Title: Of Silence and Thievery (6/12ish)
Genre: humor, action/adventure, fantasy and, of course, romance
Pairings: USUK main, minor others
Rating: R
Warnings: AU, human names used, fantasy plot line ^_^ future sexy times
Summary: Arthur had a voice, a good one, but it's been stolen from him and he's prepared to do everything he can to get it back. Even traversing across the world with a bunch of lunatics with a leader who just might be his hero after all.
Note: Notice how the projected length of this thing keeps getting longer...damn it. This is kind of an experiment. I've had this idea in my head for awhile and figured I'd give it a shot, and if it turned out all right, work on this as an original work. Please let me know what you all think and remember, comments are love!

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Of Silence and Thievery

Chapter Six: Where Arthur Encounters Twins, the Market, and Fairies

Ivan was in an odd mood.

This wasn't anything entirely new, as Ivan was usually in an odd mood being that he had the mentality of a child most days and that of a bitter, angry man the rest; but this was different, different enough to make Toris nervous. Ivan had returned home late and he had come back alone…alone after stating that he was bringing someone new to join their 'family' and ordering Toris to be ready for his return. And the young Healer had been…only Ivan returned alone, looking particularly upset and had not said a word, not even to Natalia or Oksana,* which had left something akin to curiosity sitting in his gut.

Toris could not recall a time before or after his captivity that Ivan had returned from a trip unsuccessful in what he set out to do, who he intended to steal or steal from escaping his clutches. At one time, he had believed to have escaped Ivan in this manner, his ability to heal too strong for the man to take away…but he learned quickly how mistaken he had been. But now…now maybe there had been someone who had defied the odds. Maybe there was someone that Ivan had encountered that finally stumped him…besides the Nords, but they hardly counted since they didn't leave their forest and only challenged Ivan when he trespassed on their domain.

They all knew and feared who Ivan had most recently targeted, all had been terrified but Natalia about what it meant for them, Ivan's makeshift and stolen 'family.' The man from Britannia that had a 'voice' which could command virtually anything…create anything he wished and apparently hardly used it. Raivis had been a virtual mess at the thought of what it meant if Ivan had control of such a gift and Toris and Eduard had spent most of the weeks leading up to Ivan's attack trying to console the poor boy. He'd had the unfortunate gift of turning his skin invisible at one time. Raivis had been taken not because he kept his gift like Toris or Eduard, but because the boy and his nervous shaking had fascinated Ivan in a way that was entirely unhealthy; Toris had spent a majority of his time convincing the boy to not do anything rash if Ivan should return with the Britannia man's gift.

Most of who Ivan had taken still retained some fraction of their power but there were some, like Natalia, who decided to willingly join Ivan and so had kept their gifts as long as they promised to use them for Ivan when he wished it. And then there were others, like poor Raivis, who had triggered some sort of obsession within…Toris unfortunately knew he landed somewhere in between. Ivan, for the most part, did not hurt them apart from mentally terrorizing some of the younger ones, but they all knew that could easily change should he steal a gift that enabled him to do whatever he wished by simply saying it.

However, he had returned that night and still could not use the gift he'd stolen how he wished. He'd taken the man's voice and seemingly his ability, but Ivan could do little more than basic commands of inanimate objects…he could do nothing like stopping an entire mob of raging villagers and freezing them in place. The man, Arthur, still could. And when Ivan had set out to retrieve the man as was his habit, he had returned empty-handed and uncharacteristically upset…because Alfred had apparently defended the man in a manner different than he had any of the others who travelled with him.

Toris knew Ivan better than most, better than he wished to, but he knew if there was a one thing he could not understand about the giant, frightening man it revolved around the young man whose strength he'd stolen most of, could use, and yet still shared somehow. Toris shook his head and kept his mind focused on something else as he walked down the hallways of the stone fortress to meet Eduard…Ivan had an unpleasant habit of having the little girl Asmin* peek into their thoughts and pick out what they were thinking at that moment. He rounded a corner and entered the unused library Eduard preferred to hide himself away in when Ivan didn't need him, shutting the door quietly and offering a wan smile. Raivis was there as well, reading a book and shaking minimally today.

