology and leisure.

"So, do you like living in Midnight Grove?" She managed the courage to look at him as she asked.

"Yeah, it has its perks. I kinda like the fast pace life, ya know. And plus, I've always dreamed in living in such a huge city. Of course the traffic can get annoying sometimes."

She gave a light giggle "Yeah it can be. That's why I prefer to walk."

Hearing her giggle made Al feel more at ease; at least he was getting her more comfortable.

"I'm Alistair Cyrus. I don't think I have gotten your name?"

"I'm Viola Riliane. Nice to meet you, Mr. Cyrus."

"Just 'Al' is fine." Hearing her say 'Mr. Cyrus' made him feel a lot older than he actually is.

"Very well, Al." She was not used to addressing someone in such an informal way, but there was something about doing so that made her feel a bit happy.

As he looked out the window, Viola took the chance to really examine his face. She has a habit of carefully observing people's faces when she first meets them. He looked a bit older than her, but not by much; maybe around…twenty-four or twenty-five. His blonde hair looked unkempt, but she quickly noticed that it was purposely made to look that way. He had a bit of a narrow jaw, but it fitted his face nicely. He had a very relaxed aura to him, as if he could care less of his environment. Her eyes turned to his clothes; he dressed in a very casual manner as well, nothing to flashy or attention drawing. His shirt was buttoned from the bottom but once reaching on the top the buttons were carelessly left alone, exposing his undershirt underneath.

Her eyes darted to herself. Her style differed from his, she was taught from a young age to dress very properly. She always had to look at her best; so every button on every single piece of clothing had been fastened properly. The top of her dress does not go past her collar bone, leaving not a trace of cleavage exposed. Her sleeves reach her wrists and the ribbons on her puffed shoulders were tied neatly. The bottom of her dress reaches below her knees and her stockings cover up the skin of her legs. The laces of her boots were tied tightly and in a delicate manner.

As her eyes wondered back to him, wondering if people would think that they were an ill-paired couple once they are seen walking together. She was so busy looking at him that she didn't notice that they were entering the large and frightening gates that lead to Hell. She was simply lost in her thoughts.

Her eyes traveled back to his face and to her surprise, his own eyes stared right back at her. Had he been looking at her while she was examining them both? Heat rose to her cheeks at her rude behavior and she turned away. His eyes lightly glowed…just like hers. Her embarrassment grew once she heard his soft chuckle.

She simply muttered a small and quiet apology and looked out the window, finally noticing the once bright and happy sky and environment that morphed into a dark and seemingly malicious once.

"Welcome to Hell!" Viola lightly jumped at Al's suddenly loud and booming voice. He stood from his seat and walked towards the window next that was next to where Viola sat. Al eagerly looked at the scarlet sky and the skeletal trees that covered the land. It was his first time being off of the realm of Earth. He had always wondered what Hell was like.

Viola felt a little uneasy being so close to Al. She knew he meant no harm in being so close to her, but her instincts told her otherwise. Her subconscious always made her feel nervous when someone was so close to her, especially if that person happens to be of the opposite sex.

Al could sense this nervousness from her and instantly backed away, returning to his seat. Resuming his sloppy posture, his eyes turned to Viola's round and petite face. Her eyes were turned away from him; her cheeks had small traces of pink.

"You've ever been to Hell?" He asked, wanting her to feel comfortable again.

"N-No. The only realm I have ever been to is Earth…" She tried not to stutter. She hated it when her nervous tension showed.

"Same here." Hearing his response, Viola looked in his direction, only to look away once more when he gave her a light smile.

Why do I have to be so awkward?! He probably thinks I'm a weirdo! Viola argued with herself and made small gestures as the argument escalated.

Al simply looked as her facial expressions kept changing at a constant pace. He wondered what she could possibly be thinking that made her change emotions so quickly. Women…I just don't get 'em sometimes.

Wanting her to stop doing her strange gestures, Al hoped to snap her from her thought bubble with a conversation. "So you nervous?"

His actions served its purpose and she was pulled from her thoughts. "Huh? I mean, a little. I always get nervous before a show" Especially when it's in Hell. Her brain added. "So what are you going to do?"

"Ya know. I'm going to be like your personal bodyguard. Makin' sure that no one creeps up on you."

Viola was reminded of the event that took place at her after last performance. Her body shrunk and curled together as she felt that man's hands seemingly roam her body once more.

Seeing her take the form of a fetus, Al stood from his seat and slowly walked in Viola's direction.

"Hey, you feel okay? Upset stomach or somethin'?" He placed a hand on her delicate shoulder and felt surprise as she jerked away as if he were some kind of leper.

Realizing her action, she quickly brushed it off and regained posture. "S-sorry." She stuttered as she always did when nervous. "Just a minor anxiety attack."

Al did not know how to react to her anxiety attack, so he simply sat next to her. He was beginning to realize that this may not be as easy money as he first thought.

Viola on the other hand felt a little ease knowing there will be someone watching over her this time, yet nervous that she had a man sitting next to her at the moment. Why am I such a nervous wreck? The scent of his cologne filled her nostrils and sent shivers down her spine. She looked over at him shyly; she seemed so tiny compared to his towering figure. He seemed as though he could crush her if he so pleased.

