|...Dinner...Of...Toast...|{GB}

[peanutpie]

Nikko Vea

I don't care if I'm a guilty pleasure for you.

[/size][/font]

It was the type of morning where you really, really wanted to get up. Especially since today, was the day that excitment would be through my veins. I just knew how it was going to go down. I really, really did. In my mind, I could just see what was going to happen that evening.

In my mind, it was quite simple. I would set down the tray of food, and sometime in the middle of the meal, I would present Vicky with the ring that I had picked out from the local jewelry store, the one made of iron with the little seedy things on the inside.

Even though my family had enough money for me to keep everything in my house, it wasn't like we could afford to buy diamonds and stuff. Diamonds were expensive little buggars, with a shine and a gleam.

I finally got out of bed, the same way I did every day from the beggining of my life. I would turn, and then make sure both of my feet hit the hardwood floor at exactly the same time. My socked feet, the ones that I made sure were clean last night, made a slight hollow noise as I picked up the little velvet box on my cherrywood dresser.

I opened it, and saw the little iron thing, twisted to almost look like vines. The most expensive iron ring in the store, but it didn't cost half of what the diamond cost. With a flourish of my hand, I closed the box and checked the time.

It was ten o clock, the perfect time to get up in the morning. With a cheery whistle, I made my way to the shower, where I closed the door and scrubbed myself clean.

Anxiously, I combed my hair just so it looked perfect. It was eleven by the time that I finished putting on the jeans and shirt that I found to be my newest non-dress clothes.

It was a jittery moment for me, being stuck with next to nothing to do.

Mr. Snufflkins sat in his cage, eying a carrot with an unpleasant expression on his face. "This is disgusting." is what his brown eyes said. I picked him up and held him in my arms, his warm little body pressed to my chest.

"Mr. Snufflkins, would you like to make lunch with me?" Quietly, I snuck down the stairs and landed in the kitchen, where I broke out the toaster and sliced up some bread, carefully putting it into the toaster.

As I waited, I made some coffee with a press and leaned against the wooden countertops my Father had polished last year when I finally moved into the hose, and out of my parents.

He had been quite happy about it, knowing he wouldn't have to look out for his slobby son. I, on the other hand, was actually against the idea of somebody wanting me out of their life. Sure, I still got the inheritance of the chemical processing plant, but it was still darn sad to be pushed out of your own home like that.

When the toast popped back up from the sizzling iron wires, I removed the rye from the toaster and opened a can of baked beans. I grabbed a dirty spoon from the sink and put the baked beans over the toast, making me eat something cold and warm at the same time.

********

By the time six o clock rolled around, I had changed into something dressier and awaited the company of Vicky. I had made something that I loved, of course, with the toaster that I thought so highly of.

White bread with grape jelly and chives, gummy candy, pineapple and chicken, with salt and pepper to taste. I had already made the salad that would side with it, and I was quite sure she was going to adore it.

I had already snuck a piece, and it did taste pretty darn good.

[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[sbeeg]

A sense of dread hung in Vicky's stomach as she mounted the step in front of Nikko's house. He invited her over for dinner tonight, and he seemed... excited? Thrilled? She shook her head. The girl seemed to never be able to think of the right word to describe Nikko and his moods. Usually the only words that popped up were troubled or creepy. He hadn't always been like this. When Vicky had met him he was shy, just like her. However through out the years it has become apparent that Nikko lacks in the social skill department even more than Vicky. If she hadn't be exposed to the sweet side of Nikko so much, she would be creeped out like almost everyone else in the district. If she had been smart she would have kept her distance, but no she's stuck in this position.
Vicky stood in front of Nikko's front door, staring at it and trying to talk herself out of going in.
Do you really want to go in there? The bunny will be there. Do you want to put up with the bunny?!
That damn rabbit. Vicky hated it more than any other creature that crawled across this earth. How could Nikko like that stupid animal so much? Oh and its name! Mr. Snufflkins! The name alone is enough to drive anyone crazy, but the way he treats it! He treats that bunny like its a god!
Vicky started going into a tirade in her mind. Why was she even here? Why did she come? Let's face it. Nikko is not of sound mind, she should just break up with him! But, they've been going out for so long, and deep down he truly is sweet- no he's a crazy she should just go! If he's so crazy why did she show up for dinner in a pretty little dress?
Setting her lips into firm line, she placed her hand on the doorknob and pushed it open.
He was there, standing in dress clothes, beaming at her. Vicky couldn't help it, she smiled at him. Maybe it was the crazy that made him likable? He looked so... innocent? That's it. He isn't creepy, he just acts like a child. Vicky tried to convince herself of this all the while smiling at him.
He's a child... a child that kisses you.
"All dressed up are we?," Vicky said smiling and trying to suppress her previous interior struggle. Just have a good time, it's just Nikko. Nice Nikko. Sweet Nikko. You'll get out alive.

