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Nov. 6th, 2003 12:11 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
maderrI wonder if I'm getting carried away with these two. Four chapters so far and I still have two very important people to introduce. Norgness.
Impossible Wish
Chapter Four
"Aren't you supposed to be polite, and obedient and all that?" Neil made a face at the man standing next to him in the school courtyard.
"I am obedient. There is no rule that states I am required to be pleasant about it." Kasimir tossed his head, white gold hair bright in the afternoon sun.
"Unless I wish it." Neil snickered.
It was Kasimir's turn to make a face, "If you really want it, yes. But my impression is that my mannerisms are the least of your concerns at present."
"Do you ever speak in simple words?" Neil sighed in aggravation.
Kasimir smirked, "I am afraid I do not comprehend you."
The red haired boy glared, "Just shut up. Explain to me again why I have to put up with?"
"I can nott cease speaking and offer you yet another explanation of our rather displeasing predicament. One or the other, which would you prefer?"
Neil resisted the urge to throw something - preferably his fist - at Kasimir. "Explain."
His voice condescending, Kasimir repeated the explanation of the night before, "You are wearing that earring. Despite your general lack of skills of observation, you have noticed that I wear the mate. That means I am your genie, until such time as you remove the earring or expire."
"Is killing you an option?"
Kasimir's condescending tone continued, "No, it is not. And despite your protests, I notice you have not removed the earring."
Neil ignored him, "So why is it I can wish to be back at school but you can't just give me the Carnelian I asked for?"
Kasimir rolled his eyes, "Do you ever listen to anything the first time it is explained to you? Honestly, your glaring lack of intelligence would be amusing if I was not forced to constantly endure it."
"I'm not the prissy little genie who looks like he just swallowed a basket of lemons. Why don't you stop being an uncooperative bastard and act like a real genie?" His voice increasing in volume, Neil glared at the other man.
Kasimir glared back, and the two stood that way for several long seconds. Several passers by looked at them oddly, saying nothing and quickening their step. A few slowed their pace, hoping for a fight. They wandered away in disappointment when it looked as if the two men were content to simply glare.
The genie at last spoke up, "Do explain to me what you would know about 'real genies,' as I am fairly confident you possess no such knowledge."
"Shut the hell up."
"Are you sure you do not want me to explain something to you? The Carnelian, perhaps? Or did you actually hear that explanation the first time? That would be a novelty."
"No, I didn't hear it. As far as I recall, you spent more of your time bitching and complaining rather than explaining. Honestly, genies are wise and gracious and obedient in all the stories. Hell, in that one stupid movie he was positively friendly."
"Who says I am not all those things? I can be gracious when it suits me."
"Yeah, sure. I've only been stuck with you since last night and already I can see you're going to be nothing but a pain in the ass."
"Who is the pain exactly? I do not recall your being forced to keep me. I would be perfectly content to simply go back to sleep."
"Oh please, you can't expect me to believe that garbage. Not after all your bitching about being trapped for years and years. You should be grateful I'm giving you something to do!" Neil's voice increased in volume, drawing the renewed interest of the fluctuating crowd in the school courtyard.
Kasimir raised his own voice, matching his new master tone for tone. "What the hell would you know? You're too busy with all your "oh woe is me" tripe to care about anyone else's feelings. Being trapped in sleep is infinitely preferable to being stuck out here with you!"
"It's not my fault you're stuck with me. You think I like walking around feeling dizzy all the time? I WISH that'd you'd go to hell!" Neil's face was flushed slightly as he stared at the man across from him.
All mockery gone from his manner, Kasimir responded with derisive anger, "It's too bad then, that you don't know what hell is!"
Neil let out an aggravated shout of frustration, abruptly launching himself at the other man. They tumbled to the pavement, Kasimir hitting it with a grunt of surprise and pain. Neil barely noticed, "Argh! What the hell is your problem? You're such an ass!"
Kasimir said nothing, suddenly grim faced and quiet.
Neil stopped, his mouth open a moment before he closed it. His angry scowl turned to confusion. "What now? Don't tell me I actually got you to shut up?"
"Nothing." Kasimir stared past Neil's shoulder.
