A/N: Merry Christmas to all! I thank you from the deepest part of my hearts to all my loyal readers, this one's for you. Thanks so much for your patience, you don't know how that means to me. I'm going to be drafting for you guys considering the pile of stories I'm handling. Happy Holidays and enjoy~

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but the OC and plot.

For the first time since forever, Mikaela didn't have to rely on her kleptomaniac box animal, Calla, to fend off for sun flames to tend to her wounds. Considering that she was now partially part of Varia, there were certain people who would now attend to her wounds. She was partially part, because she made certain deals with the big boss just to justify her stay and because she was still thinking twice over joining such familgia. And if there were certain people who would attend to her wounds, that would mean…

"Hell to the fucking no."

…an already present sun guardian, Lussuria.

"Ara, why not?" he whined, pursuing his lips together into a pout.

Mikaela only glared harder. "Because I said so."

He tutted, "Now, now, don't be brash now! Your wounds need to be attended as soon as possible-"

"Then get me the damn doctor." She cut him off, her tone clearly showing that she was against the very idea of Lussuria healing her.

Oh, she's heard about the flamboyant guardian and his abilities, which is one of the many reasons why she'd rather rot than to be healed by him.

Lussuria's expression changed, now tilting his head to the side. His actions irked Mikaela, further testing her patience. As her words slowly sunk in, he gave out a sigh. "I'd love to, but Ramona-chan isn't available right now."

"Who?"

"Ramona Pietro, she's the doctor who treated you?" her brow rose in question "The pretty brunette in those god awful glasses?"

As if struck by lightning, Mikaela was able to picture out an image of the doctor he was talking about, the same doctor with a poker face who answered her question of where she was.

"Okay, well, get her to treat me."

Shocked, and deeply offended and hurt, Lussuria looked down at her, "Wha-"

"Because I don't like the idea of you healing me." She cut him off, answering his question beforehand. "You scare the shit outta me."

Instead of being offended, Lussuria smiled cheekily. Mikaela could've sworn she heard the alarm blaring in her head, this is why she didn't want him to heal her, aside from he's creepy, he scares the hell out of her.

"C'mon! You have to get healed as soon as possible! We have a lot to catch up on!" he said excitedly, his eyes (though hidden behind those sunglasses) glimmering. Mikaela grimaced.

"No," she said firmly, "I mean it. Just leave me alone."

And with that, she shut her eyes and forcibly attempted to drown out Lussuria's annoying and obnoxious voice. Which lasted for almost an hour.

There was a fire burning, and it was warm.

The sounds of soft crackles off from the burning embers were soothing, enough to lull her to sleep.

The room emanated with comforting warmth and the resounding crackles.

Orange illuminated the room, the curtains of the room was draped, as if to hide away what lies beneath that room – a sleeping little girl.

She sighed contentedly, snuggling her head deep into her pillow. The corners of her mouth twitched into a smile, she drowns into her dreams.

It was past midnight when there was a knock at the door. But she didn't wake up.

The door knocked again. But again, she didn't wake up.

As the knob turned, so did the little girl, turning to her side, her reddish brown hair falling off her face. A few strands stuck to her face, her nose scrunched together but she made no motion to tuck it away.

Quietly, he entered. And quietly, he closed the door behind him.

Heavy footsteps slowly creaked its way to the sleeping girl, trying its earnest to remains quiet as a mouse. When he caught sight of the sleeping girl, he released a sigh. Dropping to her side, a tired smile forms on his weary face.

He reaches out a hand to tuck strands of hair away from her face before gently caressing her reddish brown locks. She sighs, snuggling closer to his lap.

'…pa…pa.' she slurs.

The smile on his face widens. Gently, he leans down to press his lips on her head.

'I'm home Mikaela…"

Automatically, at the sound of his voice, the little girl instantly wakes up, tiredly meeting her father's gaze. She sits up, rubbing the sleep away from her eyes as she greets with a genuinely sleepy smile, 'Papa…!'

Timoteo laughs, putting a hand to her head.

Seeing that his daughter was tired (plus, seeing that he was tired) he gently took his daughter in his arms, tucking her head in his chest. 'Papa?'

'Hmm?'

She yawned, snuggling into his chest, 'Merry Christmas…'

As soon as sleep conquered her, Timoteo looked down at his daughter, he just can't help but smile at something so precious as his daughter. So he pressed his lips on her head again, 'Merry Christmas Mikaela.'

And then she woke up.

An uncertain wave of nostalgia washing over her weary senses.