[peanutpie]

Nikko Vea

I don't care if I'm a guilty pleasure for you.

[/size][/font]

I was quite happy that Vicky had showed up. She seemed a bit iffed by Mr. Snufflkins, who was hopping happily on the ground, minding his own business. He turned around at the couch, finally sniffing the air and coming to my feet. I grabbed him by the underside, and petted his ears, his soft fur touching my arms.

"Mr. Snufflkins, say hello to Vicky!" I said in my reserved-for-bunny voice. You know, the one when you raise your voice slightly and pull out the heavy capitol accent? It was something like that, and as I lifted one of his feet so Mr. Snufflkins could wave to Vicky, I felt one of his claws. They were pretty sharp, so I took the scissors from my pocket and carefully started to clip his nails, making the excess fall to the carpet in a flurry of tan.

"Hello Vicky." I said, smiling. "Would you like to hold Mr. Snufflkins while I clip his nails? Then we can have dinner." I nodded towards the rabbit that lay against my arms. It was a dilemma, clipping a rabbits toenails alone.

But, as I moved my hand over the next foot, I noticed the rest were good. Hm, maybe I clipped them yesterday without remembering, and in my rush to get my sleep, I had left a foot. "Nevermind!" I said cheerfully, putting the scissors back into my pocket and putting Mr. Snufflkins into his hutch.

We never used the word "cage" around Mr. Snufflkins because it made him uncomfortable. I could just tell if someone were to blurt out "cage!" then he would have his nose twitching in disgust.

I closed the door to the hutch shut and went into the kitchen, grabbing the small platter of toast I had made. Each piece of toast had its plate and a small packet of silverware I had arranged yesterday night as Mr. Snufflkins was hopping around the living room all haywire.

I plopped the toast on the coffee table and smiled.

[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[sbeeg]

Vicky walks in and what is the first thing Nikko does? Bring that stupid rabbit into the picture! He started talking in that voice you use with babies and animals, all high pitched and annoying. Vicky cringed when he picked that freaking bunny up and had it talk to her.
Nope. He's crazy. Just plain crazy. See, I finally go in and the only thing I want to do now is leave. Brilliant. Just brilliant.
Oh, but that was only the tip of the ice burg.
"Would you like to hold Mr. Snufflkins while I clip his nails? Vicky could not form words to answer him. She just stared at him, wishing she could yell "HELL NO" but knowing it would hurt his feelings, didn't. She just stared as he clipped the bunny's nails.
"Nevermind!"
Thank god, Vicky had been contemplating darting for the door if he had to hold that stinky, fat creature. She did once, and it isn't an experience she would like to repeat. Nikko gently put the rabbit into its cage and disappeared into the kitchen. Vicky stood frozen, trying to figure out of she should make a break for it now or endure the torture of dinner, but Nikko popped out of the kitchen faster than her brain was working. What Nikko placed on the coffee table was not dinner by any means, but did she really expect anything better? She wasn't entirely sure what it was. Looked like someone took a piece of bread and wiped the country with it. Vicky looked up at Nikko who was smiling again. He was always smiling. Maybe... maybe he was actually insane. Was Nikko actually insane? Looking at him now as he was smiling and presenting toast covered in candy for a nice dinner, Vicky was tempted to think so. She took a deep and started walking towards Nikko and his toast creation.
"Nikko, um, I think we need to talk," She started, but looking at that smiling face wished she hadn't of said anything.