Narrowing his eyes, Neil released his grip on the genie's shirt and rose to his feet. Backing away, he watched pensively as Kasimir slowly stood. "Would you mind telling me why--"
"Mr. DeMarius, I might have known you were behind this. Are you picking fights again?" A tight-faced man came storming across the courtyard, arm stiffly waving about as he made a dash for Neil. "Who are you harassing now? Do I need to call your brother?"
Neil stiffened, face turning expressionless. "No, Mr. Porter. We're fine, it's over."
"Hmmm…." Unimpressed with the statement, the man turned to Kasimir, who stood in rigid silence opposite his master. "Young man, are you all right? Shall I put Mr. DeMarius here on report?"
Kasimir looked up from the pavement he was staring at so intently and offered the older man a brilliant smile. Standing near him, Neil only stared at it and blinked. Mr. Porter seemed stunned into silence himself, as Kasimir spoke, "Just a bit of rough housing between friends. My most sincere apologies for disturbing you and the others. If you will excuse us, we were on our way home. We are of course happy to oblige, if you prefer we linger."
"N...No. Not at all, Mr…"
"Most people simply call me Kasi."
"Ah, well then Mr. Kasi. Please don't let me keep you. If you say Mr. DeMarius was not causing trouble, I am inclined to simply let it go." He turned to glare at Neil, "But if you cause any more trouble today, your brother will hear about it. Is that clear?"
"Crystal," Neil muttered. He stuck his tongue out as the man walked away, then rounded on Kasimir. "Let's get out of here."
"Is that a wish?" Kasimir's smile was gone, his expression once again strangely grim.
"No, it's not. It's a "let's get out of here." We'll just take the subway back into the city, my apartment isn't far once we get off at the pavilion station."
"As you command."
~*~*~*~
"Okay, explain." Neil dropped his book bag in the entryway, doffing his coat and tossing it in the closet. Ahead of him Kasimir had shifted his streets clothes back to the flowing black outfit he'd been wearing when Neil first met him.
He didn't turn around as he replied, "Explain what? You will need to be more specific."
"I see you're starting to be snippy again. I mean - explain what happened when I tackled you. You just went quiet," Neil frowned, following the genie into the living room and watching as he settled into the chair on the far side of room. Neil sat on the edge of the couch, still watching Kasimir. "I mean, I didn't mean to jump you like that but once I did I half expected you to wallop me a good one."
Kasimir looked at him, tone almost sullen beneath the derisiveness Neil was already familiar with, "Mouthing off is one thing, but I am not capable of actually inflicting harm on my master. I find it is best to shut up once the violence starts."
Neil's face flickered with shock, and he looked away shamefaced. "I hadn't realized…that doesn't seem very fair."
Bitter laughter, "You make it sound like any of this is fair. Why not do us bother a favor and shut up?"
Neil stood up, angry. "What is your problem? I was trying to apologize, asshole. Do have to take everything I say the wrong way?"
"Apologize?" Kasimir looked briefly startled, before his usual argumentative expression took over. "For what, your usual stupidity?"
Biting back a retort, Neil slowly approached the chair where the demon sat. "No, I was going to apologize for tackling you. I shouldn't have done - I 'm used to Darrell, he just always shoved me back, or slugged me. When we were kids." Shrugging, he turned away. "I'm getting food."
Kasimir stared after him, silent. Once Neil disappeared from sight he let his face relax, startled confusion written plain across it. He turned to look behind him, where floor length curtains were pulled back to reveal a massive window. Rising from his seat, Kasimir approached the window, pressing himself against cool glass to stare down at the city far below. "What a strange, strange place the world has become."
"What?" Neil spoke from behind.
"Nothing," the genie turned slowly around, taking in his master. "Did you want something?"
"I figured I may as well ask if you wanted anything to eat. Do you?" he raised an eyebrow.
Kasimir shook his head, a familiar smirk slowly reclaiming his mouth. "Me? Food? Whatever for?"
"And people say I have an attitude problem, you could give me lessons. Sheesh, only I would get stuck with a bad-tempered genie. Remind me to beat my sister the next time I see her…" Neil continued grumbling as he returned to the kitchen.
