Chapter Nine: Akko's Outing

Atsuko was lying on her bed, looking up at the ceiling. She didn't know how long she'd been like that, but she was. It was unclear to her why she'd started doing it, but her thoughts were becoming more focused on one single thing.

"How do I ask?" She mumbled, looking at the Shiny Chariot poster on her ceiling. "I want to ask, but I just don't know what to do."

"You've been staring at that ceiling for an hour," Ursula's voice could be heard as she came in. She sat down on the bed next to Atsuko. "What's got you troubled?"

"Nothing," Atsuko muttered.

"This doesn't seem like nothing," Ursula said, pulling Atsuko into her arms. "I know you well enough to know you'd have already given up on it if it was nothing."

"I just don't know," Atsuko said. "What do I do about it?"

"Well, what exactly are you talking about?" Ursula asked. "I can't help if I don't know the story."

"I… I always get these weird feelings and I don't know how to explain them," Atsuko said.

"Weird… feelings?" Ursula asked. "Have you been reading that book I gave you a few years ago?"

"Eww, not those kind of problems," Atsuko said. "I just… I just get this weird feeling when I'm around… you know what it's nothing."

"Akko…" Ursula tilted her chin up to her. "Listen, you can tell me anything. You're my special little girl, remember?"

"Yeah," Atsuko nodded, leaning onto Ursula. "I just… I think I have feelings…"

"Well, everyone does," Ursula said. "It's what makes us us."

"I mean, I think I have feelings for… for someone," Atsuko muttered quietly.

"What was that?" Ursula asked.

"I think I… I think I like someone," Atsuko said, a little louder this time.

"Well, did you tell them?" Ursula asked.

"I want to make sure I really feel it," Atsuko said. "If it's not true, I lose a friendship."

"That's very smart," Ursula kissed her cheek. "You're showing a good deal of maturity with that decision. I know you'll make the right choice. Just don't wait too long, lest you miss the opportunity. I know I missed a few in my days."

"With Croix?" Atsuko asked, looking up at her mother.

"No, sweetie," Ursula sighed. "Not with Croix. I think it would have been much easier for her to get in my pants if that were the case."

"I'll get her into your pants," Atsuko said. "I'll just need to get her to gain a few pounds."

"Watch it missy or I'll forget to make your dessert," Ursula laughed.

"You wouldn't!" Atsuko exclaimed. She may have matured, but she still loved her some dessert.

"You'll just have to find out," Ursula said. "Now, how about you come and help me with these spellbooks? I think there's a cool new spell for you to learn."

"You said you weren't teaching me new spells." Atsuko said.

"Okay, I just wanted to get you out of the room so you could stop moping," Ursula said. "It's time for you to get a bath anyway. Unless you want to bathe with me like when you were a child."

"I'd like that," Atsuko smiled, leaning further onto Ursula.

"Well, don't tell Croix," Ursula chuckled. "She'll try to join us and that bathtub isn't big enough for three."

"I'm surprised the two of us still fit into it," Atsuko said. "I'm not as small as I was."

"Well, as long as you watch how many sweets you take in, you'll be fine," Ursula poked her nose.

"I've got a great metabolism," Atsuko pouted as if she were still seven.

"And, that's why you should worry about not eating so many sweets," Ursula said. "But, a nice hot bath will help us relax a bit and could help you get your mind off this crush for a bit."

Atsuko nodded, following her mother to the bathroom.

Later

"Why do you never invite me to take a bath with you?" Croix asked as the three sat at the table.

"Because you're too big to be in there with me," Atsuko said.

"I wasn't talking to you, squirt," Croix said. "I'm talking to your mom."

"You know, you could just get a bath by yourself," Ursula said. "Now, how about you tell me why you didn't tell me about this little crush of Akko's?"

"Because she told me not to?" Croix said inquisitively.

"I see," Ursula said, a hurt look crossing her face. "That's fine. I suppose that's alright."

"She only asked me because I'm the one who actively has a crush around her," Croix said, sipping her coffee.

"Oh…" Ursula said, pondering this. "I suppose that's true. Well, what should we do about it?"

"We should let her do it herself and not interfere?" Croix suggested.

"Aww, but that's the fun part," Ursula said. "Making sure my daughter has a good relationship is the best."

"Akko, go to school," Croix said. "It's about that time anyway."

"Uh, alright," Atsuko said, finishing her food and getting up. "Wait, it's Saturday."