[peanutpie]

Nikko Vea

I don't care if I'm a guilty pleasure for you.

[/size][/font]

Nikko nodded, adknowleging the words she said. They did need to talk. In Nikkos mind, about their furture.

And Nikko was oblivious to the meaning behind her words. "I have something to tell you as well. If you'd like to sit down and have some delicious toast I prepared, I can tell you."

Now, Nikko sounded quite... disturbed. He wasn't, but it sounded almost creeperish. He meant all honest good. He plopped onto the sofa and prepared to take the little velvet box from next to the tray.

Ever so carefully, he waited. Waiting wasn't a strong point of Nikko. Quite honestly, he was impatient. Like a child, nearly. He just couldn't wait to suprise people (especially Vicky) with something.

He let his face drop for a second, as he looked at the little velvet box. While he was optimistic, he was a bit nervous, as most people would be in his situation. Heck, half the people in the district had to do this one time or another. Unless you were the hermit who lived in the woods.

With something of a shock to his brain, he finally thought through the whole thing. He would just do it. He would work up the nerve to finally ask her to marry him.

Yeah, it would be perfect. They would get married in his parents house, an old district 6 tradition. They would have lemon cake and she would get a rabbit and name it something like "Cuppycake" A few years later, they'd have three kids, two girls and a boy. He would inherit his parents company and the world would be perfect and hunky dory. They would grow old, and sit on the porch in rocking chairs. They would both peacefully die in their sleep, only to be reunited in their next life.

Nikko liked the sound of it. Idealistic. What would they name their kids? He pondered this for a second, before finally settling on "Vera" "Thomme" and "Penelope" The kids would squabble occassionally, but it was going to be the best life.

Nikko then decided on top of everything, that he would create a superdrug that got rid of all diseases from a body, like a vaccine. With a pleasant nod to his future life, he released a quick smile from his mouth and finally looked backwards.

"Vicky, will you marry me?" He asked with a smile, as he extended the iron ring.

[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[sbeeg]

She should have run. Vicky should have kicked off her heels and sprinted out of this godforsaken house the moment his back was turned. Oh the things she should have done. Now, she didn't know what to do.
"I have something to tell you as well." His voice, it sent Vicky's skin crawling. It wasn't a child's tone, it was more creepy more... crazy than an innocent child. Vicky had a sinking feeling that he wasn't going to talk about his bunny.
She crossed over and sat on the couch, facing Nikko. From this angle she could look over his shoulder at the door. Oh door, why did she open you? Why did you let her come in? Why didn't you stop her? Oh god, she's talking to a door. Vicky has been spending way to much time around Nikko.
Then it was like the world had been dipped in molasses. Nikko reached for a little box by the mounds of toast covered in sacrilege. He looked up at her, smiling again.
No, oh no.
He opened the little box and Vicky wanted to cry. She wanted to scream and thrash around and tell Nikko all the things he needed to hear but she couldn't, she was stuck int he slow motion world.
"Vicky, will you marry me?" The words hopped around for a second in her mind before lodging themselves into her brain matter, making temples throb with a blossoming headache.
She looked at the ring. It was gorgeous, iron and beautifully crafted, but her eyes followed the arm that was holding it and ended up looking Nikko straight in the eye. He was smiling like life was perfect and once she said yes he could die happy.
She wanted to break down into sobs right then and there but she held them back. She had to do this. If Vicky didn't do this now she would regret every single day of her life until she escaped this world through death. This was her moment, standing in front of the door, her hand on the knob, debating whether or not to go in.
"No... just no," Vicky quickly tore her eyes from his face, not wanting to see the look he would have displayed, guilting her into throwing her life away. She stood up, wanting to leave but found her feet didn't want to move.
Just kill me now

[peanutpie]

Nikko Vea

[/size][/font]

Nikko's reaction was delayed. He usually heard what he wanted to hear, and he smiled, but then, his brain finally registered the shock. The shock that instead of a happy fantasy of her skirt twirling around, and slipping the iron onto her ring finger, it was going to be... not.