The genie turned back to the window, staring out over the city. "Another century gone…I wonder if he's even looking for me anymore…" Face heavy, Kasimir looked down, pulling back the long sleeve on his right arm to reveal a heavy bracelet. Thirteen small, oval shaped jewels glittered in the light from the window. Orange, purple, red, green, yellow, blue…the colors went on, each more impressive than the last. "Is he still looking for me?" He caressed the jewels, "Or does he believe me dead? Perhaps he's found a replacement…"
A jarring ringing made Kasimir start, and brought his head snapping up, whipping around to find the source of the sound. He glared at the device on the table, "That's really annoying."
"No kidding, I hate phones." Neil came sauntering out of the kitchen, frowning. He lifted the phone from it's charging stand, reading the caller id on the front of it. "Oh forget it - he can leave a damn message. If thinks I want to talk to him instead of eat, he needs to stop dreaming. The dumb ass, I never answer the phone during a meal if I can help it." Half tossing the phone back onto the charge, he reentered the kitchen.
Half bored, half curious Kasimir lifted the phone and examined the small panel flashing a name - "Sheridan Abner."
"Abner? Why does that name sound familiar?" Kasimir replaced the phone, moving to take a seat in the chair he had abandoned earlier. He looked up as Neil once again reentered the living room, this time laden with plate and a bottle of soda.
Setting his lunch down on the coffee table, Neil sat on the floor and began to eat. After a couple of minutes he looked up, "Okay. Explain everything to me again - pretend I was too mad yesterday to pay attention."
"That should not be too far a stretch of the imagination."
Neil glared, "Stop being a brat and just cooperate for once. You might find your job a little easier to bear if you weren't so damned negative."
"You are one to talk of being negative? That takes nerve - or stupidity."
Huffing, Neil picked up his sandwich. "I hate you. I mean really, really hate you."
Kasimir snorted, and turned back to the window. "The feeling is mutual."
Impossible Wish
Chapter Four
"Aren't you supposed to be polite, and obedient and all that?" Neil made a face at the man standing next to him in the school courtyard.
"I am obedient. There is no rule that states I am required to be pleasant about it." Kasimir tossed his head, white gold hair bright in the afternoon sun.
"Unless I wish it." Neil snickered.
It was Kasimir's turn to make a face, "If you really want it, yes. But my impression is that my mannerisms are the least of your concerns at present."
"Do you ever speak in simple words?" Neil sighed in aggravation.
Kasimir smirked, "I am afraid I do not comprehend you."
The red haired boy glared, "Just shut up. Explain to me again why I have to put up with?"
"I can nott cease speaking and offer you yet another explanation of our rather displeasing predicament. One or the other, which would you prefer?"
Neil resisted the urge to throw something - preferably his fist - at Kasimir. "Explain."
His voice condescending, Kasimir repeated the explanation of the night before, "You are wearing that earring. Despite your general lack of skills of observation, you have noticed that I wear the mate. That means I am your genie, until such time as you remove the earring or expire."
"Is killing you an option?"
Kasimir's condescending tone continued, "No, it is not. And despite your protests, I notice you have not removed the earring."
Neil ignored him, "So why is it I can wish to be back at school but you can't just give me the Carnelian I asked for?"
Kasimir rolled his eyes, "Do you ever listen to anything the first time it is explained to you? Honestly, your glaring lack of intelligence would be amusing if I was not forced to constantly endure it."
"I'm not the prissy little genie who looks like he just swallowed a basket of lemons. Why don't you stop being an uncooperative bastard and act like a real genie?" His voice increasing in volume, Neil glared at the other man.
Kasimir glared back, and the two stood that way for several long seconds. Several passers by looked at them oddly, saying nothing and quickening their step. A few slowed their pace, hoping for a fight. They wandered away in disappointment when it looked as if the two men were content to simply glare.
The genie at last spoke up, "Do explain to me what you would know about 'real genies,' as I am fairly confident you possess no such knowledge."
"Shut the hell up."
"Are you sure you do not want me to explain something to you? The Carnelian, perhaps? Or did you actually hear that explanation the first time? That would be a novelty."
