Part 12 Love's A Child's Game

Lina had two choices. Either she goes to Grand Chokmah, or to Baticul. She had her parents in Baticul and her sister in Grand Chokmah. Then she thought. Is it worth going to Baticul? Mohs will be there. It would definitely be dangerous to hang around there. So she took the safer route and went with Jade, Anise and Ion to Grand Chokmah. And she went to even out the groups, too.

As they dropped off the 'Baticul' group, Lina was doing… some personal matters. Actually, she was just changing out of her 'Keterburg' costume, which was going to be way too stuffy for her, especially when they get to Grand Chokmah.

"Excuse me, Lina." She heard through the door, as the person opened it. She forgot to say something, so she screamed. Jade immediately turned red, redder than the tips of Asch's hair. And was seriously red. There was a pair more footsteps. Though before they could walk in on the awkward situation, Lina pushed him out and locked the door.

"PERV!" She shouted, blushing bright, bright red. Jade hadn't really been in a situation like this before, so he really, did nothing.

"What happened, Jade?" Ion asked. Anise, who actually heard what Lina had exclaimed, giggled.

"Wow! I didn't know the Colonel was that perv to look at naked women…" Anise said, in a teasing tone. Jade didn't say anything, though in his head, the words of 'I'm scarred' and 'What the heck was I doing' floating in his head. At least he didn't react how he would've imagined Luke would've.

Jade Vision……

……….To cut things short. Luke walks in, when Tear is changing, immediately gets smacked and punished.

"Fortune's Arc!" And he would go up (spirit wise) and faint (body wise), making a big ordeal.

"I'M SCARRED!" Would be going through the room after a few hours.

"uhhh………" Jade started, but Lina came out, wearing her usual cleric's garb. She wasn't really happy, and the blush she wore, was gone. Instead, replaced with a sudden change from unhappy to death glare.

"Jade, may I speak to you for a second?" Lina asked, in a sweet, chirpy voice. Jade, who wasn't real responsive at the moment, just nodded, scared and knowing what she could do, didn't use any sarcasm at all, since he didn't want to risk his life.

She pulled him into a room. A store room, to be specific.

"Now… might I ask what did you want me for?"

"I was to tell you that we were just leaving Baticul."

"Oh. Well, now the speaking part of this is done, the other half…." And Jade gulped.

"INDIGNATION! POW HAMMER! TIDAL WAVE! PHOTON! PERVERT SPRAY!" …..Now one attack in there doesn't exist. Replace it with Tempest's High Court, and you have a fried Jade.

"I'm satisfied now. Well, Jade. I've taught you one thing. Never. Ever. Enter. Without. Waiting. For. A. Come. In." And she left, not daring to even healing him yet. And then she walked back in.

"Whoops, almost forgot." And she sang, healing him.

"That was to avoid suspicious looks from the other innocent two." And she left, smiling, satisfied. She met the other two outside the store room.

"So… how's the Colonel?" Anise asked, grinning.

"Fine…. Wait. You heard my shouts, didn't you?"

"Of course. Even Noelle heard them."

"Then you know what happened." And Jade didn't speak to Lina for a long time.


They got their audience and met the Emperor, again.

"Ah… Lina, Jade, Fon Master and his guardian."

"Yes, Peony?" Lina asked.

"Nothing, nothing. So, what's the report?"

"We rescued the citizens of St. Binah, though the town itself is now in the Qliphoth." Lina said, in a monotone voice.

"And can someone explain here why Jade isn't saying anything?"

"The Colonel walked in when Lina was changing. She called him a perv and punished him using fonic artes. She healed him and he refuses to speak to her." Peony smiled with blackmail information.

"Whoa! Little girl… you're cool AND cute! Do you want to marry me? 'Cause I like you already." Lina didn't dare stop him. It didn't feel right. Though Jade 'uh-hem'ed.

"You two are awfully quiet today… And what's with Jade here? He isn't being sarcastic."