There was going to be something of a breakdown. Nikko could feel it coming. Not nessicarily while she was here, but it would be a prolonged one. Something that starts at the core, not a huge deal, but turns into a rotting carcass of despair. And death.

Not exactly the most happy moment. He sighed, and put the metal ring back into the velvet box, and slamming the top, he threw it onto the coffee table. He wasn't angry.

He got mopey. Not violent, just melancholy. With a sigh, he stood up and took the toast tray into the kitchen, slowly sliding the aplethra of toast into the trash can.

Attempting to regain composure, Nikko poured himself a glass of water, slowly sipping the cool, clear drink. He wondered if his Father had left any liquor in the cabinet, but recalled the time he tried it. Disgusting. He decided to stick to the water he sipped.

It was a good minute before he slipped the tray into the sink, and rubbed his hands against his head. The fingers he had were slightly oily, probably due to the toast's butter that covered the slick piece he had eaten earlier.

He sighed, looking up at the ceiling. He was going to have to face this sooner or later. He was a sooner type of person, so he stuck his hands in his jean pockets, and meandered back into the living room, where he released Mr. Snufflkins from his hutch.

"Oh yeah, It's alright, I could love you like a sailor, I can make you dance all night. Yet, you don't accept it." He sighed. "Now, what did you want to tell me?"

[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

{OOC: Yes, I quoted The Scene is dead; long live the scene.}

[sbeeg]

Fear. That's what made Vicky's heart pound and her mind go fuzzy. It was the fear of what Nikko might do, it made her stomach twist into painful knots and her face burn. He snapped the little box closed and dragged the tray into the kitchen. Vicky heard him dump its contents into the pin and then the sound of the tap running.
It was silly. Vicky had never felt scared with Nikko before, maybe uncomfortable but never frightened. Nikko was a child and children don't scare Vicky. However, the look in his eye, Vicky had grabbed just a glance of it, was not one that belonged to a kid.
Vicky could only stand there and wait. She heard his footsteps, and she snapped her head up and watched him as he opened the darn rabbit's cage. He said some expression of speech that Vicky didn't catch, she only really heard the last part.
"Now, what did you want to tell me?"
The knots in her stomach disintegrated leaving a large chasm of guilt and shame. How could Nikko make he feel so many different things in such a limited amount of time? It couldn't be healthy, that's for sure.
Looking at him now, watching his bunny hop out onto the floor, she couldn't help but feel horrible.
"Oh Nikko...," Damn Nikko and his bunny straight to hell.
Vicky walked forward and even though Nikko's back was to her, she wrapped her arms around his middle, leaning her cheek on his back.
"I'm sorry."

[peanutpie]

Nikko Vea

[/size][/font]

He crossed his arms, looking at Mr. Snufflkins. He recalled the moment this had first happened. With a slight sigh, he looked at Mr. Snufflkins, who was completley oblivious to the whole situation. Mr. Snufflkins, by the looks of it, was quite enjoying today, since he got to sleep in, got plenty of carrots and got to be held many a times. The rabbit was just as happy as he was two hours ago.

Nikko on the other hand, was still in a slight shock. He had worked up the fantasy so much, he thought that it was real.

He couldn't of been more wrong. With a sigh, he closed his eyes for a second, before opening them and staring at the ceiling, pondering why in the heck this was happening. Was he about to forgive someone he loved?

He was a bit obsessive, a bit compulsive. He believed that taking grasp of something with both hands was the best way to keep a concept. He thought that being faster was a better thing.

What child like thoughts he had in his head. He was wanting some form of revenge, but he still sought the comfort of someone that he knew... better than his friends, and someone he loved more than his family.

Then it hit him. He was denied by two parties. His family, and the person he was sure he could never recover from. It came to mind, the part that 'I love her half to death but she's killing me' impression.

With a sigh, he looked at Mr. Snufflkins, who was just as content as he could ever be. He sometimes wished he could be the rabbit. In those times when Vicky couldn't calm everything. When his friends couldn't put the satisfying spin on things. When he lost his keys to the house and had to bunk with his friends until the locksmith was able to open the door to the house and craft a new key.

