Yo~oh! Guess who's back? Well, I haven't been gone for too long, but I really couldn't stop myself from posting any longer. I know many of you have been wondering about what would happen to Kaelys for the Tenroujima Arc and... nope, you won't learn this chapter, sorry~ Anyhow, it's shorter than the previous one -seriously, that had been one hell of a chapter to write-, but I hope you'll like it anyway.
Time to lighten things up a bit! Ya know, before we plunge into darkness again.
Enjoy!
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"S-seriously?"
"You're alive!?"
"LISANNA!"
Before any of her guildmates could reach her, though, Elfman blew them away with a single punch.
"Don't touch her with your filthy mitts!"
"Thank goodness, the Guild's just like before," sighed happily Lucy.
They had all gone home to quickly get a change of clothes and refresh a bit, before finally heading back to the Guild to check things out. They had been stalling for time, to be honest, seeing how uncertain the Guild's fate had actually been, but they were glad to find it just like it was a few days prior.
"Looks like really no one knows about the Anima, then," nodded Gray.
"Anyway, what's important is that everyone is safe," replied Erza.
"This is messed up," simply grunted Gajeel.
"Urgh, tell me about… why did I have to be here again?" No doubt, the Poison Dragon Slayer was whining.
"Because you are a member of Fairy Tail and you ought to make sure your family is okay," chided Lucy.
"Then why was Macbeth allowed to stay home?"
"He was exhausted, the poor dear."
"And I'm not!? I call favoritism!"
While the two bickered, Kaelys tapped Erza's shoulder to get her attention.
"Shouldn't we tell Master or something, though?" she proposed.
As if on cue, the old man appeared.
"Lisanna."
"Master!"
"I thought…" He stopped before them, scarily serious. "… Everyone raised in this Guild is a child of this Guild. And what parent is there that doesn't worry about their child? You can tell me all about what happened later. You too, Natsu."
"Sure, Gramps."
"Anyway… you did great in coming home!" then beamed the small wizard.
"I.. really am home, am I…?"
"That's right. This will always be your home. So, welcome back, Lisanna."
"WELCOME BACK, LISANNA!"
"And now… LET'S PARTY!"
"YEAH!"
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While Erik sulked in the corner, though he was chatting with Cubellios- or rather, Kinana, Kaelys took the time to look around the Guild. They hadn't been gone for so long, not even a week, but it still felt as if everything had changed… All was the same, yet different. She knew that what happened with… her mother, would change something, but she didn't know exactly what yet.
'Damn, you are one depressing kid. Why don't you party already?'
"I won't drink, Shirokage. Plus, I'm tired. Give me a break."
'Excuses, excuses…'
They had also explained everything that had happened to everyone. They deserved to know, after all. It took some convincing –no one remembered- but they managed to accept it after all. Lily's presence had helped, and seeing as everyone knew Kaelys would never be able to lie, well, they didn't have much of a choice but to believe it.
"This is quite a… lively Guild."
She glanced at Panther Lily, lips twitching into yet another smile.
"You get used to it," she replied. "Honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. That's what makes Fairy Tail… well, Fairy Tail."
"And all of you have Magic in your bodies?"
"Yup! It's a part of us," she confirmed. "Were it to be taken away or something, though, we wouldn't survive it."
"It goes to such an extent?"
"Aa. But don't worry! It takes a lot to die because of Magic loss," she quickly reassured him. "I-"
"SALAMANDER, LITTLE GIRL! LET'S HAVE A FIGHT BETWEEN MY LILY, THE BLUE CAT AND THE WHITE CAT!"
At the startled look on Lily's face, Kaelys laughed a little. Then, a loud 'crack' caught their attention, and she shook her head with a sigh when she saw that most of their guildmates were now fighting. One after the other, the members either joined or were forcibly pulled into the fray.
"I'll get a drink from Mira," she told the Exceed. "Want something too?"
"I think I'll stand back a bit."
"Suit yourself."
Carefully avoiding the fight, she somehow reached the bar unarmed. As soon as she got there, though, the white-haired woman served her her orange juice with a knowing smile.
"Thanks, Mira!"
"Anytime. So, how did you like Edolas?"
