Disclaimer: I do not own Hiro Mashima's Fairy Tail, any work professionally associated with it nor any pop culture or classical references. All original plots and characters are mine.
In a land far, far away lies the kingdom of Fiore, a small, peaceful nation of 17 million, and a place filled with Magic found in every home, bought and sold in every marketplace. For most, Magic is merely a tool, a mundane part of everyday life. For some, however, Magic is an art, and they've devoted their lives to its practice. These are the wizards. Banded together into magical guilds, they ply their skills in search of fame and fortune. Many such guilds dot the landscape of Fiore. But there is a certain guild in a certain town that soars high above the rest, one from which countless legends have been born. A guild that will no doubt continue to create legends well into the future. Its name...is Fairy Tail.
LAST TIME, on Fairy Adventure, after an interrupted battle between Invel and Gary, we finally got a moment to breathe. We learned more about Tesla's confrontation with Jaxton on New Year's Day, but things got twisted when a new player named Mason joined the game. Hmmm… Something about him is familiar… Anyway, Gale got to know Kang and Wolf and get some advice while Spencer got a little present from Veronika with him on base. Ezra's college received a new DNA Map, but Ezra might be onto something that the map looks a little close to home. Poor Silver had another dream and a nightmare, but it's thanks to Ena that he can talk about them…even if she doesn't realize her effect on him! Gajeel, Levy, and Pantherlily are on their way back to Gale and Levy is more certain than ever Gale's secrets weren't just to protect himself but to protect her as well. Dante and Jaxton both have some odd events in their respective homes with Dante shockingly calming down Carlisle from a nightmare and Jaxton's sister Weiwei showing up (and possibly making her fiancé panic). With some encouragement from Tesla, Nashi and Gary have a time to talk about their routes in the future and thankfully there are on the same page. But with Gary aware of Veleda's warning of a war coming, can this peace last forever? Apparently not when our team of heroes gets an unwelcomed guest.
"If you don't mind, let go of my fiancé…Morningstar."
And here we thought Naseer was a good guy! Um, Ena, did you not notice you were pants-less and on top of Silver or…?
Chibi-Nashi appears. "Hi, guys! Ready for some more Fairy Adventure! Author-san wanted to refresh your memory about time zones, so here you are!"
Abbreviations – Time Zone Name • — • — •— • — Location • — Offset
MCDT • — • — Melandian Central Daylight Time – Melandia • — • UTC +7
CMT • — • — • – Charring Mean Time • — • — • — Minstrel • — • – UTC +1
FST • — • — • – Fiore Standard Time • — • — • — • Fiore • — • — UTC 0:00
ADT • — • — • – Alvarez Daylight Time • — • — • – Alvarez • — • — UTC - 2
AT • — • — • – Amazone Time • — • — • — • — • — Valchestria • — UTC – 4
EST • — • — • – Eastern Standard Time • — • — • – Meidiland • — • UTC - 6
"Make sure when you're reading on the screen, you have on some low lighting to protect your eyes!" Chibi-Nashi waves. "See you at the end of the episode!"
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Royal Library
Spriggan Castle
Vistarion
Alvarez, Alakitasia
8:34 AM ADT
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
The private tutoring chamber had Mariem and Salma at the helm. It looked like today's education would be on a more thorough look on the countries Alvarez had absorbed and how such conflicting ideals, monetary systems, and what did not result in a civil war but in districts. Luna had once again been put in royal colors with a veil to hide her nose and mouth and played the perfect student as she listened to every word spoken. But inwardly, she could not help that nagging fear in the back of her mind.
I keep thinking Hemlock will show up if I ask too many questions. Mister Naseer promised Hemlock wouldn't ever be near me again, but that doesn't mean any of us can trust him. She glanced over to the side of the room where Tesla was. She had been dressed in sandaled heels, high-waisted balloon tapered pants, and a tucked-in blouse, but her outfit had allowed both comfortability and flexibility. She had taken up a bay window to read a book in Zhōnguánese. But he was really cautious around Miss Tesla. I'm sure it's because of her powers. Mister Kyler told me she's the only one on Earth Land with her abilities. I'm sure they didn't want to find out what she can do.
Luna sighed—
"Are you well, Your Highness?"
Luna did not need to fake a smile towards the worried Mariem and Salma, but she was grateful her veil blurred the quality of her smile. "I'm fine," she assured. "I'm sorry. I went to bed late since Nashi went to bed late."
"That was my fault," Tesla drawled as she turned the page in her book. "She asked to stay up a little longer and I just can't resist that adorable girl and those big eyes."
Mariem crossed her arms and sniffed, "As Her Highness' appointed overseer, I should hope you are disciplined with Her Highness and care about her physical and mental wellbeing as Lord Hemlock did."
"Her Highness is very precious to the people," Salma forewarned. "She should be looked after with utmost care."
Luna's hands dug into the skirt of her dress and she aimed a pinched expression to her lap. That's right. Miss Tesla practically assigned herself to be at my side. Mister Naseer was okay with it, but… She pressed her lips together to keep them from trembling.
Tesla's eyes flashed at Hemlock's name. "I think Her Highness has found my approach to her apparent fragile and delicate state a lot gentler and more appreciated than whatever the Hell Hemlock did."
"Lady Tesla," Mariem reprimanded, "you should not speak ill-words in front of Her Highness or any parties of the royal family. They deserve eloquence and not crass language."
Tesla raised an eyebrow and brushed some of her braids over her shoulder. "Diré lo que joder quiero a varias lenguas." She feigned a cheap smile. "Muchas gracias."
Both women looked miffed at the Sinnish, but they ignored Tesla and went back to the lesson.
Tesla went back to her book, but she thought, Don't worry, girlie. I've got your back.
Thank you, Miss Tesla.
She withheld her smile. I told you, there's no need for the 'miss'. You must've been a secret black child for doing that. I swear it's such a black thing to do to call everyone 'miss' or 'mister'. She smiled when she felt Luna's suppressed amusement.
Don't worry about Miss Salma and Miss Mariem. They really are nice, it's just…
Tesla sighed. I'll tone it down, she promised.
Thank you. A beat. What did you say to them, by the way?
Nothing you should repeat. Tesla went to the next page. But when we get back to Fiore, I can teach you some fun Sinnish swearwords my mom didn't mean to teach me. Don't tell your parents where you got them from.
Okay. I'd like that. Mama can't get mad at me if she doesn't know what I'm saying.
Exactly. Good girl. Tesla felt Luna withdraw and her eyes fell to the window. The chamber had an apt view of the gardens of Spriggan Castle and she watched the landscapers, Spiritless and magical alike, work hard on the finishing preparations. I never thought I'd be sitting in a castle, watching over the future princess of a nation, and wearing Alakitasian fashion, but here I am. She sighed and thumbed her book. As much as we'd all like to go home, with so many people in this castle innocent hostages, we don't have a choice. And we run the risk of sparking a political war when we're not trying to start something that grand of a scale.
She rested part of her head on the glass. Invel and Mason… I can't for the life of me figure out why Invel's voice is familiar. But Mason is a whole 'nother story.
"I could kill your father for you. I'll do whatever it is you ask of me as long as you promise to kill me once you're done with me."
Steely grays hardened. The words of a self-destructive psychopath, she snorted. But he did remind me of one thing. My sperm donor gets released today… A hard inhale and exhale. I need to focus on one thing at a time. Invel, Mason, my sperm donor—they can wait until we're home. As of now…
Her eyes narrowed when two people and the royal guard came out to the gardens. A long kurta shirt dressed in the royal color of gold and combined with blue and his pants that same blue, Naseer strode side-by-side with Her Majesty in her royal black-and-gold dress and veil. A parasol from one of the lady's maids cloaked her from the sun and the guards paired off to watch over their stroll from a respectful distance. The workers noticed they were in the presence of royalty and stopped to gather, bear their fists over the opposing shoulder, and bow to Her Majesty.
…we have bigger problems.
°•°•°•°
Naseer steered Her Majesty over to a private section of the garden with a gazebo set up for them. The guards hung back and the lady's maids even knew their place to allow Naseer and Her Majesty time alone. He took control of the parasol instead as he escorted Her Majesty to the gazebo and closed the parasol once they were inside. He settled them next to each on the bench after he placed his scarf down for her to sit upon.
He noted how tense Her Majesty looked when his arm loosely was behind her shoulders. "Come now, Your Majesty," he murmured, "we have to put on a show like we agreed." His hand came up to caress Her Majesty's cheek. "Allow me to see those beautiful eyes of yours, Your Majesty." He turned her head.
Hate-filled hickory clashed with darkness.
"Still upset with me, I see," Naseer sighed. "You'll grow comfortable with me in time. Maybe enough for me to see your smile."
"I don't smile pretty for deranged Warlocks," Nashi snarled lowly. "You are way out of line and here I thought I could respect you enough to be the Emperor of Alvarez. You never cared about your people. You cared about power."
Naseer raised an eyebrow. "Is that not the same thing?" he questioned. "To care for my people, I have to have power. But you wouldn't know the struggles of making hard decisions for the greater cause since you were born into power."
Nashi did not take the bait. "I agreed to play along," she reminded him, "but I'll only play along with your games for so long. What the Hell do you want? Me? Then just take me. Leave my family and Tesla out of this—"
"You consider Morningstar your family? Interesting." Naseer shifted. "Tell me, Your Majesty. Did you really expect to leave Alvarez so easily? Ride off into the sunset with your precious Devilman and leave your people to suffer?"
"Well, considering that was the original plan between you and me," Nashi hissed back. "I should've known better. All of this was an act. You hating Invel, hating Hemlock, hating your worthless papa—just an act to make me think I could trust you and I was stupid to do so."
Naseer dug out his pocket watch from his breast pocket to check the time, but Nashi knew why he deliberately showed her the sigil etched into the metal. It was a reminder of who was truly in charge. "On the contrary, Your Majesty, I do hate Hemlock for the actions against Her Highness. I don't condone child predation and Her Highness is fragile enough. If you'd like"—he shut the pocket watch—"we can have Hemlock killed for his crimes against her. Would you prefer him hanged or gutted?"
"What?" Nashi looked sickened at the thought. "N-N-No! You can't just kill him—!"
"Why not?"
Nashi gaped at such a simple question. "'Why not'? Because we don't willingly murder people, Naseer—"
"Even when they caused irreparable damage to others?" Naseer leaned close to Nashi and did not let her answer as he whispered, sweet and low, "You have no idea what Hemlock did to your sister to contain her. But from what Priest reported…Hemlock has tasted Her Highness."
Hickory widened and disgust rolled in Nashi's stomach.
"Interpret that as you will, but you and I both understand what that means," Naseer continued. "And Her Highness will have to live with those memories for the rest of her life. Her thoughts on intimacy and touch—all of it has been ruined by one man who preyed upon her weakness." He leaned closer to whisper in Nashi's ear, "Protecting you."
Nashi thickly swallowed. No… She would have told me— But her thoughts stopped when she remembered dinner between the three of them, Luna's shaking, the cusp of a breakdown. Luna… Oh god, please tell me he didn't…
"We can make sure that monster never touches her or another child again," Naseer persuaded in a low rumble. "The monsters you and your Devil have faced—we can put them all to bed if you give the order. You would have absolute control over their safety and protection. No one would ever touch Her Highness again."
The guilt and despair rattled Nashi off her axis and her heart felt like it was at her throat. "And if I refuse?"
"You won't." Naseer leaned back. "I assure you, Your Majesty, you won't."
"You can't strip me from my powers—"
"I think you misunderstand me, Your Majesty," Naseer cut in smoothly. "I have no intentions to harm you or control you in the same way Invel did."
"Then what?" Nashi whispered. "You have nothing to keep me from staying in line."
"Again, you misunderstand me, Your Majesty." Naseer craned his neck down so his nose brushed Nashi's cheek and he ignored her flinch. "As I said before, I have no intention of harming you."
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
You can do anything
Your hands grab even your life
What will you use them for?
You can take my warm hands
If it makes you feel yourself
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
The suite dripped in state regality and wealth. Painted in a series of blues, even the furniture was predominantly a deep-sea sapphire with dark wood and white pillows. Perhaps it was supposed to soothe those who stayed in the suite, especially with the stress-relieving scent that paraded around the room in a subtle aroma. The curtains were closed and were warned not to be opened under any cause. A limited number of staff even knew the room had occupants and attended in lengthy interval shifts.
Kyler had been redressed in a sherwani suit that was colored in a muted blue with gold embroidering and the crest of Alvarez on the left breast. His Staff of Miracles was his acting-crutch and stayed at his side as he sat in an accent chair and sipped on the tea Nashi had made for him before they departed. Gary had a black embroidered collar kurta shalwar suit, hair perpetually in its bedhead state, and he sat near Kyler with cool eyes. The crest of Alvarez was on the shirt, but another symbol was by it as well.
I don't like this, Gary growled to Kyler. We can't leave the room, and Angel, Looney, and Tesla are out there with that bastard.
And our best option was to play along, Kyler reminded. My power has been severely limited. Nashi's tea is helping abate other side effects, but the poison will take its course in the next few days until I can regain enough strength. I'll be used as a hostage if we broke into a fight here.
We're hostages now, Gary rumbled. This entire castle is a hostage to manipulate Angel and Looney and we can't do a damn thing about it. He cast the crest and symbol on his suit an ugly glare. I'm even recognized as Angel's concubine. His hackles rose.
They're trying to get under your skin and you're allowing it to work, Kyler patiently reminded him.
He called her his 'fiancé', Kyler.
Kyler set down his teacup. Yes, I know. I heard. I'm sure the entire affair is a political move. If Nashi married Prince Naseer and granted him the title of prince consort, it will unite both families and keep supporters on both sides. And I'm sure you were preemptively named her concubine as a way to remind her of the control they have over her loved ones.
Invel expected her to have kids, Gary recalled.
Kyler kept his cool. I'm sure he did. I'm sure the council here would expect her and Naseer to have children— He did not look fazed when Gary had to get up to pace. It's the order of things in an empire, Gary. This is pure politics.
Doesn't mean I have to like it, Gary snapped. He ran agitated fingers through his messy strands. I hate that I understand it, though. All the internal intel I received about Alvarez spoke about the brink of a coup d'état. The second the rumor circulated about Zeref having other blood, the people have been lying in wait for the heir to reclaim the throne. Even Ragna was a Zeref-supporter. All of them are clueless about him being the Black Mage.
Kyler shifted in his seat. If that surprises you, then you're not the man I thought.
Gary shook his head. No, it doesn't surprise me.
Good. Kyler closed his eyes. Although, it has me curious about how they expect the union between Nashi and Naseer to go, considering her prowess.
What do you mean?
Zeref lived for centuries and I'm sure the people would expect that same effect to last on his heirs. And that does hold true. Agents aren't immortal, but we live for many centuries. Naseer is mortal. His eyes cracked open. It makes me wonder if they planned for Nashi to continue to remarry during her lifetime or if their magical federation hopes to break off your bond to her and connect her to Naseer to expand his mortality.
What? Gary had to sit with this. Mirella and Pazuzu didn't explain this part to me.
Ah. Then I will. Kyler coughed into his elbow. Any bond crafted between two beings expands their lifetimes to the being with greater power since normally, beings with greater power aren't as affected by time as normal mortals. The average Earth Land Wizard can easily bypass one-hundred to even two-hundred years. As a Devil, you are automatically given slower aging after a certain point of physical maturity. But Nashi's lifetime transcends yours and, now that you two are a bonded pair, you'll continue to live on as she does.
Gary sat back as he let that news sink in. It would make sense why Invel and their federation would want to break my connection to Angel. But I didn't think that was possible.
Only the strongest bonds survive, Kyler informed him. Using her demonic powers, she could attempt to forge a connection to Naseer, but I know it wouldn't stand a chance against her connection to you. However, it is possible for her to be forced into a powerful connection with Naseer.
Cerulean sharpened. How?
Desperation, Kyler answered. In other realms, unsanctioned bonds are forged out of sheer desperation, selfishness, and loneliness. Dragons, Gods, Demons—many have tied innocent beings to them for those reasons. Bael bonded himself to Mirella's mother out of those options.
Which is why he went mad, Gary realized.
Kyler nodded. Breaking a bond can cause a madness few come back from. But bonding to another allows shared power and perverting that connection would mean siphoning power and life energy from one being and into yourself until they are drained dry. If they forced Nashi in her Etherious persona to become desperate enough and Naseer was the only option, she could bind herself to him.
Gary felt matching uncomfortableness from him and Skade at such a notion and he looked at the ground. I was…lonely back then.
"You followed your last orders without even thinking, didn't you?"
His hands clenched to fists. No. I can't listen to a word he says. So then why do I keep remembering them?
"Gary."
Gary looked over to Kyler.
"You blocked yourself from me."
"Oh." Gary ducked his head in apology. "I'm sorry."
Kyler shook his head. "I can't quite sense every emotion that passes through," he admitted, "but I can tell when someone is doubting themselves. What about what I said caused you to doubt yourself?"
Gary sighed. "It's just…" He slouched forward. "I remember when someone had freed me from the Bureau. I didn't really understand loneliness until I had been abandoned again and then…"
"And then Nashi showed up," Kyler softly completed for him.
Gary swallowed and nodded. "I was so lonely, and I just wanted someone, and hearing what you said…" He shook his head. "I know I'm not winning any favors by saying that."
"I disagree."
Gary gave Kyler a confused look.
"I might not condone your…aggressive lust with my little sister," Kyler put with a twinge of his eyebrow and Gary's sheepish look, "but I can say this. I've been around for much longer than you have and I understand loneliness in its most depressive form. I've seen relationships built solely off loneliness. But those relationships felt hollow and shallow. Neither party could be true to themselves, but they convinced themselves otherwise. They worried over trivial things such as equal division of grand romantic gestures and flaunting their status amongst others and staved off much more serious conversations because there wasn't a basis for them."
Kyler appraised Gary. "So tell me, Gary. Do you feel like you and Nashi have been that way? Lack of serious conversation and an emphasis on surface romance?"
"No." Gary's tone came out hushed and small. "But back then… For just a few seconds, I could feel Invel in my head again. And I doubted everything with Angel."
"You've been through a traumatizing situation," Kyler reminded in a soothing tone. "There's no reason to think it won't have lasting effects. But those effects shouldn't deter you from having a relationship. What's important is that you communicate those feelings. And I know Nashi will be receptive to them."
"She already is," Gary confessed. Her words from Arcticados and last night played in his mind and his heart swelled with adoration. "I'm sorry. I'm sure I'm not who you imagined Nashi would be with."
"No, I didn't."
Gary choked. So much for having a bonding moment…
Kyler sighed before smiling. "But Agents can't bond with just anyone," he regarded. "Naming is unheard of with Agents unless it's to their children and bonding to a lover is quite the auspicious but rare event. Just knowing how deep her feelings for you go is enough for me. And seeing how deep your feelings for her is enough too." He picked up his teacup.
"Thank you," Gary appreciated.
"Nashi might be my sister-in-wings because we now share blood, but you're family to me too because the both of you share a bond. There's no need for thanks." Kyler sipped his tea. "That being said, if you plan to continue to seduce my little sister, I'm expecting you intend to marry her in the future." His eyes flashed. "Or am I mistaken?"
Gary hurriedly shook his head. "No, no, no, you're right. I do want to marry Angel in the future." He scratched his cheek as he chuckled, "I actually wish she could move in with me. After spending time together in Arcticados, it felt…nice with us always together."
"I see." Kyler's fingers tightened on the handle. "You plan to seduce my sister into staying in your bed before you're married?"
"Yeah, I…" Gary froze when he realized what Kyler had said. "No! No, that's not it at all!" he tried to amend. "I just wanted Angel to—!"
"You wanted to use my sister to your sinful ways; is that it?" Kyler growled darkly. "You planned to keep her in your home to adhere to whatever lustful thoughts you had?"
"N-N-No!" Gary cried. "I would never!"
"Then why the push for her to move into your home?" Kyler demanded to know.
"I d-don't know—"
"You don't know why you want to move my sister into your home?" Kyler challenged. He grabbed the Staff of Miracles and grunted as he pushed himself to get to his feet. "I should purify you right now—Nnngh." He winced and rubbed his injured side.
Gary looked eager as he tried to assist Kyler. "Here, let me help—" He rubbed his wrist when Kyler slapped him away.
"I don't need your help," Kyler grunted, irked. "I'm not that old."
"Well, you are…" Gary swallowed at the dark look Kyler gave him and weakly praised, "But you look very good for your age—"
"Gary?"
"Yes?"
"There is a time to keep talking and a time to sit and be silent."
Gary sat, pouting.
Kyler grunted as he shuffled away with the Staff of Miracles as his walking stick. "Why did she have to choose a clumsy Devil?" he muttered to himself. "I could have introduced her to phoenixes who could match her power, and she chose to bond to this boy."
"I-I can hear you—"
"Silence."
Sulking, Gary drew absent circles into the upholstery and waited until Kyler locked himself in the suite's bathroom to mumble, "Well, I could."
KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK.
Gary perked. Angel? He hurried over to the door. I need her to protect me if Kyler decides he's had enough of me. But he slowed when he could not feel Nashi close and his brow furrowed. The energy outside the door… Carefully, he opened one of the dual doors and peered outside. "Can I help you?"
"I've been meaning to meet the concubine of Her Majesty since I was told of your arrival. Of the Council of Elders Three, I am Mozah." She was armed with grave eyes. "I think you and I need to have a talk."
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Fairy Adventure 078
•
The Choice
•
私たちは皆、選択の余地があります！私たちが愛する人を守るために、私たちはしなければならないことをします
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Fernandes Household
Magnolia Town
Fiore, Ishgar
10:47 AM FST
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
What is his problem?
Suffice to say, Ena was starting to get annoyed.
Right now, she was in a strategy meeting with marketing and was listening to the daily back and forth of two of her exuberant analysts as they bickered over the photos Jasper had edited and emailed over. Normally, Ena would listen, amused, and let them have their fun until the other analyst would tiredly interject a workable compromise, but she could not because something was wrong.
Specifically, something was wrong with Silver.
And it was annoying her.
Ena glanced over at him as he watched the verbal ping pong, entertained, but the second he looked over at her—
There it is again.
Ena's brow furrowed and her frown deepened when Silver quickly looked away, cheeks red, and fiddled with the drawstrings of his sweats. He buried his nose in his hoodie, but he kept his eyes pointedly on the stream. What's going on with him? Ena groused. I wake up this morning and he hands me breakfast in bed, but he looked red and he could barely look at me…but when I asked him if he poisoned it, he got offended. And when I touched him, he looked so startled. I even tried to be nice and said we could stay in our pajamas, but he looked like I was threatening him.
Ena sighed and looked back at the screen. Is he sick? Maybe he's sick. He has been getting flushed lately. She held her chin with her thumb and pointer as she thought more about it. And he gets sweaty. Should I suggest he take the weekend to rest? Hmmm…
I'm an idiot. Silver tried hard to look at the online meeting and had to thank god the meeting was recorded so he did not have to take notes. The two going at it were speaking in tongues at this point. He risked a look over at Ena to see her deep in thought. She must be thinking about work. Mayan blues sparkled. She's so dedicated—it's amazing watching her work. He looked down at his tablet to see his reflection. I hope I can be as amazing as her one day.
"You'll continue to improve at your own pace. I've seen you improve in just a month and I look forward to seeing how else you can improve."
I'll improve. I'll get better and stronger and work hard. And maybe one day…I can proudly say I'm her assistant. Silver glanced over at Ena to see her blatantly staring at him and he was mortified. But not today! "Were you saying something?"
"No." Ena peered closer at him. "You're just acting…"
Silver swallowed. "I-I-I'm acting…?"
Ena shook her head. "Never mind." She turned her focus back to the screen.
Silver sighed, reprieved. I don't know if I should be grateful she's not pushing me or I shouldn't be. He unlocked his tablet. Still, I'm grateful she let me talk to her last night about what happened in Margaret Town. I should give her the Rainbow Rose, but… He closed his eyes and crossed his arms. No, if I just gave it to her now, it'd seem weird. And she'd probably think I do it for all of my friends. But I want to show her I'm really grateful to her. What should I do? When should I give it to her?
Ena glanced over and blinked in surprise to see Silver so serious. Relief filled her. Oh, it looks like he's feeling better. She turned back to the screen, elated. I was worried for nothing. He's just a weird one. How Paige puts up with it is beyond me. I'm lucky I don't have to deal with that.
"I got it! Do it Heart's Day!"
Silver belatedly realized he was talking aloud.
The analysts on the video chat and Ena were looking at him in confusion.
He froze. I… I screwed up.
"Thank you, Silver!" one of the analysts suddenly shouted. "I told you Heart's Day would be a goldmine—!"
"But we already have everything set in stone!" the other argued. "Make it make sense why we would scrap our idea with Heart's Day two weeks away, Agnes! Make it make sense!"
Silver, still horrified, covered his mouth with his hands. I…said that out loud… Crap… Why did I do that? His ear twitched when he heard a small laugh.
"My, you are a strange one." Ena could not smother her smile. "But might I suggest not interfering with their creative debate," she teased him. "Picking a side could be a death sentence for you by one of them, and you'll be bombarded with messages by another."
"O-Oh… Okay, sure," Silver spoke, dazed. I made her laugh again. And she smiled at me. His hands fisted the material over his heart as he looked down at his tablet. This is too good to be true. What next?
"Silver, ah…!"
Silver's eyes widened when his nose tingle. Oh, no. Don't think about that. Be respectful. It was easy to say, but it was hard to do when he kept remembering last night. His face turned an alarming shade of red, and his Magic simmered. Crap, crap, crap, I need to get out of here. I don't want her to see!
Ena looked up when Silver abruptly stood, and her brow furrowed again seeing him terribly red and sweaty. "Something wrong?" she worried.
"I have to go to the bathroom!" Silver bowed to her. "Excuse me!" And he scurried away.
Ena watched him go, perplexed. Something is really wrong with him. She hummed as she thought more about it. Maybe he really is sick. Should I confront him about it? He talks around the issue when I try to confront him. But I don't like subtly. She huffed. I don't understand how this works. When L isn't feeling well, I can call her out on it. But Silver is just so…odd. How am I supposed to handle him?
An idea came to her.
°•°•°•°
Bathroom door closed, Silver sank down against it and onto the floor and could feel his Magic simmering beneath his skin. He let out a loud sigh. I'm gross. I'm grosser than gross. I'm disgusting. He drew up his knees to his chest and buried his nose in his sweatshirt. I've never felt so dirty. I've never even felt like this before.
The realization hit him.
I really haven't…felt like this before, he thought. I never felt like this with Paige. But then Ena…
Flowing red hair.
Toned legs.
A shirt riding up—
Silver viciously shook away the images. No, no, I shouldn't think of her like that! He closed his eyes and exhaled. It's not like I haven't seen half-naked girls before. When the swim team meets up in the summer, the girls wear bikinis and stuff. But I guess I was so focused on Paige, I never really thought about that stuff and now…I…
"Right…there…"
He covered his face as steam poured out of his ears. I'm a mess, he lamented. I need Lulu. His eyes peeked from his hands, flat. No, I don't. She'd probably hype me up about this and tease me. Or even worse… She might tell me I'm gross.
He could see Chibi-Luna with a Zhōnguánese fan over her mouth, laughing at his misfortunate. "You sick person, how dare you talk about my beloved E that way," Chibi-Luna admonished in a surprising Perench accent. "You need Jesus. No, you need God."
Silver's shoulders sagged as he rested his chin on his knees. I don't know what's wrong with me anymore. Ever since Margaret Town, I've been feeling all…weird. I got angry at those stupid assholes in New Rosemary and one of the swimmers on JV, but they were just talking horribly about Ena. And they don't even know her. But… I never get angry like that before. And those dreams…
A blue sea filled with lights and buildings and a temple with a tribal symbol.
What does it mean? Silver wondered. Are my dreams connected to whatever that lady did to me and why I feel so weird? I want to ask Mom and Dad, but…I don't know. He closed his eyes again. I just want to feel normal again. He inhaled through his nose—
A calming scent hit him.
That scent… Silver's nostrils flared. It smells…warm…and…and nice… He could not help it when his body moved and he kept sniffing. It's relaxing… It smells sort of like…rosemary and almost…happy, kind of… His nose hit material and he took a deep inhale. Within seconds, his body felt at peace. It smells so good. Like everything I was worried about…I don't have to anymore… He took another deep sniff. What am I smelling anyway?
His eyes opened.
His next breath caught.
A towel.
He was smelling a towel.
He stumbled back until he hit the wall, flustered and traumatized. I'm a pervert! A dirty pervert! he cried. He covered his nose as his breathing became sporadic and panicky. Calm down. Maybe… Maybe that was just a regular towel, and it was just washed.