Those days when his sister was invited to the house, but not him. When Mother and Father decided to remove half the things he owned from the house.

It was a saddness that consumed him. But, now, he felt more than that. He felt.... dark. Almost like a wilted rose, all dried up. The flowers from a funeral.

He couldn't regret anything he'd done, he knew this, since he was already done and over with it.

With the most rational voice he could muster, without screeching into blubbery tears, he asked, again, "What did you need to tell me?" He knew his behavior earlier was a bit frightening. "I am sorry for my irrational behavior. What was the thing you were going to tell me, please tell me."

He stroked the ear of Mr. Snufflkins and awaited an answer.

He

[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[sbeeg]

Vicky stayed where she was, arms around Nikko, her cheek buried in his dress shirt. He was hurting. Nikko was in pain, she saw it on his face. Vicky couldn't stand to be the one who caused it. Oh, she should have left! Since she came in it has been just one train wreck after another. This was one problem she didn't want to leave alone. Vicky wanted to walk out of this house without the cloud of shame hovering over her. She was going to comfort him and leave with a light conscious. That's the plan, and she was sticking to it.
"What was the thing you were going to tell me, please tell me."
Ug. She couldn't tell him that she walked in with the intent to break up with him! It would smash the already broken bits of his heart into dust. So, Vicky did the best thing her mind could come up with. She released Nikko from her hug and walked around so she could look him in the eye. She didn't really want to, but it was needed.
Vicky straightened his collar and brushed his hair back with her fingers.
"I wanted to say," Vicky began, but found she couldn't really finish her sentence. Abandoned by her words, Vicky that this would actually work better. She put her palms against his chest, stood up on her tip toes and put her lips to his. Not a big passionate kiss, but a tiny peck on the lips. Sort of the kiss you'd put on a child's forehead when tucking them into bed.

[peanutpie]

It was a delayed reaction. A simple kiss. Nikko found it odd.

It was almost like how she would kiss her parents when they would go over to her house when they were kids.

Nikko smiled, remembering how them and his three other friends would play games. Freeze tag, hide and seek, animal escape (his choice) and they would have a mini-tea party, just to make Vicky happy.

It brought back memories of that, but it also gave an odd feeling of how he would kiss his parents on the cheek. It was an odd realization.

"Tell me, please."

[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[sbeeg]

Distressed, Vicky's brain was out of ideas. She wanted to cry, in fact she didn't hold back anymore. A choked sobbing noise left her throat. She couldn't do it anymore. Vicky could not be the adult to Nikko anymore, she was drained.
"Nikko, I can't," she gasped between sobs. Unable to look him in the eye anymore she wrapped her arms around him again and buried her face in his shirt. "I just... can't."
It felt like Vicky was the child now and Nikko was the adult. When did that happen? When did their roles switch so suddenly? Vicky could understand why Nikko acted like a child all the time. It was nice. You could do whatever, express whatever emotion you wanted to and everyone would have to put up with it.
However, Vicky was bordering between child like behavior and a mental breakdown, and she was leaning towards the later. Mumbling apologies that he couldn't hear, Vicky balled up her hands into fists and felt like breaking something. The rabbit maybe? No... not now- later.
"I can't..."

[[Icky post Dx]]

[peanutpie]

Nikko felt a little uncomfortable, standing there along with someone who seemed to deny everything about him. Perhaps. He closed his eyes and looked at the ceiling. The chalky white of it was crinkled, a popcorn ceiling, if he remembered when he studied architecture in the college. The district was known for its education, and his father had decided to shell out the money to give him son part of the education he would need.

So, Nikko studied architecture, just for the heck of it. An intrest, slightly, to him. Sure, it wasnt his favorite thing on earth, but it was intresting enough and he learned some things about drawings and different forms of building.

Sometimes he sketched out building ideas for another district, usually district four, with its huge and jumpy population and seaside estates, the rich people did want elaborate housing. So, he had sketched out some and out of the three he sent out, one was made into a large, sprawling mansion with airways and a passage to the beach. He remembered recieving the slight envelope, in which he paid his father back for the college courses money.