"Well, let me ignite that passion." And Lina walked up to Jade, took out her trusty photo album and whacked him with it.

"You dumbhead! Get yourself together! Quiet Jade is freaky, so why the heck don't you go back to your sarcastic self!" And she whacked him again. Then healed him.

"You're right. My deepest apologies." And he smirked at the end of that sentence.

"….well, that's a start."

"Oh yes. The war between Kimlasca and Malkuth has started. We are currently using our other team to try and stop Kimlasca."

"Why?" And that was the cruel question that did it for Lina. She didn't say any more, so Jade took over.

"The Commandant of the Order of Lorelei is currently trying to start a war. He's using the destruction of Akzeriuth of cause a war, and then to drop all of the people into the sagging land, killing them."

"So that's the Order of Lorelei's plan…" Peony said.

"On another note, Peony. I would like for you to internationally announce my existence."

"Why?"

"It's because of security scare of the wars. I have both Kimlascan and Malkuthian citizenships, since I'm a noble. Actually, since my mother is a Kimlascan soldier, sent to hold the peace treaty of the Hod War and my father is a Malkuthian noble. I would've liked to live my life as if I never existed, but it looks like I'll have to reveal myself." She mentioned, chuckling.

"Well, that shouldn't be too hard… though it's going to be annoying and as hard as the eleven years you lived being shunned." Jade said, smirking.

"I've got that covered." And she winked at him, smirking as well. And then the doors opened revealing the 'Baticul' team.

"How did you get here?" Anise asked.

"I ordered Noelle to go back to Baticul, seeing as they'll need it more then we currently do. And so I was right." And a light engulfed everyone in the room, Jade and Lina casting the same fonic arte, only to be able to protect their own eyes from the sudden light.


Then both Lina and Jade could see again, there were just piles of clothes.

"Oh crap." Lina said, immediately knowing what was going on.

"Yes, as you said 'oh crap'." Jade said, as he sighed and made a mental note to capture Dist, and make him sign his own death warrant.

"Please tell me I died and got sent to baby heaven…" Lina said, in a really pissed off tone. Jade chuckled.

"Of course not…. Now, seeing the people in this room…."

"Luke is 1, Tear is 2, Guy is 3, Anise is 2, Natalia is 3, Peony is 5, Ion is 2 and Asch is 2……. hang on."

"What's Asch doing here?" Jade asked, and got no response.

"Even weirder, why the heck is Luke 1?"

"Actually, since he is a replica, his real age is probably seven."

"Right." And heads started to form. And they, well majority of them started to cry.

"I think Dist got better, and ERASED their memories, temporarily, of course."

"Right, calm down, kiddies…" Lina said, picking Luke and Tear up, while motioning Jade to get Anise and Asch.

"What about Natalia, Guy and Peony?"

"urghhh…. You don't know anything about parenting, do you? They should be able to walk properly by now." And they did, Peony running off the chair and Natalia and Guy playing tag.

"Right…. Well, seeing as we have eight kids to look after, why not go to your place?" Jade asked.

"No. Too far away. Why not your manor, Colonel?" She said, flatly.

"…..Fine." And they left, managing to get strollers for all, except for Peony, who they considered was old enough to walk.

"But I DON'T wanna walk!"

"Peony. You're going to have to, alright? We're your parents." Lina said, out of exasperation. Jade visibly paled.

"…….Were you serious?"

"Well, duh! Do you think anyone's going to look after eight kids at random ages?"

"No."


Jade sighed as he watched his rightful manor get trashed by eight kids. It was basically half covered in bits of sandwiches, water, a whole lot of candy and green apples. He had suffered many harsh things, but never something as to undergo parenting. At least Lina had some knowledge, despite her disguised appearance.

"Luke! Anise! Come back with that knife!" Lina shouted as the two ran with a butterknife. Jade had the task of watching the 'elder' of the group, namely Peony, Natalia and Guy.