Let it be known, a hand towel was delicately folded by the sink and the bath towel Silver had smelled was crinkled as it hung on a hook.
So truth be told…
…the towel was not just washed.
A dreary and shameful aura drenched over Silver. "I really am dirty," he mumbled. I can't even go to my parents on this one. Mom would probably tell me about all the stuff she stole from Dad when they were teenagers, and then Dad would think it's sweet. Julia would just judge me or make fun of me. And Gary…
"Look, Silver, look! Angel left her shirt here, and it's mine now!" Chibi-Gary looked so pleased as he hugged the shirt. "Isn't this amazing? Angel smells so wonderful!"
"Juvia's Beloved Gary did so well!" Chibi-Juvia cooed. "Juvia remembers when she first got her Beloved Gray's shirt to keep in bed with her so she could sleep at night! Juvia is so proud of Juvia's Beloved Gary!"
Silver's eyebrow twitched. Is that how I used to sound? If I stole something from Ena just because it smelled like her, she'd probably turn me into a dog or something. He could just imagine it.
There he was as a muzzled Samoyed with Ena looming over him, one eye shadowed and the other one an evil glow of red, as she smacked a riding crop in her hand. "If you want to act like a disgusting dog, then you can be one for the rest of your life," she threatened. "And I'll make sure you get fixed."
Silver grimaced as he got up and held his nose. Something is wrong with me. I don't think there are enough Goggle search results for this. His eyes strayed back to the towel longingly. Still…she smells nice… He violently shook his head and straightened his sweatshirt. No. I'm not going to be creepy or dirty. She deserves better than that, and I don't want to die. If she found out I was just randomly sniffing her stuff… He shivered. I don't want to think about it.
He reached for the handle, but he glanced at the towel. But… How would she find out? He felt shame burning his ears as he gravitated back to the towel. He glanced at the door once. Just…one more time. I'm not a creep. I'm not a pervert. He lifted the towel to his nose and took a deep smell and a soft blush bathed over his cheeks. She must have used soap with coconut, I think. And maybe…mango… But her natural scent is still there. It's…nice… His eyes closed—
KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK.
"Silver?"
The noise Silver made sounded like a honking goose when he fell over, heart-pounding, eyes wild. Oh my god, she knows! She's going to kill me for being creepy, I knew it! Karma really hates me! "Y-Y-Yes?"
"I have to make a call, so I'll be in the kitchen. Whenever you're ready, you can go back to the meeting. It'll take a while until they've argued it out."
"O-O-Okay! Thanks!"
Footsteps padded away.
Silver huddled in the corner furthest away from the towel, knees drawn up, eyes hollow with horror. I'm a pervert. I'm a creepy pervert. I'm a terror on women. I should be arrested. She's going to turn me into a dog for this. Why did I have to inherit this amount of crazy? How am I going to face her after this? I just need time to calm down. This will go away. His eyes shot to the towel, and he growled, "I won't let you tempt me again. I'm not a pervert."
And the towel did not respond, for it was a towel.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
And then…
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Silver peeked out from the door and let out a silent breath of relief Ena was not in the hallway. Coast is clear. He stepped out and padded down his sweatshirt when his ear twitched.
"…I just don't know what to do."
Curious, Silver drifted down the hallway.
A sigh. "He's just acting like…he can't even be around me."
Is she talking about me? Silver crept into the living room and stayed by the entrance to the kitchen, pressed against the wall.
"Yes, it's obvious he's lying when he says he's okay," Ena huffed. "He can't lie to save his life. Of course I'd know when he's lying."
Silver sweatdropped. Should I be happy she's that confident so she doesn't know I've been lying? He sighed. Probably. If she knew I really was lying to her, I don't even want to imagine the consequences. He frowned. But I wonder who she's talking to…
"And you said he's turning red?"
Silver's eyes widened. She's talking to Master? Wait… How can I…?
"Red and sweaty," Ena answered.
"So I see," Erza murmured in thought. "And he's been blurting things out at random and stumbling over his words?"
"Yes."
Silver felt like lightning struck. She noticed?!
Erza hummed. "Can you tell me again what happened this morning?"
"He brought me breakfast in bed," Ena relayed, "but he looked all flushed and a little sweaty. He couldn't even stay close to me. And he wouldn't look me in the eye."
Silver wanted to smack his forehead. I couldn't stop thinking about last night and when you got up, I didn't want to accidentally look at you in the wrong way. But you ate crisscrossed, and I didn't want to see anything I shouldn't have seen.
"And the other night, he was acting strange when we had dinner together, Mom," Ena told her. "He was all red, and he sounded a little out of breath."
I was nervous, Silver remembered. I was excited about having dinner with you, but I was so nervous if I couldn't make our conversation interesting, you'd wish Jasper had come with us or you'd want to leave….
"And just today, he was looking strange, so I asked him what's wrong and he suddenly had to go to the bathroom."
Silver's shoulders drooped. Because I was thinking things about you I shouldn't be, and if I stayed around you, I'd explode.
Ena sounded frustrated as she muttered, "I don't know what to do. Is he uncomfortable around me? Does he really think I'm that bad?"
No… I really like you… That's why I'm always a mess, Silver wanted to tell her.
"I mean, I told him he could take off his sweatshirt if he was hot, but even when he was sweating, he told me he was fine," Ena said. "I don't understand why he keeps stretching the fabric downwards. It'll ruin the sweatshirt that way."
Silver wanted to die. I… There's…no non-perverted answer for that…
"Well, I think I understand what's going on," Erza told her daughter with certainty. "In fact, I think it's fairly obvious."
Silver (frightened) and Ena (optimistic) replied respectively: Really?!/"Really?"
"Yes. I'm surprised you didn't think of it before, Ena. And I don't blame the boy either."
Silver chewed on a nail as his anxiety bombarded him. So she knows? And she's going to tell her? Oh, no, what do I do? I can't stay here if she knows. I can't have her reject me. I need to run away, change my name, start a new life—
"It's obvious that he's…"
Silver shut his eyes. I'm too late. Well… I guess if she knows that I'm—
"…very sick, but he's been hiding it from you because he wants to show you he's dedicated to your work."
Silver could have fallen over. That's not it at all!
"A lot of overachieving workers will try their best even when they're sick because they don't want to disappoint their boss," Erza informed her daughter. "As a leader, it's important for you to understand your employees' limitations and to put your foot down when you feel they're sacrificing too much of their health."
That's good advice, but that's not what's happening here!
"Right. Of course. I should have seen this coming." Ena sounded angry at herself. "He's probably been suffering for days now and I've done nothing to help him."
I've been suffering, but it's not because I'm sick!
"It's all right," Erza soothed. "I'd just check with him outright. If he denies he's sick, but he looks flushed, check his temperature. I think his parents are out today, but I would offer him the guest room to recuperate. Perhaps a bath."
"A bath, huh? I see." Ena added, tone serious, "Should I bathe with him if he's that sick?"
Silver tried hard not to choke. I already have no virtue left, and she wants to get in a bath with me?! Is she try in to make me marry young?!
"I would."
You shouldn't be saying that to your kid!
"If he's that sick, you can't trust him to lift a finger," Erza lectured. "Make sure you take care of his every need. He'll probably be stubborn like Gray and insist he isn't sick, but don't listen to him. You are the daughter of the Fairy Queen. Your intuition is always right. I'd know. I raised you."
No, no, she's wrong! This is all very wrong! Silver started panicking. What am I supposed to do if she won't listen to a word I say? If I tell her the truth, she'll think I'm lying! Why can't I win? Why is karma this cruel to me?
Ena sighed in relief. "I'm happy I called. You always know the right things to say, Mom."
She never said one thing right!
"It's my pleasure," Erza murmured, happy. "I'll be home late tonight, but I'd still like us to have dessert together. I'll even get us cake from your favorite place."
"Sounds good, Mom. Thanks. I love you. Bye." Ena ended the call with a hand on her chest. I'm glad I confided in Mom. Now I know what to do. I don't want him to push himself.
"I feel like I'm the weak link in my family."
Dark chocolates softened.
He's probably been pushing himself because of thinking like that, Ena realized. But he has to learn you can't improve if you're not in your best shape. Determined, she strutted out of the kitchen. I'll make him rest and realize his health comes first. It's the least I could do for ignoring the signs until now. She left the kitchen and stopped. Hold on…
Her eyes went down.
There was Silver, staring wide-eyed at her.
Her eyes narrowed.
Silver stuttered, "I-I-I-I can explain—!"
"Oh, I'm sure you can," Ena said coolly. "I'm sure you'll give me the same excuses you have been for a while, but I am not falling for any one of them." Silver shrunk while Ena towered over him. "You are coming with me."
Silver swallowed. "O-Okay."
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
And then…
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
That was how Silver was laying the guest room bed with a thermometer in his mouth and Ena hovering over him.
I should have expected this.
BEEP-BEEP.
Ena gently removed the thermometer from under his tongue to inspect it and frowned at the temperature. "Thirty-seven degrees Celsius." She squinted at the temperature. "But that can't be right. You've been red and sweaty for a while now."
"I told you I'm not sick," Silver reminded weakly. Not in a conventional way, anyway. "Can I get back to work now?" He started sitting up. "We have a lot to do—" His throat dried up when Ena had come close to him. "U-U-Uh!"
Ena laid the back of her hand on Silver's forehead, placed her other over his heart, and she stared straight into his eyes.
A blush festered from Silver's neck to his entire face as he gazed into her eyes. He could not even say anything. Remembering how to make coherent words had left him. Hey… Her eyes… They look like melted chocolate… They're so…beautiful…
"You're hot."
Silver smiled dreamily. "So are you."
Ena's frown deepened. "I am?" She pulled away from him to feel her forehead. Am I catching what he has?
Silver was horrified and was ready to dig his own grave and also bury himself. 'So are you'? You're such an idiot! He cleared his throat and tried again, "Sorry. Um, so, what were you looking for?"
"Well, your body temperature raised a little bit and your heart was beating fast," Ena told him. Does he have sinus tachycardia like Aine? If his heartbeat is always that fast but he was diagnosed with it, then I can't worry about it. But he said he told me all his medical conditions. Unless he was lying… Or he just might not know. Perhaps I should take him to a clinic?
Silver watched her think, crestfallen. I've been such an idiot. She's been so worried about me that she's not working. He fisted the comforter. I just can't do anything right around her.
Ena was brought out of her thoughts when fingers tugged on her shirt and she looked at Silver who looked rosy, but a grimace was on his face. "Silver?"
"I'm sorry, he murmured. "You have so much to do today, but you're busy worrying about me. Really, I'm okay." He let her go to hunch forward and fiddled with the drawstrings of his sweatshirt. "I didn't mean to take time away from your work or anything, I promise. I just really want to get back to work." If I keep her from doing her work then…I'm not good enough to proudly stand next to her…
Ena sat on the bed and faced him. "What's going on?" she murmured. "You've been acting strange."
He winced. "Yeah, I know…"
Ena held back from questioning him further. Maybe it's about Paige. Did she say something to him? Maybe I should talk to her and see if she can give him a chance.
Before Ena could vocally offer, Silver haltingly confessed, "I've been having these…thoughts…about someone…"
Ah. So this is about Paige. Ena brushed her hair behind her ears. "Go on."
"Well…" Silver licked his lips. "Before…when I had these thoughts about this person, it wasn't anything bad or anything, but…" He swallowed. "Do you"—his cheeks burned—"remember last night? When we were talking?"
Ena nodded, unsure where this was heading. "Yes…?"
"W-Well, um…" Silver twisted his fingers into his sweatshirt drawstrings. "I had thoughts about that person and they were…"—he ducked his head—"dirty thoughts…"
Ena's brow furrowed. "They were 'dirty thoughts'? What do you…?" It hit her. "Oh… I see…"
Silver covered his face with his hands. This is pathetic. She probably thinks I'm disgusting now. Dirty, disgusting Silver the dog, he lamented. I don't blame her. I'm the sicko that was smelling her towel.
"You know… I have those thoughts too."
Silver's eyes widened. She does? He brought his hands away from his face to ask her, incredulous, "R-R-Really? You do?"
"Yes. And I just want to tell you something about them.
S-S-So mature! He gulped. But…if she understands, then… He closed his eyes. "Okay," he croaked. "Tell me." I can take it. If she's as dirty as me, then maybe I'm not such a pervert or we're a match made in Heaven and we can be perverts together.
Ena laid a hand on Silver's shoulder. "There's nothing to be ashamed of about being a healthy person," she told him flat-out. "It's very natural—biological for some of us who want intimacy—and it is something you should embrace."
Silver went blank. "What."
"It's okay to have sexual thoughts and dreams and feelings," Ena promised him bluntly, "as long as they make you feel good. If those feelings don't make you feel good, you should talk about them with someone you trust. You can use me if you want."
Don't say that! Silver cried.
"If you feel like you need to act on those thoughts and feelings and dreams," Ena continued, clueless to Silver's internal strife, "please do so carefully and consensually if you're with another person. Please don't try to get intimate with anyone who works under me. That will be an HR nightmare. And if you feel uncomfortable going alone to make sure you're protected, I can come with you."
Oh my god, what is my life right now? She's trying to be supportive, and I get that, but this is too much!
Silver dropped his head into one hand while he waved another hand at her to stop. "No, that's okay. Thanks for that, but I'm okay. Just forget I said anything." Let's all forget. Everyone forgets. God can forget. The viewers can forget. This never happened.
"Silver. Look at me."
He reluctantly lifted his head—
Mayan blues widened seeing Ena's small smile and blushing cheeks. Is she…?
"Thank you," she told him softly, "for being honest with me." She toyed with the one braid on the side of her hair. "I was worried I had done something wrong. Maybe I had said something or done something to make you uncomfortable around me or that you were sick because you were pushing yourself too much. So thank you for trusting me with the truth last night and today." Her smile widened. "It's funny. I already feel closer to you after this. Silly, huh?"
Silver had been too engrossed in her words that he belatedly realized it was his turn to reply back. He shook his head. "N-No, it's not silly," he countered. He scratched his cheek. "I, um, would have liked if you took care of me if I really had been sick."
"Really?" Ena laughed. "Then if you really do get sick, I'll take care of you." She pressed a finger to her lips. "It'll be our secret, okay?"
"O-Okay," Silver whooshed.
Ena got up from the bed and stretched until her back popped. Grunting, she rubbed her lower back. "And my back pain will be our little secret too. Ugh. Maybe it's time for a new mattress."
"I could massage you."
Ena raised an eyebrow in Silver's enthusiastic direction. "Really?"
Silver nodded. "Yeah. My mom taught me how to use my Magic to help relieve stress and aches and pains."
"Really?" Ena leaned over to him in interest as she cradled his jaw with her fingers (which knocked the wind out of him). She opened her mouth—
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Entering "What Silver Hears" Mode _
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
"You're becoming more and more precious to me every day," Ena told him in a husky purr. "I'd love of a massage from just you." She licked her lips. "Keep this up and I'll never want to let you go."
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Entering "What Was Actually Said" Mode _
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
"You're becoming more and more of a precious asset to me every day," Ena praised him in kind-hearted teasing. "I'd love a massage from you—Ah!" She winced when she felt the corner of her lip pinch and she licked her lips to soothe the sharp feeling. "Keep this up and I'll never want to let you go as my assistant."
Silver was in a dreamy daze. Precious to her… She wants me to massage her… She'll never let me go…
Ena straightened up. "Well, if you're not sick, then we better get back to work." She moved towards the door.
"O-Oh! Right!" Silver threw off the comforter and set to follow her—
Ena whirled around at the doorframe to tell him, "And if you don't feel comfortable about acting on those dirty thoughts and feelings, you can always use me for that too. I'd be happy to help you." She went back to go into the hall. "I'm a very good listener and my mother's spicy books have made me immune to just about anything."
But Silver was stuck.
He could not move.
She could…help me with my dirty thoughts?
Apparently, that was what he had heard in this instance.
Ena wants to…do that…with me? S-S-So…mature… Red burned off Silver's body as he shifted and his Magic boiled. A pained expression tormented him as he bit his lip and tugged down his sweatshirt. But if…I keep thinking about it then I can't…hold it back any longer… He gulped when his Magic surfaced like a tidal wave. Oh, no.
BOOM!
"Silver? Silver—! WHY DID YOU EXPLODE THIS TIME?"
"I-I-I'm sorry—!"
"Oh, I'll show you sorry if my hair gets frizzy, you imbecile, come here! Get back here this instant!"
"N-No, you're going to hurt me!"
"Yes, I will, and I'll get your little sweatshirt too if you don't get – back – here – now!"
"No, don't—!"
"There you are! Now stay still, so I can—!"
"N-No, don't—! Not there! Ena, wait—! AAAAAAAAH!"
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Crocus Clinic
Rose Garden City
Fiore, Ishgar
11:16 AM FST
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
"My poor injured baby!"
Gale sighed as his mother clung to him and he was pretty sure he would need to put on a new shirt if his mother would not stop crying and sniveling. He ignored how Pantherlily and his father were snickering, but they sure sung a different tune the moment his mother peeked to glare at them. "Mom, I told you I'm okay," Gale stressed, exasperated. "I'm not dead. I'm alive."
"But you could have died!"
Gale prided himself on being strong, but his mother's hugs were one of the things that could kill him. He choked and patted her arm. "Yes… I know… But I'm okay…" he rasped.
"Gihihi. You're gonna kill him yourself, Shorty," Gajeel called to his wife. "Let the pipsqueak breathe."
"Oh!" Levy released Gale, fretting when he greedily sucked in oxygen. "I'm so sorry! I was just so worried about you, Gale." A tick mark pulsed on her temple. "Which reminds me…" Puffing a cheek, she flicked his forehead.
"Ow!" Gale rubbed his temple and shot his mother a pouty sour look. "What happened to me being your poor injured baby?" But he choked when the collar of his shirt was seized, and he was violently shaken around.
"What were you doing in the Boundary Forest?" Levy demanded to know. "I thought I told you not to go there because of the Ether forecast! Oh, why are you just like your father? Always looking for trouble even when I try to warn you away from it! I lost Livy and now I'm going to lose you too!"
Gale gagged, but he could barely get any words out.
"All right, Shorty, let's not kill our kid." Gajeel easily picked up his wife under her arms and chuckled at her surprised posture. "Let your mom dote on you, Pipsqueak. She's been waitin' for you to wake your ass up."
Gale rubbed his neck and muttered, "Yeah because I totally chose to be this overwhelmed and exhausted." He sighed as he picked at his hospital bed sheets. I hate feeling this weak. I can barely remember anything. The detectives came back this morning, and I remembered going into the forest, but I couldn't remember much. A whole chunk of my memory is just gone.
"Gale." Levy was put back on her feet to place a cheek on her son's face. "Why didn't you turn down the job when you found out you had to head into the Boundary Forest? The sergeant assured us you knew about the Ether analysis and the missing Wizards."
Gale's brow furrowed as he tried to devise an explanation. "It's not like…I wanted to end up this way," he tried to reason. "Something was off with the forest. I remember feeling sick, but…" He gritted his teeth. "But that's when the memory ends." I remember being sick to my stomach. The forest felt infected. Why can't I remember anything after it? "Sorry I made you have to come all the way back here for this."
Levy shook her head. "Gale, don't apologize," she murmured. "Of course we're going to be here for you." Her eyes flashed down, sad. "I just wish…we could have been there for you all those years go."
Ruby widened. Mom…
Levy clasped her hands together. "I'm happy you're speaking to someone. I really am," she promised her son. "Over the years, I thought you were only processing your grief. You might not remember, but you were both very close. I know everything happened while you were young, but I had thought you had only been affected by that. But for a little while now, I realized you weren't trying to hide your grief. You were protecting yourself from something." Her hands tightened. "And you couldn't tell us what that 'something' was to protect us."
Gale felt his heart grow heavy. "Mom, I…" He grappled his sheets and looked away. "I'm sorry."
"No, Gale. I'm sorry." Levy's hands shook. "I should have realized a while ago what was going on, but I didn't. And I'm so sorry I failed as your mother."
"You didn't fail, Mom," Gale insisted. "None of this is your fault—" But the words stopped when his mother had launched to hug him.
"And none of this is your fault either," Levy murmured softly to him. "Everything, Gale. With Bluenote, with the Boundary Forest, with everything that happened before—none of it is your fault. I hope you can see that one day."
A heat stung Gale's eyes. He hesitantly lifted an arm, but he could not do it and set it back down. "Thanks, Mom," he shakily whispered. "I know."
Levy squeezed him once more before she pulled back with a smile and glistening eyes. "When you're ready, I want to know," she told him.
"Mom—"
But Levy gently shook her head. "When you're ready," she emphasized. "I'll believe every word you say and listen until you're finished. But only when you're ready."
Gale opened his mouth, but fear pulled its strings, and nerves reared their ugly head. He swallowed and offered a weak nod. "Thanks, Mom."
Levy wanted to say more, but Pantherlily had interrupted with a glowing Compact in his hands and he rumbled to Levy, "It's the university. We haven't taken their calls since we've left, but I think now is the time."
"Right. Of course." Levy took her Compact before kissing Gale's forehead. "I'll be right back." She turned and Gajeel had already leaned down for her to peck his cheek before she bustled out of the room to answer the call.
Gajeel took a seat at Gale's bedside. Legs out, he crossed his arms, those blood-reds glued onto his son. Gale sighed and leaned back on the headboard of his hospital bed. "Say it, Old Man," he muttered. "Just yell at me. It's fine."
"I'm not going to yell at you," Gajeel assured. "I'm pissed as shit, but none of that is on you." He scrubbed his face. "Sergeant told me everything I need to know. Said that you were a target for this client all along. And we all can understand why you'd be a target."
Gale let out a breath. "Yeah…" Something skimmed his mind, and he tried to make sense of the blurred memory. "I keep trying to remember, but it's either a blur or a blackout. I'm missing…something about why they wanted me. I know it's because I'm a Dragon Slayer, but…it just felt like there was more." A shuddering exhale. "I just can't remember."
"I'll see what I can do about finding a Memory Mage," Gajeel told his son. "But I need you to be honest with me." He leaned forward to assess Gale. "Does anyone outside of the Dragon Slayers, Master, and Squirt know you're a Dragon Slayer?"
Gale looked away. "Lady J and Mary Jane."
Gajeel sighed and brushed back his hair. "I figured Lady J would know. But Mary Jane…" He hummed, thoughtful. "Nah, it makes sense too. But it's still kept quiet." It circles back to Bluenote knowing he's a Dragon Slayer. Does that mean he was in the Boundary Forest waiting for Gale to show up? Something about this doesn't add up. He went back to eyeing his son. "I know you have questions," he said. "I know you want answers."
"I don't know if I care anymore," Gale mumbled. "What does it matter if I get answers, anyway? None of it will change anything."
Hate-filled eyes.
Gale's hands trembled. "I was b-born like this," he rasped. "I was born to have this, but I… If I hadn't been born at all, then maybe…" His legs locked as he let out a terse exhale. I hate feeling like this. That I'm too weak. If I hadn't been born, then… Emma would be happy. And so would he… He'd be alive. I bet he wouldn't have this stupid scar from Bluenote. He would've been able to protect Igneel so he wasn't nearly killed. He would've handled this better than I ever could, but now… He's gone. He clenched his sheets. And it's my fault.
Fangs exposed before a deep exhale. "You should still want to seek the truth."
"Why?" Gale whispered. "Why should I? I know what the truth is. I'm alive and…and he isn't." Rubies glistened. "I can remember every second of my fight with Bluenote. I remember feeling numb when I was bleeding out. I can't remember a single thing from what happened inside the Boundary Forest except that I needed to escape. But all of that reminds me everything about me was right."
"Right about what?"
"People are going to hunt me down," Gale relayed to his father. "They'll want to kill me for having Metalicana's crest." His eyes emptied. "And I should let them because I didn't deserve this power in the first place."
Silence.
"How many times did she tell you that?"
The question jolted Gale and that knee-jerk reaction came back. "What? No, she didn't—"
Stunned ruby clashed with angered ruby.
"Don't lie to me, Pipsqueak," Gajeel growled. "How many times did she tell you that?"
Gale gulped. "Sh-Sh-She didn't…" But he looked at his lap under the weight of his father's glare. If I tell you, you'll just get angry with her. But she was just upset…
"Fine."
Gale flinched when Gajeel laid a hand on his head.
"When you're ready, you can tell me." Gajeel rubbed Gale's head. "But for now, I'm just happy you're all right, Pipsqueak," he softly said. "We were all worried about you. Even if you don't think that highly about your place in life, the rest of us do. So I'm going to sound fucking selfish for saying this, but for as long as you're my son, it's mandatory for you to consider yourself important in our lives. And if you don't, then I guess it's our responsibility to remind you of that every day until you get it through your head. Because I'm too selfish to let you go into life thinkin' like that. You are my kid after all. It's only right I force you to see you're important to all of us."
Rubie widened. Dad… He wanted to say something, but he just…could not. He lowered his head and laid an arm over his eyes. "Yeah, that's pretty fucking selfish of you," he croaked. His jaw quivered when a tear slid down his cheek. He sniffled. "You're the worst, Old Man."
"I know." Gajeel closed his eyes as he rubbed Gale's head. You can hate me, cuss me out, fight me, and I'll take it, Pipsqueak. But I can't let you think your life has less value than someone else's. If that makes me a villain, so be it. I'll be the villain who will sacrifice the world just to make sure you can move forward, Gale. I promise.
Pantherlily got up to slink out of the room, gently closing the door behind him. Gale… I hope one day you learn you can't let others dictate how you live your life with the power you have. You're a strong young man. You deserve to use that strength to move forward.
Orange-and-black stripes. Teary yellow eyes filled with betrayal.
Pantherlily sighed as his tail whipped back and forth. Something it seems I struggle with as well.
"Excuse me, good sir, but is this Mister Gale Redfox's room?"
Pantherlily looked over to see a kind man in a topcoat and half-moon class approach him. He even took his hat off in respect. "May I know who is asking?" Pantherlily replied diplomatically.
"Pardon for the intrusion, sir. My name is Mister Hollifield." Mister Hollifield nodded to the door of the room from which Pantherlily had departed. "I've been sent to take Mister Redfox for the estate of his contracted job's client for his payment and signature that the service has been completed."
Pantherlily's eyes narrowed. "And may I ask who the client is?"
"May I ask who you are in relation to Mister Redfox?"
Pantherlily crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm his uncle."
If Mister Hollifield looked surprised or disgruntled, he certainly did not show it. He accepted Pantherlily's answer. "The client is none other than Mister Demiurge. Lucifer Demiurge."
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Engeki First Performance Academy
New Azalea City
Fiore, Ishgar
11:25 AM FST
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
The dance studio blocked off for this hour housed five main dancers who were dressed in their numbers one through five while the other dancers were colorfully dressed for their background roles. Water bottles, bags, school shoes, and towels were shoved off onto the wooden entryway floor before you got to the dented studio flooring with a mirror taking up one wall. Carlisle had scrounged his hair up in a mini ponytail with a crop top on and stirrup leggings while Aphtan was at his side in his stirrup unitard. One other student had joined Carlisle as his assistant with his mid-back-length curled hair a whitish blonde with black roots and an open vest that exposed his large birthmark that stained the side of his stomach.
Carlisle sighed as he stepped towards one of the dancers. "The piece is about expressing yourself—your sexuality, your style, and everything in-between with no boundaries and no reservations," he reminded her, "but you still seem a little uncomfortable." He looked around the room and told the student dancers. "You all seem a little uncomfortable." He grinned when the dancers passed glances. "But we can fix that. We still have plenty of time left before our session today ends, but we are due for a break and it is a Friday…"
More grins were passed around.
Carlisle pointed to the ceiling and howled, "Jam out…!"