"No, I didn't hear it. As far as I recall, you spent more of your time bitching and complaining rather than explaining. Honestly, genies are wise and gracious and obedient in all the stories. Hell, in that one stupid movie he was positively friendly."
"Who says I am not all those things? I can be gracious when it suits me."
"Yeah, sure. I've only been stuck with you since last night and already I can see you're going to be nothing but a pain in the ass."
"Who is the pain exactly? I do not recall your being forced to keep me. I would be perfectly content to simply go back to sleep."
"Oh please, you can't expect me to believe that garbage. Not after all your bitching about being trapped for years and years. You should be grateful I'm giving you something to do!" Neil's voice increased in volume, drawing the renewed interest of the fluctuating crowd in the school courtyard.
Kasimir raised his own voice, matching his new master tone for tone. "What the hell would you know? You're too busy with all your "oh woe is me" tripe to care about anyone else's feelings. Being trapped in sleep is infinitely preferable to being stuck out here with you!"
"It's not my fault you're stuck with me. You think I like walking around feeling dizzy all the time? I WISH that'd you'd go to hell!" Neil's face was flushed slightly as he stared at the man across from him.
All mockery gone from his manner, Kasimir responded with derisive anger, "It's too bad then, that you don't know what hell is!"
Neil let out an aggravated shout of frustration, abruptly launching himself at the other man. They tumbled to the pavement, Kasimir hitting it with a grunt of surprise and pain. Neil barely noticed, "Argh! What the hell is your problem? You're such an ass!"
Kasimir said nothing, suddenly grim faced and quiet.
Neil stopped, his mouth open a moment before he closed it. His angry scowl turned to confusion. "What now? Don't tell me I actually got you to shut up?"
"Nothing." Kasimir stared past Neil's shoulder.
Narrowing his eyes, Neil released his grip on the genie's shirt and rose to his feet. Backing away, he watched pensively as Kasimir slowly stood. "Would you mind telling me why--"
"Mr. DeMarius, I might have known you were behind this. Are you picking fights again?" A tight-faced man came storming across the courtyard, arm stiffly waving about as he made a dash for Neil. "Who are you harassing now? Do I need to call your brother?"
Neil stiffened, face turning expressionless. "No, Mr. Porter. We're fine, it's over."
"Hmmm…." Unimpressed with the statement, the man turned to Kasimir, who stood in rigid silence opposite his master. "Young man, are you all right? Shall I put Mr. DeMarius here on report?"
Kasimir looked up from the pavement he was staring at so intently and offered the older man a brilliant smile. Standing near him, Neil only stared at it and blinked. Mr. Porter seemed stunned into silence himself, as Kasimir spoke, "Just a bit of rough housing between friends. My most sincere apologies for disturbing you and the others. If you will excuse us, we were on our way home. We are of course happy to oblige, if you prefer we linger."
"N...No. Not at all, Mr…"
"Most people simply call me Kasi."
"Ah, well then Mr. Kasi. Please don't let me keep you. If you say Mr. DeMarius was not causing trouble, I am inclined to simply let it go." He turned to glare at Neil, "But if you cause any more trouble today, your brother will hear about it. Is that clear?"
"Crystal," Neil muttered. He stuck his tongue out as the man walked away, then rounded on Kasimir. "Let's get out of here."
"Is that a wish?" Kasimir's smile was gone, his expression once again strangely grim.
"No, it's not. It's a "let's get out of here." We'll just take the subway back into the city, my apartment isn't far once we get off at the pavilion station."
"As you command."
~*~*~*~
"Okay, explain." Neil dropped his book bag in the entryway, doffing his coat and tossing it in the closet. Ahead of him Kasimir had shifted his streets clothes back to the flowing black outfit he'd been wearing when Neil first met him.
He didn't turn around as he replied, "Explain what? You will need to be more specific."
"I see you're starting to be snippy again. I mean - explain what happened when I tackled you. You just went quiet," Neil frowned, following the genie into the living room and watching as he settled into the chair on the far side of room. Neil sat on the edge of the couch, still watching Kasimir. "I mean, I didn't mean to jump you like that but once I did I half expected you to wallop me a good one."