"So…I assume you know why Ivan is in such a black mood." Toris tried to smile but the most he could manage was a slight grimace at Eduard's sigh and nod. "What happened?" Eduard had the ability to 'see' events happening in the present anywhere around the world as long as he had a person or place to focus on…it certainly helped keep Ivan informed and was generally how he sniffed out new talents or abilities.

"He created a beam of light out of nothing during his encounter with Ivan…created it because Alfred had been harmed in defending him. He can use the full extent of his gift without having a voice if his emotions are running high enough to override the mental block that his mind as created."

"So…?"

"So, if he wanted to, he could use his gift at any time, not simply under emotional distress...it is only his belief he cannot which stops him. That is what upsets Ivan…that and the fact that the Merican boy has twice now used the full extent of his strength when the 'siren' is involved."

"Siren?" Toris did manage the grin this time, taking a seat opposite the tall, bespectacled man.

"It is what the others have been calling him, what Ivan has been calling him…they do not know his name as we do." Eduard shrugged and shot a look down at the nervous Raivis. "You must admit, it is fitting…if he were to ever use his gift to its full extent."

"I suppose…" Toris trailed off. "Do you think he could –"

"Don't think on it," Eduard said sharply. He nodded his head forward nonetheless and Toris felt something warm and light-hearted fill him up, something he had not felt in years…something an awful lot like hope. "Ivan has not considered it yet…whether it's true or not I'd rather not give him the idea."

Toris nodded softly and looked at his hands. It would be hard to put this from his mind, but he'd try because it was perhaps the only hope any of them had for getting out of their gilded prison. It had been so long since he'd been outside the stone halls and walls, so long since he'd seen anything but snow…so long since he'd seen Feliks. He would do it, he had to…he and Eduard were who needed to be strong for everyone else, for those like Raivis and Asmin who were too young to stand strong against Ivan.

"You should go…he'll be looking for you soon. He was hurt when he fought Alfred followed by both the Fire caster and Water caster, hurt more than he is letting on…go to him before he calls. Say I told you of it…an excuse for you visiting me." Eduard leaned back and rubbed at his eyes tiredly from under the wire frames. "You know he'll ask for it…I'm sure by now he's already been informed…Natalia has a nasty habit of knowing wherever you go."

Toris shrugged lightly and rose from his seat, Raivis shooting him a nervous smile before he went back to his book; Toris noticed he had plugs in his ears...no doubt to keep himself in the dark so he could not betray them all. "She doesn't frighten me."

Eduard shot him a skeptical look before Toris headed out the door. "She should."

Toris paused and shrugged before he left, making his way through the Winter Castle back to where he knew Ivan would be waiting for him in his private wings. The entire way, he could feel Natalia's cold eyes following him along the walls and he tried his best to suppress a shiver. Just a bit longer…that was it…just a bit longer and he'd be free.

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"Welcome to the heart of Germania, Iggy! Spandow, one of the most bustling cities in the world!" Arthur shot Alfred an exasperated look before he looked back at the river city of Spandow, taking in the tall buildings and sophisticated looking roads. It certainly didn't look as old as Berth, or any other city or village he'd seen so far, all of its building neat and orderly made of brick and tiles, cobblestones marking the city's traffic, both on foot and on horse. The city was built alongside a vast river, one large enough that the Evangeline had no problem navigating up to get to the inland city, and at one point splintered into two and ran within the city itself. Bridge-builders, Arthur thought, must have made a fortune in this city.

Alfred gave one last excited whoop before he swung back around to the rest of the crew, dividing the group into what their specific chores would be in regards to restocking their supplies and those for the ship; Seychelles rolled her eyes from where she was beside Arthur and shot the green-eyes man a look.

"You'd think this was his ship the way he goes about giving out orders. Bossy brat." Arthur grinned weakly and nodded in agreement, careful to not meet Alfred's blue gaze when it swung back to him. "So, you'll be meeting Ludwig today then yes? Good man…a bit serious though. You'd never guess he and Gilly were brothers. You looking forward to it, Kiku?"