The two students who were in charge of sound production smirked and an electronic dance-reggae beat as a voice drawled overhead.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Shake dat ting miss, Cana, Cana
Shake dat ting miss, Annabella
Shake dat ting yow, Donna Donna
Jodi and Rebecca
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
The student dancers whooped and hollered as they became to forge a circle with Carlisle in the center. His grin broadened when a beautiful charcoal dancer with a buzz cut joined him. He bowed and kissed her hand and she pretended to not care, shoving him away. But he knew this song and dance. He sidled up behind her and she laughed, laying a hand on his cheek.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Woman get busy
Jus shake dat booty non-stop
When da beat drops
Jus keep swingin' it
Get jiggy, get crunked up
Percolate anyting you want fi call it
Oscillate your hip and don't take pity
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
The students were calling out in praise as she led Carlisle into rolling their hips to the start of the songs to the Taímacan beat as the claps filtered in and the lazy rap spilled over it. You could tell the song was just warming up. It was just a feeling you got when you listened to it that you were in the prelude and the big beat was coming soon. Carlisle murmured something into the dancer's ear that had her laugh and nod at his suggestion.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Me wah fi see you get live 'pon di riddim when me ryde
And me lyrics a provide electricity
Gyal nobody cah tell you nuttin'
Ca you don't know your destiny
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
She flipped around to pose with him as though they were dancing a close bachata, one leg in between his and their foreheads touching. Both of them smiled as the student dancers went into an uproar as the two of them gyrated into a two-step. She pressed a hand on his chest when he murmured something to her and caressed her cheek. Laughter and catcalls were made when their noses brushed.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Yo sexy ladies want par wid us
Inna di car wid us
Dem nah war wid us
Inna di club dem wah flex wid us
To get next to us
Dem cah vex wid us
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Just as the first verse came in, the dancer was stolen from Carlisle to another female dancer and everyone laughed and clapped as the two of them began to break it down to the lazy Taímacan rap while Carlisle conceded with ease and made his way out of the circle. That was the way Jam Outs had worked. You could have a single dancer in there, but, predominantly, it would be two dancers, and partners were constantly swapped out since you had to steal for your partner. Just as the next part of the second verse came, the newest female dancer had been stolen away for a male partner to dance with her and everyone was cheering in support.
As Carlisle rejoined Aphtan and the other assistant, Aphtan already had Carlisle's water bottle ready. He passed it and said, "I'm surprised with the song choice this week, Carlisle-po."
Carlisle took a swig of his water bottle. "I want each Friday we do a Jam Out to have music from around the world to get everyone loosened up and influenced," he told Aphtan. "And this was choice wasn't mine. Mellow made that choice." He glanced over at the vested young man. "I like it."
Mellow snorted. "I saw you working that ass. We both know you liked it for more than one reason."
⌜ENGEKI FIRST ACADEMY
Name: Mellow
Age: 17
Occupation: Year 13 Student (Graphic Design)
Likes: old cartoons Dislikes: bowling
Special Note: Mellow attends Engeki Academy for graphic design, but he was allowed to help Carlisle's capstone project due to his private dance instruction!⌟
"Carlisle-po has spent a significant amount of time at his lover's house," Aphtan reported.
Mellow's eyebrows shot up while Carlisle blushed. "So it is true, you wicked bitch," Mellow teased. "Bussy or pussy this time?"
"See what you did," Carlisle grumbled at an unfazed Aphtan. Sighing, he moved over to Mellow to mumbled, "He's—"
"'He'?" Mellow burst out laughing. "Wait, oh my god, don't tell me! Is he the one you sixty-nined with last month and you dipped out of there because you had some 'moment' and then you got all bitchy and whiny when you couldn't bring yourself to have sex with your dates?" He moved back when Carlisle tried to hit him.
Carlisle wanted to growl something, but he gawked when Aphtan affirmed, "Yes. Carlisle-po's lover is the reason he acted, as you said, 'bitchy and whiny'."
"Tantan, you traitor!" Carlisle huffed and brushed back strands of his hair. "Yes, it's him, but," he added when Mellow wanted to interrupt, "we aren't labeling anything right now." He clocked Mellow's genuine struck look with a sulky pout. "You don't have to act all surprised."
"I kind of do." Mellow crossed his arms as he studied Carlisle. "Does he not want to commit or something?" He made a face. "Is he one of those gays who fucks like he's straight?"
Carlisle barked a laugh. "Not every guy is going to be like Country Boy." He held out his hand for Mellow to take and they intertwined their fingers. "Come on. I'll show you a picture of him." He looked over at Aphtan. "Tantan—"
"I've got it, Carlisle-po," Aphtan assured.
Carlisle led Mellow over to his duffle bag to pull out his Compact as Mellow said, hands raised in surrender, "I'm not saying every guy is like Country Boy, but I am saying if he is like that, do yourself and your ass a favor and run. Trust me. It doesn't get better."
"Just wait." Carlisle found a good picture of Dante and passed his Compact to Mellow. "Meet Dante."
Mellow low-whistled as he looked at Dante's profile in intrigue. The picture itself was not anything special. Carlisle had nabbed a selfie of them while they were walking and half leaped onto Dante. Dante looked mildly irritated he had been startled, but he adjusted well enough. "I see the appeal. He's athletic."
"Right?" Carlisle looked excited someone agreed with him. "He's such a brute, but I love it." When Mellow offered the Compact back, Carlisle took it and added, "It's not that he's afraid to commit—"
"I know you're not." Mellow raised an eyebrow in challenge when Carlisle glared at him.
Knowing Mellow was right, Carlisle sighed. "Before, maybe, but…" His shoulders sagged. "I don't know. There's just something…different about Dante. I'm kind of grateful we both agreed to take it slow. Actually, he asked me out on a date this morning while we were eating breakfast—"
"I knew it!" Mellow exclaimed. "I knew you got a 'roommate'! When your moms kept trying to 'subtly' ask me if you were crashing at my place and you surprisingly weren't, I knew it had to be with someone."
Carlisle gave an abashed look. "Sorry if they interrogated you."
Mellow shrugged. "You know I don't care. I love your moms. I love your entire family except Christophe." He rolled his eyes. "He's such a frat boy. I hated coming over and having to see him."
"I had to live with him, so it makes sense why he got on my nerves, and Aphtan doesn't like anyone, but you never told me why you don't like Christophe," Carlisle realized, curious.
Mellow waved a hand in dismissal. "It's just an instant dislike," he said in vague. "So your lover wants to date you before he commits. Honestly, I'm impressed he's doing it that way. That's a lot more romantic than your other exes." He grinned when Carlisle cocked his head. "Hon, all your exes locked you down after one fuck. You're just easy." He laughed when Carlisle half-heartedly shoved him. "Where's your lover taking you?"
"It's some indoor drive-in theater that's underground." Carlisle sipped some more water and nodded when Mellow looked baffled. "Yeah, I know, but it's a thing. He said him and his friend would always go there, but she officially gave him permission for us to use it as a first date spot." He looked self-conscious when Mellow eyed him up and down. "What?"
Mellow hummed. "I can see the difference."
"See what difference?"
"Him versus the others," Mellow replied. "Normally, when you're with someone, you'll just talk about them all the time nonstop and it's so annoying." He laughed when Carlisle huffed. "But this one… I mean, the fact that you didn't even talk about him to me makes me know he's different."
Carlisle did look guilty of that. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I haven't even told Mercer yet."
"Are you going to put your steak of a man on your SNS?"
Carlisle snorted and shook his head. "Dante doesn't like social media that much and I don't want to do anything until we've defined what we are." He woke up his Compact to look at the photo of him and Dante and an affectionate smile found its way onto his face. "He's an amazing guy, Mellow."
"So I see."
Carlisle looked up to see Mellow had adopted a warm look.
"I'll have to meet him," Mellow decided. "Are you bringing him to the Ishgaran Cup tourney when we all go?"
Carlisle winced. "I haven't brought it up to him because he's normally so busy with work and school…"
"Seriously?" Incredulity filled Mellow's tone. "Shit, this 'Dante' must be different, then. You should mention it to him, Car."
Carlisle, however, was not convinced, but he pacified, "Later. Not now. Let's just get through the first date." He put his Compact back in his bag and zipped it up. "He's so old-fashioned that I can't believe it. He wants to pick me up from my moms' house and everything." His face went comically disturbed. "Crap, they'll sic Bobbi on him to test his courage. He's going to leave me, Mellow, I can feel it."
"I'm never letting your sister get close to my hair." Mellow shuddered. "She tried to give me bangs, Carlisle. Fringe bangs."
Carlisle vividly remembered Mellow's meltdown and Bobbi's evil laughter. "She means well, but I don't think she quite understands some of us like our hair the way it is."
"Yeah, and attached to our body," Mellow muttered. "Can I come over when he meets your moms to meet him too, as long as that devil child doesn't touch my hair?"
Carlisle snickered. "Sure. He said the double featurette doesn't start until, like, ten-ish, but he's taking me to dinner first, so he should be coming to my moms' place at, like, maybe… Ah, let me check again." He dug out his Compact one more time when he saw he had a message. He squinted as he expanded it, but once he saw the sender and read the entire message, he groaned.
"What?"
"Christophe is coming home tonight," Carlisle bemoaned. "Mom let it slip to him Dante is picking me up tomorrow and now he wants to be my gracious big brother and defend my honor and all that BS. Like he ever cared." His brow furrowed when another message slipped in. "And he's asking me…if you'll be there?" He shot a narrow-eyed Mellow a questioning look. "What?"
"Tell him I'll be there," Mellow grunted, "and if he tries to tell me to straighten my hair, he can kiss his days at his little frat house 'goodbye'."
Carlisle raised an eyebrow. "Sure…" As he texted Christophe back, he mentioned, "And Dante should be there at, like, six-ish, but Tantan's coming over too and bringing over make-up if you want to join in on the fun."
"You're doing the multi-strap and the harness."
Carlisle groaned. "Why…? I don't even think we'll be having…" He pouted when Mellow stared at him. "You are building me into a stereotype."
"No. Your stereotype would be being an unfaithful slut who sleeps with anything that breathes," Mellow told him matter-of-factly. "And you never wear that stuff outside of when we'd go to Soho." His eyes widened. "Ah, so that's why you don't come with us to Soho anymore." He grinned. "Auntie is going to be so happy for you. As a matter of fact, you should ditch seeing the great Christophe and come with me to see Auntie."
Carlisle considered it as he looked over his shoulder. "Hold that thought." He stood up and waved a hand. When the music was lowered, he hollered to the students, "Take five, guys! We'll restart and nail it down until the end of our rehearsal time! Stay hydrated and don't go too far!" As everyone dispersed, he told Mellow, "I'll think about it."
"No, you'll do it and you'll come out to the strip tonight," Mellow decided. He held up a hand and Carlisle pulled him to his feet. "Come on, it's been forever since you've come out and you're the best hype person we have and I need my favorite dancer partner," he reminded. "And you can bring your brute too." He squished Carlisle's cheeks when Carlisle still looked uncertain. "Please…? Who would you rather be around? Your brother or me?"
Carlisle pushed Mellow away to shake his head. "Only if Dante agrees," he conceded. "If he has too much to do, I'm staying home with him and we'll watch a documentary later or something."
"You're so domestic now," Mellow teased. "I'm surprised he wants to watch documentaries with you. You always choose the most boring ones. Whenever I choose it—"
"You choose shark week every single time like a psychopath and then a murder mystery, again, like a psychopath," Carlisle deadpanned. "What are you trying to learn, how stupid people are or how to get away with murder?"
Mellow grinned. "¿Por qué no los dos?"
Carlisle sighed. "You concern me." He blinked down at his Compact lit up again, but he scowled when he saw LUCY come up and declined the call.
"Was that your hot cousin?"
"He isn't hot," Carlisle grumbled. "But yeah, it was Lucy." He sniffed. "But I'm not talking to him. He was being so mean to me the other day."
"You're always sorry you got caught putting your life at more risk than it needs to be! And then I have to step in and clean up after you like always while you get to still in your clueless world like always until you come running back to me and cry that you messed up again!"
Carlisle's lips pressed together to stop them from trembling.
Turquoise freckled with light jade.
"I'm not asking you to drop your shields and let me into every aspect of your life. But, realistically, I would like to start with getting to know you."
I can't make Lucy's life any more stressful, Carlisle thought. It's not like I've been trying to slip, but… I don't know what's wrong with me. I've doing this for a long time. What's changed with me?
"Carlisle-po."
He forced himself out of his thoughts to brightly smile at Aphtan, who had come over, and he tried to ignore Mellow's searching look. "Sorry. You were saying something, Tantan?"
"I overheard about going Soho with your lover," Aphtan told him promptly. "I will chaperone." He looked mildly irked when Mellow draped onto him.
"Don't be so protective, Aphtan," Mellow teased. He cradled Aphtan's jaw and snickered when Aphtan tore away his chin with a dry look. "What's the worst that can happen? He takes addies again?"
"Didn't Carlisle-po tell you who let him take those substances?" Aphtan asked, and he ignored Carlisle's wide-eyed look. "Carlisle-po's lover let him roam free and take those drugs irresponsibly. I don't trust him to watch Carlisle-po carefully at a nightclub."
Mellow hummed as he reeled back to grab Aphtan's shoulders. "Well, that does pose a problem," he supposed. "Carlisle isn't the most responsible, sober, and he'd be worse drugged up…"
Carlisle narrowed his eyes. "I'm not liking what you're implying of me, Mellow…"
"Eh, I think we'll be fine tonight, Aphtan," Mellow decided. "This time, Carlisle will have us to babysit him if something goes wrong, but we should be good. He'll want to be on his best behavior, anyway, around Auntie. You know he doesn't tolerate any of that."
Aphtan took that into consideration. "Very well," he supposed. "Carlisle-po, I'll help you get ready—"
"Or he can just meet us at Nine-Dollar and you can help me get ready," Mellow purred. He laughed when Aphtan did not look moved. "Come on, Aphtan, Carlisle's domesticated already and I'm not. Shouldn't you be helping me instead?"
Aphtan's lips flattened. "No."
"Great! Then, I'll come get you after your ice-skating practice and you can help me!" Mellow pointed at Carlisle. "And actually, you're coming to my place too. I'll take you and Aphtan with me after your practice. That's a command, not a suggestion," he added when Carlisle looked like he wanted to protest. "Come on, Aphtan, we need to start plotting." Mellow steered Aphtan away, eager, while Aphtan looked irritated to Hell and back.
Carlisle sighed. "I guess it's happening then." His eyes widened when he saw Dante was calling him, and he scrambled to answer. "Hey, Prince."
"Are you guys on break?"
Carlisle smiled as he sat against the wall. "Not even a 'hello'. Such a brute. But, yeah, I told everyone to take five and we'll finish rehearsal at noon." He fanned himself. "We've got some time until we have to present the choreography for my panel and then do the shoot, but hopefully it'll come out well."
"I'm sure it will."
Carlisle hummed as he pointed and flexed his toes. "Any reason I should be thankful for this call, Your Majesty?"
"In-between projects, but I just wanted to see how you were doing."
Carlisle ribbed, "Aw, worried about me, Prince?"
"Against my better judgment, yes."
"Rude!" Carlisle still could not help but feel a little giddy. "Nothing to worry about or report. Oh! Actually, you called at the perfect time. What are you doing tonight?"
"Nothing outside of spending time with you." A pause. "A few friends invited me out to a bar—the same friends you met in North Blue—but I hadn't planned on going. Why?"
Carlisle hummed again. "Well, would you go out to a club with me tonight? Not as a date," he wanted to clarify. "But just to meet another friend of mine."
A reasonable pause. "Sure. What time?"
"I'm not too sure, but Mellow—my friend—wants to pick me up after practice to help me get ready for it if you want to come and pick me up from there," Carlisle said. "I'd say we'll be ready by, maybe, ten-fifteen-ten-thirty-ish, but if you don't want us to go out, we can stay home—"
"It's fine, Lips." Two beats. "What are you wearing to the club?"
Carlisle snorted. "Whatever Mellow and Tantan dress me in and I guarantee it'll involve fishnets."
"'Fishnets'?"
"Yeah. Mellow is obsessed with them on people." Carlisle bent a knee. "Other than that, Nine-Dollar is pretty much a young gay scene, so dress however you want. Auntie doesn't care. Oh, Auntie is the owner of Nine-Dollar."
Four beats. "You wear fishnets and you didn't tell me?"
"I don't. Only when Mellow talks me into it. I think it's just because he likes me in them." A grin of realization tugged on Carlisle's lips as he purred, "Why, Prince, are you liking the idea of me in fishnets? Such a stereotype. I'll be wearing make-up too tonight if Tantan has anything to say about it."
Dante grunted. "You sure you want to go out tonight?"
"I wasn't, but if it means I get to see you flustered, then yes," Carlisle determined, amused. He inspected his nails and frowned at them. Maybe I should ask Tantan if he can buff them before we leave tonight. "Oh, I guess you'll meet Christophe tomorrow. Mom and Maman, I guess, told him you were coming over before I date so he wants to do his big brother due diligence." He rolled his eyes. "Prepare for a menace of a man-child and don't mind his BO. I guess it's 'gay' to care about hygiene. The jerk."
Dante chuckled. "I can handle him. I meet guys like that at the gym." He shifted. "Apparently, how can I be gay if I go to the gym and 'don't look gay'? And some of those fake women who go to the gym—like the ones who come in with make-up on and everything?—get upset I turn them down because they thought all us fags apparently only do yoga instead of bench presses."
"We're so misunderstood," Carlisle sighed in mock-sadness. "But speaking of bench presses—"
"You're not coming to the gym with me."
Carlisle huffed. "So where exactly are you teaching me all this fun upper-cut-lower-cut crap then? Your bedroom?"
"We'll be going somewhere else. Stop whining about it."
"If I whine enough—"
"That just earns you a punishment, not me caving in," Dante deadpanned. "And stop pouting like I know you are."
It was true Carlisle was pouting, but he mumbled, "I'm not pouting, you're pouting." His pout furthered when Dante huffed a laugh. "Are you sure you're okay with us going to a club? It won't be the same as going to a bar—"
"Just because I don't usually go to clubs doesn't mean I haven't," Dante said dryly. "It's fine, Lips. Just make sure you wear those fishnets."
Carlisle simpered. "Should I wear a jockstrap and harness too? And some shorts and a crop top? Live up to being a fem bottom?" When all he heard was silence, he feared he pushed too far. "Dante—?"
"Don't." A rough exhale.
Carlisle blinked twice before he burst into laughter. "That's all it takes, huh?" He wiped under his eye. "Tonight's going to be fun."
"If it's too much fun, we're going home," Dante said darkly. Something was calling him and he pulled away from the Compact to answer. He came back to murmur, "Next project is in so I have to go. Make sure you eat lunch. I'll see if I can call you on mine."
"Oh?" Carlisle raised an eyebrow to jest, "Should I be expecting more Com calls from now on?"
"Yeah. I like calling. And I want to hear your voice." A moment later, Dante mumbled, unsure, "Is that okay?"
Ah, he's Prince Charming and so cute! "That's fine," Carlisle promised. "I like calling too." His bent knee went side to side. "You really are trying to domesticate me."
"You're the one calling my house 'home'."
It took Carlisle a few moments, but then he realized… "I have, haven't I? I'm sorry. I guess I didn't realize…"
"Don't worry about it, Lips," Dante murmured. "I like it." Someone called, and he grunted, irritated. "I have to go. I'll call you later, okay? Just text me if something feels off."
"I will. Have fun at work." Carlisle brought back his perky self. "You can envision me on the hood of the car in my fishnets." He cackled when Dante made a choked noise. "My work here is done. Bye!" He ended the call. I don't care if I'm digging my grave. I'm going to enjoy this. He frowned when he saw a new text from Christophe.
« I'm bring two friends with me BTW so don't be weird »
Carlisle rolled his eyes and replied:
« Afraid I'll respect their boundaries? You're such a dick »
« OMG please don't tell me you're bringing Preston »
« I am. Get over it and don't be an ass to him »
« Are you bringing any other homophobic neo-fascists home? You know, just so we can all prepare ourselves to be told we don't matter »
« He isn't fascist and try dressing normal for once. He didn't know you were a guy when you had long hair. And Cal isn't a fascist or homophobic either. Just don't be weird »
« It's so refreshing my sexuality is so weird to you sometimes. Just reminds me I'm so happy you're in a frat house surrounded by half-naked men all the time and you play sports and get sweaty with men and wrestle with men in essentially a jockstrap and shower with other men…but I'M the weird one »
« Fuck off. I'm bringing Preston and Cal home. Get over it. See you tonight »
« Have fun with your all-men harem asshole, I'm going out »
« Fine. See you tomorrow »
« Be careful going out. Watch your drinks. Stick close with Mellow. Try not to cheat »
Carlisle huffed and shoved his Compact back into his bag. I only have to see him for one night. I swear to Presence if he treats Dante badly, I don't care what Maman says. I'm not putting up with it. He swiped his water bottle and guzzled a few swallows. Cal, huh? Never heard Christophe talk about him…
°•°•°•°
The bedroom looked neater than most, with cottons and non-cottons separated and the full bed made. The LV was on to show coverage of the atrocities happening on the border tribes of the Amazone, but he walked around with a towel loosely on his hips and his mohawk flat today. His leather jacket hung on a hook on his door. "Yeah, Mom, I'm heading back with a friend," he promised tiredly.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
'I wonder…'
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
He paused when he passed his dresser to look at the photo he had framed. His mother with her wide smile and the gap in her teeth as she held an uncomfortable boy by the shoulders. His step-brother. His sister and he surrounded his step-brother, his sister beaming while he gave a smaller smile as though he was aware his step-brother did not want to be here.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
'…what's he like?'
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
His eyes dropped to the item that hung with the photograph.
A silver watch.
(Carlisle clapped the cap back onto his water bottle and huffed, comical fumes puffing out from his head. Probably another homophobic fascist knowing Christophe's taste in friends. Dammit.)
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
West Dining Hall
Spriggan Castle
Vistarion
Alvarez, Alakitasia
1:31 PM ADT
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Lunch today was a special seafood and fish shakshuka meal, but it was hard to enjoy such a delicious recipe when you were in a place against your will. Nashi sat at the head with Naseer to her right and Luna to her left and Tesla beside Luna. Naseer swallowed some wine while the two sisters picked at their food, Luna nervous while Nashi was stewing.
Tesla had no issue tearing into her plate and murmured cheerily after a swallowed mouthful, "Compliments to the chef. Almost makes someone forget they're being held hostage." She exaggerated a moan into her next mouthful. "I can feel the anxiety just melt away."
Naseer set down his wineglass to observe Tesla with a wary glint. "If something isn't to your liking, Miss Greer, I'm sure Her Majesty would be happy to change your accommodations. But I'm afraid Her Majesty and I have much to discuss regarding our arrangement for personal complaints. You'll have to excuse us."
"You talk about this like she's willing to be here, O Sultan." Tesla sipped her liquor.
Naseer gestured around them and barely ignored the nickname. "Her Majesty and Her Highness are free to leave whenever they wish—"
"At the risk of thousands of people suffering because it's in style to hold people hostage." Tesla stared down Naseer, who raised an eyebrow. "Let's be clear here. You so-graciously allowed me to watch over this girl next to me, so if you think to threaten her in any single way, I have no choice but to get nasty." A vicious smile. "You wouldn't want me to get nasty with my Anti-Ether, would you? I'm told it can destroy any matter when I'm pissed. And I'm very pissed, Scheherazade."
Naseer forced out a sigh. "Miss Greer, your anger isn't needed," he calmed. "Her Highness has no punishment in place for any external act from her being an Alvarez Princess. Hemlock will be promptly dealt with for his crimes against her…"—his eyes slid to a tense Nashi—"if Her Majesty agrees to it." His eyes flickered to Luna. "Your Highness, please relax. This is your home, after all."
"Right." Luna shrunk. "My…home…"
Tesla scowled at that and wanted to say something, but she stopped when Luna's hand caught her sleeve as she bit her lip. He shouldn't be treating you this way, she argued.
It's okay, Luna whispered. He might not hurt us, but he could hurt someone else. We all said we'd go along with this until we could figure out how to leave without anyone getting hurt, so please…
Tesla closed her eyes and sighed. Fine. She sat back in her chair. She peeked open an eye to assess Naseer. But I still want to kick the pussy ass bitch in the dick for this.
Naseer let his chin rested on the back of a propped hand as he looked at Nashi. "Your Majesty, you didn't want your concubine to join us? I would have liked to have gotten to know Morningstar a little better." He lifted his glass to his lips. "I think he and I got… What is the Minstrish saying? 'Off on the wrong foot'?"
"No."
"That isn't the saying?" Naseer hummed, thoughtful. "I wonder what it is then…"
"Not the saying." Nashi's eyes cut to Naseer. "His name is 'Gary', not 'Morningstar'. Remember that." She gripped her glass. "I don't want to repeat myself to you."
Naseer relented. "Of course, Your Majesty. My apologies. Gary and I did not seem to see eye-to-eye early this morning." He waved a careless hand. "I should hope you'll have better control over your concubine, Your Majesty. Jealousy is not tolerated in the court." Dark eyes shifted. "Be sure your concubine knows his place here, Your Majesty."
"Of course." Nashi sipped her drink as her stare fleeted to Tesla then Luna then to her food. I see. He'll use whatever tactics he can to keep me on edge. Using Gary against me would've been smart if I didn't have my powers back. Even so, I can't risk causing a scene here. Not only could the employees of the castle get hurt, but we have no guarantee of escape. I still can't feel Býleistr and Luna can't feel Icarus or else we'd have them send a message to our uncles and aunts in the Celestial Spirit Realm. And flying away from here doesn't guarantee the people we leave behind would be safe from the consequences of our escape. She set down the goblet to continue delicately eating. We moved an inch, but we're still in a corner. And even so…
Hickories flashed over to the calm Naseer and narrowed. He's well-aware of all the power we brought with us. Tesla alone could take him out, and I could overpower him if I pushed myself. Luna is a wild card. But he isn't worried about that at all. Which means he hasn't played his final hand yet.
"Oh, Your Majesty," Naseer spoke, "my father seeks an audience with you tonight at dinner and would like for the three of us to have a private meal together." He took a bite of his lunch as he looked at her. "Will that be an issue?"
"No," Nashi sniffed. "That's fine."
Tesla clapped her hands. "Oh, yippee, oh, yay, this means Luna and I can have a fun dinner in her room," she sat flatly. She nudged Luna with a wink and loudly whispered, "We'll order a bunch of fatty food and sugary desserts, okay?"
Luna smiled a little. "Okay."
"Oh." Tesla offered a shrewd look towards Naseer. "As long as that's okay with our jailor. Wouldn't want us being happy to ruin Jafar's nefarious plans."
Naseer's eyebrow twitched. "My plans aren't 'nefarious'," he assured. "And my name, if you had forgotten, is Naseer."
"Oh, I haven't. I just prefer not to use the name of my prison warden, Prince Ali," Tesla said simply. "Did you not like that one? I've read One Thousand and One Nights, so I have plenty of names for you to spare, Sinbad. And this isn't a racist thing. This is because I don't like you as an individual." She rested her cheek against a propped hand as she swirled her liquor in her glass. "You can feel free to call me a name, though. I dare you. I'm pretty sure I know the name you want to call me."
Naseer pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm not going to call you a name, Miss Greer, but if you prefer to call me one, please feel free to do so," he gritted.
"A villain who has thousands of hostages, but he respects women and races enough to not name-call. Hmph." Tesla raised her glass to him. "Cheers to you, Ali Baba, for your striking moral compass. Kanpai."
Luna could see the tick mark grow on Naseer and looked towards Nashi, whose face looked halfway between this-isn't-funny and this-is-hilarious. "Um, Your Majesty? May Miss Tesla and I be excused? She promised to teach me some Sinnish."
"Go ahead," Nashi murmured.
"Don't forget you have afternoon lessons, Your Highness, and a servant will retrieve you for them," Naseer reminded. "Please do your best. I'm sure you will. You and Her Majesty share highly intelligent minds." He raised a hand. "Her Highness and Lady Tesla are finished from lunch."
Two servants rushed forth to collect the plates while another two came over to pull out chairs. Tesla feigned a giggle as she took the hand of a young servant. "Well, aren't you a tall drink of water?" she teased. "Better keep hold of my hand. Wouldn't want it to wander. Oh, no." She feathered the servant's collar, and she purred, "Already wandering."
The servant flushed. "U-U-Uh…"
"Might I suggest not embarrassing the staff?" Naseer suggested, hands fisted. "Please allow them to do their jobs."
Tesla snorted and took Luna's hand. "I am letting them do their job while I do mine, being an untamable tease." She flicked her braids over her shoulder as she gave Naseer a lazy once-over and smirked when he looked uncomfortable at the attention. "It's been fun, Aladdin. But if you ever need a Jasmine, you let me know. Come on, Luna." She gently guided Luna away.
Naseer rubbed his temples the moment Tesla and Luna were gone from the dining room. "Are you sure your friend is a good influence on Her Highness, Your Majesty?" he asked. "She's very brazen for court."
"She's the perfect influence on my sister. She speaks her mind. Don't fault her for you getting so flustered by her." Nashi hid her own smirk when Naseer shifted. "I never thought you would want to have a private dinner with your father considering your hatred for him."
Naseer took a swig of his wine. "Our relationship is improving," he said simply. "And you'll become his daughter-in-law soon enough."
"You sound cocky saying that."
"Not cocky. Confident," Naseer corrected.
Nashi pitched up an eyebrow. "Care to share why you're so confident I'll be your puppet?"
"I'd be inclined to"—Naseer tilted his head towards her and raised his glass in her direction—"if you'd be inclined to a private dessert with me after dinner, Your Majesty. I'm sure there are many things only you and I need to hear. And an intimate conversation between the Empress and her fiancé should be expected to be in private, should it not?"