"I didn't." The barmaid laughed. "No, seriously! Those magic tools were crazy, and really annoying, and those doubles were also really confusing. Oh, and there's obviously the fact that I've been impaled. That wasn't exactly fun..."
Amusement instantly disappeared from her face. "Are you alright, now?"
"Uh? Oh, yeah, sorry," quickly apologized the teen. "I didn't mean... I mean, it hurt when it happened, but the Demon healed me and now I'm as good as new! Kind of… I've still gotten a scar, but whatever. You know what? I think I should start a collection or something!"
"Don't talk like that," Mirajane lightly slapped her head in scolding. "Getting hurt isn't something to be proud of."
"I'm not proud of getting hurt, I'm proud of being strong enough to get over it!" retorted the teen with a broad grin. "I wasn't ashamed of my scars before… but I won't hide them any longer. They are as much of a part of me as my Magic, and my past made me who I am today, whether I like it or not. So now, instead of running away, I'll run forward! I won't ever forgive or forget what was done, but I won't let it hinder me any longer."
The Takeover mage gaped for a second, before beamed at her.
"That's amazing!" she assured. "I'm glad to see that you're really fitting in, now."
"I'll try-" The teen was suddenly cut off as a flying chair slammed her off her stool and sent her crashing on the floor.
All movements stopped, those fighting frozen in place. They gulped as, slowly, Kaelys rose back to her feet and turned to face them. Her single purple eye was heavy with killing intent, and a few passed out when seeing her yellow one glinting with barely restrained anger.
"…"
"…"
"I'LL GET YOU BACK FOR THIS!"
The fight started once again. It really was a free-for-all, in which even Erik and Lily, somehow, had gotten tangled in.
The rest could only watch in astonishment as Kaelys joined the fray.
Somewhere in Earthland
The Newly Reformed Magical Council
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"Unacceptable! Have you seen the mountain of apology letters? Are those all from problems caused by that single Guild?"
"Fairy Tail has been a thorn in our side since the previous generation."
"It doesn't rise to the level you put it. There's also the work they did in destroying the Oración Seis of the Balam Alliance."
"Work, you say? Master Org, what are you saying?"
"There is no record of the Magic Council authorizing that plan."
"A number of local Guilds took that initiative on their own…"
"Strictly speaking, even if they were a dark Guild, that was still a violation of the prohibition between warring Guilds!"
"They didn't even do it right. Might I recall to the Council that all of the members of Oración Seis aren't in a cell as we speak?"
"Angel, Racer, Hoteye, Cobra, Midnight, Truth… saved for their Master, Brain, all of them are alive and currently part of one of the three Guilds that composed the Allied Forces."
"Three of them joined Fairy Tail. Can we really let that slide?"
"We were expecting those members to seek out each other and wreck havoc once again, thus allowing us to disband those Guilds. However, it would seem they are lying low for now."
"Shouldn't this be a good thing? If such criminals truly can be reformed and adapted to live in society again, then-"
"Nonsense! They are sure to strike again, and even harder this time! We should arrest them again while we know where to find them!"
"We have an agreement with the Masters. As long as they do not break the rules, then the members of Oración Seis will not be taken back into custody."
"Chairman, what do you think?"
The dark figure in the middle of all the arguments sighed.
"In order to take back the trust people once had in us, we must keep a tight reign on this trouble Guild. Fairy Tail has no future! Next, we'll force the Guild to disband! Definitely."
At the same time, in Edolas
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The King had been exiled. The First Prince had taken the crown. The Second Prince was slowly but surely getting accustomed to living again. Doctor Cobra had been executed for treason. As for the Captains and the Advisor, they had been granted mercy and were now working on rebuilding Edolas as a whole, along with the Fairy Tail Guild and all of the citizens and soldiers.
Everything was working out, somehow. Despite the disappearance of Magic, they still managed to find many ways to help out, and discovered now more than ever the importance of working together.
It was peaceful. It was a new beginning, a new world slowly rising from the ashes of the last one. It was almost perfect-
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, YOU STABBED MY DAUGHTER!?"
…
I did say almost.
Earthland
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Lucy stared at the black key in her hand. She had easily recognized it as one of the Elder Keys, but she didn't know which one. And it had been a few days since she got it from Kaelys's mother, so surely the Spirit would have showed up by now if they were in any way compatible.
