.hack: Actions Speak... - Ch 1

Actions Speak Louder

Chapter One: "Irritating"

Disclaimer: I don't own .hack or anything. Not that I thought that you thought I did

Pre-story notes: I am so not a writer XD; I rarely write fanfics, and when I do, it's pretty much because there's either little or no existing fanfiction for what I want In this case, it's little. Veeery little. So I gave it a whirl. I'm incapable of writing really long chapters or anything, so I figured I'd post this first part and you can all let me know if it's worth it at all to continue If you want, that is. Thanks in advance

Delta Hidden Forbidden Holy Ground. The Hulle Granz Cathedral. It was one of the areas known as the "Lost Grounds" for it's existence was unlike normal fields, with no monsters and the mysterious holy structure which once was home to an equally mysterious figure of an equally mysterious girl, Aura.

It was to some, a calm place where one could reflect or clear one's mind. To others, it was simply a marvel to which they desired to understand its purpose. To Haseo... it was much more.

To Silabus, however... Well, he had never really thought about it enough to know what exactly the place was to him. In fact, before he met Haseo, he had only been there once and vaguely recalled the experience. This was now his second visit. So why had he come here?

He stepped up to the altar, placing a hand upon its wound, the strange mark of Tri-Edge. He felt a twinge of pain somehow, just making contact with it. He was never really sure of why this place was so special to Haseo or what this mark meant. Haseo never talked about it. Haseo never talked about much at all, and especially not his feelings. That's what made it so hard...

"Yo! Sorry I'm late," a voice echoed from the entrance. Silabus, startled by the sudden break of silence, jumped a bit as he spun around.

"Not at all, Kuhn," Silabus smiled gently, walking towards him to greet his friend. "I'm the one who called you out so suddenly..."

"Ah," Kuhn waved it off. "Don't worry. It's fine, really. Is everything all right?"

Silabus frowned and turned away. "I think... I've really angered him this time..."

"'Him?'" Kuhn repeated, raising an eyebrow. He thought a moment. "Haseo?"

Silabus nodded in agreement. "You see, I was concerned for Atoli. She has a hard time dealing with Haseo because he's not straightforward at all. But I think it gets to her."

"Hmmm, so you said something to him?" Kuhn wagered a guess. Silabus faced him again and nodded silently.

"... He yelled," Silabus summarized. Kuhn laughed a bit.

"Well, he doesn't like his authority to be questioned, I can tell you that much," he assured the other.

"I don't know what to do... I thought maybe it'd be best if I left him alone for a while, but we've got matches coming up in the arena, and if I'm not there...!"

"Ahh... That is a bit of a dilemma, isn't it? That must be hard for you..."

Silabus shook his head. "Not me... For Haseo. I feel like... If I'm there, I'm annoying him. If I'm gone, I'm just as bothersome... I don't know how to help it..."

Kuhn narrowed his eyes a bit. He put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "... Are you sure Atoli is the one having a hard time dealing?"

Silabus's eyes widened. "Wh-What do you mean?"

"I mean, you seem to feel the same way she does. You were standing up for her, but I think you were voicing your own feelings on the subject at the same time."

"That... You may be right...!" Silabus realized, placing a hand over his mouth. He lowered his head a bit.

"Hmmm. So, maybe the simple solution is to talk to Haseo about how you feel, then," Kuhn suggested. "And if he isn't a total jerk, he'll accept it. And if he is a total jerk... Well, I'll be here to comfort you then!" He added the last part with a bit of a laugh as he embraced Silabus, who looked back at him and smiled.

"Thanks, Kuhn," he beamed, gently slipping away. "But I won't need it. Haseo really is a nice person. I know that," he grinned. "Thank you so much!" Before Kuhn could object to his leaving so soon, Silabus had ran towards to the portal and left the field. Kuhn sighed.

"He's as dense as ever..." Kuhn sighed to himself, a gentle smile gracing his face but a twinge of pain surfacing in his eyes.

"I've got to speak to Haseo..." Silabus thought to himself. "It looks like he's logged in now... I guess I should try to send him a short mail... but I wonder if he'll answer..."