So he throws down the gauntlet. Gary isn't going to like this. None of them will. But we need to know his final hand. Nashi raised her glass. "I should."
"Perfect. I look forward to it." Naseer locked his eyes on her. "Fa Sahetek."
"Right." Nashi did not back down. "Fa Sahetek."
CLINK!
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Fairy Adventure
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Waas Forest
Fiore, Ishgar
11:50 AM FST
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
The forest had been drenched in winter, but January had proved to be a lighter month in regard to heavy snowfall. The snow on the ground was thick enough to walk on with snowshoes, and the icicles that clung to the branches would not be disturbed unless you deliberately waked at them. Magical and non-magical life coexisted, but it was still a time for hibernation for many in the forest. The mountain ranges of the Arborea Summit could be seen in the distance, and if you listened closely, you could hear the hoots of a train going by.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
« This is the Waas Forest, located northeast of Fiore and right on the border between Fiore and Seven. Extra border patrol has been put in place to help stop human trafficking routes from Seven, and any escaped prisoners from the human traffic ring that comes to the forest are automatically given asylum in Fiore. »
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAW…!
Donning her Satan Soul in its monstrous glory, Mirajane held nothing back as her black tail whipped around. Face stone-cold, she held out a clawed hand as violet energy gathered before her and she chanted, "Evil Shower…!"
Like a chain retraction, violet explosion after violet explosion cascaded down on the draconic creatures as they screeched. Some curled into a ball as they deflected the explosions gunning for them while the lights had bombarded and blinded others. They had very little time to use the enchanted speed as they were hit and blown away.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
« These are Green Wyverns or Forestverns. Unlike Blizzardverns, Forestverns are typically abundant in populace and are adaptable to several temperate and tropical biomes such as jungles, rainforest, coniferous forests, and so forth. Forestverns are known to be aggressive omnivores and, in the springtime, Forestverns form lounges for mating, nesting, and to protect and provide for new mothers and their offspring. Their special attacks are 'Deflect', 'Solar Beam', and 'Earthquake'. »
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Mira watched with narrowed eyes as some of Forestverns shook off the lethal attack with their scales singed. Furious, they opened their jaws as solar energy gathered in their mouth. Mira flapped her wings and called, "Mary Jane, switch out!"
"O-Oh! Right!" Mary Jane rushed forward with ski goggles on and dressed in her Fairy Tail winter battle suit. She rolled her wrists as cerulean energy glowed around her gloved hands and she slid to trip forward, but it did not matter. She had gotten close enough as her eyes glowed blue, and she gritted her teeth as she expanded her energy around the haphazard lounge of Forestvern. Blue energy domed them, but they unleashed their attacks onto their cage and Mary Jane faltered underneath the strength.
"Mom!" Mary Jane yelped. "I-I can't…hold them in here for long!"
Mira flashed forward as she praised her throaty demonic timbre, "You're doing great, sweetie! Keep them contained for a little longer. I can handle the rest." She flew over the blue dome as her Magic Circle awaited for her and she burst into for her Magic to cloak. "Soul…ascension…!" The Magic burst off Mira to showcase her with her hair dyed a deep violet with horns peeking out, a leopard-printed kimono on her person, and her forehead tattoo with the symbol of the soul of an Etherious on it. "Satan Soul! Mirajane Seilah Mode!"
Mary Jane nearly buckled under the strain as she felt the Forestvern hack and claw at the dome she had subjected them too. Please… Just a little more… Can't fail Mom…
But the dome was cracking underneath the severe Magic pressure and a claw could be seen ripping out of the cage set for them.
No… Mom is…counting on me… Mary Jane shut her eyes as her surrounding aura wavered and waned. Igneel… Help…me… A heat cloaked her like a second skin and she could smell embers.
GRRRRR….
Mary Jane opened her eyes as they flashed violet. Cerulean doused her stronger than before, and she sealed back the dome and forced the enclosure to strengthen itself and resist the wild attacks thrown onto its wall. No you…don't…
Mira made a circle in the air with a hand that crafted a violet sigil that reflected the sigil of Etherious Seilah. The blues of her eyes descended into a pitch back as she commanded in Dark Tongue, "Heed my orders and confine your will. Macro." She pressed a hand on the sigil. Beams of Curse Power shot up to missile into the blue dome, and the shrieks of the Forestvern could pierce the sound barrier, but their shrieks ended in silence.
"You can drop the dome, Mary Jane," Mira told her daughter. "They'll be docile."
Mary Jane nodded and sapped back her power as the dome of cerulean aura dismantled. The Forestvern were blank, unaware, and compliant.
"Move, now, now!"
A score of Tamers flooded the area from their hiding places in the trees. Suited in thick boots, goggles, hats, and with the crest of the Ministry of Magical Creatures on their backs, they went to the collared Forestvern with their devices and activated their Tamer Circles to begin the process of taming these creatures and binding them.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
« These Tamers are part of the Control Division of the Ministry of Magical Creatures and are tagging and tapering the Forestverns' moods to curb their unusual aggression for winter. »
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Mary Jane stumbled and fell into the snow, panting, as her mother landed before her. "Soul…descension…!" Mira was back in her winter gear and her perky blue eyes as she watched the Tamers work. "You did beautiful, Mary Jane." She helped her daughter back to her feet with a wide beam. "You're getting faster!"
"Thanks, Mom," Mary Jane heaved as she leaned on her mother for support. "I'm just sorry I'm slowing you down."
"Mary Jane, this isn't my mission," Mira patiently reminded her. "This is yours for us to go at your pace and you're doing great. Your defensive powers are working out to be a strong offense. I'm very proud of you."
Mary Jane smiled, pleased and embarrassed. "Thanks, Mom."
"I think it's safe to say we're all proud of her." List approached with her Asena trekking in the snow next to her. White hair salted into her natural green locks, she looked spirited today and her Asena looked happy to be at her side in its harness and saddlebags. "Thanks to your efforts, we've been able to clear out three lounges." She shook her head. "I don't know what's made the Forestvern make lounges so early in the year, but with us tagging them, we should be able to find out more." She smiled at Mary Jane. "Thank you, Miss Dreyar, for taking the job."
"Oh! Really, it's nothing," Mary Jane dismissed, abashed. "It was Mom's idea, anyway. She's been the one doing all the work."
"I disagree. You've both been pulling your weight on this and I couldn't be happier," List assured. "The team was ready to be here for a few days, but between the two of you, we might have all the lounges separated by the day. Always efficient with Fairy Tail."
Mira tittered. "Well, we try to be." She rubbed Mary Jane's shoulder as she told List, "We're going to take a little break, but let us know when everyone is ready to head out to the next lounge."
"We'll do. Have a nice break."
Mira and Mary Jane walked away to head over to their makeshift tented station for their belongings. They stepped inside and Mira swiftly got Mary Jane's thermos and handed it to her daughter. "Drink some slowly," she cautioned. "This will help keep your strength up and keep you warm."
"Thanks, Mom." Mary Jane unhooked the cap from her thermos and blew on it before taking small sips of the broth inside. "How many more lounges do we have to go?"
"Four more." Mirajane took a sip of her own thermos and settled beside her daughter with a weighted blanket. "Then, afterward, we can head over to Myosotis Island to see Veronika and Lisa-Jane and Ivan. It would be a perfect time for you to keep up with your flying lessons."
Mary Jane grimaced and shied away from the suggestion. "I'm not exactly a good flier, Mom. I can't keep myself balanced."
"All the more reason to practice," Mira enthused. "Learning to fly in winter is actually better than learning to fly in the warmer months. It's more difficult, but once you get the hang of it, flying in spring, summer, and fall will be easy!"
Mary Jane sighed, and her eyes fell to her feet. "I guess…"
Mira caught the downcast look on her daughter's face and frowned. "No one moves a mountain in a day," she softly reminded. "These things take time and practice. When I lost touch with my Magic around your age, I never thought I could cast a spell again. But it took time and practice for me to be where I am today."
"I just…" Mary Jane reached under Igneel's scarf to finger the acorn button charm. "It's been weeks since Igneel's been gone and I feel like I've done nothing. I haven't improved or anything. When he comes home…how am I supposed to face him?"
"With a smile," Mira told her. "Because he knows you're doing your best. Your powers are drastically different from Lightning Magic, Mary Jane. The systems, the spiritual connection, the feeling—all of it is different. You're relearning about a part of yourself. Igneel could never fault you for that. He'd be proud of you for even going on this mission." She brushed back Mary Jane's hair. "And he'd be proud of you with anything you do."
"Really?"
Mira hummed. "Of course, sweetie." She teased, "But he'd be prouder of you if you kept up with your flying lessons…"
"Mom…!" Mary Jane giggled when her mother nudged her. "I'll think about it, okay? I hate how stupid I look trying to keep myself balanced. I don't want people to laugh at me."
"No one will laugh at you."
"Uncle Bix laughed at me," Mary Jane grumbled.
Mira remembered that, but she also remembered Bixslow quickly quieted himself when he had the entire family glaring at him. "Yes, well, Bixslow learned his lesson that he shouldn't laugh at you when you're learning a new skill. And if anyone dares laugh at you, we'll make sure they never laugh again," she promised brightly.
It was amazing how everyone saw her as so sweet, but her threats were so violent…
Mary Jane gave her mother a hopeful look. "Really?"
"You think your dad would let someone laugh at his butterfly?" Mira simpered. "Your father would strike fear into them or maybe even electrocute them." She swooned. "But that's what I love about him. Your father wouldn't hesitate to make someone wish for death." She laid a hand on her cheek, skin pinkened. "He's so perfect."
Whereas Mira was quite literally remembering a violent and murderous Laxus, Mary Jane giggled over the playful memories she had of her father as he pretended to be a villain and chase her around in her youth. "Daddy can get scary," she supposed.
VRR-VRRRRRRRR…
Mira popped out of her daydreams to weasel out her Compact and smiled. "Speak of the Devil and he shall appear," she quipped. She answered the Compact to chirp, "Hi, Laxus! Mary Jane and I are on a break right now, so perfect timing!" A pause. She handed the Compact to Mary Jane. "He wants to speak to you."
Mary Jane pressed the Compact to her ear and sipped her broth. "Hi, Daddy."
"Hi, butterfly. How's the job?"
"It's fine. We have four more lounges to go," Mary Jane reported. She watched her mother mouth to her, and she recited, "Mom says we should be done before dinnertime, and then we can head to Veronika's."
"That's amazing, butterfly!" Laxus cheered. Yes, the same violent and murderous man could not resist doting on his youngest child. "I told you you'd be perfect for the mission, didn't I? And here you are kicking ass. I'm proud of you."
Mary Jane's cheeks burned. "Thanks, Daddy."
"Once you come home, we should celebrate," Laxus decided. "How about we play a game of Shell Shot?"
Mary Jane's eyes lit up. "Seriously? You'll let me play?"
"I think you deserve it for a job well done," Laxus chuckled. "Your grandpa was the one to teach it to me and we used to play it when Veronika and Nik were home with the entire family. I think it's time you learned a family tradition."
"Thanks, Daddy!" Mary Jane wriggled with excitement. "I can't wait!"
"I'll round up the family for it. Would you mind passing me back to your mom?"
"Sure. Love you, Daddy."
"Love you too, butterfly."
Mary Jane passed the Compact back to her mother, but the second she heard her mother's snort-laugh, she winced. Ugh, I don't want to listen to wherever that conversation is going to go. She got from underneath the weighted blanket and made sure her mother understood she was heading outside before she ventured. The Tamers were still working on the docile Forestverns, so she had some time to kill before they packed it up and moved out. Curious, she drifted away from the site to explore the Waas Forest.
Tree squirrels skittered, and she smiled as she watched them make their way through the branches. A few albino deer with golden antlers were crossing through the forest, and Mary Jane partially hid behind a tree as she watched them march on. Nature is so beautiful… Her eyes softened. Igneel would love this… She continued her trek into the forest and kept a respectful distance from a few wild horses who had come to stomp out some easy pickings that were buried in the snow. She sipped more broth. We'd be walking through the East Forest just like this…and he'd probably say—
"MJ, should I feel offended you wore all that and doubted I could keep your warm?"
May Jane hummed her laughter. "No. I'm just a freeze baby. I've always been one."
"Now you have me, though." Rough fingers interlaced with her own.
Mary Jane paused. Her mixed eyes flashed over to lock onto playful onyx. Igneel was at her side, taller, firmer, and dressed for summer in a t-shirt and shorts, but he did not mind the cold one bit. "Igneel…"
"Come on, MJ." Igneel swung their hands. "Take a winter stroll with me."
Mary Jane opened her mouth, but she forgot what she was going to say to him. A rejection? A question? A smile perked her face, and she tightened her hold on his hand. "Yeah," she breathed. "I'd like that."
Igneel laughed, a spring in his step. "Awesome! Then let's go!" He charged ahead with Mary Jane stumbling after him. Her eyes glistened as she watched him pull her into the forest.
This feeling…for some reason…it feels…familiar to me…
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Kirari hikaru shiroi yuki ga
Sukoshi zutsu machi wo somete yuku
Saa futari de kanaderu merodii
Sagashi ni dekakeyou
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Mary Jane let Igneel squat her down before he settled beside her. She looked at him in confusion, but he had an excited gleam in his eye. Carefully, he parted the bushes before him and his eyes shined before he gestured for Mary Jane to look too. She peeked into the gap and she understood why he had been so animated. The pair of them were witnessing a Goldhorn stag in its white fur and gold antlers as it patrolled the forest as if it was its duty to do so. The two watched as it embraced the sunlight on its fur.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Kono fuyu saigo no yuki ga
Bokura no machi ni maiorita
Futari ga aruita michi no
Ashiato wa kieteshimau
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Mary Jane had found the frozen pond first. Over the moon, she pointed and gestured loudly to an uncertain Igneel, but she let go of his hand to take a tentative step on the ice. Once she was more confident, she took another before waving him over. Nervously, Igneel gulped and approached the frozen pond. It took more encouragement on Mary Jane's part, but he bit the bullet and took a step onto the pond…
…only for them to both gawk when the ice instantly melted, and he was frantic that one foot was in ice-cold water.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Tsumetai kuuki suikonde
Nakidashi sou na sora wo mita
Ashita no asa ni wa futari
Betsubetsu no basho he arukidasu
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
The pair of them were walking when Igneel stopped her and brought a finger to his lips. He backed them up and Mary Jane watched in wonder as a parade of snowy giants silently marched to the beat of their own drum within the forest. Magical creatures and respected, they did not fear a predator in these woods. Together, Igneel and Mary Jane clasped their hands in prayer and bowed low in honor of them.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Okubyou sugita boku wa
Daiji na koto mo iezu
Furueru kimi no sono te wo
Nigiru koto sae mo
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
They had gotten to a towering hill covered in snow, and Mary Jane was plum-tuckered out. She rested her back against the barren and lonesome tree and attempted to catch her breath when a snapping sound caught her ear. She sipped her broth first and then tended to the sound. To her puzzlement, Igneel had sliced off a nice arch of the tree. When he showed it to her, enthusiastic, she had not understood at first.
But she twisted her head and that piece of the tree looked like… Well, it sort of looked like a…
Her eyes widened, and she backed away when Igneel approached, but she was left with no choice.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Kirari hikaru shiroi yuki ga
Sukoshi zutsu machi wo somete yuku
Saa futari de kanaderu merodii
Sagashi ni dekakeyou
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Mary Jane wanted to die.
She gripped the sliced-tree-turned-sled for dear life with Igneel holding her on the edge. He gave a countdown before he bolted. Before the sled could gain serious traction, he hopped inside and off they went down the hill. Mary Jane screamed while Igneel whooped as winter stung their cheeks and they cascaded down the hillside. Though Igneel had to smile when Mary Jane clung to him and shut her eyes, apparently too afraid to see what came next.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Nagai yume ga sameru mae ni
Kono omoi kimi ni todoketai
Kitto mata atarashii utagoe ga
Kono sora ni maioriru
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
The sliced-wood-turned-sled had hit some sort of bump. The first bump, the pair of them stayed on, but the second bump and the third had thrown them off and they were tumbling down the hillside. It took them both a little bit until they could regain control, and rather than somersaulting their way to the bottom, they were sliding down the hillside on their two feet. Mary Jane kept wobbling, unstable and scared, but the moment she heard Igneel's excited hooting, she was able to find her center.
They slid down the hillside as their laughter ran out for all to hear, cheeks pink, and eyes bright. Mary Jane chortled when Igneel showed off as he jumped and tried to rebalance himself, but he did it with a little wobbling. Though, when he was entranced with the sound of her giggling, he accidentally hit a bump and ended up tumbling down the hillside. Mary Jane's giggles made her wobble, and she fell, crashing into him. They tumbled for a few more yards together until Igneel rolled onto his back with Mary Jane crumbled on top of them as snow dusted all around them.
Violet clashed with jade.
They could not even hold in their mirth and broke into peals of laughter.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Yagate me no mae ni maioriru
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Hand in hand, they walked through the snow and the trees with all sorts of life around them. His thimble and her acorn button glinted whenever sunlight struck them, and Mary Jane had shared his scarf between the two of them. Mary Jane sighed with her head rested against his arm and those violets drank in everything around her.
"I'm sorry we never got to do this sooner," Mary Jane murmured.
"It's okay." Igneel nuzzled the side of her face. "We get to do it now."
Mary Jane hummed, but she pulled the pair of them to a stop once the tree line had ended and a gorge separated them from the other side of the forest. She frowned, disappointed when she saw the expanse. "Looks like we have to head back," she supposed. "I don't see a bridge around."
"Why do you need a bridge?"
Mary Jane shot Igneel a bewildered look. "What do you mean? We need it to get to the other side."
"Maybe I do," Igneel supposed. "But you don't."
"No." Mary Jane let go of his hand to back away, fear drilling into her stomach. "No way. I can't even keep myself balanced, Igneel, let alone fly—"
"But you didn't have me when you tried." Igneel took her hands into her own and searched her dreaded violet gaze. "You have me this time," he promised her. "You flew to me before, MJ. You can do it again."
Mary Jane swallowed, still timid. "I don't know how."
"You do," Igneel softly told her. "You just need to remember." Carefully, he led her step by step away from the tree line and into the barren borders of the gorge. He kept them a reasonable distance away from the ledge, but it was enough for them both to see how wide the expanse was and their target—the other side.
Mary Jane shook her head. "Igneel—"
"MJ." Igneel put his hands on her cheeks and forced her to focus on him. "Hey. Look at me. You can do this. You've done this before, okay?" He reached out to touch her acorn button charm. "You just forgot."
"Then how am I supposed to remember?" Mary Jane's bottom lip trembled. "It's like…I can't remember anything—"
"Shhh-shh-shh-shhh," Igneel hushed as he pressed his forehead to hers. "This is something I know you can remember. It's just like the story, MJ." He brushed her cheeks and passed her a smile. "Just think of a wonderful thought."
Mary Jane tried to pull away. "Igneel—"
"Any happy little thought," Igneel crooned to her sweetly. "C'mon, MJ, I know you love this." He prodded her nose when her lips twitched. "You're smiling. C'mon, Wendy, I can't do this without you."
"Like…" Mary Jane's eyes flashed down, then back to Igneel. "Like presents at Christmas?"
"And sleigh bells and snow," Igneel chimed.
Mary Jane giggled. "A mermaid lagoon."
"Underneath a magic moon."
"Neverland adventures."
"And dreams come true." Jades flickered to her lips.
"Faith."
"And trust."
"But we're forgetting the most important thing," Mary Jane whispered.
"Yeah?" Igneel set them only five centimeters apart.
"Yes." Mary Jane's fingers grazed the side of this face. "Dust."
"Right." Igneel tipped her head up as his lips brushed over hers. "And pixie dust." He took a shallow breath. "MJ—" The next words were lost on him when Mary Jane got on her tiptoes to press a soft kiss onto his lips and he returned it with fervor.
Have you ever had that wonderful thought?
That little happy thought?
A thought that might be small, but it brought a smitten smile to your face because that little thought turned out to lead to remembering something wonderful or imagining something beautiful. You might remember that little moment when you and your friend were sitting on the curbside, eating ice cream, talking about life when you did not even know what living was. Or you might be imagining your wildest daydream come true. You might remember the first successful skateboard trick you ever did. You might be imagining the book your reading coming to life.
It was just that sort of happy little thought that filled you from the inside out. Maybe you just started laughing even though the thought was not that funny, but you just had such a euphoric feeling about you that you could not help but laugh.
It was that sort of merry little thought that warmed Mary Jane the way nothing could. It lightened her heart, and she felt this glow dance off her skin. And when she did not feel Igneel anymore and opened her eyes, gravity no longer held her down. Violet widened.
Wow…
A violet aura glowed around her as she took in the picturesque landscape of the Waas Forest. She could see the treetops and the mountains. She could see the mists of winter touch every inch of this land. The air might have been brittle and cold, but she felt none of it.
This is…beautiful… Mary Jane breathed. I've never seen anything like this. This view, this…this place, oh… "Igneel. Look at this." But when she looked around, her smile gradually fell when she realized he was not with her. "Igneel?" She looked down, but there was no sign of him. No second track of footprints. No vibrant green eyes and blonde hair.
Nothing, like…
…like he had never been there to begin with.
Fear crept over Mary Jane and hyperventilating panic. "Igneel?" she called again. "Igneel? Where are you?" Her breathing labored as the violet in her eyes faded. "Igneel! This isn't funny anymore! Please, come out!" Her eyes stung. "Igneel! Igneel—!"
LUB-DUB.
A rush of scarlet.
She dropped.
It was like hands were strangling her as she choked and gasped. Silence had deafened her ears, and she could not escape from this crippling terror. It killed every ounce of resistance, of fight, or strength she had. Her body did not hit the snow. The gorge had eaten her. Rock and snow trailed past her as her blue and red eyes began to falter. Red infected her blue iris as everything flashed between her.
KRRRRRRRRR…
A temple stranded on a floating island.
KRRRRRRRRR…
A fanged smile.
KRRRRRRRRR…
A thimble and an acorn button.
KRRRRRRRRR…
Dual eyes; a set of blues, and a set of reds.
KRRRRRRRRR…
WHOOSH!
The whisper was low and seductive. Let me help you, Mary Jane. You won't feel pain anymore, I promise. Scarlet drained away the cerulean. You'll feel nothing outside of power. Let me in, Mary Jane. Let me help you.
I… Mary Jane could not breathe. I… I…
A silhouette cut through the air. "Mary Jane!"
Flames filled Mary Jane's vision. Igneel… You're…here… She did not register that silhouette that had speared for her had matched her speed to ease that catch. She did not register her mother had been the one to speed to her in her Satan Soul: Sitri had had been able to pull to a stop before bringing them back up.
"Mary Jane," Mira whispered, a tremor in her voice. She held her daughter close. "Oh, thank goodness I got to you on time."
The moment Mira had carried Mary Jane out of the gorge, she had made sure they were several yards inland before she descended onto the ground with her Satan Soul: Sitri still on, but her eyes filled with worry. She dropped to her knees and nuzzled Mary Jane against her. "You're okay," she whispered. "I've got you, sweetie. You're okay."
"He was here."
Mira looked at Mary Jane in bewilderment. "What?"
"Igneel. He was here." Mary Jane looked at her mother with a clear blue eye and a clear red eye, but they were fogged over still. "I saw him…"
"Shhh…" Mira stroked Mary Jane's cheek the best she could with her claws. "Let's get you back, okay? I think we should take a little longer of a break." She powered herself back into the sky, but her thoughts were in a mess. We made a mistake, Laxus. And our little girl is paying for it.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Tuxedo Park
Fiore, Ishgar
12:19 PM FST
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
The limousine cruised through the winding neighborhood like it had done so countless times. The houses were few and far between, but each house had an extravagant property meant to show wealth and a life of luxury. Even with it being the end of January, some had hired landscapers to shape their front yards with the snow and ice. No holiday decorations remained, but a few properties had obviously prepared for Heart's Day with decorations of red and pink and white. Around this time of day, the mailman was coming around to drop off packages. A politician came home in a supped-up Lacrima Car with the nanny and his children ready for him. A dog walker was doing an afternoon stroll with a few purebreds living in the neighborhood.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
« This is Tuxedo Park, one of Fiore's most wealthy gated communities for A-list celebrities and politicians. »
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Gale had his elbow propped on the door shelf and his cheek propped against his fist, watching the neighborhood pass by through the tinted glass. He had been changed out of his hospital garb for a Fairy Tail bomber jacket with his Mage Name on it, jeans, and his combat boots, and a bandana had been used as a headband.
So this is how the other side lives, huh? He snorted seeing some little kid on a hoverboard as his nanny ran after him. I think I'll stick to home. He checked his Compact against to see the group chat between him and his friends was awfully active today. He unlocked it to scroll through when Dash had sent him a private message.
« My stepbrother is coming into town apparently before he and his frat brothers head out somewhere. Thinking about hitting the flats with him in Crocus this weekend. You in? »
Gale replied:
« Sure, I'm down. »
« Who else is coming? »
« Cane, Miles, and maybe Jax. Jax says he doesn't want to go anywhere until he and Tesla figure things out. Dante can't since he has a date tomorrow with the guy from the New Year's party. »
TICK!
Gale withheld his growl as he remembered Carlisle (though, in his head, he saw Carlisle with horns and a pointy tail as he stuck out his tongue). Ugh. Him. That shitty guy. And Blondie's boy toy's cousin. He sighed when he remembered the soft look on Carlisle's face as he looked at Dante. But he's going to be around for a while, so I better get used to him. Not about to have His Majesty beat my ass just because I try to strangle his shitty boyfriend.
« K. Tell me more at the bar tonight »
« Sure. Peaches says if you get drunk, we're not taking care of you »
« Remind her about when she first got her period and who made her see she wasn't dying »
« She says fuck u (but with love) »
Gale snorted and locked his Compact. Yeah. Sure she says it with love. He blinked when he saw the limousine heading straight towards one of the bigger estates within Tuxedo Park. Custom blended with stone and concrete, it looked majestic as all get out, the main house and the other two smaller houses that were on the property. An additional gate was in front of the driveway, but the driver was let in with ease. An intricate water fountain was shut off for the winter and dedicated to the front yard with its water supposedly to end up in a mirror pond, but the homeowner had decided to put in sheet ice that made it truly look like a mirror.
Woah… The client is loaded, Gale thought. I hope they aren't one of those weird rich people with, like, thirteen wives and bratty children. That'll be annoying to deal with.
The limousine pulled to the grand stone steps leading to the door and a mysterious woman exist the house to stand at attention. Gale waited for the limousine to pull to a stop, but apparently, he was still too slow when Mister Hollifield came to open the door for him. "Thank you," Gale appreciated as he took in the estate. "Damn. What do you have to do to live in a place like this?"
Mister Hollifield chuckled. "You'll find Mister Demiurge is a successful prosecutor," he let Gale know. "He owns an international conglomerate for his services and invests in many successful side projects. And from what rumor tells, he's back to preparing his son to take over."
"Huh…" Gale's eyes narrowed. Kimbley said that Mister Demiurge is a Sanctuary-supporter. Makes sense someone with ridiculous money has the power to hide himself from the Council and could afford to back the Sanctuary. Still, though, regardless of how loaded this guy is, he targeted me. I need to know why. He shouldered his bag and shook Mister Hollifield's hand. "Thank you for the lift, Mister Hollifield."
"Just doing my job, sir." Mister Hollifield tipped his hat. "Ah. Here's my card." He went into his jacket to pull out a business card to Gale.
Gale took it in confusion. "You aren't Mister Demiurge's personal driver?"
"No, sir. My current employer allows me to take contract jobs," Mister Hollifield explained. "I provide utmost privacy, and no distance is too great for me. Please call on me if you find yourself in need of a driver." He tipped his hat again and added with a kind smile, "No matter where my client is, I can get you where you need to go."
"Um, thanks," Gale guessed.
Mister Hollifield nodded. "I'll wait for you once your meeting with Mister Demiurge is over, sir." He departed to the driver's seat.
Gale looked down at the simple business card. Second business card this week. He pocketed the card. Eh, whatever. He headed to the steps and met the cattish eyes of the woman who waited for him, half her face covered with a veil. He jogged up the steps to nod at her in greeting. "Hi. I'm Gale Redfox from Fairy Tail." He took out his MagID to hand it off to her. "I'm here for a follow-up on the job."
"Yes." The woman handed back Gale his ID and curtsied. "I am Aleda, an assistant to the Master." She opened the door and gestured inside. "Please take off your shoes and come inside. The Master has been expecting you."