The quiet man gave a small smile and nodded from Seychelles's other side, his black ears flicking back a bit. "It will be good to see him and Feliciano again. I wish to see how he is doing."

Feliciano Vargas…one half of the other reason they were visiting Germania besides to see Ludwig and restock. Arthur had heard the story from a drunken Gilbert a few nights back when everyone else, Alfred included, were intent on keeping their mouths shut regarding the Vargas twins, a pair that Arthur remembered from the journals he used to make his maps. There had been no power or ability listed next to their name and whenever Arthur tried to ask, he was always told that they had simply been attacked and it was left at that. But Gilbert had told him after a few beers one night, saying that Arthur deserved to know and that it was stupid to not say anything.

Feliciano and Romano Vargas were the twin grandsons of a powerful warrior from Roma, a warrior so powerful he'd collected quite a bit of power over his life, for that had been his talent. Each time he'd win a battle or a fight, he'd gain a little bit of the strength from who he defeated, winning so much that over time he became giant in stature and achieved legendary status. However, over time the vast amount of power began to weigh heavily on him and he eventually lost himself to that power. He had many children but it was his grandsons who had inherited their grandfather's legacy before he passed…all of that power and energy condensed into the two of them, making them both literally walking bunches of energy.

The twins could do all sorts of things with the energy they'd each inherited apparently, things like lighting bulbs and powering machinery, but it also granted them each endless energy which translated into them having very long lives. They'd been close to five hundred years old when Ludwig and Gilbert first met them, not looking a day over twenty; by that time, Gilbert's hearing had been stolen and he was hunting Ivan with Ludwig. Soon after, Alfred had come with his somewhat threadbare group and Gilbert had elected to join their band; Ludwig would have too if Ivan had not decided to strike at the twins that evening at their home across the river.

The shock of having that vast amount of energy stolen from the two of them had hurt them more than physically. Feliciano had lost his mind a bit…he spent most of his days wandering around, muttering about pasta (apparently he'd been quite the cook prior to Ivan attacking him) and unable to remain focused on much –the only one who seemed to keep him lucid was Ludwig. He had bonded with the younger twin despite himself, and elected to stay behind to help him; Gilbert suspected that his brother was more than a bit enamored with the idiot but he didn't try and stop him. As for the other…Romano Vargas was left with hardly any memory and could barely remember how to do daily tasks or even who his own brother was. The only one he did seem to be able to remember was a man named Antonio, who had originally been a member of Alfred's group with Francis.

"And that was just because Romano fucking hated him! It helped his face stick in his mind…that's why Antonio stayed behind, well that and he's in love with the bastard for some reason…Romano's not the nicest of guys but maybe Toni's a masochist, I don't know."

Arthur found himself hating Ivan a little bit more after hearing what had happened with the Vargas twins, wondering about them and Ludwig and Antonio in his spare time as they had sailed upriver to Spandow. It was interesting how interwoven all of these attacked people were, and how Arthur was now a part of all their lives in a way…and it certainly helped distract his mind from Alfred with his surely incessant questions about everyone's stories. But, it couldn't be helped…he knew if he kept his mind on Alfred and their 'not-quite-moment' in the Crow's Nest two weeks ago he'd go mad. So, it was really in his best interest to not focus on Alfred and actually learn something about the people he was sailing with beyond that Ivan had, in some form, ruined their lives.

Alfred, it appeared, was content to not mention their 'almost-moment' and had seemed to have forgotten it entirely, flinging Arthur easy, bright smiles and continuing with his tactile manner as if nothing had happened that night…which was utter bollocks. While this was certainly the route Arthur knew he should be welcoming and taking, a part of him didn't want to and it was infuriating; most came to learn to avoid him unless directly approached if they didn't want to be on the wrong end of his foul mood. It was bad business, this unrequited and unknown bull shit…it made Arthur want to tear his hair out, beat Alfred senseless, and curl up in a ball and cry all at once.

Alfred shouted out for everyone to head out, saddling alongside Arthur (because it was decided that Arthur did NOT go anywhere without an escort so Ivan did not have another opportunity to nab him…yet another reason to be frustrated) , smile ready on his face. "You got everything?"