A startled gasp to her right echoed, and she shot a look at Corvus. The Crow was gaping at her new key, eyes wide.
"W-where… did you get this?" he asked, pale.
"In Edolas," she answered, frowning. "Are you alright? What is it?"
"This… this is the Phoenix Key," he swallowed harshly. "My sister's key."
"What!?"
A week later
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A week had passed since their return from Edolas. Everything had been rather hectic, what with Lisanna being back, Gildarts announcing he'd be staying home a while longer, Lucy still struggling to form a bond with the Phoenix Key and Kaelys training harder than ever.
Now that she no longer had her main weapon, she decided that relying solely on her Magic was a no-go. She was too used to it. How would she fight if she ever found herself unable to access it, like in Edolas? No, she definitely couldn't let that happen again.
Loke and Corvus had been happy to help her out, and she kind of bribed Erik in joining them. He was her first hand-to-hand combat mentor, after all.
"What did you say, shitty lion!?"
"That you're in the way, stupid snake!"
Of course, it didn't mean they all got along. The Celestial Spirit and the Dragon Slayer just wouldn't stop bickering. Corvus and herself had long since given up on trying to make them be friendlier to each other, and had learned the hard way not to try and step in when they were arguing.
"How about we head back home?" Kaelys then proposed, stretching her arms. "We've been at it for three hours, and I'm feeling up for a shower."
"Yeah, let's go!" agreed the red-eyed Spirit. He then paused. "N-not in the shower or anything, though! I-I meant home! Nothing more!"
She raised an eyebrow at him. "… I know?"
Listening to them, the two man who had been fighting not a second earlier sweatdropped a little, dropping their argument.
"She's clueless," sighed Loke, replacing his glasses.
"This is starting to get sad, really," Erik agreed, rubbing his temples.
"Guys, you're coming?" the black-haired girl called, already ahead.
"Of course, Kae-hime~"
"Stop being so impatient, Loudmouth."
"Then stop being a jerk."
"Stupid brat."
"Damn old man."
And of course, they couldn't have a training session without a few insults thrown around.
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As soon as the Thief mage stepped out of the bathroom, she was assaulted by Lucy and Erza, who had apparently been waiting for her.
"Let's go, Kae!"
"G-go? Wait, what? Where?"
They started pulling her outside, and she shot a half-confused, half-scared look at her fellow ex-criminals, who simply shrugged and left her to deal with the crazy women on her own.
As soon as they got outside, they started dragging her towards the shopping district of Magnolia.
"Wait, guys, why are we going there?" protested the teen. She wasn't struggling, though, knowing Erza could very well force her to come anyway. "What's going on?"
"We've decided to go shopping to get you some new clothes!" beamed the blonde. "And new boots, while we're at it. You left your own back in Edolas, right? And your outfit got pretty torn up too."
"But… that was a week ago? Why go now?"
"Because…" They exchanged a look, then Erza pumped her fist in the air. "We wanted to! It has been a long while since we last went out together, has it not?"
"… fair enough, I guess. What did you have in mind?"
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Erik didn't know whether to laugh or cry when Kaelys crawled back into the house.
"Save… save me…"
Laugh. Definitely laugh.
So he did.
"Still alive, Loudmouth?" he snickered.
"Not… for much longer…" she groaned, somehow reaching the couch. She pulled herself up, before falling onto her back. "I wanna die…"
"Come on, it can't have been that bad," he rolled his eyes, muffling another snort.
She glared at him, and he looked back into her memories… only to pull away half-a-second later, face going pale.
He wasn't laughing anymore.
"Nevermind."
"Why me…"
Lucy entered at that moment, numerous shopping bags in hands. She was smiling, though it was a little strained. She dropped the bags and flopped down next to the teen.
"Too… many sparkles…" Her smile twitched violently.
Macbeth entered the living room. He sat down, obviously about to take a nap, when he noticed the traumatized expressions of his roommates.
"… do I want to ask?"
"Please don't," the Poison Dragon Slayer shuddered.
"Anyway…" Kaelys then straightened. "Why don't we go to the Guild? Surely the others-"
"NO!"