Gale followed Aleda inside the estate after he took off his boots. The estate had a genkan—similar to a mudroom, but it was a combination of a doormat and a porch, and a step was provided to get to the rest of the house—and Aleda took Gale's boots to put them on the shoe cupboard and offered him house slippers. Once he was settled, she brought him further into the house.
Rubies widened.
Saying the interior was grandiose was putting it lightly, but that was the best way to describe the estate. Rather than artifacts and expensive vases and artwork showing off the homeowner's stature, they had filled their home with more natural decorations such as plants and little terrariums. The artwork dedicated were obvious originals where you could see the bumps of every overlapping brushstroke. Rather than servants fiddling around in a place like this, the estate seemed empty.
Damn. They really are loaded. Gale's eyes flickered to Aleda's form. I wonder if she's also the housekeeper. Does she take care of all the plants here? If Mister Demiurge is a prosecutor, I doubt he has the time to take care of all this. I haven't even met the man and I don't trust him. What exactly does he want from me? If he knows I'm a Dragon Slayer, then he had to have known from Bluenote, right? Does that make him a Warlock too? A Demon-sympathizer or something? But he's a Sanctuary apologist. If Demons are looking to enslave humanity, why is he supporting a movement that gives free will to all? He's like a contradiction.
Aleda let Gale to a side of double sliding doors. "Pardon me while I call for the Master."
"Oh, um, sure."
Aleda parted the doors a little, but she blocked Gale's view from the inside. "Young Master," she called, "your guest is here."
"Guest?"
Gale stiffened.
"What are you talking about?"
STEP. STEP. STEP.
No. Gale's hands tightened. You have to be shitting me.
"Aleda, I shouldn't be having any guests," came long sigh. "I'm working. Send them away."
"Apologies, Young Master, but…"—Aleda widened the doors and backed away to gesture to Gale—"this young man has come as a follow-up to the job set forth of him."
Bleu scratched his head. The sleeves to his button-down were rolled up and his hair was in disarray, but he checked his watch. "Fine. Sure, I'll meet with him. I'm sure Father won't like it if I turn down a guest. Who is he, anyway?" He lifted his head—
Angry ruby clashed with perplexed light.
"You," Gale snarled. "You son of a bitch."
"Gale," Blue breathed, startled. "What are you…?" He shot Aleda a scowl. "What's going on?" he demanded of her. "Why is he here? Did Father put you up to this?"
"Oh, like you don't know," Gale sneered. "I knew there was something wrong with you the moment I saw you and I was fucking right. You bastard—"
Aleda's eyes sharpened. "You will address the Young Master by his proper title."
"Aleda, don't interfere," Bleu offered as he raised a hand to her and she bowed her head. He moved towards Gale. "What are you talking about?" he wanted to know. "What are you doing here—?"
"Don't play dumb with me," Gale snapped. "You really wanted Blondie that fucking much to try to kill me off? Are you serious? I should have known a guy like you would play dirty, but to go this far? Be this unethical? Dozens of Wizards are missing because of your little games, you sneaky fuck, and for what? So you could get the girl?"
Bleu's expression tensed. "What do you mean Wizards are missing?" He grabbed Gale's arm when the Earth Dragon Slayer scoffed and turned away. "Gale, I don't know what you're talking about," he said, firm. "You have to explain this to me—"
Gale ripped his arm out of Bleu's grasp. "I don't have to explain jack-shit to you, you psychopath," he retorted scathingly. "What the Hell is wrong with you that you would endanger all their lives to the Boundary Forest knowingly? No, I know what's wrong with you. What, scared how you neglecting Blondie will make her come back to me?" He smirked when Bleu looked dumbfounded. "She texted me, by the way, two nights ago since you ditched her. She wanted me with her rather than you, but I guess Mister Demiurge just couldn't stand that, could he?"
"Gale, please, you aren't making any sense," Bleu snapped. But his eyes widened as he pieced it together. The Boundary Forest… He was sent there? And Treasure texting him when she's in… He shook his head. "You're making a mistake," he tried to explain. "I didn't have any sort of 'hit' on you. My father must've been the one to order that job—"
"Why the Hell should I believe anything you say?" Gale demanded. "What next, me running into your cousin was part of your master plan too to take me out?"
Aleda's eyes flashed. Cousin?
Quiet anger dominated Bleu. "Gale," he growled, "don't say another word."
"You fucking try to kill me and now you think I'm going to shut up like your little lap dog?" Gale sneered. "You've got some balls. I can't believe I let Blondie stay around you and your shitty cousin—!"
Bleu grabbed Gale and checked him into the room. "Aleda, you are not to disturb me," he barked before he slipped inside and slid the doors shut, locking them. He saw Gale's eyes glow and clenched his jaw. "Gale, you need to calm down," he commanded. "I didn't try to kill you."
"Like Hell you didn't," Gale snarled. "I should have known I was your target all along. I promised Blondie I wouldn't fight you and I wanted to respect that, but now?" His arms flexed as vines coiled around his wrist and waved in the air, ready for his command. "You wanted a Dragon Slayer? You got your fucking wish."
"Gale, wait—!"
SLAM!
Bleu held up his arms as he kept back the vines from slamming down on his face. "Listen to me. You're making a mistake," he bellowed. "I never ordered the job. That was my father. You must have been his target." He glanced down when he saw vines wrap around his ankles.
"Even if that was truth—which it isn't—why would your rich daddy want a piece of me?" Gale growled. He yanked back the vines around Bleu's legs, but he grew angrier when Bleu did not budge. What the Hell? Why isn't he moving?
Bleu gritted his teeth. "I can't answer that," he admitted. "But if you can just hear me out, please. I'm not out to get you because of Treasure or anything like that. I need you to tell me what exactly happened with your mission." He stared directly into Gale's glare. "Please, Gale."
Gale could not let go of his rage, but it was like a weighted blanket came over his emotions. The burning wrath and hatred hazing his mind had been extinguished into residual distrust and minor agitation. He retracted his vines slowly, and the glow abandoned his eyes, but the tension would not leave his body. "Fine," he agreed, gruff. "Say I did believe your old man had a hit on me. What do you need to know about it?"
Bleu massaged his arm. "Everything. Start from the beginning and tell me what you know."
"A little hard to do that when my memory is jacked up, no thanks to your fricken assassin," Gale jeered. He rolled his eyes when Bleu stared at him. "Whatever. The job only said I'd be doing transport from Infiorata Town for some plants, but when I got there, I was supposed to go into the Boundary Forest to collect whatever I could get my hands on for your old man."
"Why did you go in?" Bleu questioned. "Considering the Boundary Forest is off-limits and a hot-zone for dark energy, why go in? Are you really that arrogant to think your powers could match against whatever was going on in that forest?"
Gale gritted his teeth. "Tch. I wasn't being a cocky shit going in, okay?" he snapped. "It's just… Something about it felt…weird to me." He furiously scratched his head. "But I can't remember what it was that was outside of the forest being sick. I just go dark. Nothing. And then I just remember stumbling my way back through the forest, lost out of my mind." The more I think about it, the more it pisses me off.
"What did they tell you about my father?"
"Nothing." Gale crossed his arms. "They didn't even refer to him as anything other than 'the client' and said he's a Sanctuary-supporter. But if your old man has a bounty on my head, it makes me seriously doubt he cares about life."
Bleu's eyes flashed down. You're right. He hasn't cared about life in a long time. His hand fisted. No. He just cares about his job.
"So what the Hell is going on here?" Gale demanded to know. "It's obvious you and him know about me if I was a target." I can't smell a Curse or Black Magic on him like I could smell from Bluenote. The more I think about it… I couldn't smell any deceit or anxiety from him either. It's like he's completely calm in his situation.
Bleu sighed. "I can't give you a certain answer as to why my father would target you. As for your abilities…" He rubbed his forehead. "I'm well aware you're a Dragon Slayer, Gale," he confessed, tired.
"How?"
Bleu shook his head. "You wouldn't believe me."
Gale took a threatening step forward. "Try me."
"No."
"'No'?"
"No." Light eyes braced with severity. "And you'll have to accept that as my answer."
LUB-DUB.
Gale stepped back and clutched the material over his heart. What the Hell was that? he breathed. I wanted to pressure him more, but… That feeling I just got… He flashed his fangs. "Fine. Say I accept it," he spat, "but now what? I'm supposed to believe you don't want me dead? That you're a good guy? That I should trust you around Blondie? That you didn't plant Carlisle as part of this big scheme?"
"Carlisle has nothing to do with what's happening here," Bleu told Gale. "He's innocent in all of this. But I'm asking you to not speak about him in front of my family's staff. He's a sensitive subject."
Gale snorted. "Whatever. But what about the rest of it?"
"I don't want you dead," Bleu deadpanned. "I don't want to see anyone dead. However…" He sighed. "You're right to say I'm not necessarily a good guy…but I'm not a bad guy either. I'm not supposed to take sides. I'm supposed to remain neutral."
Gale pitched an eyebrow. "And that makes me feel a lot better," he remarked, sardonic.
"I didn't say it to make you feel better, but it's the truth." Bleu lifted his chin. "You'd smell if I'm lying."
Gale tched. This asshole…
"As for Treasure, I have honest intentions towards her." Bleu looked down at his fisted hand. "I genuinely do have feelings for her and want the best for her, whether she's with me or not. I'm well aware I've been neglecting making her happy, but I plan to change that as soon as possible. But whether you like it or not, your trust in me or lack thereof doesn't concern me. I don't care."
Gale's jaw went taut. Bastard…
"I only care about Treasure's trust in me," Bleu continued. "Your feelings are irrelevant. However, I know you love her. So I say this kindly." He dropped his arms to his side. "Treasure deserves someone who can love her properly and trust in her words. She's strong and needs someone strong to rely on. And from where I'm standing"—light eyes went cold—"you don't have the strength to be by her side the way you are now."
"You…" Gale felt the Wild raised its hackle and his skin itched for scales. He smirked. "You've got a lot of nerve saying that to me. What's to stop me from telling Blondie about our little conversation?"
"Nothing stops you." Bleu cocked his head. "I don't care if you tell her. That's your decision to make."
Gale was a little put off at such nonchalance. "You'd seriously just let me tell her about this?"
"I'm not going to manipulate you into staying quiet," Bleu said. "You have free will. You should use it. So, what will you do with your free will?"
Gale opened his mouth, ready to growl, but he swallowed it down as he contemplated the meaning behind Bleu's words. If I tell Blondie, there's no way to know if she'd even trust what I'd say. That text she sent was her hitting a low point, but… That doesn't mean she won't think I'm trying to sabotage her relationship. Before, I had the confidence she'd listen to me. But now, after everything… He exhaled tersely and snapped back his aggression. "I won't tell her," he reluctantly decisioned. "But that doesn't mean I trust you."
"And that's fine," Bleu assured. "You don't have to trust me. I'm not looking to earn your trust in any way." Light eyes darkened. "But just as you'd hurt me if I did anything to Treasure, I'll return the favor if you hurt Carlisle. I understand you don't have a high opinion of him. But you don't know anything about him or my family. So be careful who you speak about him."
"Is that a threat?"
"A warning."
Gale lifted his chin. "He's hooked up with a good friend of mine."
"I'm aware. I've met Dante, and he's a good man. I can trust him to keep Carlisle safe because we both care about him," Bleu replied. "I can't trust you to do the same considering we don't see eye-to-eye except for Treasure."
"Well, don't worry. Dante would murder me if I got his boyfriend in trouble. So I won't do anything because he's my friend." Gale eyed Bleu. "So don't think I'm doing this for you."
"Even though you're not, thank you."
TICK!
A tick mark banged against Gale's temple as he growled, "I just said I wasn't doing this for you, asshole!"
Bleu put his hands in his pockets as he ignored Gale's agitated ranting. Father's back to making moves, but in which direction? Even if Father doesn't have a side and prefers neutrality, doing something like this would show he leans toward one-side. But that can't be right. He wouldn't do that. He doesn't want to touch guilds, anyway. And whenever he has a guest, he's always present for them. So for me to greet his guest, something doesn't add up to me. A set-up, maybe? But why choose Gale for it? What's the connection—?
Light froze over. I should have known.
"—you could at least say something back when I'm cussing your ass out—!"
"Gale."
The Earth Dragon Slayer wrinkled his nose. "What?"
"I need a favor."
Another tick mark tainted Gale's face as he growled, "The Hell should I help you for? You stole the girl I love and your old man put a fucking bounty on my head."
"I know. But consider this an official request from a client to the Earth Dragon of Fairy Tail," Bleu likened. "I'll have someone draw up an official contract for me to even become an anonymous Settler with you if you want."
Gale huffed and crossed his arms. "Tell me what the damn job is."
Bleu took a breath and relayed it to him.
Gale's posture loosened in jolted surprise that went into sober disbelief. "You're serious?"
Bleu nodded. "Yes. That's my official request."
Gale's eyes went downcast then back to Bleu. "Dammit. Don't worry about a contract," he rumbled as he came forward until he stood before Bleu. "I'll do it. But I still don't trust you. And I'll be keeping a close eye on you. You stole Blondie. Reason enough for me to dislike you."
"Hmph. Very well then." Bleu extended a hand with a small smile. "You don't have to like me or trust me. As long as you're accepting this request, that's enough for me." When Gale clasped his hand, Bleu added with something strange in his eyes, "As for Treasure's heart…"—he clenched Gale's hand—"let's see this time who she chooses."
°•°•°•°
Mister Hollifield had the door open as Gale came down the steps and towards the waiting limousine. "A pleasant meeting, sir?"
"Sure. Pleasant." Gale threw his bag in. "Change of plans. I'm going to visit a guildmate of mine instead of heading home." He showed Mister Hollifield the address he pulled up on his Compact. "She lives here."
Mister Hollifield nodded. "I'd be happy to take you there, sir."
"Thanks." Gale glanced over his shoulder to see Aleda watching him from outside the doors, but his eyes strayed to Bleu who was watching him from inside the house. Tch. Rich bastard. He got into the limousine and buckled up as Mister Hollifield closed the door behind him. He snorted and turned away from Bleu's gaze. Taking a job from the enemy. Classy. Although…
Intense light.
…it's not like I could have turned him down, Gale reasoned. He probably knew that. He closed his eyes. Hmph. He really is a bastard.
°•°•°•°
Bleu watched as the limousine pulled out of the driveway and left the property. He heard Aleda come back inside and lock up, but he kept his eyes locked on the limousine as it climbed back down the street to leave the gated community. Aleda had come to his side. "Aleda, you're to keep quiet about what you saw and heard today. None of this gets back to Father. Do you understand?"
"I would strongly advise against that—"
"Aleda."
Aleda bowed her head. "I understand, Young Master."
"Good." Bleu messed with his sleeves as he turned back down the hall. "Don't disturb me for the rest of the day." His stare twisted into anger. "I have a call to make."
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Alexandria College of STEMM
Minstrel, Ishgar
1:32PM CMT
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Peter had to admit when he had first gotten excited about wizarding school lecture halls, he had imagined it like in the movies where things were floating and the old architecture, but he was disappointed to see the lecture halls were not that much different from regular university lecture halls he had visited back when his mother had been enthused about him getting the jump on college visits. Everyone had on their uniform, sure, but considering everything was digitized for easier access, there were no floating pens or poofing papers. The most excitement there was was whenever the professor caught a wayward student trying to nap in class or game and the professor would use Magic to wake them up in laughable ways.
Needless to say, no one was eager to stray from lecture.
"That's all for today, class! You're free to go!"
Peter yawned as he closed his PAL and stuffed it back into his bag. Man, that lecture was long. Here I was hoping magical classes might actually keep me awake, but I guess lectures are the same everywhere.
Peter was somewhere in the middle of the exiting lecture class, and he squinted underneath the brightness of the sun. Yawning again, he began his trek towards his familiar route. At least I have a two-hour break until lab, and then I'm done for the day. I'm lucky I have no SI sessions, but I still have homework to finish up this weekend. Marek invited me to a party outside of campus, but I need to focus on studying. He brought out his Compact to check the time. Sweets must be on that job with her mom by now. I wonder how that's going? He smiled to himself. I'm happy she's getting back in the swing of things.
"Watch it!"
Peter stumbled back when two upperclassmen roughly passed him by and hit his shoulder. "Ow…" He rubbed his shoulder. "And I guess upperclassmen are the same everywhere…" He blinked up when he saw he was in beside a sign that pointed to different destinations on campus, but his eyes focused on one arrow in specific.
"Given your…circumstances, you'd think you'd be interested in learning your bloodline."
Gold eyes went into thought. Maybe…
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
And then…
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Peter grimaced as he stood in front of the building, not at all confident. I came here on a whim, but now…
The building he faced was no mere building. A literal castle stood before him in its beauty and restored grace, with a glistening moat surrounding it and a covered bridge to get to it. Old and exquisite, it looked like it housed dozens of rooms and hundreds of people. It even came with its own cathedral bell tower alongside an outstanding stained-glass mural of a weeping Wizard with the sigils for Mages, Alchemists, Alkahests, Magicians, and Wiccans. Students entered and exited the library, and if you looked through the moat closely, you would see the library extended underwater for marine students and also for students to have their own study time with the fishes.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
« This is the Houdini Rare Book and Manuscript Library, often called "HR" by the student populace. Out of all of Minstrel, per the Magic Society, it carries the largest source material for Magic and its history on all accounts and is open to the public Monday through Thursday. »
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
…now I'm regretting everything! Peter swallowed. I don't even know where to start, but…
"Given your…circumstances, you'd think you'd be interested in learning your bloodline."
"Jean and Alex were your parents, Peter. Your mom wanted to give you the answers you deserve, but instead, we just have a police report about a house fire and a suspected arsonist."
"All of Jean and Alex's family had solid alibis for that night. But your mother has her doubts. Something else was going on."
Peter straightened and tugged on the straps of his backpack as he pushed himself to the bridge. I owe it to myself to find out about Jean and Alex's deaths. I always knew they died in a fire after I was born, but if my mom and dad think there was something else in the background that everyone missed, then I owe it to myself and to Jean and Alex to find out what happened to them. He crossed the bridge and someone was holding open the door. Thanking them, he went inside and was taken back.
The interior of the library made it seem this had been a castle in its past life. Of course, it had been renovated and refurnished, but the lobby looked like something out of a fairy tale. Students gathered at the round table where librarians and student aids assisted and Peter fell into line with them. He managed to get out his student ID by the time he was called, and he placed it on the counter. "Hi. I'm, um, looking for the genealogy section, if you have one here?"
"Oh! You want to head to our bloodline chambers," the librarian interpreted. "May I know the specific witch or wizard bloodline you're trying to research?"
"Um, 'van Helmont', please."
"Ah, did you bring your signed contract from your professor?"
Peter's brow furrowed. "Excuse me?"
"The van Helmont bloodline is a restricted bloodline for family members or for students who fill out the requested paperwork by an approved staff member," the librarian relayed to him in apology. "Without a signed and approved contract, I'm afraid I can't allow you to access their history reports and documents."
I should have known something like this would pop up, Peter lamented. Considering all the secrets with my family, should I be that surprised?
"I'll vouch for him."
Peter looked up to see Adrian had materialized at his side with his permanent reproachful look and well-dressed in his robes. "Professor…"
Adrian paid Peter little heed as he retrieved his staff ID and presented it to the librarian. "I authorize this student to investigate the van Helmont bloodline for his report to me," he dictated. "This private genealogy report should take no more than two weeks. He'll have access to the bloodline chambers for that duration."
"Of course, Professor Flammel," the librarian hurried to comply. "Let me enter the information into the system."
"Thank you," Adrian appreciated stiffly.
Peter awkwardly shuffled his feet before he cleared his throat, "Thank you, Professor—"
"Your thanks means nothing to me."
Peter sulked in silence. I knew he hated me.
"All set!" The librarian passed back Adrian's ID. "Professor, your student is registered and authorized to access the van Helmont archives from today until February eleventh."
Adrian pocketed his ID. "Thank you." He turned away, but he added to Peter in a mutter, "You have until your little excursion off to campus to Miss Dreyar. I'd use this time wisely, Mister Thompson." With a flutter of his robes, he marched off with students looking at him in both trepidation and admiration.
Peter gawked after Adrian. He really just left like that?
"Mister Thompson?"
Peter snapped back to attention. "O-Oh, um, yes?"
"If you'd step to the side, one of our assistants will guide you to the van Helmont archives."
"Oh, thank you!"
After getting back his student ID, Peter moved to the side for the next student to take his place. I wonder if Professor Flammel was here this whole time. Has he been waiting for me to come here to ask about the archives or something? He didn't seem that happy to see me, but Marek says he's just naturally unhappy. A nose brushed his hand, and he automatically petted the snout. I wonder why he's unhappy…and what am I petting? He looked down—
His eyes widened.
A nine-tailed vision of a fox that reached his elbow was before him. Unlike other Kumihos, this Kumiho had a sleekness to its fur under the solid color of lavender. A jewel sat on its head with its eyes round and dark but not at all intimidating. The tips of its tails looked were tinged lighter than the rest of its body and a pretty collar sat on its neck to indicate it belonged to the college.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
« This is a Inumiho, a psychic-type Kumiho that is very rare to find. Inumihos have strong mental powers and are the most intelligent of the Kumiho species. Some say Inumihos have the ability to talk, but there are no official historical records to back up such a claim. »
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
"You must be my guide," Peter realized. "I've never had a fox as a librarian."
The Inumiho turned away from him to begin a stroll.
Peter hesitantly followed once he glanced around to see no one else was put off at this situation. "Well, all right then…"
The Inumiho led Peter around through the castle of a library. He was amazed by each section they saw. They bypassed a mini-café where the old kitchen of the castle had been restored in order to serve students soups, sandwiches, and salads. A dining room had been turned into a glass study room and a group of students was going over a group project. The hall of knights and their armor stayed the same, but the armor had been enchanted and interacted with those who needed to know their history. But the Inumiho continued to take him until they reached an elevator and pressed the button with its nose.
DING!
Peter and the Inumiho filed in. In fascination, Peter watched as the Inumiho approached the elevator buttons and reached out to display its collar. The elevator made a humming sound, and the doors closed.
They were going up.
Peter watched as they bypassed the first few floors, but it made his eyes widen when they continued going up past the last floor. Is this right? Shouldn't we have stopped or something? He glanced at the Inumiho, but the creature did not look concerned. Maybe the elevator is having an off-day or something?
DING!
The doors opened.
Peter followed the Inumiho out of the elevator, but they were stopped from going any further by another counter and a set of half-circle doors. The librarian behind the counter did not look too concerned with them as the Inumiho went to the passcode pad and showed its collar again.
The doors opened.
Peter's jaw dropped as he trekked into the room beyond. No way…
Why did everything have to look like it came straight from a movie?
He had pictured filing cabinets or something similar, not a room that looked like he stepped into a different dimension. Of course, that was not necessarily accurate, but he had never seen a section of a library quite like this before. Instead of books (like he expected), the entire circular library section had a ledge you jumped off, and the walls were bolted with doors. Various doors came in all shapes and sizes and sets, but it should be known that these doors carried specific crests and some had coats of arms on them to represent them.
Woah… This is… His eyes widened when the Inumiho nudged him off the ledge. "You want me to jump?"
The Inumiho paused and dipped its head.
Peter shuffled over to the ledge and gulped when he realized he could not see the bottom of this cylindrical chamber. "Um… Maybe this wasn't such a good idea—Ah!" He had been pushed off the ledge and he was prepared to be a screaming mess plummeting to his death, but…
He was not falling.
He was still in mid-air.
The Inumiho walked off the ledge and kept a poised walk even through mid-air as it dove downwards into the chamber. Peter tentatively took a step and then another to realize even in mid-air, he was walking on solid ground. Shakily, he kept walking to match the Inumiho, but he could not help but think, Magic really is unbelievable. I'm walking on air. I didn't even think that was possible.
The Inumiho continued to lead him downwards, but he took the time to look at the series of doors and studied the etched-in symbols. Marek told me about this and the same to Doctor M. Those symbols are crests from family bloodlines. Mages don't really use coats of arms or crests for their bloodlines, but Magicians, Alchemists, Alkahests, and Wiccans do to help identify each other. When a Mage uses a Magic Circle, it reflects a symbol of their Magic. But for the rest of us, it's different. If your blood is strongly rooted to a power genetically passed down, when you're young, you'll show your family crest. It won't show up in your sigil, for the most part. But if you don't have a strong tie with that power, you either remain Spiritless or it's guaranteed you won't be powerful.
His thoughts stopped when his hand burned. He winced and inspected his palm to see the symbol was showing itself on his flesh. His Alkahestric symbol. Why is it burning all of a sudden? What's going on? He looked up to see the Inumiho sat patiently before a set of twin doors…
…which had a carved Alkahestric symbol into them.
Peter came over to the twin doors as he hid his hand. This is the door that contains all information regarding the van Helmont family bloodline. And the symbol on my palm is their family crest. My family crest…
"Are you going?"
Peter whipped his head to the Inumiho, who stared curiously back at him. "Did you just talk?"
The Inumiho cocked its head.
Peter sighed. "Great. Now I'm hallucinating." He looked back at the twin set of doors with a heavy swallow. Professor Flammel gave me two weeks to find what I need. That seems like a lot more time than I need, but it's fine. Two weeks will be plenty of time for me to sort through the records in here and figure out how Jean and Alex died. Resolution steeled him. Okay. I'm ready. His hand rested on the knob and twisted it. He opened the door, and he was determined to face whatever was inside.
He crossed the threshold.
"Go in peace, lost soul."
The door began to close behind him.
"Make the choice to find the truth."
SLAM!
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Magic Council HAWKS Base
Feijoa City, Chayote
Valchestria
8:45 AM AT
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Meetings on the base were generally held in conference rooms, but in this instance, the war room was utilized. Unlike normal militia, the Magic Council military had the edge with technology and Magic combined. The war room had everyone spread out as a holographic Amazone Rainforest had been built in front of them in a scaled version with dots keeping track of threat levels per creature as well as heated areas that gave an indication of a population of people and potential bloodshed. Muted screens littered the room to show live newsfeed of tribal battles and village civil wars amongst the Faction-supporters versus Spiritless versus Magic Council. The team assembled were in their regular gear for the day with their vests stating they were HAWKS agents and they all came from different walks from life. An anthropomorphic griffin was in the mix of teammates alongside a man with the oversized wings of a raven, a Chimera who was a fusion of a swan and a gazelle, and a very small person who looked content on their little nimbus.
The door to the war room opened. "Attention…!"
The entire team stood at attention.
The man fell in with two other soldiers. Muscled and sharp, the man had very little time for rookie shit. He took the front of the room and looked at the team before him. "At ease," he called.
⌜H.A.W.K.S. OPERATIONS
Name: Erik Cragnoline
Age: 45
Occupation: Lieutenant-Colonel
Likes: mystery series Dislikes: mustard
Special Note: Erik might look like a hard person, but he frequently dotes on his only dog Duchess!⌟
"As you are all aware and have been training for the past three weeks, you have all been called here due to a possible breakthrough of the Faction." He held out his hand and one of his soldiers passed him a remote. He began to wade through the holographic Amazone Rainforest until it stopped in a southwestern quadrant. "Here is where we received intel."
Erik clicked the remote, and the emailed intel projected onto the front screen. "We received intel that the Faction was collecting intelligent Chimaera and kidnapping Aberrants and a few Wizards from nearby tribes and private prides. We confirmed with one of the pride leaders that several of their people have been taken," he explained to the team. "As of this moment, the location of several prides that reside in the Boundary Forest will be revealed to you. But may I remind you that you took an oath not just to serve but to protect. The reason these prides are unknown to man is to protect them." He gave each agent a severe look before he clicked a button.
Five circles appeared in the Amazone, each spaced a good width apart.
"These five prides have all been hit by the Faction," Erik explained. "All of them have reported that it was their young who were targeted first, and they were hit at night. From the reports, the pride wasn't aware of the attack until it happened. By normal standards, they should have been able to sense the attack if it came from a Spiritless group or Wizards. But we're not dealing with either."
He clicked the screen to show a fuzzy picture of a bald-headed black man and a face-masked young woman as they rushed through the rainforest.
"We were able to get this quick photo and identified both of these men as Magic Hunters." Erik clicked the remote once more to show their profiles. "Major General Maxim, who was dishonorably discharged from the Magic Council reserves twenty years ago. The woman with him is called 'Rocha', but we're unable to find a civilian profile for her. Both Magic Hunters were once employed to handle the damage in Margaret Town, but after that disaster, all Magic Hunters have been released from Fiore's government contracts. The authority figures in Valchestria have all sworn the Hunters have no contracts to their countries, which makes our jobs easier."