"Really?" Croix asked. "I thought it was Wednesday."

"You need to get your days straight," Ursula chuckled. "I think you're a little discombobulated."

"Finnelan didn't help with that," Croix said. "Bitch actively tried to kick me out."

"To be fair, you did punch her in the face," Ursula said.

"Hey, you said that meant I meant something," Croix said.

"Doesn't mean it wasn't stupid," Ursula shrugged. "Definitely deserved it, though. Bernadette was about to give her five across the face before you did."

"Was it enough to get you to drop to your knees and—" Croix began before a strip of duct tape was placed over her lips.

"Quiet," Ursula said. "That's not appropriate table talk."

Croix pouted, crossing her arms as Atsuko left the room, calling Sucy.

"You wanna go out?" Atsuko asked. "I'm headin' to the ice cream store and it's boring to go alone."

"I'm down for that," Sucy said in her monotone. "I've got some new potions for you to try anyway."

"Great!" Atsuko exclaimed, running out the door. "Bye, moms!"

Croix couldn't help the blush that creeped over her face at that. Ursula looked over at her, looking back at the door. She removed the tape from Croix's mouth, sighing.

"Yes," She said to her. "It was pretty hot of you to do that. I wouldn't have had sex with you, but our respect for you immediately doubled.

"Alright!" Croix fist pumped.

"So, tell me," Ursula said, leaning in. "Who's Atsuko's crush?"

"She didn't tell me," Croix said. "But, I have one option."

"Who?" Ursula asked.

"Use that big smart brain of yours to figure it out," Croix winked. "I figured it out the moment she brought it to me. But, I wanted to "

"But, I only know… ooooohhhhhh." Ursula said. "That makes sense. How'd I not see it before?"

"Probably because you've got your 'cute seven year old' filter glasses on," Croix snickered.

"Ha ha," Ursula rolled her eyes. "Well, what should we do?"

"We should let her figure it out on her own," Croix said with a shrug.

"That's nice," Ursula said. "Now, what are we actually gonna do?"

"We're not playing matchmaker," Croix said. "It's cute when she does it, but we're not going to meddle in our kid's life."

"Our?" Ursula raised an eyebrow.

"S-Sorry," Croix coughed, looking away.

"Well, why shouldn't we try to help?" Ursula asked.

"Because it's one thing when she does cute things around the house to help out like when she was seven," Croix said. "It's another thing for us to actually try to meddle in the romance of a teenager. We're adults. When she was seven, she went at it with a seven year old's understanding. We're trying to set her up and meddle with a teenager. Let it be for now unless she actually asks for advice. You'll just drive her away if you don't."

"Are you saying I'd screw this up?" Ursula asked.

"Well considering you don't know how Akko reacts to that, yes," Croix said. "Just let her be."

"Fine, fine," Ursula said. "But, we're totally going to spy on her and make sure she's okay, right?"

"Of course," Croix said. "I never said we were gonna leave her totally alone. Let's just look through the school and see who she could be crushing on."

"I thought you knew who it was," Ursula said.

"I want to be sure," Croix shrugged. "Wouldn't hurt. Plus, we don't even know if she's into guys or girls."

"I'm sure it's easy to find out," Ursula said. "All we have to do is just watch her and see who she reacts around."

"Speaking of that," Croix said. "What do you think we should do about that Cavendish chick?"

"Make sure she doesn't realize Akko has magic," Ursula said. "Daryl is most likely making her into a witch hunter like herself. As long as Akko doesn't reveal that, we should be fine."

"Ten bucks says she'll befriend her," Croix said.

"Why are you making this bet?" Ursula asked. "I'm sure you're not going to try to bring that about."

"Because it's Akko," Croix said. "She's a nice girl and maybe this bitch needs some friends. I mean, look at how I used to be."

"You were a different sort," Ursula said. "But, I'll take your bet."

"Great," Croix said. "Now, let's go take a bath together."

"I already took a bath," Ursula said. "And, I've been over this with you. There's no room for you and me both. Also, we're not dating, so we're not going to bathe together."

"You're still not convinced I'd be a good lover yet?" Croix asked.

"Croix, I don't care how good you are," Ursula said. "We're not dating. Now, if you want to go get a pizza, then I'm all for it."

"Fine, fine," The lavender haired woman sighed. "Wait, is this because I'm Italian?"

"You do realize that pizza here isn't like Italian, right?" Chariot raised an eyebrow. "They're totally different. Wait, you had pizza from here with me and Bernadette when we ditched school all those times."