She blinked at the sudden vehemence, startled that the three of them had even reacted that way. Hell, the three of them!
"… okay?"
"I-I mean… we've go a lot to do here!" Lucy assured. "We have to… cook! Right! And we have to… clean…?"
"But we've been banned from the kitchen," the teen gestured to herself and the other two, growing even more confused. "And the house is as clean as it can be."
The blonde shot a look at Erik.
Help me!
"Beth… wanted to teach you!" he then announced. He had no idea what he was saying, but too late to back out now. "Err… how to... meditate?"
Instantly, the teen smiled and turned to the black-haired boy, who had shot a glare his friend's way, though it went unnoticed by Kaelys.
"Really?"
"… Aa." What else could he say?
"Great! It ought to help me with control, right? Let's get to it, come on!"
As she jumped back to her feet, all tiredness forgotten. Macbeth glared at Erik again.
You so owe me for this.
Lucy simply shooed him out. As soon as they were gone, the Celestial mage let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding.
"Damn, that was too close."
"You're an awful liar, Sunshine," snorted the maroon-haired man.
"It's not such a bad thing," she huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.
"No." To her great surprised, he agreed. "No, it isn't. Now, why don't you call the demon barmaid to see if they're done? Beth will win us a forty minutes, at top."
"Right. And her name's Mirajane. When will you start using everyone's name, mine included?"
"Never."
"Urgh, that's what I thought you'd say." But she was smiling as she dialed Mirajane's number on her Lacrima.
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"So… what exactly is going on?"
Kaelys had been forced to change into one of the new outfits by Lucy. She no longer wore sleeves or bandages to hide the scars on her arms, and she had found new boots that reached the middle of her tights. She even had a really cool belt to which she would be able to attach a new weapon that she'd find later!
And now, they were heading for the Guild, something they had refused to do earlier.
"You said you wanted to go, right?" replied Erik, arms crossed behind his head. "Just stop asking question already, Loudmouth."
"But you guys are confusing me!" she whined.
"Deal with it."
"Asshole."
"Dwarf."
"I am not!" She gasped.
"You're smaller than me."
"Everyone is smaller than you!"
"Not Elfman," mused Lucy. "Or Gildarts. Or Gajeel, and-"
"Which side are you on, Lucy-nee?" She was pouting now.
The blonde simply whistled, looking away. After a moment, Kaelys snorted, giving up. Soon enough, they reached the Guild. Instantly, the teen was put on edge by the distinct lack of noise. No cheers, no small talk, no screams.
Silence was never a good thing when it came to Fairy Tail.
"Guys…"
"Don't worry, Loudmouth. Just get inside already."
She shot a worried look at Erik, but gave in. If the Sound mage said it was safe, then she trusted him. So, gulping a little, she slowly pushed the door open. Inside, everything was dark. Hesitantly stepping in, she was about to run back outside when the lights were suddenly turned on, blinding her a little.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KAELYS!"
Her jaw dropped at the sight. Everyone was gathered in the middle of the Guild, a gigantic banner hanging in the air.
HAPPY FIFTEENTH BIRTHDAY KAELYS!
"I… what…?"
Confetti was falling down from the ceiling, all her guildmates were laughing and cheering at her flabbergasted expression, and she truly didn't know how to react. The Master then stepped forward, a gentle smile on his lips.
"You've been with us for a few months only, but you have gone a very long way since then, my child," he remarked. "We're all very proud of you and your efforts, and we are happy to celebrate this important day with you."
"But… how did you even know…?" Herself had completely forgotten about it. When was the last time she actually celebrated her birthday?
"I told them," Erik shrugged, coming in along with Lucy and Macbeth. "We didn't do anything for when you turned fourteen, so I thought out of the very goodnesss of my heart that we might as well-"
"That and I forced him to tell me," chirped the blonde, slinging an arm around his shoulders.
The Poison Dragon Slayer simply whacked her behind the head.
"I…" Kaelys turned back to the rest of her friends, her heart thundering painfully under all of the emotion. "Thank you…"
"No need to thank us, Kae!" then cackled Cana, a barrel already in her arms. "Fairy Tail is always ready to celebrate!"
"YEAH!"