Erik clicked the screen to show a blurred image of a rundown camp with cages filled with people. Those who patrolled the cages were dressed in black militia uniforms with bullet-proof vests and berets and armed with unnatural weapons. "This is one of the concentration camps set-up by the Faction. Based on intel, those captured are Chimaera, Aberrants, and a few Wizards with sealstone cuffs. By now, you've all heard about the underground laboratories the Faction has been running to experiment on those who have a latent Magene or are simply a Carrier. While we can't confirm or deny those laboratories exist, we can confirm these individuals in cages are being set-up for transport. We have eyes on the human trafficking trade within Valchestria, but our source doesn't think these people will be sold into trafficking and neither do I."
Erik clicked the button again to showcase a map of Valchestria with several aerial routes laid out. "For the duration of your mission, you will be in the Amazone Rainforest to offer relief to attacked tribes, villages, and prides and establish a safe communication between them all and back to base so we can send in reinforcements. You will be securing a supply route for them as well. But your main objective will be to capture any Hunters or Faction-sympathizers who attempt to kidnap more people and bring them back in for questioning. We are not to interfere with the civil war between the Magic Council and the Faction. We will be assisting only those villages that are unaffected by the civil war.
"Your next objective will be to locate the other concentration camps." Erik clicked his remote to show more circles within the Amazone. "We cannot be certain the location of all the concentration camps, but we have a general idea where some of them can be as well as a few predictions. We've already contacted the SEALS who will be monitoring the coastline for cargo ships, and the Council will be cracking down on identification for international travel for every single passenger. If you are to make contact with a concentration camp, you are to immediately report back and to wait for further aid."
His eyes sharpened. "Do not under any circumstances engage until you have your party with you," he commanded. "The weapons identified by the Faction soldiers look to be Spiritless, but we can't be sure about any hidden Hunters or Hellhounds. No one wants to come home in a body bag full of Anti-Ether bullet holes. That being said, each of you will be given extra supplements of Ether pills. The lab reports this will help slow down the deceleration of Ether produced as well as help stabilize your Ether levels against Anti-Ether. It isn't much, I'm afraid, but right now, it's all we've got against those bastards."
Erik lifted his chin as he surveyed the room. "The reason you have been chosen and not WOLF operations is because you have what they don't have—wings. And I want you to use them for the first sign of trouble. The Faction is ground-based, but you have the advantage with your flight. Don't forget that. Stealth is key, but in the event of an emergency, fly your ass back to base and leave no man behind. WOLF will serve as reinforcements once this team has laid down the groundwork.
"These next months are going to be Hell," Erik forewarned. "I can't promise you what you will or won't see. I can't promise you'll be home free after six-months. I brought you out of your homes, but if you're with me until the end of this goddamn atrocity, I will get you home."
Spencer crossed his arms. "I can find my own ride home, Sir."
Erik nodded to Spencer. "Then it's time for you all to suit up and meet your guide into the Amazone."
°•°•°•°
The entire team had assembled on the "runway" which was not necessarily a runway for them, but it was their take-off point. Those who did not need Magic for their wings had been suited up in full-body suits that would blend in with their surroundings when they tapped the HAWKS symbol on their chests to enact ⟪ Stealth Mode ⟫. Masks and goggles on, they came prepared their PDPs in the shape of rucksacks that were made of the same material as their uniforms. Four medics had been placed with them from HAWKS operation with their badges visible so all could see they were emergency personnel.
Erik's eyes narrowed in the distance. "Here comes your guide. Right on time." He called to the team, "Look alive!"
Everyone had their postures straight, eyes hard, and they waited.
WHOOSH!
White feathers.
WHOOSH!
Everyone stilled.
Boots landed on the ground, muddied. A gloved hand brushed back thick strands of black hair streaked in orange. "Who's in charge here?" A battle-worn voice, female.
"That would be me." Spencer approached, but he did not look like himself. Armor clung to his body in its sleek gunmetal grey with veins of sky-blue thrusting through the chromium. You could see the power forged on his person from the black suit underneath the articles of metal with those broad shoulders, but you could not see the man's face. A full-face helmet covered him in chromium with a face shield glowed in the same blue in his eyes. But that was not the kicker about his man. Metallic wings hovered close to his shoulder blades with each primary a beam of blue light.
His face shield dissolved to show those gunmetal dark blues. "Captain Lates," he introduced as he held out a hand. "It's an honor to meet you, ma'am, and thank you for assisting us in this."
She grasped his arm. "Thanks isn't necessary for saving innocent lives from this madness," she firmly told him. "But I thank you for responding to the call, Captain." Sharp yellows braced the outfit with an intense stare. "To the people we save, we'll be heroes. But in reality, we're nothing more than people who believe in free will and life. Remember that every word you say to these people, every bullet you fire, every spell cast—they will remember that as part of their history."
"Understood," the team chorused.
Spencer nodded at her. "We understand our influence and the risk, ma'am, and we are more than prepared to lay down our lives for the side of free will and life."
"I know. I have faith in that." She let go of his hand to brush her cheek. Caramelized skin captured her with black straps that tattooed her face and her eyes acute. She stood before this team of elite HAWKS soldiers with her own angelic wings at the ready with dirtied boots made for miles of trekking, tactical equipment strapped to her clothing drenched in black, but she only carried one personal item with her—her jeweled headband that rested on her forehead with the white jewel shaped into a crescent moon.
"It's nice to meet the reinforcements we were promised. Please"—sharp yellows flashed—"call me Tigerlily."
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Western Dining Hall
Spriggan Castle
Vistarion
Alvarez, Alakitasia
3:59 PM ADT
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
The appetizers had been maakouda—Murieccos potato cakes that, while Murieccos was in North Andüsa, it was part of MANA (Middle Alakitasia North Andüsa) and one of the districts within Alvarez had a major Murieccon community. Nashi sat at the head with Naseer to her left, but she continued to glance over at Ajeel who had not touched his small plate of maakouda nor his wine. He looked absolutely blank throughout the ordeal. It was not as though he looked like he was bored and did not want to be there. He just looked blank.
Nashi took a sip of her drink as she scanned the dining room. No guards in the room with us and only two servants. Whatever is coming can't go further than us. But King Ajeel hasn't said anything. Is he waiting until dinner?
KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK.
"Ah." Naseer's eyes flickered to the confused Nashi. "Our final guest has arrived." He called to the door, "He may enter."
The doors parted.
Nashi's eyes narrowed when she saw Gary file into the dining room, expression neutral. Agitated, she tried not to look at Naseer. She knew he was gauging her expression for a reaction, and she would not give him that satisfaction. What is Gary doing here for this?
"Please, Concubine, sit," Naseer encouraged. "I'm happy to see you here. We're only on appetizers." He gestured to one of the servants.
Gary sat at Nashi's side and a servant had come forth to pile a few maakoudas on his plate and fill his glass with wine. Gary quietly murmured his gratitude as his hand sought out Nashi's to give it a reassuring squeeze under the table. "It won't be proper for me to ignore the alleged fiancé of Her Majesty," Gary supposed. His tone dripped in acidic sarcasm. "To what do I owe the pleasure of being allowed outside my quarters?"
"Come now, Concubine, it's improper for Her Majesty's concubines to be seen within the castle," Naseer explained. "Once it is settled, you'll have a proper home in one of the eastern properties. Renovations had been made to the castle grounds, so you'll have your own house and staff. Even a little, if Her Majesty permits." He sipped his wine. "And of course it will be expected for you to educate and manage other concubines."
Cerulean flashed with icy-blue. "Other concubines."
"Naseer," Nashi cut in, "I told you after that meeting with the council that it wasn't happening."
"But it's expected from the council for you to have at least five other concubines, Your Majesty," Naseer reminded. "After the passing of His Late Majesty, it's a unanimous agreement to ensure your bloodline is replenished so we will have His Late Majesty's heirs on the throne for centuries to come." He forked a maakouda and nibbled on it, but he kept his eyes locked on Gary. "Don't worry, concubine. Any child you and Her Majesty bear will be treated to the same royal education as the future prince or princess of the Empire. All royal children will go through education—including Her Highness' heirs."
Nashi could feel Gary's repressed rage and she filtered calmness in their connection. "Why did you have Gary join us tonight, Naseer?" she asked. "I thought your father wanted a private audience with you and me."
"I just thought bringing the concubine to dinner would be refreshing for us all since we'll be part of the same family." Naseer finished a maakouda and moved onto the next. "Besides, I wanted to give a second chance to a relationship with your concubine. After all, once I'm titled 'Prince Consort'"—his eyes darkened—"we'll both be bonded to her."
Icy-blue overtook Gary's eyes, but it was only thanks to Nashi's overwhelming peace that Skade to not come out to lunge for Naseer. "I wouldn't be so sure of that," Gary said through gritted teeth. "A bond isn't something you can just create like that. It takes love."
"We have no need for such a fickle emotion," Naseer dismissed. "Your bond will be created out of love and maintained through that. My bond with Her Majesty will be purely political. After all, desperate times call for desperate measures when protecting the ones you love."
So they are planning to force her, Gary growled.
"Starting a pissing contest doesn't scream 'prince', Naseer," Nashi sneered. "Do you just plan on pissing us off even more?"
Naseer raised an eyebrow. "On the contrary, I think your concubine should be aware of what comes next for him since he won't be joining us for our private dessert. Oh." He tilted his head when Gary stiffened. "My apologies, concubine, but you aren't needed in the conversation I'll be having with Her Majesty. It'll be intimate and requires only the two of you. You understand your place here." Dark eyes flashed. "I'm sure Invel taught you your place."
"Stop it," Nashi snapped. "That was a low blow and completely unnecessary. I agreed to this dinner because your father wanted an audience with me—"
"Yes, and what do you know about my father, Your Majesty?"
That took Nashi back for a second, but she replied, "He's the current king of Alvarez."
"Is he now?" Naseer glanced at his father. "Father, can you tell Your Majesty who you are? I think she's mistaken."
Ajeel straightened, and he robotically introduced, "My name is Ajeel Raml, software Ajeel Raml Program version fourteen-point-four, model number twelve." He took no interest in Gary and Nashi reeling back. "System currently backed up to the database. Processing. Processing." His eyes turned to Gary and Nashi as data streamed in his eyes. "Scanning. Scanning complete. Facial and retinal scans confirm the identities of Gary Fullbuster and Nashi Dragneel. Transition Program in process. Please stand by." He turned back to look in front of him with a dead stare.
"What…was that?" Nashi whispered shakily.
Naseer laid a hand on Ajeel's shoulders. "Machias are quite the useful race," he started. "We've had a Machias play king of Alvarez for years and you've had Machias version of you and your siblings playing you at home. Quite useful indeed."
"No…" Nashi could not believe this. Magic cloaked her eyes as she checked the souls in the room. If he's a machine, then he can't have a…? But her thought was cut off when she looked at Ajeel to see life energy with his soul's imprint rooted to his body. Her Soul Sight left her. "But he's… He's…"
"Well. Now that we've understood each other." Naseer lifted his glass. "Let's start over, shall we?"
°•°•°•°
With a cart full of dinner and dessert, Luna and Tesla were stuck in Tesla's room and had managed to negotiate Lacrima-Vision privileges. Granted, Magia Channel had been dubbed into the official language of Alvarez, so they had to rely on the Minstrish subtitles to get by. Tesla had all but banished all the maids and servants from the room to give her and Luna some alone time as they laid in Luna's bed with Luna tucked into Tesla's side. Currently, they were watching Mages on Main Street on an episode about a young Mage and her werewolf boyfriend going through hardships.
"Where is my werewolf boyfriend?" Tesla complained. "Look how hot he is. How could anyone not want a werewolf boyfriend? Ugh!"
Luna giggled. "He is pretty hot," she agreed. "He was the best love interest in the show."
"I know, right? I was so pissed when he went back to his ex-girlfriend." Tesla shoveled in some fries. "Dawn werewolves are so much hotter, in my opinion. All those shirtless shots and the aggressiveness and the tribal tattoos…! Qué caliente! Bellissima!" She did a chef's kiss that had Luna laughing. "It freakin' sucks werewolves don't exist anymore. I'd be all over that."
Luna looked up at Tesla. "I thought Nashi said you have a boyfriend."
"Oh, child, I do and he's well aware of my fantasies." Tesla smiled when Luna giggled. Her eyes trailed to the ceiling as she sighed. "I just might not have a boyfriend by the time we get back home."
"How come?"
Tesla's eyes softened. "I fully plan to offer everything I have back to him, but I'm afraid I'm a little too broken for him to want to keep me around, dearie," she supposed. "Not all broken toys get a second-chance owner. We just get…left behind to collect dust."
Luna took that into consideration. "You don't look broken to me," she said. "And you don't feel broken. You're really strong, Miss Tesla, and kind and nice. If your boyfriend can't see that from you, why are you still dating him?"
"Oh, no, he's very much a shower and a teller when it comes to what he loves about me on the inside," Tesla assured her. "He sees a lot of me that I don't think I'll ever see."
Luna's brow scrunched up. "Well, then why wouldn't he want to keep dating you if he loves you that much?" she questioned. "Are you sure he'll want to break up with you? Or are you going to break up with him because you're afraid one day he'll see you the way you see yourself?"
Steely grays widened, then glistened.
Luna winced. "Ah, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so nosey or bold or anything," she apologized. "I don't really know your situation and I'm already asking personal things and…" She looked up when she heard Tesla's breathy chuckle. "Um… Miss Tesla? Are you okay?"
"Fine, sweetie, I'm fine." Tesla could not help but smile. "It's just… You pretty much made everything I was overthinking be reduced into what I was actually thinking. You ratioed my own thought process."
Luna started panicking. "O-Oh, u-um, I'm so sorry, I-I-I-I—!"
"You misunderstand me," Tesla murmured. "I'm thanking you for doing that." She rubbed Luna's shoulder as she explained, "I tend to get a little caught up in my own head with my own insecurities that I never find myself asking the right questions. I start asking all the wrong ones instead that became more and more depressing. But you just asking those three questions like it was nothing made me realize how stupid I am—and I mean that in a good way. So thank you."
"Oh, um, it's nothing really," Luna assured. "I didn't do much."
No, you did more than enough. Tesla let out a deep exhale. Jang-ta… When I come home, we have a lot to talk about. And I hope you can forgive me. If you do want to walk away after I treated you, I can accept that. But I…don't want to let you go without a fight. If you'll have ever battered part of me again, I'm yours. "Well, that being that, I hope this evening is a lot more fun for you than the other evenings you'd have." She felt Luna stiffen. "Luna…?"
Luna faked a smile. "I'm sorry. Yeah, this is a lot better. Thank you." Her eyes dropped back to the LV.
But Tesla was unconvinced. "Luna—"
"Miss Tesla, please—" Luna tried to control the break in her voice and sniffled.
"Okay, okay, I won't ask any more questions," Tesla soothed Luna. "You don't have to say anything you aren't ready to speak about. When you're ready to speak about it, we'll all listen. But that's your choice, Luna. You always have a choice."
Luna buried her head in her hands. "I couldn't choose," she whispered, timbre shaky. "I c-c-couldn't…" She shook her head. "I'm sorry," she croaked.
"You are completely in the right to cry, Luna," Tesla told her. "You're right to be upset you had choices taken away from you. You're right to not be okay from all of this. But none of us are nor will look at you any differently for being not okay."
Luna rubbed her nose and sniffled. "I promised Nashi I'd tell her if he…did that…to me," she revealed. "He didn't, but… There was…" She pressed her lips together as tears gathered in her eyes. "But h-h-he…" She broke into half a cough and half a cry. "I'm s-s-sorry—"
"No need to force yourself." Tesla rested her chin atop Luna's head and hugged her tight when Luna violently shook. "You've been through enough. You've done enough, Luna. You protected Nashi against everything. You saved me. You've done enough. It's okay to process all of this now or tomorrow or two months from now. There's no time limit to crying." She closed her eyes when her shirt muffled Luna's choked sob.
She stroked Luna's hair. This poor girl… None of us know what's had to deal with. Nashi warned me that sick bastard bathed Luna to control her, but seeing her like this… I think we all know it was more. And we don't even know what she had to go through to get to that altar either. She's done enough. She doesn't need to do anymore.
"A la nanita nana, nanita ella, nanita ella…" Tesla softly sang. "Mi niña tiene sueño… Bendito sea… Bendito sea… A la nanita nana, nanita ella, nanita ella… Mi niña tiene sueño… Bendito sea… Bendito sea…" She could feel Luna's sob harder, but she kept singing. "Fuentecita que corre…clara y sonora… Ruiseñor que en la selva…cantando y llora… Calla mientras la cuna… Se balancea… A la nanita nana…nanita ella…"
Luna cried for being stolen from her home with her siblings. She cried for the frustration that came with feeling trapped. She cried for having to stay strong when all she wanted was to break apart, but she could not afford to. She cried for every touch she remembered from Hemlock. She cried for the guilt and shame that weighed her down. And Tesla would continue to sing the Sinnish lullaby until Luna had cried herself to sleep. And she would shed her own tear to mourn the birth of a mental and physical battle no person ever deserved.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Juju Bar
Magnolia City
Fiore, Ishgar
9:59 PM FST
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
It was Friday night—of course a bar would be packed. Bar atmosphere had a more casual and comfortable vibe to it. No real dress code, but most people who had come after about eight at night came in jeans or leggings, whatever was your preference. The poison of choice were your whiskies and beers and wines and cocktail, but it was not rare to see fancier concoctions be made here. The bar had been branded like it was an island hideout, with overloads rums to its name and scores of tropical drinks. The decorations of crates, tiki head and totem poles, fishnets, and leis gave the feeling you were in the Fioren Isles.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
« Juju Bar is owned by a Caracolean resident who moved to Fiore long ago and wanted to bring the island comfortability with them. In the summertime, the owner hires professional hula dancers and fire dancers to entertain patrons. Juju Bar offers over 500 different rums. »
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Another hockey game had taken precedence on the flat screens. Juju might not be a sports bar, but it felt like one tonight with everyone fired up as the teams had been driven into a third period to break the tie and everyone was on edge for it. But the young group of friends were torn between their conversation and the game. Cane had made friends with a pretty lady who had come with some friends for a good time. Kat looked like she had it with buzzed Miles who slurred in Sinstrish to her, but how could she not love this goof? Dash and Julia kept track of the LVs with heated eyes and were the most vocal of the group when a defenseman was put in the penalty box.
Gale kept to himself with his beer, eyes unfocused. He had his Compact out in front of him with his text thread with Dante, and it looked like Dante just replied.
« I didn't get that vibe from him at all. He seems fine to me. A lot more normal than Carlisle »
Gale snorted.
« Speaking of him, yall are going on a date tomorrow huh? »
« Yeah. »
« I'm fucken nervous »
« Why? Don't you two pretty much live together? »
« "And then they were roommates" or something »
« It's different. I didn't know where we stood before. Now I do. »
« I'm thinking I want to introduce him to my parents »
Gale's eyebrows rose.
« Shit really? Isn't it too soon? »
« Maybe, idrc. I'm meeting his moms tomorrow. I want him to meet my parents »
« Ugh so I take it this means he's staying for a while? »
« Yeah »
« If he brings up my love life, I'm punching him no cap »
« I like his face without black eyes and a broken nose. I'll handle him. »
« Is that like code for butt stuff »
Gale grinned when Dante sent him a middle finger.
« Try not to break him or else I'll even feel bad if I see him walking with a limp »
« I wouldn't hear the end of it if I did that »
« Gotta go. I'm sitting in front of the dorms and he texted me he's ready »
« Try not to drool too much. Be safe »
« Yeah. Same to you »
Julia peeked over Gale's shoulder to look at his screen. "Is that Dante?"
"You can read. Figure it out." Gale sipped his beer. "He's going with Carlisle to Soho tonight."
Julia and Kat both gaped. "What? Really?"
"I wish we could have gone," Julia lamented. "Soho's such a trip."
Dash raised an eyebrow. "Isn't Soho only gay bars?"
"No, but it has some gay bars and nightclubs, but Soho is meant for the girls, the gays, and the theys, and the energy is fire." Kat longingly sighed. "Plus, in my opinion, the mixes there are so much better than normal clubs and raves. A lot less mindless EDM and more actual music and tempo. They're going to have fun." She looked at Gale curiously. "Carlisle was the guy Dante introduced us to in North Blue, right? New Year's Eve?"
Julia bobbed her head as she knocked back a shot. "Yeah, but he came with Gale to that party before that," she explained. "I love him."
"He's a shitty guy," Gale grumbled. "But I guess we'll be seeing more of him since Dante's getting serious with him. Dammit."
"Tesla likes him too," Kat piped up. "I guess the two of them hit it off when she was crashing with Dante and they went to a few bars together. I'm pissed she didn't come out tonight. And where's Jax?"
"Weiwei came to see him, apparently." Dash heavily rolled her eyes. "And she sort of just shows up at random, so he's trying to make sure she doesn't wander and actually get lost. I texted Tes, but she hasn't answered her Com for a while."
Gale's eyes flashed to Julia when the worry mixed with guilt was clear in her eyes. "Let her be," Gale decided. "Thought Dante said she was doing something for her mental health anyway? She'll be back soon enough."
"I know, but still, it's so weird to not see her and Jax acting…together," Kat supposed, "you know? It's just weird to me. Because lately, they just seem so far apart and I hate that neither one of them is happy."
Dash frowned, concerned. "You think they're going to break up?"
Kat sighed. "I don't know," she murmured. "It doesn't help Tesla's been stressed about everything else going on too with her bio dad."
"Right." Julia decided to sip some water. "I'm sure the two of them will get back to where they were eventually. Tesla just needs some time to process."
"Yeah, but you know she doesn't like to reach out when she's sad," Cane pointed out as he drew away from his heated conversation with his improvised date. "And Jax doesn't say much to begin with, but he's been even quieter now whenever we hang out. I don't think I've seen Tes sit on his lap once this month."
Gale chugged the rest of his beer. "Are you sure we shouldn't be grateful we don't have to witness their disgusting PDA?" he asked dryly.
"It's hot to me."
Julia and Kat both reached over to smack the back of Cane's head. "Don't be gross."
"Can't you read their fortunes and figure out what's going to happen?" Dash wondered.
Cane sobered at that. "I offered that to both of them when I did a reading and foresaw that they'd have problems," he revealed. "But both of them declined having a tarot reading, so I haven't done it out of respect for them." His hand flicked and he revealed three reversed tarot cards: Lovers, Chariot, and Strength. "Either way, I know they'll figure it out." He banished the cards. "The most balanced couples do."
His improved date purred, "Can you read my fortune? Tell me how lucky I'm getting tonight?"
Julia wrinkled her nose in disgust as Cane happily conversed with the lady. "Great, we have to deal with this." She shook her head only to catch the distant look in Gale's eyes. She opened her mouth, but she thought the better of it and tended to her Compact.
Gale was barely paying attention as he scrolled through some newsfeed when a text dropped in.
« What's wrong? You've been out of it all night »
Gale looked up at Julia who refused to look at him, then he replied:
« Nothing. Lot on my mind »
« Want to leave and we can talk about it? »
« Nah. I need this »
« You sure? »
« Yeah »
« Mk, but just let me know. We can ditch whenever you need to »
« What, and risk you not getting lucky either »
« Dash can wait. You're family, dipshit, I gotchu »
« That'd be sweet if I literally could not smell what Dash is trying to do »
SMACK!
Dashi pouted as he rubbed his hand from a red-faced Julia. "Peaches, what was that for?"
"Nothing." Julia slurped some of her cocktail as she ignored Gale's smug grin. She crossed her legs. "We can finish this later without narks."
Gale asked innocently, "Who's a nark, Julianna?"
Julia shot him a withering look and a middle finger. "Why can't you just be normal?"
"Where would the fun in that be?" Gale cracked open his next beer and drank it straight. "I'm going to need something stronger than this tonight."
Dash tilted his head. "How strong? Like eddies-strong?"
"He's not getting crossed," Julia shut down before Gale could answer. She pinched Dash's bicep and reprimanded, "And I thought you were done dealing?"
"And I am," Dash promised. "Doesn't mean I don't know other dealers."
Gale shook his head as he leaned back in his seat, legs stretched out. "I don't need that shit," he dismissed. "I have a break from training tomorrow, but I'd rather not spend it pondering my existence." Another swig of beer. "Probably get some whiskey for a buzz or some shit." He rubbed the side of his nose. "I'm not looking to get drunk."
"What about laid?"
Gale shot Cane a glare. "No."
"Are you still hung up on that one girl?" Kat asked. "Why not move on? Doesn't she have a boyfriend?"
"He's not her boyfriend," Gale found himself saying. "I'm not out of the race just yet. And either way, I'd rather not catch a disease like the walking, talking STD over here. Just need a buzz to take the edge off is all." He sipped his beer and sighed as conversation flowed around him.
"You're right to say I'm not necessarily a good guy…but I'm not a bad guy either. I'm not supposed to take sides. I'm supposed to remain neutral."
'Neutral', huh? We'll see about that. No one remains neutral. Eventually, people figure out which side they want to be on, Gale thought. And with your old man ordering that hit on me and that freaky vision I got when I touched you the first time we met, makes me think you're leaning on a side opposite from mine.
"As for Treasure's heart…let's see this time who she chooses."
Gale clenched his beer. You might have Blondie fooled with your rich-bitch nice-guy persona, but I don't trust it. I promised Blondie I wouldn't fight for her, and I promised Uncle Natsu I'd get my shit together. That's exactly what I'm going to do. I might not be able to tell Blondie anything without losing her, but you'll slip and show everyone your true face. And I won't let you take one more step towards her when that happens—client or not.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Soho Strip
Brooks County, New Azalea City
Fiore, Ishgar
10:43 PM FST
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
The parking garage was nearly full for non-residents of New Azalea City, but when you had a residential parking badge, it had its perks of being able to park in the private parking spots. A Friday night in New Azalea City was asking for a time of drinks, laughter, dancing, kissing, and if you were lucky, you would remember everything the next day, including how much you paid to close your tab. It did not matter it was January—everyone was out as they crossed streets to fill up bars and restaurants and waited in line to get into a club. A bouncer took no issue throwing out two drunkards who tried to start a bar fight. A few girls huffed when a lucky lady and her date got to bypass the line. A sports bar was going crazy over a hockey game and penalty on a defenseman. A group of friends entered a late-night record store to find the perfect song.
Dante had taken the route of a flannel, pleather jacket, and jeans, but his hair had been kept in its messy style underneath his snapback. He rounded to the passenger's side and opened the door. His breath caught a little as he held out his hand. "You ready?"
A sly smile. "Not as much as you. You almost mauled me on the way here."
Dante watched as Carlisle took his hand with appraising eyes. "Can you blame me?"
"Very much so, evil man."
Carlisle got to the ground. Even in his platform shoes, Dante stood tall against him, but the height difference was lesser than before. Black fishnet clung to his legs and went to his belly-button with black shorts, a white crop top with a warning sign that said DANGER CURVES AHEAD, and his cardigan black with fingerless gloves attached to the sleeves. Aphtan had not done much to his face except give added eyeliner and eye shadow.
"You're making those eyes again," Carlisle chided, amused. "We have places to be." He tried to move past Dante, but he was stopped with a gentle hand to his cheek.
"Don't leave my sight this time," Dante warned.
Carlisle offered a coquettish smile as he raked Dante's hair. "Wouldn't dream of it, Prince." He kissed Dante's cheek before patting it. "Now, let's go. Mellow and Aphtan are waiting for us on the first level."
Dante shut the truck door and locked it before interlacing his hand with Carlisle's. As they made their way up the slope to the elevator, Dante asked, "What's it like in Nine-Dollar? Any drag queens?"
"Mmm, I think we might have Ursula tonight," Carlisle believed, "but she probably won't perform until closer to midnight. Still, Nine-Dollar gets pretty packed from eleven onwards, but we won't have to worry about lines since we have Auntie's seal of approval."
Dante hummed.
They made it to the elevators, and Dante pressed for it. As they waited, he looked over to inspect Carlisle, which made him laugh. "What?"
"Nothing." Dante took a moment. "Just want to make sure you're okay."
Carlisle frowned, confused. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"It's just…" Dante sighed. "You had a nightmare last night, or at least I think you did. But I wasn't sure if whatever you were dreaming about was still bothering you."
But now Carlisle was bothered. "I had a nightmare?" He looked at the ground. Normally, I'd remember a nightmare, but I can't remember anything like that.
"Maybe it's better you don't remember," Dante said as though he knew the concept troubled Carlisle. "You weren't feeling your best."
"I'm sorry—"
Dante shook his head to cut Carlisle off. "Don't worry about it." He lifted Carlisle's hand to kiss his wrist, then his palm. "I'm here for you. I don't mind being there for you when something's bothering you." Darkness connected with sea-greens sparkled with violet. "Don't forget that."
"I won't." Carlisle's voice came out hushed. "I'm here for you too."