And by everything, Alfred meant his writing slab and quill since it was the only way he could understand Arthur since he made no attempt to read lips or understand his body language. Arthur frowned and nodded, walking off the ship with only a slight limp, his ankle nearly at one hundred percent once more, only hurting a little if he stepped with too much weight. Alfred followed after, waving off Seychelles request to bring back some taffy from the markets, Kiku falling in step beside him and smiling softly. Gilbert waved off Vash, Esther, and Lily and jogged over as well, taking up the vacant spot besides Arthur and smiling widely.

"Damn, it is good to be back! I can smell the bratwurst and sauerkraut already! And the beer…decent stuff too, not that shit Seychelles has on the boat."

Alfred shook his head and made a face at Arthur when Gilbert said 'sauerkraut' that clearly said it was not worth trying, lifting his arms back behind his head as they walked down the cobbled roads. "Yeah, you don't want to be anywhere near him for the next few mornings. Morning after sauerkraut mixed with beer breath is not a good way to wake up, believe me!"

Where are we going? Arthur flashed the tablet to each man, trying to keep some sort of space between himself and Alfred (seriously, space was needed because if they kept brushing against each other Arthur wasn't sure he could be held responsible for his actions and most frowned on fornicating with questionable consent in the middle of the road).

"My brother's place of course, Eyebrows," Gilbert shouted back. Arthur grit his teeth and silently growled at the infernal nickname the pale man insisted on calling him. "He keeps an ear out for me about Ivan's movements. Hehe, an ear for me, get it? Man, if you gotta be deaf, at least you can tell all the awesome deaf jokes because of it."

"Ludwig manages an Inn, Arthur-san," Kiku said politely, completely ignoring Gilbert's comments. "Spandow is a large city and it receives many travelers, being an innkeeper keeps him abreast with all the latest gossip and news from other countries. That and it is good for Feliciano to be around people, it keeps him lucid."

Arthur nodded and risked a glance up at Alfred. Any mention of Ivan of late sent him into a sullen, angry mood, more so than usual, and mention of his victims was even worse. Alfred was frowning slightly but that seemed to be all, nothing more serious than that; Arthur glanced away hurriedly when Alfred's blue eyes looked over at him, frowning and huffing in silence. Arthur missed the exasperated and knowing looks exchanged between Kiku and Gilbert, but he knew they were there...everyone on the crew seemed to be privy to their little drama. Or 'love affair' as Seychelles was wont to call it (Arthur usually pretended to not hear her when she call it that…it was easier that way since Seychelles had a tendency to get very loud when she felt she was being ignored).

They walked through the city for close to half an hour when Gilbert pointed out a tall, simple, and the most utilitarian inn Arthur had ever seen; Gilbert rushed ahead, shouting out in a very nasal and rough language that Arthur identified as his native tongue, waving down a obscenely tall and muscled man who was busy hammering replacement panels on his roof. As Arthur approached with the others, he noticed his blond hair was slicked back and he had harried, blue eyes that looked even more stressed when they landed on Gilbert, Ludwig's handsome face grimacing as Gilbert waved up at him. He shouted back in their native tongue before he climbed down the ladder, whispering upwards in an exasperated manner all the way down Arthur spotted amusedly; it was nice to know that Gilbert tested even his own family's patience, not just theirs.

Ludwig jumped down from the ladder, his heavy boots thudding a bit and straightened up nodding at each of them politely as Gilbert introduced Arthur, sparing a small smile for Kiku, brushing the dust and wood off his hands as he gestured them inside. Gilbert related Arthur's story and the most recent of their travels to his brother, glaring at Alfred whenever the young man butt in to ask about Ivan's movements or if he'd been seen lately before he spoke louder, all the while Ludwig tried to be attentive to both conversations while also greeting Arthur. Arthur admired his restraint in not hitting either of them...he was sure he would not have been able to.