"Are you really my daddy?" Peony asked.

"Yes." And he frowned inwardly because he had to make sure that he would 'gain' their 'trust' again.

"Then why don't you go kiss mummy?" And add Peony to that list of want to kill.

"She's busy." And he just saved himself from ripping apart his master.

"Oh. Can we play ball?"

"Play!"

"Me wanna play too!" Natalia and Guy said in that specific order. And then Guy moved away and flinched.

"I guess his gynophobia is still with him, even as a three year old." And he got out a ball and started to throw it.

Now, let's head to the younger side…

"Luke! Tear! Come back! Don't steal the candy!" Lina shouted as Luke and Tear climbed the stepladder and took the jar of lollies.

"Asch! Anise! Don't play with your food!" She shouted as the two had a food fight. At least Ion was being tolerable. It was freaky, though he was silent and didn't do anything.

"Me want green apples." And now you know why his hair is green (no offense to Ion, Florian or Sync lovers, coz I'm with you on that one).

"YOU FOUR! STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING, IMMEDIATELY!" Lina shouted out of anger. The four stopped as stared at her, terrified. Ion just stared at her.

"Finally. Now, nap time." She muttered as she took the five onto a large queen sized bed and began to sing a fonic hymn that none had heard before.

"…. Tel cu ga ste fi-ra…." (yet again, use your imagination) And they fell asleep to the lullaby.

"…..Now, let's see what that Jade's up to." She muttered as she walked out of the room.

….Now to the elder side…

"Peony? Where did the ball go?" Jade asked as he looked at Peony's smile of stupidness.

"I dunno. Go ask Guy."

"……You know, you just want me to kiss mummy, right?" Jade said, as he smirked. Peony nodded.

"I will, if you get the ball…" He said, in a teasing tone.

"Yay!" And he left. Jade, being him, walked off to where Natalia was attempting to talk to Guy.

"And…." She stopped at the sight of Jade.

"Natalia, you do know you are harassing our favourite womaniser and woman hater here?" Guy looked at him in horror. And then there was a flash of light.

"Jade? What's going on?"

"Oh, finally. One has transformed back."

"……I was that horrible?" Guy asked, as he dusted himself of his old clothing, which had somehow been placed on him again.

"I found the ball!" Peony said, smirking as he rushed to Jade's side.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Guy."

"…………Really?" The girl next to him asked. He didn't really notice her presence and started to freak out.

"Are you going to kiss mummy now?"

"…What the hell is going on here?" Guy asked.

"….Let me explain." Jade said, as he sighed and Lina walked in.

"I'm taking these three…. Guy?"

"Yes, Lina?"

"Oh thank god…. You're back."

"…..Now, will someone explain?" Guy asked, exasperated and confused.

"Yes, 'Master' Gailardia." And Lina bowed, smirking.

"Geez…"


"So…. Dist did this?"

"….Isn't it obvious?" Lina said, as she took Natalia and Peony to their separate beds, in separate rooms, as the two men followed her.

"….No. I never knew he had a liking into children."

"Oh… that. I remember. I must've cursed him too much." Lina said, as she giggled at the memory.

Flashback

Saphir was running along, more like walking, but he had trouble walking, for some apparent reason.

"Jade! Nephry! Wait up!" And he wasn't kind enough to acknowledge the fact that Lina was walking next to Nephry, who was with Jade at the time.

"Saphir. You don't have to follow us, if you have trouble walking." Jade said, turning his head around.

"But… you're always with that… funny Lina girl, aren't you?"

"Let's just say I have a soft spot for little girls now." He was speaking with a lot of sarcasm, even the thick-headed Nephry noticed. That acknowledged the fact that Saphir was stupider than Nephry.

"I'll kill that girl." He shouted. Jade turned around. And then Peony turned up.

"Saphir, you will not kill her. She is a noble. Have you not learnt that yet?"

"N-noble?"

"Like me."