"You better be if we're spending a summer in the Nácarlines," Dante muttered before he pulled Carlisle in for a quick kiss. "Finished filling out my application after I dropped you off this morning and got the letter of recommendation, so all I need to hear is an acceptance." He shrugged. "My professor says not to worry about it."
"Well of course you're going to get it." Carlisle adjusted his shorts over his rear. He glanced away as he shifted his crop top and miss the way Dante watched his every move. "I'll have to ask my moms tomorrow about places to stay while we're there."
"What do you mean?"
Carlisle did not notice how husky Dante's tone had dropped. "I'm assuming they'll have housing for you guys or something, so I'll figure out somewhere to stay close by. It's no big deal. I'll probably rent out an apartment for the summer." He brightened when the elevator opened up. "Anyway—Hey!" He stumbled when Dante rushed them both in and crowded him against a corner of the elevator. "Dante—"
"I need to kiss you. Can I?"
Carlisle was a little stunned at the request, but he saw the seriousness in Dante's eyes and smiled. "Just until we get to the top," he reminded. "Then keep it to yourself."
"For now."
As the elevator closed, Dante dominated Carlisle into a knee-weakening kiss.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
DING!
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Carlisle had to put a hand on Dante's chest and turn his head, flushed and out of breath, while Dante kept him in the corner as the elevator doors opened up. His eyes fluttered closed when Dante nipped his neck before kissing it and murmuring, "You sure you don't want to go home?"
"You're so cruel," Carlisle groaned and a shaky breath left him when Dante teethed his skin.
A smirk. "Isn't this romantic?"
Dante reluctantly pulled back from Carlisle, but he kept hold of one of Carlisle's hands. Carlisle stumbled as he regained his footing and guided them out of the elevator. "Shut up," he mumbled. "I've seen and heard you do worse."
"Yeah, but my thing is being shameless, not yours."
Carlisle rolled his eyes and hung close to Dante. "Since you only saw Aphtan when you came to get me, Dante, this is Mellow."
Dante held out his hand. "It's nice to meet you, Mellow."
"You too." Mellow shook Dante's hand with a slow once-over to match. He had come in skinny jeans, an oversized long sleeve sweater, but his curly hair had been put into a combover. "Very nice… I'm sorry I couldn't be introduced to you at the dorms, but I had hair problems."
Dante smiled. "It's fine. You look great." He turned to Aphtan and his face went neutral. "Aphtan. It's good to see you."
Aphtan cupped his elbows. His hair had been swept into a side hoop bun, but he had worn a pink V-nick long sleeve that spelled DON'T TOUCH ME tucked into his black high waist asymmetric hem skirt and some thigh-high boots to match. His gloves were pink tonight, and he kept his ring on. "I can't say the same."
"Come on, Aphtan." Mellow squished Aphtan's cheeks with a hand and teased, "You promised you'd be nice tonight."
Aphtan jerked his face out of Mellow's hand. "I never said anything like that." He walked over to Carlisle and tugged on his hand. "We should go. Auntie is waiting for us. And I wanted to speak to you a little bit about your capstone with the costume ideas. Miss Majesty and I came up with a better look for the background dancers."
Carlisle brightened. "Tell me more, tell me more!" He let Aphtan lead him away.
Dante's eyes slipped to their joined hands, but he only sighed. He turned his head when he heard Mellow's chuckle. "What?"
"Nothing." Mellow gestured after Carlisle and Aphtan. "Shall we?"
"Sure."
Mellow stuffed his hands in his jeans' pockets while Dante kept his hands in his jacket as they closely followed Aphtan and Carlisle. Carlisle's smile was wide and his eyes bright as Aphtan kept a straight face as he dove into an explanation. Dante's eyes shifted from Carlisle to all around him. The street they were on was still busy. It was a Friday night after all in New Azalea City and the strip was filled with high-rise restaurants, packed bars, and lines for the nightclubs. Though, you had little sympathy for the ones in short dresses and nothing else freezing their asses off while they stood in line for a chance to be let in. Thankfully, the streets themselves were busy but not deadlocked. A taxi pulled over to let out a stumbling group of college students who had pregamed before their trip into this part of the city. A pub with a light-up sign of a ginger dancer swung open its doors and you could hear a rowdy drinking song underway. A few friends were trying to hold back another who had gone into a drunken rage and looked ready to tear after someone who was frantically running away.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
« This is Soho Strip which is a popular street in Brooks County, the art and shopping district of New Azalea City. "The Strip" revolutionized urban entertainment with inclusive nightclubs and bars and boundary-breaking exhibitions. »
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Mellow peered curious at Dante. "Never been here before?"
"No. A few bars and clubs here and there, but nothing like this." Dante's lips twitched. "A friend of mine would love this scene, though."
"What's your scene?" Mellow shrugged when Dante tossed him a questioning look. "Everything has one. Some have an in-the-closet scene, others have only-Gyndr scene…"
Dante snorted. "Not really either. I work too much for either one. The parties I go to are mainly for the straights and I'm not interested in the guys there." He shook his head. "They're all the privileged types."
Mellow grimaced. "Yeah, I get that. Not a fan. But that being said…" He grinned. "They're fun to top. Pretty cocky all the way up until that point."
"You have fun with that," Dante laughed. "That's never been my type."
"But Carlisle's your type." Mellow raised an eyebrow when Dante scrutinized him. "I have to get all my questions out of the way before tomorrow. His moms are probably going to praise you, but his sister Bobbi is a nightmare to deal with. Please don't leave Carlisle after meeting her."
Dante's shoulders shook in mirth. "I won't," he promised. "And yes, Carlisle's my type." He watched as Carlisle snapped and looked overly excited at whatever Aphtan had told him. "I don't think I've ever dated a non-jock." He rolled his eyes. "But—"
"They fucked like they were straight?"
"Yeah." Dante grinned. "I take it you have experience?"
Mellow exaggerated hurling. "Yeah. Not good ones." He shivered. "Okay, I need a cleanser after that. What do you do? Carlisle's been pretty tight-lipped about you."
"I'm an Enchanter."
"Wow…" Mellow looked at Dante in newfound respect. "You make serious bank. How old are you?"
"Eighteen." Dante sighed when Mellow's face scrunched up in disbelief. "I know, I know, but I'm a legally certified Enchanter. I'm in school to get a degree in Magi-Engineering." He cocked his head. "So you can cross it off the list if you think I'm after his money. I have my own."
"Didn't even cross my mind," Mellow confessed, "but I'm sure Aphtan said something. Don't mind him. He's just protective of Carlisle. He really needs to loosen up." He gave a dramatic sigh. "Sadly, he's turned me down all the times I've offered."
Dante's eyebrows raised. "You and Aphtan…?"
"Never going to happen." Mellow cracked up. "And I have a feeling he's a secret top and only has one person in mind for that." His grin broadened when Dante's cheek twinged. "I'm honestly surprised you've been pretty quiet with those two. I'm sure you're thinking what we all know."
Dante forced himself to relax. "They've been best friends since they were little," he reasoned. "It's not really my place to say anything unless Carlisle speaks up."
"Well, you're way more mature than the others."
"What do you mean?"
Mellow tried to find the right words. "They weren't as accepting with Aphtan. Granted, Aphtan never gave them a chance to begin with, but some of them were downright vicious to him." He sighed. "Not that he didn't deserve it sometimes. He can be rude but still… The second Carlisle found out, he'd end the relationship."
"Is that my warning to play nice?" Dante questioned, humor laden in his tone.
Mellow winked. "More like keep it civil whenever you can." His eyes flickered over Carlisle and Aphtan. "Honestly, sometimes I think he sees Carlisle as his only friend in the world and then his really cool grandma. I've never met any other family of his, but he doesn't talk about it, so I don't ask. I'm pretty sure that ring is some family heirloom, though. He never takes it off." He snorted. "It has to be because there is no way it's a purity ring."
Dante hummed.
"Has Carlisle met your family?"
"Not yet."
"'Yet'?"
Dante scratched the back of his neck. "Let's just say my parents are…very supportive," he tried to explain. "They've done PRIDE with me every year and they'll be supportive of me having a boyfriend, but…" He sweatdropped as he remembered his family. "They're just…over-the-top supportive. I didn't even come out to them. The day I got accepted as an Enchanter's apprentice, I told them I had something for us to celebrate over, but the moment I came home, the dining room was filled with PRIDE flags and a cake."
Mellow threw his head back and laughed. "Are you serious?"
"Yeah." Dante grimaced. "I didn't even know what to say. My parents assumed I was coming out, and I told them I had just wanted to celebrate my apprenticeship. But"—he heaved a sigh that fell into a soft smile—"the cake was good. They made a rainbow cake. Most awkward moments of my life when they wanted to make sure I had the right sex ed, but I couldn't ask for better parents."
"Have you told them about Carlisle?"
"I did a week before we confessed," Dante admitted. "I guess my mom's a fan of his maman and demanded I 'lock him down'."
"Wow." Mellow shook his head, entertained. "I don't know which parents will be worse, your parents or Carlisle's moms. But, hey, at least they're supportive." His smile turned sad. "Not all of us are that lucky."
Dante had to agree. "Are you talking from experience?"
"For the most part," Mellow replied. "I live in the Engeki dorms with my roommate since I'm on scholarship, but I normally crash at Carlisle's during breaks since my parents aren't that pleased their son doesn't want to 'shove down' my 'sinful urges'. But I have Auntie and he's all the family I need."
"Who is 'Auntie'?" Dante wanted to know.
Mellow smiled. "So you know how houses have mothers?" When Dante nodded, Mellow continued: "Auntie Superia used to be Mother Superia for the House of Superia. He was a drag queen back in the day, but he doesn't do drag anymore. He just adopts and teaches all us younger queers in the gayborhood." His eyes softened. "He was the reason I even got my scholarship to Engeki. I didn't get in for dancing, but I'm big into graphic design, so here I am."
"How did you and Carlisle meet?"
Mellow took in a long inhale and streamed out a lengthy exhale. "Auntie had taken me to see Carlisle's Maman's ballet, La Bayadère. That was when I wanted to dance. He brought me backstage to meet some of the dancers, and that's when I met Carlisle. One of the dancers was walking him through a few steps and he looked amazing. We talked and now, here we are." He caught the curiosity in Dante's eyes and shook his head. "And no, we didn't fuck. Almost but never did."
"Why not?"
Mellow looked at him, taken back when he found not a hint of uncomfortableness or envy on Dante's face. "I'm not looking for too much," he answered. "Carlisle wants a relationship with the people he sleeps with and I don't. We got close, but I couldn't do that to him. I love him as a friend." A cheeky grin. "Doesn't mean I don't stop teasing him."
Dante chuckled. "He's fun to tease," he agreed. "But I understand what you mean." He watched the way Carlisle made an exaggerated motion, and when Aphtan nodded, Carlisle jumped up and down. "I'm more like Carlisle. I'm not built for one night only or fuck buddies or friends with benefits. But the guys I dated only wanted that." He shrugged. "It is what it is. If I didn't go through that, I wouldn't have found Carlisle."
The four stopped as a crossing light with a swarm of other people. Dante and Mellow closed in on Carlisle and Aphtan, who ignored the two to continue their conversation. Mellow leaned over to Dante to murmur, "You're pretty cool. If we haven't scared you off after tonight, let me know if you want to hang. Then you won't have to be the token gay in your group."
Dante laughed. "I'd like that." He slipped his hands around Carlisle, who broke from his conversation with Aphtan to turn his head and captured Dante's lips with his own.
"You okay?" Carlisle murmured. "Mellow hasn't scared you off?"
"I like him." Dante kissed below Carlisle's ear. "But I like you more."
Carlisle snorted. "Be still my heart, oh baby, oh baby." He squawked when Dante smacked his rear just as the light turned and the pedestrians could walk.
The four of them crossed the street and Nine-Dollar was only a building over and quite the spectacle. The line had started at the crosswalk with red velvet stanchion rope blocking off those who wanted in from the rest of the pedestrians. Those waiting in line were dressed up or down—at Nine-Dollar, it never mattered how you dressed as long as you respect one another. The bouncers were a buff man and woman pairing with shades on, but they saw Mellow, Carlisle, and Aphtan and opened the doors for them without question.
Now Dante understood what was so special about Nine-Dollar.
The entire space was sprayed in a red light with laser rises of blue and green as disco balls spun on the ceiling. Mesh suits, fishnet shirts, skinny jeans, shorts, skirts, combat boots and high heels, hair over every color in the rainbow that was natural or a wig—the crowd passed along an exciting vibe as they danced to the Perench electric house beat under the pressure of sweat, hairspray, and a hint of something sweet in the air. The current DJs were two people who wore robotic masks with their soundboard hidden behind the cut pyramid they stood behind as LEDs flashed onto the cut pyramid's surfaces. They bobbed along to the beat they dropped. A few poles had been installed where two people were working along to the house music and even cage dancing could be seen from all the way at the entrance. The bar was against the stretch of one wall with LVs blasted and a pink light giving the bartenders a mysterious glow. The second level had an open view of the nightclub scene, but access to get to the second level meant you had to go through a second set of bouncers.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
« This is Nine-Dollar, a multilevel LGBTQ-friendly nightclub owned by Auntie Superia. DJs, drag cabaret acts, and house balls are sometimes featured here. »
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
One more time, we're gonna celebrate
Oh yeah, alright, don't stop the dancing
One more time, we're gonna celebrate
Oh yeah, alright, don't stop the dancing
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Carlisle was already shifting to the music, but he laughed at Dante's stunned expression and asked him, "Is this too much?"
"No. I'm impressed," Dante replied, honest. "This looks like a good time."
"It is!" Mellow shouted over the music with Aphtan tucked into his side and, surprisingly, the deadpan figure skater did not look disgusted. "Come on! Let's get to the bar for some drinks and so you can meet Auntie!"
Dante watched with a raised eyebrow when Mellow kissed Aphtan's cheek. He wrapped an arm around Carlisle's waist as they followed the pair, but Dante could not help but ask, "I thought—"
"It's just for protection," Carlisle answered without need to know the question. "Tantan's underage, but Auntie lets him in here because he doesn't want me here alone and he normally spends time on the second floor, watching out. But until he gets to the second floor, Mellow and I normally act like we're together with Tantan since he gets some…admirers."
Dante nodded a few men were eyeing Aphtan in keen interest. "So I see." His hand was firmer when he noticed other men's stares linger on Carlisle.
The bar was packed, but Mellow managed to get them into a spot with ease after shaking a few hands. Carlisle and Aphtan sat on the stools, but Mellow put himself between Aphtan and another patron while Dante stood behind Carlisle. The bartenders had a theme of think pink and some had done neon pink war paint, others wore pink vests, and some had done pink crop tops and t-shirts instead, but everything was printed with Nine-Dollar.
"You'll want whiskey, right?" Carlisle checked with Dante as he snaked his hand up to feather Dante's cheek.
"Yeah, I…" Dante trailed off when he caught a familiar face. "Son of a bitch."
Before Carlisle could ask him what was wrong, Orochi turned, decked in a pink button-up with the top buttons undone, and he caught Dante's eye. Surprise lit his face before he bustled over with a smile and held out a fist. "Dante, good to see you."
Dante bumped his fist. "You two, Cobra. Didn't think this was your scene."
"Back at you," Orochi laughed. "I'm just here for a gig and two friends of mine are here on a double date, so I'm keeping an eye on them." He shook his head. "One of them is about to be a handful before Ursula can make her appearance." He looked between the group. "What can I get you guys?"
"Whiskey sour," Dante ordered. He nodded to Carlisle and said, "He'll have a Dark and Stormy." He perked an eyebrow when Carlisle looked surprised. "I remember."
"Gimlet for him," Mellow ordered, gesturing to Aphtan. "I'll take a long island, please." He tugged out his wallet and put down a jet-black metallic cart that hat a nine intertwined with a dollar sign etched in silver. "Put it on this."
"Ah. A member." Orochi took the card and studied it for a second until he found what he was looking for. "I'll be right back."
As Orochi left, Carlisle turned to Dante in curiosity. "How do you know him?"
"He did the tattoo on my shoulder, my wrist, and my hip." Dante chuckled at the memories. "He's a great tattoo artist, and he hops around as a bartender. Never had a bad drink or tattoo by him. He's cool."
Carlisle offered Orochi an appreciative stare. "He's yummy." He groaned when Dante pinched his side. "Rude! I was just admiring." He offered a pretty smile. "And you're much more what I like." His hand slid up Dante's bicep. "Strong, athletic…" His eyes glanced down, then back up to Dante's in challenge. "Hard."
Aphtan sighed while Mellow chortled. "Careful there, Carlisle. Your man might not let you onto the dance floor if you keep teasing him."
"I expect Carlisle-po's lover to act appropriately in a public setting," Aphtan remarked, stiff. The disgust pinched his face when Mellow dropped his chin on Aphtan's shoulder.
"Leave the lovers alone for tonight, Aphtan," Mellow cooed. "You have to focus being the gay avenger."
Dante quirked an eyebrow. "'Gay avenger'?"
"Remember when I said Tantan goes to the second floor?" Carlisle brought up. "He pretty much watches out to make sure I'm okay, but he looks out for other people. He normally has a security guard with him to call out to the other bouncers." He pinched Aphtan's cheek. "He's our gay avenger, aren't you, Tantan?"
Aphtan replied, "Yes, Carlisle-po." His eyes flicked to Dante in contempt. "Which means I'll send security if I suspect anything amiss."
Dante caught the warning loud and clear, but he simply nodded. "Of course."
"And here we are." Orochi came back with the drinks in hand. "A whiskey sour, Dark and Stormy, Gimlet, and a long island." He placed them in front of their respective drinkers before he slid Mellow's membership card back to him. "Anything else I can get you guys tonight?"
"Is Auntie around?" Carlisle wanted to know.
Orochi was about to answer when someone crooned, "My prodigal children have arrived!"
Armed in a sequenced pink suit, a thick dark chocolate man sauntered over with his bowtie perfected, his smile wide with a gap in his teeth, and he carried a cane with him because why not? He laughed as Carlisle practically leaped out of his seat for a hug and the man gave it to him. "Where have you been?" the man scolded. "No call, no text, no note—you just run off from home?"
⌜NINE-DOLLAR NIGHTCLUB
Name: Marvin "Auntie Superia" Emond
Age: 41
Magic: Magicianry
Occupation: Owner of Nine-Dollar
Likes: Lady B Dislikes: cold sheets
Special Note: Marvin is on the dance committee for Engeki Academy and contributes widely to performing arts across Fiore!⌟
"Sorry, Auntie," Carlisle said sheepishly as he pulled away to grab Dante's hand. "I got a little sidetracked."
Auntie Superia's smile widened seeing a humbled Dante. "Not a little. This one's a big one." He wrapped his cane with a knuckle. "And does this big distraction have a name?"
"Dante," Dante introduced with a bow of his head. "It's an honor to meet you."
Auntie Superia nodded, impressed. "Likewise, young man, likewise." He swept closer to inspect Dante from top to bottom and searching his face. Deep green glowed in his eyes as he looked. It looked like he found what he wanted for the glow left. He passed Carlisle a sly look and teased, "Keep a hold of this one, Kitty." To Dante, he said, "You can call me 'Auntie Superia' or 'Auntie' for short like the rest of my wayward children do. And speaking of…" He turned to Mellow and pinched his ear. "What's this I hear about your grades slipping a little bit?"
Mellow rubbed his ear. "Ow! My grades are fine!"
Auntie Superia lifted a daring chin. "Child, if I'm getting an email about your grades, then they obviously are not." He lightly bopped Mellow's head with his cane. "You better be hitting the books this weekend, you hear me? If I get one more email about your grades, you can kiss that trip to the USM good-bye." Knowing that was settled, he tapped Aphtan and murmured, "We'll go upstairs in a minute, hon." Aphtan nodded and Auntie Superia's attention was on Carlisle and Dante and he made a humming sound of approval. "I'm going to need all the details."
"Can you wait until my moms meet him?" Carlisle pleaded. "Then you and Lola and my moms can all corner me."
"And my parents and me." Dante nodded when Carlisle shot him a surprised look. "You're introducing me to your family. I want you to see mine."
Carlisle looked so hopeful. "Really?"
Dante nodded and kissed his cheek. "Really."
Auntie Superia clapped. "Ah, my nephew is growing into himself! Finally! He's got an actual man!" He wiggled his fingers. "No offense, but I didn't care for that last twink you brought in. Way too flighty and passive-aggressive," he told Carlisle as Mellow vigorously nodded in agreement.
"Oh, Auntie?" Mellow called. "Since Carlisle found a good one who you actually like…"
Auntie Superia's eyes flickered in mischief. "Time for the coming-of-age celebration!"
"No." Carlisle balked while Dante looked confused and Mellow looked giddy. "No, Auntie, not again—!"
"Nope! You are in my house and you will follow my rules, come on!" Auntie Superia tugged Carlisle away from the safety he had at Dante's side. "Dante, darling, I'd get a front-row seat if you want a good show. Aphtan, be a lamb and help him. Mellow, move your ass!"
Dante watched as Auntie Superia all but dragged Carlisle away with a too-happy-for-his-own-good Mellow in tow. He stole Carlisle's seat and kept their drinks close. As he nursed his whiskey sour, he asked Aphtan, "What's going on?"
"You'll see," Aphtan clipped as he sipped his drink. He raised a hand and one of the bartenders came over. After murmuring his wish, the bartender took Mellow and Carlisle's abandoned drinks from Aphtan and Dante to store them in a safe location. "I'm surprised you let Carlisle-po come here," Aphtan said to Dante. "Most of Carlisle-po's lovers entertained him with coming here once and never wanted him here again since they thought he would cheat."
"Carlisle can make choices for himself," Dante reasoned as he tried to tamp down the slight annoyance he felt.
Aphtan hummed as he brought his cocktail glass to his lips. "Has Carlisle-po told you about Hunter yet?"
"No." Dante sipped his whiskey sour. "He'll tell me when he wants to tell me. We still have our date tomorrow and a lot of time left. I don't expect him to tell me everything at once."
Aphtan took a dainty sip of his Gimlet. "You really are just like Hunter." He fingered the rim of his glass. "Hunter said many things that, in theory, would make him the perfect partner. But his intentions towards Carlisle-po were poisonous and one-sided." His eyes flickered to Dante in disdain. "You'll be the same."
"Aphtan, I understand you don't trust me, but can we please get along for Carlisle's sake?" Dante tried.
"Why? There's no point when you're not a permanent fixture in Carlisle-po's life."
Dante sighed in frustration. "Aphtan—"
"We should get to the front so we don't miss the ceremony." Aphtan hopped off his seat with his drink in his hand and did not wait for Dante as he shouldered into the crowd.
Dante followed after him and tried to keep close. He noticed a few eyes drop to Aphtan and his skirt with some matching smirks, but Aphtan remained unfazed, chin high, and he marched on. He's basically walking into the lion's den. Doesn't he know how dangerous this is? He surged forward when some man in a mesh shirt moved to grab Aphtan. "Hey—"
Aphtan abruptly turned and his hand shot out to twist the man's wrist, twirl him, force his arm into his back, and he pushed him away. Flicking away his side bangs, he carried on with noticeably fewer stares trailing him. Dante had paused, a little startled, but he resumed pace with Aphtan. I guess he has it handled.
Moving through a sea of people was always difficult, but the house music made it harder as everyone was jumping up to the music with drinks sloshing around, wet kisses exchanged, and some not even waiting to get to a secluded area as they ground on each other. Dante and Aphtan had swiftly avoided a vogueing pair as well as a twerking cowboy boots-clad man before they could get to the front where a stage jutted out before the DJs. It looked like the DJs had been informed of a change in mood as they began to wind down their house music and the laser lights and red light began to fade until the club was packed into darkness. The entire crowd was roaring with applause and for an encore.
But Dante had to smile when the thundering applause doubled in volume when Auntie Superia came on stage with a spotlight on him and he lapped up the screams and howls and shouts like this was his livelihood.
Auntie Superia tapped his cane twice until he spoke into it and his voice echoed like he was talking into a microphone. "Good evening, children! I hope you're loving your stay at Nine-Dollar!"
The crowd surged with shouts and whistles and applause of agreement.
"Well, ya'll are in for a real treat tonight!" Auntie Superia let them know. "You see, my queens and queers, we have a very…special celebration for tonight." He worked the stage as he declared, "My nephew has finally grown up and gotten himself a good man." He laughed when snaps and hoots were the response. "Right? Here he is gettin' the good dick daily while we're still on Gyndr trying to find a man who doesn't send a dick pic that looks like he sent his thumb."
Dante chuckled as laughter flooded through the audience.
"But as some of my Nine-Dollar sluts out here may know," Auntie Superia continued, "we have a very special way here of how to congratulate one of us for finding ourselves a good man. And that is"—he moved to the side as another spotlight showed Mellow and Carlisle against each other, Mellow's front to Carlisle's back in a possessive hold—"a coming-of-age ceremony! Hit it, fellas!"
The audience went ballistic the moment Auntie Superia was off the stage and the song started with panting. The beat dropped with a Josean string instrument as the melody as an electronic countermelody started and a steady baseline, but Dante did not care about that. His avid attention fell onto Mellow and Carlisle as they slowly dropped down with Mellow sliding Carlisle's legs apart. Where Mellow pushed up and tried to get away, Carlisle held him back and it all took a second for the change. Mellow whirled around to capture Carlisle in a tango hold. The audience shouted as Carlisle slowly caressed Mellow's leg with his foot, but Mellow caught him in the act, almost angry about such a tease, and twirled Carlisle away from him to reposition himself behind Carlisle, hand on his throat and another going down his stomach. Carlisle threw back his head and wanted to give in.
The next beat had Mellow clench his jaw and let go of Carlisle to storm away, but Carlisle slung to him with a desperate pleading. Mellow could not hold back when he forced Carlisle close, thumbed his bottom lip, before he abruptly secured Carlisle in his arms for a low dip before the audience.
The audience roared.
Dante's eyes locked with Carlisle's.
Lips twitching.
Mellow sharply brought Carlisle up and Carlisle grabbed Mellow's chin as their noses brushed, lips parted, and slowly he began to slide down Mellow's front while Mellow shivered. But that anger was back and he forced Carlisle away from him.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
geudaeyeo mwol mangseorinayo
geudae wonhago itjyo
nunape inneun nal
•
arayo geudae mwol wonhaneunji
mwol gidarineunji
geudaeyeo iriwayo
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Carlisle tempted Mellow as he sunk to his knees, hands in his hair, and Mellow would not help but take notice. Carlisle did not care. If Mellow did not want him, he would find someone else and those playful sea-greens connected with darkness. The crowd was in a delirious tizzy as Carlisle across the stage like a Hellcat to Dante, an apex predator ready and waiting for his kill. Their lips brushed, hinting for something deeper, but Dante growled when Mellow ripped Carlisle away from him and pulled him up, forcing Carlisle to cling to him. He picked Carlisle up, making Carlisle lock his legs around him, and Mellow dragged his nose up Carlisle's stomach. Carlisle's back arched as his hands wrinkled in his hair.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
nado eonjekkaji geudaega
saenggakhaneun sonyeoga aniyeyo
ije na yeojaro taeeonatjyo
gidaryeojun geudaega gomaul ppunijyo
na ije geudae ipmachume yeojaga dwaeyo
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Dante shifted as Carlisle's back bowed and Mellow followed the movement with a smirk as he drove Carlisle to the floor. Carlisle writhed when Mellow climbed on top him and grabbed his chin. Their lips brushed, but no kiss was to be had when Mellow came to his senses and he rolled off to flip back to his feet. Carlisle's move to his feet was a graceful as a cat and he was not done with Mellow. The moment he was in Mellow's vicinity, Mellow caught his hand and twirled him before shifting his weight and allowing Carlisle to leap and hook onto him for a slow spin that had their foreheads touching.
Carlisle glanced purposefully to Dante.
Dante clenched his drink.
Carlisle was set down and he spun away from Mellow as the build to the chorus came.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
nan ije deo isang sonyeoga aniyeyo
geudae deo isang mangseoriji marayo
geudae gidaryeodeon mankeum
nado oneureul gidaryeosseoyo
jangmi seumusongil naege jwoyo
geudae sarangeul neukkil su itge
geudael gidarimyeo
na ije nuneul gamayo
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Hesitation and patience never melded well together, and Mellow and Carlisle let their audience see that as they moved through the chorus. It was understood Mellow was the partner who grappled with their feeling of desire and duty and was angry about being so easily swayed. His moves were sharp, possessive, and could not conceal his frustrations. Carlisle served as the temptress who had come into his own and knew he could sway the one he wanted into his favor. Movements languid and sensual, he touched Mellow every chance he could get and Mellow replied in kind. He would not be sweet and gentle and sinful like Carlisle. If Carlisle wanted them both to give into desire, Mellow would go above and beyond the request.