"I am sorry to hear about your misfortunes, Mr. Kirkland," Ludwig finally managed after Kiku politely asked that Ludwig be given some room to breathe. "Ivan has been a menace to many…" He trailed off and glanced behind for a moment, eyes seeming to look through the inn itself; Arthur knew who he was thinking about when he spoke the words.

It's Arthur. He hated being called 'Mr. Kirkland'…made him sound too much like his father.

Ludwig nodded and made to say something else, but a small man burst out from the doors of the inn at that moment, twirling in small circles and smiling vacantly, an errant, reddish-brown curl sticking out apart from the rest; Arthur couldn't help but stare and he didn't need to know who he was staring at. Feliciano Vargas made a happy, somewhat babyish sound, singing something about pasta before Ludwig went over and touched his shoulder. Ludwig spoke in even, slow words to the man and after a time, the man's eyes seemed to clear and he smiled with a bit more lucidity, turning to look at Gilbert and waving excitedly. Arthur felt a twinge of pity for the man and struggled to not let it show on his face; Alfred touched his shoulder briefly in understanding before he waved at Feliciano as well.

"Ve…all these people to see you! You are lucky, Ludwig!" Ludwig guided Feliciano over, the man proceeding to then hug Kiku tightly, catching the serious young man off guard somewhat, his tail going bushy before settling back to its sleeker appearance. "Kiku you came too! Are you staying?"

"I am afraid this is just a visit, Feli-kun," Kiku responded. He patted the frowning face softly before smiling wider than Arthur had thought possible. "But soon Gilbert and I will come back for good, I promise."

Feliciano's face was vacant for a moment before he smiled wide and nodded, turning his attention to Arthur. "And you, you're new! Who are you, do you like pasta? I love pasta…I can make you some then we can be friends!" He frowned and looked at Ludwig. "Ve…why doesn't he talk? He doesn't like me? Or pasta?"

Ludwig shook his head patiently and guided Feliciano backwards a bit, the addled man following him boneless and compliantly, murmuring to him softly (no doubt all about Arthur and how he couldn't speak). Gilbert's eyes hardened a bit as he watched his brother and Feliciano before he cocked his head to the side and smiled big and draped and arm over Kiku's shoulders. "Well, me and Foxy here will take care of business here, Hero, why don't you and Eyebrows go down to Market? You can ask after Ivan there to your heart's desire, Al."

Arthur swung around to stare at the utterly smug look gracing Gilbert's face, his red eyes leering at Arthur before he focused his attention back on Alfred, who was horrifyingly looking contemplative. Arthur glared deeply at Gilbert, promising death the first chance he got, and implored silently to Kiku, shaking his head and pantomiming that he'd kill the idiot (or snog him…but that was implied and he certainly wasn't going to act that out) if he didn't come along. Arthur was shocked at the slight shake of his head and the very fox-like smile he received opposed to the polite smile usually given. So shocked that he could do nothing but stare at the Kitsune as Alfred grabbed his arm and dragged him off, shouting to Ludwig that they'd both be back later.

Arthur growled silently at the victorious laughter echoing after him, Gilbert shouting after them to behave and have fun – Alfred merely smiled and shouted back that they would, to Arthur's further mortification.

Alfred grinned down at Arthur as he maneuvered them expertly through the crowded streets and upscale residential areas, a faint glimmer of something like shyness behind the bravado in his eyes. "You'll like Market…it's kinda like one big swap exchange with merchants from all over. We can ask around about Ivan too…not too sure how much we'll find out but it never hurts to check, right?" Alfred smiled wider as Arthur reluctantly nodded.

Arthur was still reeling from the fact that Kiku had betrayed him too, and focusing on the disbelief was helping distract from how warm and nice Alfred's hand felt wrapped around his wrist; this all resulted in him not resisting much. But that was the only reason why, let it be known.

He shook his wrist free eventually and wrote, You don't need to drag me around like a child.

"Oh, sorry…just didn't want you to get lost is all." Alfred scratched the side of his face and shrugged lightly. "It's a big city."

I can navigate quite well...if you haven't noticed. Arthur scowled as Alfred had the gall to chuckle lightly before placing a guiding hand at the center of his back and steering him left, the noise in the street growing steadily louder as they went.