"I'll kill her now! Fireball!" (…..he doesn't fight in the game, so I just took something from ToS and used it)

"……." She walked a bit faster and found herself standing in a pool of water.

"You will pay for that tereat, Safire" Lina, at this age still didn't know how to use complicated words. Well, complicated for her age.

"…I will?" Saphir said in a teasing tone. He never knew that she was learning fonic artes from her parents.

"Indignation!" And it was the only chant that went on for a few hours.

He was lucky not to be fried, but to walk away with some brain damage.

"You really did that?"

"Well, speaking in a way, she did. But then, she didn't." Jade said.

"What do you mean?"

"She had a pendant, which told her what to do. But she did nothing, after she noted his threat, so the pendant acted on her voice, making her chant."

"So, what happened of this pendant?" Guy asked.

"It was taken away from me when I mastered the mace and the fonic artes at the age of twelve." The servant and the soldier stared at her.

"………I was required to, alright?" And that conversation ended, when she made the two either shut up, or leave the room. They didn't really want to leave, so they stayed quiet as she sang for the other two. And then there was another flash of light.

"….Anise?" Lina whispered to the girl with Tokunaga strapped on her back. She turned around and smiled.

"uhhh…hi?" She said.

"…..Guy, explain." Jade said.

"Why me?"

"Because you are my cousin and I am older than you. Now do it." Lina said in a playful, but strict sounding tone.


After Guy had explained the situation to Anise, they all started to clean up the place of sandwiches and green apples, since the maids weren't present due to the fact that the house was abandoned.

"Who the heck eats all of these green apples?" Anise exclaimed. Guy looked at Jade and Lina and Jade looked at Lina. She sighed.

"……Ion." She muttered.

"Fon Master Ion?" Guy asked. She nodded. Anise looked at her with big eyes.

"Well, that explains the green hair and green eyes." Jade said, chuckling.

"Jade, that was a lame, sad and horrible joke." Lina said as she finished her part of the cleaning job. The others were almost finished when they heard a few footsteps.

"Oh crap." Lina muttered as Peony walked in.

"Are you going to kiss mummy yet?" Peony asked as he stretched and yawned.

Lina stared, blushing deep red.

Guy paled and if he wasn't himself, would've fainted.

Anise giggled and cheered.

Jade… well he turned red as well, and was secretly wishing he could kill him.

"…..You gotta be kidding me. Jade, you made a deal with a KID?" Lina shouted, getting angry.

"I'm sorry. He wouldn't be quiet." And Lina nodded.

"Fine, fine." And she walked towards Jade. Her heartbeat sped up, quickly, as did Jade's. Guy shivered and walked out of the room, while Anise stayed to watch. Peony was smiling, no, grinning like mad.

"I'll teach you never to make deals with a kid, ever." She whispered to Jade's ear as she got closer.

Her lips got as close as Jade's face.

He could feel her breath on his face, and smell her… scent of happiness and kindness?


Me: Lina has received the Seducer title! There is no need to explain what she does.

Lina: Ouch! Wasn't that just a bit harsh?

Me: Of course not. Just watch out next time you look through my things, alright?

Lina: Of course.

Jade: Where are Tear and Luke?

Me: I think they were caught up at the mall or something.

Jade: Mall?

Me: I made them go shop for food for Australia day tomorrow.

Lina: Yay! Food!

Guy, Natalia: She doesn't own ToA. She still wants reviews for her bet.

Me: What are you two doing here? Didn't the director want you?

Guy: Shush!

Natalia: We don't want the same punishment as Luke and Tear.

Jade: Touche.

Me: Now THAT was harsh.

Me: Before I forget, Ion is two, well because they are unaware that Ion is a replica and is only two. Anyway, two divided by seven is like.... unborn, or a few days old or something like that. And about the apple thing... well, there had to be an explanation about his weird hair and eye colouring, though I like him, next to Jade in my brains listing of favourite ToA characters.