"Man, I still can't believe the goody two-shoes of the academy were really so devious," Croix smirked.

"Hey, pizza's pizza," Ursula said. "Besides, it's not like we didn't do the work."

"True," Croix smirked. "So, what shall our toppings be?"

"Pepperoni and sausage," Ursula said. "And, don't you dare get those anchovies."

"That was a joke," Croix said. "Now, let's go out on our date."

"Don't call it a date," Ursula said.

"Why not?" Croix asked. "We're two attractive women going out to eat together with the possibility of some making out afterwards."

"Not with pizza breath we won't." Ursula said. "Now, stop calling it a date or I'll tape your mouth so tight you'll need an explosion spell to loosen it."

"Kinky," Croix said with her mischievous grin. "You got some ropes with that? Some whips I should know about?"

"Oh, hush," Ursula rolled her eyes. "You're the one I can see being into those sorts of things."

"Or Bernadette," Croix said.

"Nah, she was the 'pin you down so she could get in close' type," Ursula said. "We're witches. We don't need manmade tools for aids in intercourse."

"You still didn't explain that time you sixty nined her," Croix said.

"We were a thing," Ursula sighed. "I thought you knew that."

"I mean, I did," Croix said. "But, you tried so hard to keep it from me."

"Because we didn't want to upset you," Ursula said. "I mean, we weren't… a thing persay, but we did experiment with each other."

"Why not with me?" Croix asked.

"You were new to the group," Ursula said. "We'd known each other for almost as long as Akko has known Sucy."

"Right…" Croix said. "So, why don't we go get that pizza?"

"Sounds good to me," Ursula said. "And, don't let it get you down. You're still my best friend."

"Thanks, Cherry," Croix grinned. "That means a lot."

With Atsuko

Atsuko sat outside the ice cream store, kicking her legs back and forth. She waited until she saw that familiar shade of mauve colored hair and red eyes. They were accompanied by the grey skinned Sucy, sporting a t-shirt with a red mushroom and some jeans.

"Hey, Akko," She grinned, gliding up to her brunette friend. "How's it going?"

"Great!" Atsuko exclaimed, hugging her. "Let's get some ice cream now. Mom and Croix are being weird again."

"Sounds like the usual," Sucy said. "Say, isn't that Lotte in there?"

Atsuko looked into the ice cream shoppe to see what was indeed Lotte standing behind the counter. She looked over, blushing as she waved shyly. The two waved back, walking over to her.

"You work here?" Sucy asked.

"Y-Yeah," Lotte nodded. "I-I got this job a few months ago. S-Sorry I didn't tell you."

"Hey, don't apologized," Atsuko commanded, pointing at her. "You're allowed to tell us things at your own pace. Now, what's the special of the day?"

"Sh-Shiny Chariot Cr—" Lotte began to say before she was immediately cut off by Atsuko.

"I'll take your biggest portion!" She said, her eyes practically sparkling as she began to drool.

"Seems you never did give up your childhood tastes," Sucy said. "I'll take the Poison Bog Swirl."

"C-Coming right up," Lotte said, a little shaken up by Atsuko's outburst. But, she still walked over and made their ice cream anyway.

After they had gotten their ice cream, they sat down at the table nearest the counter as they looked at their ice cream.

Atsuko's was a vanilla bottom layer with cherry syrup and strawberry syrup spritzed all about and a trio of bananas sticking out of the top to make the point of her hat. It was a bit crude, but it was ice cream. Atsuko began to eat it rapidly, grabbing her head in pain as the brain freeze hit.

"You always eat it too fast," Sucy said. "You gotta slow down."

"Owowowowow it's a force of habit," Atsuko grit her teeth as she tried to will away the headache. "Back at… that other place, if you don't eat quick enough, you don't get anything else for the rest of the day."

"Well, you've been in your mom's house for like ten years," Sucy said. "So, worry not."

"A-Are you okay?" Lotte ran over.

"She's just got a brain freeze," Sucy said. "She'll be fine. I'll make sure of it. You don't get behind on work, alright?"

"Y-You're the only ones here right now," Lotte gestured subtly around them. "I-It's the quiet part of the day."

"Oh," Sucy said. "Well, grab me a warm cloth, will ya?"

"O-On it," Lotte ran into the kitchen, returning with the warm cloth. Sucy tilted Atsuko's head back, holding the cloth on it as she reached into her pocket. Lotte looked at her quizzically, wondering what exactly she needed.