"True, but none of where we've been is quite like this."

Alfred turned him one last corner and Arthur found himself staring at a dimmed and somewhat shoddy section of Spandow that was bustling, loud, and had shoots of bright, colored lights whizzing around along with a whole variety of creatures that were decidedly not human. Market was indeed unlike anything Arthur had ever seen, the surrounding buildings dilapidated and probably molding, but the stalls were brightly colored and the merchants even more so; he looked down one aisle and saw a group of dancers whirling about small snatches of fire from one hand to the next as their hips swayed, and another alley showed a bunch of street kids performing slight of hands to an obviously wealthy couple. Contortionists, magicians, palm readers, and anyone else Arthur surmised who would have been burned at the stake in Britannia seemed to gather in Market.

"Street magic," Alfred whispered in his ear. Arthur tore his eyes away from several floating balls of color and looked back into Alfred's excited blue eyes. "Not a lot of real stuff here, but every now and then you get lucky." He cocked his head to the right before winding down another set of bright booths and stalls, Arthur trailing after trying hard to not let himself get distracted (which was hard to do when young women who looked meshed with felines sauntered past).

Arthur stared at a collection of vendors who seemed intent on selling medicinal treatments and nearly ran into Alfred in the process, who had stopped outside one and was waiting, oddly enough, patiently for the customers to walk past. When they did, Alfred slid forward Arthur trailing after, dancing around a very small and squat man-thing which rolled past him, looking up at the red and gold booth. A young very feminine looking man leaned forward and smiled softly as Alfred said his hellos, introducing Arthur more as an afterthought before Arthur was pushed forward.

"Arthur, this is Yao, our favorite Medicine man! He's our 'inside man' to Braginski within Market—Iggy here joined us after his voice was stolen."

Yao nodded enigmatically and leaned forward, his dark eyes studying the red band around Arthur's neck for a moment before he nodded and sat back. "Arthur Kirkland, I've heard of you. They call you a 'siren,' Ivan's family. You're very lucky to still be with young Alfred here…I imagine the others Ivan has taken think so as well."

Arthur did not care for the nickname he'd been bestowed but he could understand why Ivan's 'family,' as Yao called the others he had stolen, would refer to him as such. He nodded his agreement at Yao, looking up at Alfred's intense gaze for a moment before he rolled his eyes and huffed silently. The merchant smiled and gave Arthur an appraising look before turning his attention back to Alfred.

"He certainly didn't lose any of his spirit, did he?"

Alfred grinned weakly, no doubt sensing Arthur's glare on him, a silent warning to think carefully how he answered if he didn't want his foot stepped on, and shrugged. "Guess not. But Yao, have you heard anything more about Braginski's movements? He showed up in the Nords a few weeks ago when we were there but we haven't heard a thing about him since then…"

Arthur groaned silently and turned away from the booth; he was tired of questioning every person they came across (even if this Yao man seemed to be more of a contact than some of the others) about Ivan and if they had seen or heard of him. Ever since the events in the Nords, Ivan had been, according to the crew since they knew much better than Arthur, strangely quiet. Usually, he was out and about, or if he wasn't, one of his associates were, scouting for new talents or stealing life from children left unprotected…but there had been nothing of late. And even though it was good to hear that small children weren't having their youth sucked out, Arthur knew that the reason for the reprieve was likely just as bad.

Still, the nonstop obsession the crew (ok, mainly Alfred) had taken in regards to finding Ivan was beginning to wear on him; he wanted to find him as much as the next, but they certainly weren't being smart about it. Asking everyone and their mother, literally in some cases, about Ivan was only going to reveal their own position and reinforce to Ivan that they didn't have a bleeding clue as to where he was. But, it wasn't as if he could voice his opinions…and his tablet only went so far (especially when he needed to write a whole paragraph…). He wondered idly if this was just going to happen naturally to him the longer he stayed with the crew, with Alfred, and it troubled him a bit but it wasn't as if he would even consider leaving…

Arthur tuned out Alfred and Yao and glanced around some of the surrounding booths and stalls in Market, green eyes taking in all the unusual sights and smells as well as the people passing through. When he turned a bit to the left, he spotted something different though, something that looked like the floating lights he spotted earlier, but these seemed to move with conscious thought and the light fluctuated around them, not unlike a person's voice. He glanced furtively at Alfred, who was still deeply engaged with the dark-eyed merchant, and smirked before he snuck off. It was about time that boy learned that Arthur was more than capable of looking after himself (Ivan aside, but he certainly couldn't be faulted for that), and that he certainly couldn't keep Arthur where he didn't want to be kept.