"Let's get this party started!"
"YEAH!"
And as the alcohol flowed, and music flood the air, and a fight somehow broke out, Kaelys couldn't stop smiling. It hurt her face, but she just couldn't stop.
"That's why you've been stalling, isn't it?" she then realized. "Why we trained for so long, and went shopping, and Macbeth helped me meditate…"
"Yup! Sorry for hiding it, we really wanted to surprise you," chuckled Lucy.
Without a warning, Kaelys hugged her tightly. Startled, the blonde then hugged back with as much strength.
"Thank you. It really means a lot to me."
"Well, what's family for?"
Kaelys's smile only widened, if possible.
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Kaelys was very happy when they got home. The party had been very… Fairy Tail-ish, the food had been good –Erza had chosen the cake-, and the teen had had a lot of fun talking a little while with everyone. All the stress and trouble of the past had seemed to vanish, the burden on her shoulders lessening.
She felt light on her feet, almost as if she was flying.
"Err, Kae? Why are you floating?"
Oh, wait. She was.
Offering a sheepish smile to the blonde, the teen quickly brought her feet back to the ground. Erik simply snorted, while Macbeth shook his head with a slight quirk of his lips.
"I take it you enjoyed yourself?"
"It was the best party ever!" assured the girl with energy. "I don't think I ever had a party like that, to be honest. Last time I celebrated my birthday, it was with my mother, so…" She smiled a little at the memory, but quickly pushed it aside. "I really had fun. I completely forgot about it, to be honest. Kind of weird to believe I've been here for a little more than two years, now."
"Understandable. But why are you talking as if it's over already?"
"It's not?"
"Of course not!"
All four wizards jumped at the sudden appearance of a grinning Corvus. He latched himself around the teen's neck.
"Happy birthday, Kae~"
"Aw, thanks!" she grinned back.
"You've got to stop popping up like that," grunted Erik.
"Though he's right," pointed out Lucy. "It's not over yet. We've still got the presents!"
"Presents? You've gotten me presents?" Her eye glinted happily.
"Of course! We didn't want to give them when everyone else was there, 'cause then we would never have seen the end of it," the blonde explained.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go, let's go!"
The Celestial mage and her Spirit laughed, while Macbeth smiled a little and Erik rolled his eyes, still too cool for actual emotional displays.
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Kaelys let her eyes linger on the stars above her head. The sky was dark, a few last rays still piercing the horizon and turning it to a deep blue. The air was warm, not a breeze to be heard, and the teen simply felt at peace.
She glanced at the gifts she had received.
Lucy had given her a book. Kaelys had been surprised, recognizing it as the blonde's, and had instantly refused. After all, she knew very well that Lucy had promised Levy she would be the first to read it. However, the Celestial mage had simply laughed, telling her she had been working on another one since she joined and it was for her to read first.
Macbeth and Erik had both been utter morons. The Reflector mage went to sleep as soon as he gave her her gift, and the Dragon Slayer simply threw it at her head and threatened to strangle her if she teased him about it. Wisely keeping her mouth shut, she had be elated to find a music Lacrima and headphones from the black-haired mage, and a special dagger from the other asshole. The inside was filled with a paralyzing poison he had developed, which would allow her to incapacitate any enemy in a matter of minutes without killing them.
'Those are the weirdest gifts ever. Last time I was around, girls liked flowers and petty things like that'
"Why would I want a flower if it is destined to wither?" Kaelys shrugged. "Where were you anyway? You've been awfully quiet the whole day, I was starting to hope you actually died of boredom."
'Ah, ah. Would it be hard to believe I just felt like being incredibly nice today?'
"Oh?"
'I chose to keep quiet the whole day because it was oh-so-special for you. Take it as my birthday present. You're welcome.'
"… I think I like you better when you're being mean."
'Tche. Ungrateful brat'
"But… thank you. I really appreciate it."
'Don't you start making a big deal out of it or anything! I'm still going to kill you when the time comes!'
"Hate you too, Shiro, hate you too."
'S-Shiro? When the fuck did I allow you to give me a nickname!?'
She snorted. "As if I need your permission for anything. You know, it was a one-time thing but, seeing how you like it so much, well… I guess I can make it permanent. Don't you agree, Shiro?"