Judging from the way her room was dimly lit, it was way past over her bed time.

She stared at the ceiling above her, a blank expression on her face. Lifting her arm, she drapes it along her eyes.

'Papa…'

Suddenly, she heard a knock followed by the knob turning. Slowly, the door creaked opened, only to close quickly. The sound of their shoes clacked as they walked towards her direction.

Taking her arm away, she was expecting some annoying member of Varia to banter and pester her since she wasn't fully healed to whoop their asses yet.

But she hadn't expected her.

"How are you feeling?" she asked firmly, but she still looked scared.

Mikael blinked twice. It's been three days since she saw her. The last time they met, she almost killed her.

"Bedridden." Replied Mikaela.

The brunette nods.

A pregnant silence fills the room. It was almost deafening.

"Lussuria says you wanted me to attend to you?"

"Yes, yes I do." She said almost immediately.

Looking skeptical, but trying to look contrite and unfazed, she asked, "Why?"

She nearly groaned, instead, settling to roll her eyes, "He scares the crap out of me. Plus, I've heard of how his 'healing' session goes." Her spine tingles at the last sentence, making her shiver.

She laughs quietly, making Mikaela at ease.

"Okay then, I'll see to it by tomorrow."

Mikaela released the biggest sigh known to man, "Thank you."

The smile remains on her face, her expression soft. Mikaela stared at the soft faced woman before her.

Cliché as it may sound; it's been a while since she's seen such a pure and innocent character. One who doesn't have a hidden agenda of killing her off in the end or to bitch her out.

"I'm sorry for what happened," she said out of the blue, surprising the brunette before her. Her eyes widen in shock, but says nothing. "you know, for…nearly killing you back then. I didn't mean to."

She holds her gaze, trying to read her. Seconds later, she shuts her eyes and nods once. When she opens them again, that same soft smile crosses her lips.

"A lo hecho, pecho."

Mikaela's nose crinkles. "Bless you."

She chuckles. "It's a Spanish saying."

"I know," Mikaela says with a nod, quirking a smile "In the face of deeds done, present a full chest."

"Impressive."

"I speak five different languages, Spanish is almost my common tongue thanks to an old hag I know." They share a laugh, lifting the suffocating mood between them. "What's your name?"

Tucking strands of hair behind her ear, she says politely "Ramona Pietro."

"That's a nice name."

"Mikaela's a nice name too."

"I know." She said proudly, almost smug. The smile on Ramona's face widens.

And for once, despite all the bloodbath and bullshit she's been through, she's glad to have met someone like her.

Someone she can truly feel at ease with.

Someone she can call a friend.

"Well, I better be going. I just passed by because Lussuria told me you wouldn't have him heal you but me."

"Correction, no one but myself and you." It was almost a groan, "I'd hate to suffer looking like some hobo, thank you very much."

Yllana shakes her head, already making her way to the door.

"I'll see you tomorrow." She calls.

"Buenas Noches." Mikaela called back, settling back into her bed.

Once the door clicked shut, silence then infiltrated the room.

It was almost midnight, her mind was tired but her body was adamant. Her soft breathing echoed the room.

TING!

A knife and a scalpel fell to the ground, a dents on either blade.

"Your stealth sucks." She called, her eyes still closed.

Out from the darkness he reveals himself, Belphegor. That same sleazy smile on his face. Those nonexistent eyes. And that annoying scruff of blonde hair.

"Shishishishishi, how did you know I was here?"

"I could smell you the moment I woke up." She said, eyes still closed. "Though, I'd say it was rather rude of you to listen to other people's conversations."

"Shishishishishi, the prince just wanted to know what his little pauper wanted with his toy."

She scoffed. "Typical spoiled brat."

Belphegor laughed. "Sorry to disappoint you, but the prince gets what he wants."

"What does that have to do with me?"

Silence.

Moments later, there was the sound of clinking metal. Immediately, her ears perked up. She knew that sound somewhere.

Her speculations were confirmed when she found her necklace dangling before her by Belphegor. She'd take it, but knowing Bel's character, she just eyed him.

He was taunting her.

"Motherfucker." She cursed, earning a cackle from him.

How was she not surprised.

Her annoyance with him was temporarily washed away when Belphegor dropped her necklace on her chest, feeling its coldness against her skin. Mikaela looked up, only to find his back turned.

"Consider this the start of your life with us. I'm looking forward to play with you, pauper."

04.21.14. From 'Yllana Ramos' to 'Ramona Pietro'