He weaved through the throngs of people, keeping his tablet and quill close to him, his satchel and short sword bound to his shoulder and waist respectively, making his way steadily towards the little booth off to the side where most didn't seem to spot it. His eyes squinted curiously as he drew closer to the bobbing and hovering lights, able to make out outlines within the light…outlines that looked suspiciously like little bodies with wings. He stopped in front of the booth and stared at two exquisitely pretty fairies (because honestly, what else could they be?), who were arguing with each other before they noticed he was looking at them. The taller one with blue wings and dark hair flew up to eye level and smiled brightly, clapping her hands in delight while the shorter who looked all white save for dark eyes flew up in to his hair and giggled in delight.

"Welcome, welcome sir! We are so pleased that you can see us…not many can you see. Please, how can we help you? We have many, many goods and charms that would interest you! All Faerie made of course! Periwinkle! Get out of his hair…you'll frighten away the customer!" The blue-winged fairy snapped at the smaller, little fangs appearing as she yelled before she remembered herself and smiled sweetly, a row of perfect, small teeth gleaming back at Arthur. "I do apologize, sir, she is young and not knowing."

Arthur shook his head and smiled gently before he wrote down on his tablet, It is no bother. You're the first fairies I've ever seen.

The blue winged fairy narrowed her eyes at him for a moment in confusion before a sympathetic look overtook her face. "You cannot speak! Oh, I do apologize sir, I did not know…I can see the band now. You were cursed, sir? Cursed to silence?"

Arthur frowned but tried not to look too bitter as the smaller, and now obviously younger, fairy flew up beside the blue-winged fairy and hugged her around the middle. More like stolen from, actually.

Blue-wings frowned darkly and rested her tiny hands on Arthur's nose, Periwinkle coming after…looking at them made him go a bit cross-eyed and tickled but he resisted the urge to swat. "Stolen? I know of one who steals…he is a bad man! He is cold as winter and steals from the mother Earth! He has stolen from you, sir?"

Arthur nodded slowly and the fairy flew of his nose and hovered before him. Periwinkle made a sad, soft noise and hugged the side of his face before she flew back down to the counter of their stand. "We are sorry for you, sir, Periwinkle and I both. It must be terrible to have your magicks stolen away!"

Arthur nodded and smiled softly. You don't need to call me sir. My name is Arthur.

The blue-winged fairy clapped her hands and nodded enthusiastically. "Then I shall call you Sir Arthur! I am called Maribel and Periwinkle here is my young cousin…you must have strong magicks to see us, not many can."

Must be hard to do business. Arthur glanced around and noticed how most walked straight past the little stall, eyes gliding over it, unable to see. Maribel nodded her head somewhat sadly, her small eyes looking out over the throng of people for a moment, but then she sniffed and gave a bright grin.

"But we still come! Just means our goods go to those who are not blind! People like you, Sir Arthur! Come, let me show you!"

Arthur glanced behind his shoulder for a moment to where Alfred still was with Yao, engrossed in some kind of argument, scowling for a moment before he turned back to the fairies, Maribel's eyes following his before looking back. I am afraid I don't have any money on me at the moment.

Maribel glanced back again once and shook her head with a grin. "The Faerie have no use for silly things like coins and papers. And because you have been so very polite and suffered through dark magicks, I will offer you a special deal!" She twinkled something at Periwinkle, sending the smaller fairy diving under the booth, and then flew up close to Arthur. "We will give you a special magic, one that could help you in what you suffer in exchange for a promise from you."