Kasimir looked at him, tone almost sullen beneath the derisiveness Neil was already familiar with, "Mouthing off is one thing, but I am not capable of actually inflicting harm on my master. I find it is best to shut up once the violence starts."
Neil's face flickered with shock, and he looked away shamefaced. "I hadn't realized…that doesn't seem very fair."
Bitter laughter, "You make it sound like any of this is fair. Why not do us bother a favor and shut up?"
Neil stood up, angry. "What is your problem? I was trying to apologize, asshole. Do have to take everything I say the wrong way?"
"Apologize?" Kasimir looked briefly startled, before his usual argumentative expression took over. "For what, your usual stupidity?"
Biting back a retort, Neil slowly approached the chair where the demon sat. "No, I was going to apologize for tackling you. I shouldn't have done - I 'm used to Darrell, he just always shoved me back, or slugged me. When we were kids." Shrugging, he turned away. "I'm getting food."
Kasimir stared after him, silent. Once Neil disappeared from sight he let his face relax, startled confusion written plain across it. He turned to look behind him, where floor length curtains were pulled back to reveal a massive window. Rising from his seat, Kasimir approached the window, pressing himself against cool glass to stare down at the city far below. "What a strange, strange place the world has become."
"What?" Neil spoke from behind.
"Nothing," the genie turned slowly around, taking in his master. "Did you want something?"
"I figured I may as well ask if you wanted anything to eat. Do you?" he raised an eyebrow.
Kasimir shook his head, a familiar smirk slowly reclaiming his mouth. "Me? Food? Whatever for?"
"And people say I have an attitude problem, you could give me lessons. Sheesh, only I would get stuck with a bad-tempered genie. Remind me to beat my sister the next time I see her…" Neil continued grumbling as he returned to the kitchen.
The genie turned back to the window, staring out over the city. "Another century gone…I wonder if he's even looking for me anymore…" Face heavy, Kasimir looked down, pulling back the long sleeve on his right arm to reveal a heavy bracelet. Thirteen small, oval shaped jewels glittered in the light from the window. Orange, purple, red, green, yellow, blue…the colors went on, each more impressive than the last. "Is he still looking for me?" He caressed the jewels, "Or does he believe me dead? Perhaps he's found a replacement…"
A jarring ringing made Kasimir start, and brought his head snapping up, whipping around to find the source of the sound. He glared at the device on the table, "That's really annoying."
"No kidding, I hate phones." Neil came sauntering out of the kitchen, frowning. He lifted the phone from it's charging stand, reading the caller id on the front of it. "Oh forget it - he can leave a damn message. If thinks I want to talk to him instead of eat, he needs to stop dreaming. The dumb ass, I never answer the phone during a meal if I can help it." Half tossing the phone back onto the charge, he reentered the kitchen.
Half bored, half curious Kasimir lifted the phone and examined the small panel flashing a name - "Sheridan Abner."
"Abner? Why does that name sound familiar?" Kasimir replaced the phone, moving to take a seat in the chair he had abandoned earlier. He looked up as Neil once again reentered the living room, this time laden with plate and a bottle of soda.
Setting his lunch down on the coffee table, Neil sat on the floor and began to eat. After a couple of minutes he looked up, "Okay. Explain everything to me again - pretend I was too mad yesterday to pay attention."
"That should not be too far a stretch of the imagination."
Neil glared, "Stop being a brat and just cooperate for once. You might find your job a little easier to bear if you weren't so damned negative."
"You are one to talk of being negative? That takes nerve - or stupidity."
Huffing, Neil picked up his sandwich. "I hate you. I mean really, really hate you."
Kasimir snorted, and turned back to the window. "The feeling is mutual."
no subject
Date: 2003-11-06 06:08 am (UTC)cryptic? me? never...
seeing as I've been threatening your existence all evening, I shall be generous and concede to you the victory of the evening. Work is going to suck tomorrow and my bed calls to me.
Good luck with that packing, it's beeen fun (as usual). ciao, sleep well!
no subject
Date: 2003-11-06 06:12 am (UTC)Hot damn! Victory is mine! Good luck at work!
Packing will be finished tomorrow.. I'm beat too.. Uh huh! As always it was a blast! Nite!
*wanders off to dream about sexy, snarky genie boys*