Sucy pulled out a small vial, holding Atsuko's mouth open with two fingers and tilting her head back. Pouring the contents into her mouth, she watched as Atsuko coughed and gagged, but still swallowed the contents of the vial. After a second, she stopped fidgeting and sat there, looking normal. Lotte was surprised.

"Wh-What was that?" She asked Sucy.

"Oh, uh, you weren't supposed to see that," Sucy said. "I, uh…"

"She gave me my medicine," Atsuko quickly said. "I get headaches sometimes, so she has a vial on hand."

"Th-That looks like a p-p-potion," Lotte said. "A-Are you two… w-w-w-witches?"

"Not really," Sucy said. "There hasn't been a certified witch around since Shiny Chariot. Then the witch hunters had no one to stand in their way and began taking all of the witches out."

"I-I know that," Lotte looked down, grabbing the hem of her shirt. "I-I know."

"You okay?" Atsuko asked, holding her arm. "What's wrong?"

"I-It's nothing," Lotte said quickly. "I-I have to get back to work. Th-Thank you… f-for being my friends."

"You're welcome," Atsuko grinned. "It's great to be your friend too!"

"Yep," Sucy said with her own creepy grin. "You're pretty cool, so we're glad to be your friend."

Lotte blushed slightly, moving quickly behind the counter. She waved shyly as the two left the ice cream shop with their finished ice cream.

"She knows something about those witch hunters," Sucy said. "Probably something personal."

"What do you mean?" Atsuko asked.

"I'm good at reading people," Sucy said. "Watching when they sleep, making sure they're not susceptible to the poisons I put in my potions—"

"Wait, what?" Atsuko asked, turning to her.

"Nothing," Sucy grinned. "Just tryin' to see how much you were payin' attention."

"I see," Atsuko pouted. "So, what do you wanna do now?"

"I was thinkin' of tryin out a few new potions and I need my favorite guinea pig," Sucy said.

"I'm your favorite?" Atsuko asked, coughing as she turned to face her best friend. "I mean, sure I guess I have time."

"Great," Sucy said. "And, I promise you won't turn into a mouse this time."

"It wasn't the worst thing…" Atsuko mumbled. "I was soft and fuzzy."

"True, but you were also almost food for the cat my gramma keeps." Sucy snickered.

"Stupid cat," Atsuko said. "I thought it was a myth that witches had cats."

"It is," Sucy said. "But, my gramma's a cat person."

"Yeah, I know," Atsuko sighed. "Well, let's go try some potions."

"Perfect," Sucy said as they walked off to Sucy's car Ramzan had spoiled her with.

With Ursula and Croix—five years prior

"So, how do we beat this boss again?" Ursula asked, playing on the game with Croix.

"Shoot for the glowing red eye," Croix said. "That's what we do to beat it."

"I've been doing that," Ursula said. "But, it isn't working."

"Use the Fire Spells," Croix said.

"I'm out of fire spells," Ursula grumbled. "I used them to resist his ice spells."

"Just use the Inviso Cloak," Croix said.

"Where do I get that?" Ursula asked.

"It's the dungeon item," Croix said. "You had to use it to solve those puzzles."

"Oh yeah," Ursula said, deploying her item and managing to survive. "But, I'm still out of fire spells."

"Well, just gather some of his powers," Croix said. "He drops them every so often."

As they continued to work on defeating the boss, the phone rang. Croix walked over to it and picked it up.

"Cherry Street," She said. "Croix speaking."

"Don't be an idiot and answer the phone like an adult," The voice came over the other line. "Don't you know how to speak to your elders?"

"Give me the phone," Ursula said, taking it and tossing the controller to Croix. "Listen here, Finnelan, you've no right to talk to Croix that way. She is a very bright student and graduated with good grades. And besides, she didn't even know you were calling. Now, what do you want?"

"I called to inform you of an… incident," Finnelan said, her voice getting lower. "I'm sure you've felt the magical disturbances, haven't you?"

"I… have," Ursula said. "What about them?"

"Where is that girl?" Finnelan's tone sharpened.

"I have no idea who you are talking about," Ursula said, biting her lip; what if she knew about Akko?

"The girl Finnelan entrusted into your care," Finnelan nearly shouted. "Don't think me a fool! I was well aware of her presence there. You are aware of what she means for the magical world, don't you?"