Arthur felt warning bells go off in his head but asked anyway. Fairies were not notorious for being as great of tricksters as Sprites, but he knew from legends that their deals were binding and not to be made lightly. Still, they were practically giving something to him, something that they said could help him in what he suffered…it didn't take much to figure that meant something to do with his voice. What would you have me promise?

"You hunt down the bad man who steals, yes? I know that boy talking with Elder Yao, he hunts down the man and you are with him. I ask that when you have your gift back, to help give the mother Earth back her gifts too. Not bad, yes?"

Arthur stared for a moment at the fairy, thinking over his answer carefully as her eyes blinked hopefully at him. It didn't sound that bad at all, considering he likely would not stop hunting Ivan until he had his voice back but…how did she expect him to return magic Ivan stole from the earth back? Still, maybe there was a way…Vash was with them to try and regain Lily's youth after all…he supposed the magic of the earth couldn't be all that different from a person's youth. In terms of restoring it at least…then again, Arthur had not really given much thought how they were even going to go about taking their stolen gifts back…

"Sir Arthur?" Maribel questioned. "I promise there are no tricks in my offer. We never trick those who can See us!"

A promise to help you, that is really all you want?

"Yes, that is all we ask and want."

Well, what the hell? Ok, I agree.

Maribel clapped her hands and twirled in happy circles before twinkling at Periwinkle, who came floating back up with a woven, leather strap that had an odd looking metallic disc fixed in the center. The disc was flat and multi-colored, shifting from brass to blue, blue to silver, and silver to crimson depending on how it was held and when Arthur took it from the two small fairies, he was surprised with how cool it felt to the touch…much colder than he supposed a piece of metal would. He didn't put it on, as it was undoubtedly some kind of pendant or charm, but neither of the fairies seemed perturbed by it.

"This will help you speak without voice to whom your heart as words for. I am happy to give you this in hopes that you will one day not need to use it." Maribel had an odd look on her face as she gave it to him, as if she was referring to something else when she hoped he'd get his voice back. He wanted to ask further but one of his hands was occupied and it made it a pain to try and write anything so he didn't press; the fairies twirled back down to their booth, Periwinkle waving at him while Maribel bowed as any merchant would after a sale.

"I am grateful that you stopped by our stall in Market today, Sir Arthur. And I hope you find all that you are looking for."

And with those words, as if they had no desire to remain at market for any other potential customers, the two fairies and their stall disappearing in a flash and a wink of light, leaving Arthur staring at an empty patch dirt. He remained motionless and staring for a few moments, half wondering what exactly had just happened, before he glanced down at the metallic pendant in his hand. He was so busy staring he didn't feel the second presence until the large hand settled over his shoulder, startling him quickly. He whirled around with quick, silent breaths and relaxed slightly when he was met with only Alfred's half concerned, half amused eyes.

"You ok, Iggy? You're kinda staring at a patch of dirt…"

Arthur scowled and brushed aside Alfred's hand and nodded, slipping the pendant in his tunic before he wrote down his response. Of course I am…and it's ARTHUR you imbecile.

"Oh, ok…well, want to head out then? Yao gave me the info I needed but we can still check some other places in Market…unless you want to keep zoning out over here."

Arthur glared at the teasing smile. I was not 'zoning' out! I was conducting business with a pair of fairies but they up and vanished…

Alfred started to chuckle lightly as he read Arthur's response, which Arthur did not care for in the slightest. Why are you laughing?

"It's just…fairies? Come on, Iggy…"

Yes, fairies! They were right here!

"Ok, whatever you say, Arthur, whatever you say." Alfred hooked an arm around Arthur and herded them away, laughing all the while. Arthur was stunned…this young man met with magic nearly every day and he was DOUBTING the existence of fairies? Arthur tore himself away and stomped angrily, glaring backwards when Alfred's chuckles floated up to him.

It really just figured…

TBC…

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Note: More of a filler chapter, but lots of good stuff gets introduced for all of you! And it was longer. All of you are awesome and please review! Keep the juices flowing!

*Oksana – Ukraine

**Asmin - Aremenia