He brought his head back down, blinking twice before concentrating out making the words more conciese, let whiney and more complicated and mature sounding. He finally closed his eyes again, took a slight breath and said. "Please, just tell me. Get it out." He said in the most secure sounding voice he could muster at the time. "Just tell me. Like you were.... talking to a mirror."

Nikko did talk to the mirror. He did psych himself out most of the time, but Vicky was a bit more mentally strong than he was. "Please."

[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[sbeeg]

Just tell me. Why?! Why did he want to know what she was going to say? Why does he want to know that she thinks he's a freak! Well fine Mr. Nikko Vea!

"Fine!" She snapped harshly, drawing back and glaring at him. "You want to know? I'll tell you! You're a child! You... look- toast. You made TOAST with God only knows what on it! Oh and that! That damn rabbit! I HATE THAT GODDAMN RABBIT! No I don't want to cut its nails, no I don't want to have anything to do with it! Nikko, you're impossible! You act like a three year old and I've been guilted into this relationship for way to god damn long! You're a freak! A FREAK WITH A DAMN BUNNY AND I CAN'T TAKE IT ONE MORE FUCKING MINUTE!"

Through out her little outburst, Vicky walked around the room, pointing at various oddities like the rabbit and the toast and screaming at the top of her lungs. She even stomped her feet a few times. She hated him. She didn't want anything to do with him; couldn't even look at him. She was done.

Vicky Barci was officially done.

[peanutpie]

Nikko's self concious just curled into a ball and hid in its corner. Yes, the corner that sat in the world of darkness. He didn't register the shock immediatley, but in his mind, he instantly curled into the ball, in his mind, in some position that probably would take a while to get out of.

Now, in reality, Nikko stood there, dumb and mute, his eyes gazing at Vicky, who was experimenting with loud voices and screams. Stomping and yelling, Nikko silently wondered if she was sad about something.

Then, he registered the words in his mind. The toast was the first insult that rolled down his back. Nikko knew exactly what was on the toast. He could name everything. He pondered this for a minute, trying to explain what was on the toast, but he paused.

And Mr. Snufflkins? Why did she hate Mr. Snufflkins? He reached into his pocket, thinking for a second. Mr. Snufflkins never did anything to Vicky. He was an innocent little rabbit. Nikko sighed and looked at the rabbit, that was slightly disturbed by the sudden loud noise, and who was hiding under the soft brown throw that was laid out on the cloth couch. He peeked his head out, his bunny ears twitching ever so softly as he settled under the blanket, watching the whole smackdown go down. He was probably awfully confused, that bunny. Mr. Snufflkins put his head on the heavy part of the throw and looked up longingly at Nikko. Nikko mentally communicated "Later" to Mr. Snufflkins and the rabbit seemed to understand, peeking his head underneath the blanket again, probably to sleep.

Sleeping bunnies were always so durn cute.

But, as Nikko brought his head up, he thought about the pain that he was now experiencing. It stung him for a second, to be called immature and childish, and how Mr. Snufflkins was so.... hated. How could someone hate such an innocent bunny? He sighed at Mr. Snufflkins expense and then, without further acclaim, broke down.

First, it came with a slight whining noise from the throught. Oh, and then came the smell. The smell you smell before the tears come on. Almost violety and lilac-y in smell, it sent him into a fear of sneezing. God, he was going to sneeze and cry at the same time?

And a tear rolled down his face, landing on the ground in an exhasperated heap of drama. Melodramatic tears started to roll in the same fashion. It showed something that he had never done before.

He hadn't cried over someone else before. Himself, yes, but not another person. Nobody he knew had died, and while he might of cried as a child or when he lost his key to the house for the fourthieth time, he still hadn't cried over another person.

And yet, it happened. Looking up at the ceiling, he thought more about the plaster. Such stable plaster it was, all changed and versitile. He wiped away the tears that rolled down his face. And with a bit of bitterness, he said between his teeth "Anything else,princess?" He said the last word with a more biting expression on his face.

[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]