"U-um…Al?" Her voice came out weak and almost like a whisper.

"Hm?"

"I-If someone were to come at me….you could hurt them, right? You are able to f-fight, right?" She didn't know she felt so nervous in asking him, she had to force the question out.

He gave a light chuckle. "If I didn't, I don't think your dad would've hired me, don't you think? To answer your question, yeah I have been around and have gotten in a few tussles. So I'm not scared to pull out my boppers."

Her sapphire eyes no longer carried that nervous look and she let out a small giggle. "Yeah, you are probably right!"

She wondered if the stories she had heard about Hell were true. After all, Hell was the land of demons. Demons were known as very dangerous creatures that have no sense of compassion or love, only seeking the demise and suffering of others. That is how all demons have been portrayed, since the beginning of time. Viola herself is a very emotional young girl; feeling sorrow when her pet puppy had been run over by a car, feeling happy when she was praised by her parents as a child, feeling satisfaction when she eats her favorite treats. How could she possibly be a descendant of a horrible creature like that?

That bloodlust that she has felt before made Viola feel otherwise.

The two passengers could feel the train beginning to lose momentum as the view of a bus stop came into view. The voice of the train broke the silence and spoke.

"Now arriving to Lucifenia train station, please wait until the train has completely stopped moving and the doors open to leave your cart. Have a nice visit and welcome to Hell!"

The sudden feeling of anxiety overwhelmed Viola as the train gradually stopped. She reached for her case and clutched it tightly against herself, acting like a barrier against Hell's melancholy atmosphere. Alistair on the other hand, eagerly leaped from his seat and stood by the doors waiting for it to open. Al always wanted to visit the "Land of the Damned" for a while now, but tickets have always been frightfully expensive. So he wasn't going to miss this opportunity!

Once the doors opened Al leaped out like a frog hopping to the next lily pad. The station was practically deserted apart from a few people and creatures. As he walked, he carefully observed the few people in the station, trying to decipher whether or not they were demons.

Seeing her escort walk away and seemingly forget about her, Viola quickly hopped out the train and headed to catch up with him. She too noticed the few people in the station. However, she has never seen a pureblooded demon before, thus she didn't know how they look like. So she couldn't tell whether these people were demons or not.

Al walked at a quick pace and headed for the exit of the station. Viola was only a few steps behind. The light of the scarlet sky hit their faces immediately; Viola was so accustomed to seeing a bright blue sky that it was strange sight to her. On the other hand, this sky illuminates less light from its sun, she liked that.

Al didn't like it though; he preferred the happy blue fluffy cloud filled sky over this dim and dull sky filled with very flat clouds and a strange sun. While he did admit, the trees that appeared like skeletal hands reaching for something in the distance did look rather cool. The sun did have a unique look to it, instead of being a yellowish or whitish look, this realm's sun has a very violet color to it, making it greatly noticeable against the blood red sky. Looking at it carefully, he could see a Celtic design of all kinds of twists and spirals on the sun's surface; it was surprising that looking directly at the sun doesn't hurt his eyes like it did back on Earth.

Viola could see the view of the cityscape in the distance. It had a very dark look to it, seemingly like one huge shadow plastered on the terrain's surface. All building were colored dark colors, the shape of the skyscrapers spiraled up in a strange way, looking almost like a human spine or a snake that has been twisted. Viola actually liked the looked of the smaller buildings, they had a very steampunk mixed Victorian look. A look that appeared like a darker version of Midnight Grove.

Al continued to walk in an undetermined destination, and of course Viola was close behind.

"You must be Viola, yes?" A tiny voice made them both jump.

"Huh?" Al looked around looking for the possible owner of such a voice; however no one had been close enough to be heard. Viola was equally confused, she saw no one near them.

"Down 'ere" Both of them looked towards the ground and saw a small rodent like thing. A small pathetic thing, barely going to Viola's shin (and Viola was quite small). It had grey fur, a stitched up eye leaving it unable to be seen. The other eye was big and golden. It had small stitches across its stomach; each one was stitched in a messy way. It had a small pair of bat-like wings on its back and a stubby reptilian tail.

"Oh, my. Are you a demon? Such an adorable little thing!" Viola leaned down, placed her case on the ground next to her and swept the little creature into her arms. Al was surprised at Viola's courage; he wouldn't have touched that thing.

"What?! I be no demon! Let me go!" Viola did no such thing and held the small creature close to her bosom.

Noticing that she had been ignored, the small rodent pulled herself from Viola's arms and flapped her wings, levitating in the air. "I be Calva, one of Heres's best servants! I be here to escort ya and let ya know that area!"

"Calva? Nice to meet you! I am Viola Riliane! This is my personal escort, ."

"Personal Escort?" Calva carefully eyed the young man. Noting every detail.

"Alistair Cyrus, but I prefer Alistair or just Al." Al quickly corrected.

"Yes…follow me please." Calva waved her little paw and nodded for them to follow.

Sorry for another late post. I'm sorry but this will be a regular thing, school is and will continue to be very hectic for me. Infact, I haven't done so hot this quarter…-_-. Me and my stupid assignments. I'll do my best to post A.S.A.P!

~Ryukki-chan