"I am not exposing her to the world we left behind." Ursula said. "I'm not getting her mixed up in a war that will ultimately get her killed."

"She is the one who is able to use the Grand Triskelion magic," Finnelan said. Ursula froze, her breath quivering in her throat as her eyes widened. Croix immediately tensed, feeling the atmosphere change with whatever Finnelan had said. She knew it couldn't be good, whatever it was.

"Wh-What?" Ursula asked, her grip on the phone tightening.

"Holbrooke spoke to me about it," Finnelan spoke. "About sensing someone who was capable of wielding the power of the Grand Triskelion. She did not mention your little spawn, but it wasn't hard to come to the conclusion that she had something to do with it."

"You leave Akko out of this," Ursula growled into the phone. Croix shuddered as Ursula's hair flashed red, a powerful burst of magic radiating out of her body. "This isn't her fight. I killed lady Manbavaran and I'll do the same to you if you go anywhere near my daughter."

Croix tensed up. Chariot rarely got actually angry; even with her incessant flirting, the most she got was a bit irritated. But, this was a side of her was something she'd never seen. Even when Akko was being bullied in elementary school, Chariot only looked like she was going to break someone's nose. Never would she threaten to actually kill someone.

Ursula crushed the phone in her hand, turning to Croix, who flinched visibly. She took a deep breath, calming herself down and letting her magic run normal. She began to cough uncontrollably, drops of blood coming from her mouth.

"Cherry!" Croix exclaimed, snapping back to normal as she pat Ursula on the back. Eventually, the coughing stopped as Ursula looked down at herself. The blunette panted, looking down at her bloodied hand with parts of phone piercing the skin. She looked at Croix and hugged her close.

"I don't want to lose her," Ursula said, visibly shaking.

"She won't be," Croix said. "We won't let her be taken. I promise. Miss Holbrooke won't let Finnelan take her."

"I know, but I'm so worried about her," Ursula said. "I just… I don't want to lose my little girl."

"We'll protect her," Croix said. "Finnelan can't do anything to take her because she has no relation to this."

"I hope you're right," Ursula said.

Present day

The two adults sat in the living room waiting for Atsuko and Sucy to return. It was a slow wait, but usually they returned on time. A knock at the door shocked them from their waiting. Ursula got up and walked over to the door.

On the other side was a woman who was just shorter than Ursula with brown hair and blue eyes. She was much thinner than Ursula as well and dressed like a schoolteacher.

"Finnelan," Ursula said, her eyes narrowing. "What brings you here?"

"We must talk, Miss du Nord," Finnelan said.

"It's Callistis now," Ursula said. "That is what you're allowed to call me."

"And why do you choose to keep hiding?" Finnelan asked.

"Because this is my life now," Ursula said. "I'm happy with it."

"And what if you were needed?" Finnelan asked.

"I am needed," Ursula said. "But, not by you. Now, leave. I haven't forgotten the last time we spoke. I don't care what you have to say."

"You didn't kill her," Finnelan said. Ursula froze, staring at the woman with shock and terror in her eyes. It took her a full two minutes to regain her composure.

"What… did you say?" Ursula asked.

"You didn't kill her," Finnelan said. "Or at least, you didn't truly kill her."

"How is that possible?" Ursula asked.

"Holbrooke could detect her magic," Finnelan said. "It's very faint, but it's slowly growing."

"That isn't my problem," Ursula said hastily.

"This is something you have to understand," Finnelan said. "There are only two beings with the capability or magic to stop her; you and your daughter."

"You won't go anywhere near her," Ursula said as she grabbed Finnelan by the throat. Croix ran over, trying to get Ursula off of her.

"Cherry, don't," Croix said.

"Leave my property." Ursula said. "Now."

"You—" Finnelan began as Croix managed to separate them.

"Now!" Ursula said as her magic flared for an instant. Finnelan backed up one step as Ursula levelled a glare at her.

"Be prepared," was all Finnelan said before she turned and walked to her car that was there.

It was only when she was gone that Ursula shut the door and slumped to the ground.

"Cherry?" Croix asked, as Ursula buried her hands in her knees.

"I don't want Akko to be brought into this." Ursula said.

"It'll be alright," Croix held her. "It'll be alright. Let's just play some video games."

"O-Okay," Ursula said, being led by Croix to the couch.

So, it seems that something is going on. I wonder what's happening... as well as who Akko has her little crush on. I suppose we'll find out soon.