Silabus now stood over the bridge in Mac Anu, the Aqua Capital, overlooking the river which passed under it. It was the same location where Haseo could often be seen gazing, deep in thought. What those thoughts were, Silabus or anyone for that matter could only guess. Silabus admitted that Haseo intrigued him, mostly because he had never met anyone quite like him. But, because he hadn't, he wasn't sure how to respond to Haseo's mannerisms: when to laugh, when to be quiet, when to say something. So most of the time he didn't. He didn't respond. He didn't laugh. He didn't say anything, unless it was necessary. Perhaps that's why Haseo seemed so surprised that Silabus had spoken up against him so suddenly.

To Silabus's surprise, Haseo responded to the mail. The exasperated sigh that he heard behind him could belond to no one else. Silabus turned and smiled.

"What?" Haseo replied with his usual cold tone.

"I... I wanted to--" Silabus started.

"Let's change location. It's too noisy and it's making me irritated," Haseo interrupted with a huff.

"Oh... Okay," Silabus agreed. "How about HOME?"

"That'll be fine. Let's take the steam bike."

"A-All right," Silabus nodded, a bit hesitant. Haseo summoned his bike and motioned for Silabus to join him. Silabus has just barely gotten seated when Haseo sped off, causing Silabus to fall back and cling to him for safety. He wasn't very accustomed to the vehicle.

Fortunately, it wasn't a long trip before they reached the Mercenery District and Silabus was safely inside Canard's HOME.

"Oh, it's only--" the snotty Death Grunty began, but Haseo raised a fist.

"Shut up, or I swear I'll throw you across the room!!" he threatened.

"How rude! Is that any way to treat--"

"Go wait in the Alchemy Factory," Haseo ordered, pointing a strict finger. "NOW."

Death Grunty didn't like taking orders from Haseo, but with Silabus there-- presumably for a reason-- he knew he wouldn't win the fight, and he didn't wish to inconvenience the one he did like. He grunted as Grunties usually do as he sulked his way to the Alchemy Factory.

"You didn't need to--"

"He wsa irritating me," Haseo insisted. Well, it seemed Haseo was feeling rather impatient and quite... irritated. Silabus wondered if he should reschedule. No, that would be irritating, indeed.

"Look, Haseo..." Silabus spoke up. "About earlier..."

"If it's about Atoli, I don't want to hear it!" Haseo warned.

"It's not!" Silabus assured him. "At least... not quite. I was talking with Kuhn, and--"

"Kuhn? Ugh, another name I could care less for! That guy pisses me off to no end!" He exhaled vehemently and folded his arms.

Silabus lowered his gaze. "Who doesn't?" he asked. Haseo pulled back a bit. "Haseo, do you find everyone so irritating?"

"N... No! Of course not! What are you talking about!?"

"All you do is complain about how much everyone is annoying you... If everyone is really such a bother, why play this game?"

"That's...!" Haseo protested. "That's none of your business..."

Silabus smiled slightly, although it was very forced. "... I thought you might say that."

"Silabus--"

"Me too? Am I viewed that way too? Is this-- right now-- Is it irritating?"

He was shaking. Haseo could see that... Did that mean he was shaking in real life as well? ... He was really upset.

"Hey, don't put words in my mouth..."

Silabus shook his head. "Remember that greeting card you sent me once? 'What's your favorite saying'? Well, it's not my favorite, but I've always believed in 'Actions speak louder than words.'"

"Look. What do you want from me? Quit talking in riddles! Want me to laugh and be clueless like Atoli? Want me to play this stupid game like everyone else and forget--"

He stopped himself. There was absolutely no need to finish that sentence.

"... This game is stupid?" Silabus frowned. "I-I'm sorry, Haseo. I just don't understand. I just can't understand you..."

"Then quit trying to--!!" Haseo started, but ended in a short gasp as Silabus suddenly logged off.

He let out a heavy sigh. "Way to go, Haseo," he told himself. "Drive away the one person who really matters... The only one who can make me feel like I'm actually just playing a fun game..."

He sighed again. "Guess I'll... log off and check my e-mail."