'Goddamn bitch…'
She laughed a little, before reporting her eyes to the stars.
Someone sat next to her.
"Had a nice time?"
"Hmm. I forgot how it felt to celebrate a birthday with a family." She tilted her head at Corvus. "Wanted to be out a little longer?"
"Actually…"
He handed her a little box. Surprised, she took it.
"A gift?"
"Open it, open it!"
Raising an eyebrow, she obeyed nowadays, and her eyes widened when she saw what was inside. Gently, she pulled out the eyepatch. It was black, with silver and gold linings entwined on the sides and the strings. There was also a red gem hanging to a golden chain just where the strings parted, like an earring.
"Corvus…"
"I-I didn't really know what to get you but I really wanted to get you something because you know, you turned fifteen and whatnot, and then I learned that you lost the one Lucy got for you back in Edolas and I know that you don't want people to see your eye so I thought 'why not?' and-"
The black-haired teen slapped her hand over his mouth. He instantly shut up, a light blush creeping on his cheeks.
Then, she smiled at him. "I love it. I couldn't find any that I liked so I postponed finding one, though I guess that's a good thing."
He averted his eyes as she pulled her hand away. "Err, well, I'm glad you like it…"
Grinning, she leaned in and pecked him on the cheek. "Thank you."
There was a moment of stillness. Then, his face turned to a beat red, and he disappeared in a flash of light and sparkles.
Kaelys blinked. "What…?"
'Poor kid'
"Uh? Mustn't have been feeling well…" she mused. Then, she glanced back to the eyepatch in her hand.
Smiling again, she laid down onto the roof to let her gaze wander on the dark sky, the Spirit's gift held against her heart.
For some reason, it was beating really fast, all of sudden.
My little, sweet, precious baby is now fifteen! *cries anime tears* They grow up so fast... Anyhow, I thought it'd be weird if she stayed the same age all along and, well, it never really was said when her birthday was, right? Anyhow, again, a few many things happened: they're back, there's partying, the key Lucy got is actually Phoenix -with whom she still can't form a contract-, Kaelys celebrated her birthday and, well, for those who haven't noticed yet... Kaelys is changing. For the better or the worst, it as yet to be decided, of course.
PS: I love Corvus and Kaelys SOOO much. I've got a few plans in mind for those two, too. By curiosity, is there anyone out there shipping them? 'Cause I kind of do ;-)
Also, for the one who call themself The Observer:
Thank you for reviewing, first and foremost.
Second, concerning Team Natsu's name... well, no spoiler or anything, but I don't think I'll keep the team around much longer anyway. Because, let's be honest here: Team Natsu is a goddamn danger for society, and I still can't understand why Makarov didn't disband them. So yeah, I never put much thoughts into the name, seeing as I always knew I wouldn't keep it. And also, while I thank you for offering the option of a name, I don't intend to take an idea that isn't my own. Team Valiant sounds great and all, but that's from another fic and as such, I'll respect the original writer as much as I'll respect myself: I must be the one to think of the name, or else what would the point be? Anyway, that's kind of my pride talking, don't let it bother you. Also, concerning the 10% thingie... well, I think I explained it before -or maybe it was in an answer to a review of the same kind?- but I KNOW it's not true. However, I enjoy using urban myths. I mean, they're not around to look pretty, right? Take Alexandria's Genesis, for example, another of the genetical illnesses Kaelys suffers from. I won't expand on the details, but I'd suggest you go take a look at the symptoms for yourself. You'll say 'WHAT? NO WAY!' and I can assure you, IT DOESN'T EXIST! But since no one ever used it -not to my knowledge, at least- I decided I would exploit it. That's all there is to it, really.
Finally, I'm glad you enjoy the burning kitchen running gag. Don't worry, it'll be back ;-)
...
All in all, though, I thank EVERYONE here for reviewing and reading my story. It really, truly means a lot to me, more than you might imagine. And also, if you ever have suggestions concerning little moments between characters, or general ideas of something happening during one of the Arcs, feel free to share! I'm not saying I'll actually use them -after all, I do have plans-, but who knows what the future reserves for us?
Anyway, thank you all, and I'll see you next chapter!