Dante could not stop watching for a moment, and he certainly did not want to. A haze clouded him and dark desire and heat coursed through his body as he watched Mellow angrily give into Carlisle's temptation. Every time Carlisle's hands roamed, his neck was exposed—Dante made sure to capture every single second of it.
The panting came back as Carlisle's leg was hooked around Mellow's thigh, both of them frozen in time, temptress and man. But the light skittered and it looked like you were watching flash photography as each new frame had a new scene. Mellow pulled away as something arose from the stage, but it took the crowd only seconds before they were squealing and catcalling. A pole had risen from the stage.
The moment the lights flashed, and the beat dropped, no one could breathe as they watched Carlisle.
Dante certainly could not.
Pole dancing was not just used for sexual prowess and financial gain, and it was highly misunderstood that those two reasons were the only reasons for it. Pole dancing could weave an artistic story right before your eyes, and you would understand the weight and gravity of the message and of the dancer. It was strength and grace and art that persevered against friction and gravity and made it all the more mesmerizing. The dancer's fluidity made it look like you were watching someone fly with the pole as a thread of a tether.
Carlisle slid back down and arched his back to slowly flip off from the pole and twisted before he dropped to all fours. A grin tugged at his lips when he caught Dante's expression. It did not matter that the crowd was cheering and hollering for him. This was enough.
As the pole disappeared back into the stage, Mellow made a comeback as the panting and the baseline built into a finale. Carlisle twisted in time the moment Mellow got to him and eluded Mellow's touch, only to crook his finger and Mellow obliged.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
nan ije deo isang sonyeoga aniyeyo
geudae deo isang mangseoriji marayo
geudae gidaryeodeon mankeum
nado oneureul gidaryeosseoyo
jangmi seumusongil naege jwoyo
geudae sarangeul neukkil su itge
geudael gidarimyeo
na ije nuneul gamayo
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
They mirrored each other in the final act. The story had been told. The man had caved to the temptress who had come of age, and he refused to hold anything back. Mellow and Carlisle matched movements until they gravitated back to each other with Mellow slowly fisting Carlisle's hair and forcing his head back. He let Carlisle go to spin him out from him then spun him back into his side, making him lean against him. The audience was going crazy as the pair tilted their heads and closed in on each other—
The lights cut on the last beat.
Cheers and ovation had to be given at such a thrill of a performance with shouts for an encore and other catcalls and whistles. When the lights had turned on, Auntie Superia was there as Carlisle and Mellow were at his side and he spoke to the crowd, "We've got drinks, we've got straps, and we've got music, so let's enjoy this night like Auntie taught you!"
The robotic DJs knew that was their cue as they started a pop-funk remix that had everyone jumping up and down.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Mirror, mirror on the wall
Don't say it, 'cause I know I'm cute (ooh, baby)
Louis down to my drawers
LV all on my shoes (ooh, baby)
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Carlisle and Auntie Superia exchanged cheek kisses and a few words that had Carlisle laugh, but he nodded along. He moved to Dante, but he offered his greetings and appreciation to those close by who complimented his dancing or those who recognized him. But he had to laugh when Dante claimed a firm hand on his hip and he teased, "I take it you liked it?"
Dante offered a throaty hum when he kissed Carlisle's cheek, then jaw. "You were beautiful."
"Thank you," Carlisle appreciated. "I did pole sports at one point with Maman, but I still do it now since it's a great way to stay in shape. Auntie thought you might like it."
Dante chuckled. "Yeah, I did." He wanted to say more, but they were interrupted.
"You were amazing!"
Dante and Carlisle both looked to see a blue-haired man dressed in high-rise pants and a crop top long sleeve that had SUCK AND BLOW on it while a larger man at his side had come in a mesh button-down and overalls. The blue-haired man beamed at Carlisle. "You're Carlisle Justino, right? The figure skater?" He fanned himself. "You were so hot on stage!"
"Thank you," Carlisle appreciated warmly.
"Oh! Pardon me for lack of introductions. I'm Justin Justine." He gestured to the man beside him. "This is my boyfriend, Ace." He gave Ace a conspiratorial look while Ace observed Carlisle from head to toe, lips twitching when Carlisle flushed. "We were both amazed by your performance with that other dancer."
"Ah, that would be Mellow, one of my best friends." Carlisle paused when he felt a tug on his sleeve to see Aphtan looking at him firmly. "And this would be my other best friend, Aphtan."
Justin held out his hand. "Nice to meet you, Aphtan."
Aphtan took Justin's hand and bowed toward it. "It's nice to meet you, Miss Fortune-opo." He lifted his head and gently let go of Justin's hand, eyes gleaming. He admitted (even if it was still deadpan), "I'm a huge fan."
"'Miss Fortune'?" It clicked for Carlisle and he gasped. "Oh, you're a make-up artist and a drag queen! I'm so sorry I didn't recognize you! Tantan uses your make-up on me all the time for competitions!"
Justin looked like he could vibrate from excitement. "Really?" He assessed Aphtan. "You have a good eye. I've watched a lot of Carlisle's show and his make-up serves his look beautifully. And I love what you did tonight."
"Thank you," Aphtan replied. "That means a lot to me."
"We should talk because I always love meeting more make-up artists even if the MUA community is full of unnecessary drama." Justin gave a dramatic eye roll. "We can't go one day without a scandal, my god." He turned to Carlisle sheepishly and said, "Sorry to bother, but the second I saw you, I got really excited. I remember when you came out as pan when you won your first Ishgaran Cup and it was all over the news. It was really inspiring."
"Thank you!" Carlisle laughed. "My friend who manages all my SNS gave me a field day about it, but everyone kept calling me 'bi' since I've been on dates with other people and I wanted to correct them." He kissed Dante's cheek. "But I want to keep this one my secret a little longer."
"You might have trouble with that," Ace chuckled as his eyes flicked around to some of the Compacts out. "You weren't exactly subtle with who the dance was for."
Carlisle balked. "Shit."
"It's fine," Dante soothed. "Whatever happens, happens."
Carlisle waved an agitated hand. "No, I'm not worried about that. Mercer is going to have my ass for this," he lamented. "I was going to check if it was okay with you for us to take a selfie after our date tomorrow so Mercer could put it on Insta. Now he's going to murder me in cold blood."
"Mercer would never do that," Aphtan assured. Before Carlisle could look relieved, Aphtan continued: "He'll most likely yell at you for an hour about how you messed up his process."
Carlisle wilted. "Thank you, Tantan…"
"If you three are interested, we brought along two friends of ours for a double date." Justin huffed. "We were supposed to have a triple date, but since another friend of ours canceled on us last minute, we came to Nine-Dollar instead." He gestured to Aphtan and Carlisle. "I'm sure she'd love to pick your brain about your outfits. Love the skirt and love the fishnets." He sighed, wistful. "I remember those days when I could pull off fishnets…"
"You are not that old." Ace wrapped an arm around Justin's shoulder as he nodded at Dante with a knowing look in his eye. "But, yeah, you should join us unless you have somewhere else to be."
Dante understood the underlying meaning and shook his head. "Not yet." He feathered a hand down Carlisle's back and his eyes darkened when Carlisle shivered. "But soon."
Justin clapped his hand. "Then it's settled! Come join us because I need to hear more about the famous Carlisle and how you pulled off those moves."
"Tantan and I need to do something real quick," Carlisle interjected as he reached for Aphtan's hand. "But we can join you in a minute." He shot Dante a questioning look.
"I'll go with you," Dante said to Justin and Ace.
"Great!" Justin pointed over to the wall. "We're sitting over there and we ordered some food." He linked his arm with Dante. "I have so many questions and none of them are going to be appropriate."
Dante chuckled. "I'm used to it at this point." He turned to Carlisle and captured his lips in a quick kiss before he murmured, "Be quick."
"We will." Carlisle squeezed Aphtan's hand, and they shouldered through the opposite direction. After a few stops to exchange hugs and air kisses and laughs with other patrons, Carlisle and Aphtan made it to the staircase where a security guard nodded. "Are you okay to go upstairs?"
"Yes." Aphtan looked at Carlisle expectantly. "Carlisle-po—"
"I'll make sure to ask Justin," Carlisle promised him. "You know I will. Now go. I need to go to the bathroom." He kissed Aphtan's cheek and made sure to watch as Aphtan made his way up the steps before he found the bathrooms. A few ardent couples were heavily making out against the walls, but he paid them no heed as he went to the men's room. The moment he was done, he washed his hands and saw a healthy pink dusted on his cheeks and his eyes wide and bright.
I've had other partners, but Dante just feels…different. He flicked cool water onto his face. I hope Mom and Maman like him. I don't even want to envision whatever Christophe is going to say. He went to dry his hands as the door thwapped open and another presence came inside. A stir became of him thinking of the hungry look in Dante's eyes. I know Tantan might think differently, but… I don't know. None of my exes made me feel like this. Comfortable and safe.
Tangerine oranges.
Carlisle swallowed. No. Not even Hunter made me feel like—
A shiver went down his spine.
The mirror rippled.
Carlisle whipped around as the violet in his eyes glowed just as a body tumbled out of the mirror, but that person was not Carlisle's culprit. He had frozen a skinny man with a silver mohawk from taking one more step near him, and he did not plan to release him anytime soon. "Who are you?" Carlisle growled. "You're not human."
The skinny man smirked. His body might have been frozen, but he could still speak and express himself. "An old flame of yours will be happy to know you're as loose as ever," he cackled.
That sickened Carlisle's stomach. No… My shields… "You're lying." He was desperate for this to be a bluff. He could not show he was panicking. "I have too many exes to even know who you're talking about."
The skinny man had to laugh at that. "You only have one that you think about it," he mocked. "It's my lucky day I got to see you in the flesh. I didn't even know it was you until your little dance." His smirk broadened. "Won't your flame be happy to hear about this."
Carlisle faltered under the weight of his heightening anxiety, but the man who had come through the mirror with only his yellow-amber eyes to show for it did not falter. He grabbed the skinny man, claimed his wrists behind his back, and slammed the man onto the counter to knock him out while Carlisle backed into the wall, horrified.
No… No, I couldn't have dropped them.
"He won't be reporting back to anyone," the mirror man promised Carlisle in a gruff tone. "I'll take him. Sorry to drop in like this, but I felt something dark approaching you and I had to step in." He glanced over at a rattled Carlisle. "You okay?"
Carlisle swallowed and tried to a shaky smile. "Thanks for saving me instead of throwing me into that mirror world again," he tried for humor, but it was weak and tainted with frayed nerves. "I guess I am a stereotype. Damsel in distress and all."
"It wouldn't be safe for you to use your powers here," the man told Carlisle. "You and I both know that."
"R-Right." But Carlisle's thoughts raced just as his heart did. I dropped my shields. Lucy's going to be so angry at me. We're going to have to leave again and it's all my fault. I can't do anything right.
The man's eyes turned concerned when Carlisle's legs shook. "Carlisle—" But he paused, and his eyes flashed to the door. "I have to go. Don't worry. Someone's coming for you." He picked up the skinny inhuman with relative ease as the mirror rippled and he shoved the man inside the mirror. He climbed onto the counter and dove in right afterward.
The mirror turned back to normal just when—
THWOP.
"Lips?"
Carlisle quickly turned away and tried hard to calm down his racing heart. "H-H-Hey." He winced when the perkiness he tried for broke. "Um, sorry, just, ah, trying to cool down. I might need another minute—" He swallowed back his excuses when Dante turned him around to stare dead into his eyes and he knew no amount of excuses could hide this. "I thought you were going to sit with Justin and Ace and their friends?"
"I was, but something felt wrong." Dante held Carlisle close and cupped his cheek. "What's wrong? I know something is wrong. I felt"—his brow furrowed in self-frustration—"something. Just like last night."
That alarmed Carlisle even more. "What? What do you mean?"
"I woke up, and it just felt off. I felt off." Dante did not know how to explain. "And that's when I saw you were having a nightmare. And that feeling I had came back just now." He searched Carlisle's face when Carlisle's eyes went downcast. "What's wrong?"
He felt something from me? This isn't good, Carlisle fretted. Lucy's going to be so angry with me.
"Should we go home?"
Carlisle shook his head. "No, no, it's fine. I'm… I'll be okay," he promised, though uncertain. "I just need a moment."
"Okay." Dante kissed Carlisle's forehead before resting his own against his. "Take the time you need. I'm right here, baby."
Carlisle closed his eyes and had to smile when his heart slowed back down. "I feel better already with you here," he said in light jest. And…I do feel better. I know I'll have to tell Lucy about this, but… My heart feels a lot calmer now. And I feel safe again. "I'm sorry for all the craziness."
"You can apologize for making me horny, but don't apologize for needing a minute to yourself," Dante murmured. "We can stay for a bit and then we can go home. I work a half-day tomorrow, but I can call off—"
"I don't want you to do that," Carlisle hurriedly assured. "I'll be fine." He pulled away to touch Dante's cheek. "Really, I will," he promised. "We can keep the plan of you dropping me off at my moms'. I'll be okay and Maman and Mom have been dying for me to be home for longer than an hour."
Dante sighed. "Just tell me when you want to go home," was all he asked for. "We can go home and…"—his hands slid over Carlisle's rear to draw him close—"I can relax you."
"More like exhaust me," Carlisle muttered good-naturedly. "Should I keep the fishnets on?"
"Not this time. You'd need fishnet socks for what I want."
Carlisle lifted an amused eyebrow. "So now I'm just a model for your fantasies? Rude man. I'm feeling very objectified."
"You started it when you teased me with that dance." Dante kissed and suck Carlisle's bottom lip. "But I loved every second of it. You're a gifted dancer. You and Mellow. I hope you'll let me see more of your talent on the ice."
Carlisle abruptly reeled back, startled. "You…want to see my competitions? Just to see me skate?"
"Well, yeah." Dante stated it like it was obvious. "During my lunch today, I looked over at the schedule for senior figure skating for the Ishgaran Cup. You hadn't mentioned anything to me, so I figured you didn't want me to go, but if you weren't going to say anything, I still wanted to come to support you."
Carlisle merely stared at Dante for a long second. Then he said, "We need to go and sit with Justin and Ace before I do something we'll regret." He held Dante's hand tightly, ears burning, as he led him out of the bathroom and ducked his head to avoid Dante's chuckles and the knowing grins a few patrons had given the two.
By the time they had speared through the throng to get to the booth, Mellow had joined the crew and he had brought along a new whiskey sour for Dante alongside his and Carlisle's drinks. Justin was half in Ace's lap as he dominated his fries while two women were in the booth, one with heterochromatin eyes and the other with luscious vixen hair. Justin simpered as he caught Carlisle and Dante and teased, "Oh, we've all been there, done that."
"Would've joined if you asked," Mellow ribbed as he scooted over for Carlisle to slide into the booth with Dante at his side. "Auntie said our meals are on the house, so I got us tofu sliders."
Carlisle beamed. "You're the best!" He looked at the two women. "Nice to meet you! I'm Carlisle and he's Dante."
"I'm Ellie," the woman with heterochromatic eyes greeted. "This is my girlfriend, Ines. We're both huge fans of you and your mom!"
"You're both amazing dancers," Ines complimented. "You certainly know how to work a room."
Carlisle laughed. "Thank you! My maman is the reason I like to try out all these different dance styles. Plus, it helps me whenever I choreograph for my competition to pull in a bunch of styles." He took a sip of his drink. "So I hear tonight was supposed to be a triple date?"
Ellie sighed. "Sadly, it was, but Nashi said she and Gary wouldn't be able to make it." She pouted. "Comme c'est tragique, mais c'est la vie."
Carlisle, however, brightened. "Tu parles perençais aussi?"
"Seulement un peu," Ellie admitted with a sheepish smile. "I learn here and there, but I'd love to be fluent in Perench. My sister Esme lives in Pergrande and I want to visit her, but I want to know a little more Perench before I do."
"I'd be happy to help you!" Carlisle enthused. "Maman and I speak standard Perench and a few other dialects of it and I help tutor in the Perench classes offered at my academy. Why don't I give you my number and you can text me whenever you're ready to learn more?"
"That'd be amazing!" Ellie dug out her Compact to give it to Carlisle. "Would you be okay if Nashi joined us? We both promised we'd go to Pergrande together, and she keeps stalling about learning Perench, but I feel like we need to know more before we go."
As Carlisle typed in his contact information, he snorted and said, "Yeah, the ex-pat Perench community might be a little nicer here and Poplin has a fifty-fifty Minstrish to Perench ratio, but if you don't speak Perench in Pergrande in general, people ignore you there." He took a picture of himself to set as his contact. "There." He passed Ellie back her Compact. "Now you have an official Perench tutor at your service."
"Thank you!" Ellie clapped her hands. "So, before you two got here, Mellow was telling us about your senior capstone project?"
"Ah, yes!" Carlisle shifted in his seat. "Mellow's assisting me with it. My capstone is making a dance cover video with the help of the film students and we're going it to a C-Pop song that slaps, but for some reason, the dancing to it was lackluster. Last semester, my proposal got approved, so this semester, we'll be working hard to present the choreography to the panelists and if they approve, we're set to record and show it during the senior show."
"Is your friend Aphtan helping with make-up?" Justin asked. "If so, I'd love to get in on this. Your face is gorgeous naturally, and he accentuates that beauty instead of smothering it. I love how clean he was to keep your freckles. Most make-up artists would cover those up and it's a shame."
"Tantan says I don't really need a lot of makeup, so he focuses more on eyeliner and shadow with me."
Justin smiled like a proud papa. "As he should. And no mascara either. Your lashes are curled and so gorgeous."
"I feel so jealous," Ellie whined. "I wish I had all that going for me. My lashes are super thin." She sipped her drink as she eyed her girlfriend. "Ines won the lottery and got thick lashes while I have to bring out my lash curler."
"You look beautiful to me, Daisy," Ines murmured, kissing Ellie's cheek. She glanced around Nine-Dollar. "Have to say I'm happy we came here. I'm excited to see Ursula tonight."
"She's doing a Burlesque show in a few weeks at Pleasure Palace with a few other drag queens, but I'm pretty sure we'll get to hear her sing Tough Lover tonight," Mellow predicted. He nodded to Justin. "You'll be there too, right? I heard you and Sashay will be in the line-up."
Justin grinned. "Yes, I will. I'll be doing But I Am a Good Girl for my segment of it and Sashay is doing A Guy Who Takes His Time, so I hope all of you will be there to see Sashay in a full-body pearl harness."
"Auntie's bringing me and his other kids," Mellow said. He nudged Carlisle. "And this one will be celebrating his win after the Cup in two weeks by the time the burlesque show roles around, so he'll definitely be there."
"And please bring your friend Aphtan," Justin encouraged.
"You're more than welcome to come too, Dante," Ace told the Enchanter. "Don't even worry about a ticket."
Dante smiled. "It sounds like a party. I've heard about Pleasure Palace, but I don't think I've been."
"You'll love it!" Justin promised. "It has everything and anything you could conceive in your kinkiest daydreams! If a sex store and nightclub had a love child with a love hotel, that would be Pleasure Palace. They even have…!"
As Justin launched into his thorough explanation of all the toys and amenities Pleasure Palace had with Mellow and Ace adding in tidbits, Carlisle shifted when Dante wrapped an arm around him. He looked up to see Dante avidly listening to Justin's explanation as though mentally taking notes. Warm inside, Carlisle stretched out a hand on Dante's thigh.
I can worry about everything after our date, he determined. I won't let anyone ruin this feeling I have. He glanced back at Dante and found his heart swelling. This is the feeling Maman told me about that she used to experience and Papa experienced. This is a feeling called…love.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Spriggan Castle
Vistarion
Alvarez, Alakitasia
9:25 PM ADT
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
The indoor high-rise garden was set for romance, and Nashi hated every second of it. Floating candles warmed the room, and the plants did not mind the subtle light experienced. The miniature fountains added a soft trickle in the background, but nothing could make Nashi feel at ease. A table had been set for her and Naseer with manga kunafeh (a crunchy-on-the-outside-creamy-on-the-inside dish soaked in sweet syrup, topped with pistachios, and filled with white soft cheese) and qara' 'asali (pumpkin pie without all the elements of a pie) with heavy cream and pistachios and neither dish would be complete without cinnamon-sprinkled rice pudding.
Nashi's eyebrow twitched. This guy…
"Are you not going to eat your piece of kunafeh, Your Majesty?"
Nashi internally sweated as she saw the multiple plates Naseer had torn through with ease. …has an insane sweet tooth. "It wasn't clear to me if the cheese inside was lactose free or not."
"It's vegan cheese," Naseer assured. "I made sure the chefs prepared it that way since Your Majesty doesn't eat dairy. Please go ahead and eat it."
"I'm okay," Nashi said flatly.
Naseer scooped up some more rice pudding. "If you say so."
Nashi cracked her knuckles and wriggled her fingers in an attempt to calm herself. After that reveal about the Machias, things start making sense. More than likely, those Machias have been impersonating us and we're enchanting with life energy so Soul Mages wouldn't get suspicious. If Papa and Mama come home early, however, maybe Papa would be able to scent we were different, but something tells me they were smart to plan that. We still don't know where our Celestial Spirit Keys are. And I hate knowing that's not the last thing he has over us.
Naseer finished his rice pudding and set his bowl aside. Are you finished with dessert, Your Majesty?"
"Just get on with it," Nashi grunted, crossing her arms. "Why the need for us to talk in private?"
Naseer smirked as he settled his cheek against a propped hand. "You don't know how refreshing it is to hear you get to the point." He chuckled over Nashi's lack of amusement. "As you know, tomorrow is the scheduled day for the official announcement of His Late Majesty's heir meaning you will be shown to the people with a DNA test with certified authenticity. From there, you will be crowned our Empress and the transition of power will be announced as you are educated in political affairs, language, etiquette, and begin to make public appearances in Alvarez. I will remain in the castle, but I'll withdraw from public outings until the council is ready for us to make our love story real."
"And from there, we're supposed to announce we're in love and engaged. I understood that." Nashi leaned forward. "But what do you have that you think will make me go through with this?"
"Outside the thousands of hostages at my disposal?" Naseer drawled. He sighed when Nashi did not flinch and pushed away from the table. "It came to my attention how determined you are." He got up from his seat to stroll past Nashi. "Her Highness is quite easy to read. She's a martyr through and through. But you, Your Majesty, might be about protecting the people, but you and I both know if push came to show, you understand how to make the hard discussion."
Nashi stiffened when Naseer murmured in her ear, "You'll do what you have to do."
"You're right. I'll do what I have to do to keep people safe," Nashi conceded.
"No, Your Majesty, you'll do what you have to do to keep your family safe," Naseer amended. "Where you want to admit it or not, your first priority isn't the same as Her Highness. Your priority will always be the people dearest to you. Such an admirable trait that leaves you the most vulnerable."
"So you plan to threaten me with Luna and Gary, is that it?" Nashi snapped.
"That would be far too easy, Your Majesty." Naseer laid down a thick file in front of Nashi before he rounded the table to sit in front of her. "Please, take a look," he encouraged. "What you'll find in there is beyond your wildest imagination."
Nashi did not budge.
Naseer raised an eyebrow. "Trust me or not, I implore you to look into the file, Your Majesty."
Nashi locked her jaw and kept her eyes firmly on him as she flipped open the file. Sending him a final look, her eyes dropped down to the file—
A hand slapped over her mouth.
Horror rolled across her body.
"Do you like it?" Naseer asked her.
Nashi swallowed back her nausea as she slowly brought her hand away from her mouth to crack, "Where did you get this?"
"If you're worried about authenticity, Your Majesty, look no further. The Faction has been most agreeable in their deep searches," Naseer told her. "But I'm afraid that's not all, if that's not enough to convince you. You see… The Enoch you brought with you was supposed to be the prey of a hired assassin for an exchange of information. As it stands, Kyler's life has been spared because of my intervention. But that can change." His eyes flickered. "Quite easily, in fact."
Nashi collected herself to stare Naseer straight in the eye. Her glower to his calm stare. "How much more do you have?"
"How much more will it take for you to be compliant?" Naseer questioned in reply. "I told you power is necessary to lead these people into another era of peace and prosperity. Knowledge is power and I'll possess as much of it as necessary until you understand you never had a choice but to accept. In reality, you never had the luxury to negotiate, to reject me, or to even conceive a notion where you could go home. But if you want to continue being this stubborn, then I have no choice to continue to get as much knowledge as it takes for you to understand this is your reality."
Nashi held her hands together to stop them from shaking. "My parents—"
"Will be none the wiser. The Machias we sent to replace you have unsupervised and supervised machine learning models embedded into them simultaneously. They have access to your digital trial and the more they interact with those around them, the more they will adopt your personality until your replacements think they are the real you." Naseer folded his hands on the table. "Your parents won't know the difference. The FMA spent weeks learning the spell to enchant your natural scents onto the Machias. Your fickle father won't be able to scent a difference. We've matched your biological systems, medical and mental conditions… Your Machias can even produce menstrual cycles and sexual fluids and even engage in intimacy. You won't have to worry about your home life worrying about you with your replacements there to fill your shoes, Your Majesty."
Nashi tried harder to stop the shaking. "You're forgetting Igneel. He's still out there."
"We never forget about Igneel, but it's not his time to come back home." Naseer lifted his chin. "You're trying to stall. I understand that. But tomorrow is the announcement and I have little time to play your games. What is your answer, Your Majesty?"
Nashi licked her lips. I don't have a choice, she whispered in lamentation. I can't fight back even with my powers, not if it means this. A heavy resignation filled over her as her eyes dulled and that seed of hopelessness took root. "Can you promise me Tesla, Gary, and Kyler will return home?" she requested without a note of emotion to her name.
"I'll allow it," Naseer conceded. "After a few procedures, they're free to leave. Her Highness will stay here in castle-isolation until her own announcement is ready to be made, hopefully when she's far more adjusted."
"I see." Nashi's brow twitched. At least…the three of them can go home. And Luke will be safe. I'm sure his saviors will make sure he's transported out of Alakitasia.
That ineptitude stopped.
Luke, Nashi breathed. That's right. They don't know where he is. If he gets transported out of Alvarez and back home, he can tell Mama and Papa the truth. We can still all go home. We can still—
Winter chilled above her. "I hope you weren't thinking His Highness would be your way of escaping."
Nashi looked up.
Invel hovered over her, but his arctic stare was settled on an irritated Naseer. "Your Majesty, fear not. His Highness won't be going back home to help aid a possible escape for you and Her Highness," Invel continued. "He'll be found and brought back to the castle where he belongs."
"What are you doing here?" Naseer growled. "I had everything under control—"
"There's been a change in plans." Invel laid a hand on Nashi's shoulder, gloved and cold and biting. "Another way has been offered to you, Your Majesty, and in exchange for your agreement and follow-through of the proposal, you and your friends and Her Highness and His Highness are free to leave Alvarez without ever being revealed to hold the throne in your hand."
Naseer looked outraged. "But I—"
"Hush, Naseer." Invel squeezed Nashi's shoulder. Her Majesty has a choice to make. I should hope you choose the right one. After all"—he pushed up his glasses and the lens gleamed—"we all know you'll do what you have to."
Todoke kiseki ja nakute ii
Utsukushikunakute ii
Ikigai tte yatsu ga hikari kagayaku kara
•
Kirenai batterii
Tamashii no kagiri
Shukumei tte yatsu o
Moyashite Abaredasu dake nanda
TO BE CONTINUED…
So many choices to make, and they're always the hard ones. What exactly did Bleu request from Gale? What did Peter find? Was Igneel ever with Mary Jane in the first place? And most importantly…how many names can Tesla call Naseer? To find out, tune in to the next episode of Fairy Adventure!
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Dante's Townhouse
Poke Township
Fiore, Ishgar
3:04 AM FST
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Their clothes led a trail to the bedroom, torn off in a haze of greedy lust and that insatiable need to touch each other. The entryway had been their first stop before the couch and finally, they had made it up to the bedroom where they had shared their last moans, washed off, and fell into sleep. The tomcat made his nest at the foot of the bed after such an eventful evening, dozing off with deep compressions.
Carlisle had roused himself with the need to pee and wriggled out of Dante's hold to stumble to the bathroom, do this business, wash his hands, and returned to bed. He slipped back underneath the covers and Dante automatically welcomed him with open arms and tucked him under his chin. Delirious with affection and warmth, Carlisle absently trailed Dante's shoulder tattoo.
"An old flame of yours will be happy to know you're as loose as ever."
Enchanted tangerine pools. "Come here, kitten."
Carlisle chased away the impending fear as he snuggled into Dante for assurance. Maybe I have been dropping my shields… Maybe that creature was right. If anything, it means he's getting more and more desperate to find me. It's either him or the others, and both of them are horrible. He kissed Dante's skin and hummed a sigh. I might not know everything about humanity, but… I've learned what's precious to me through humans. Their life, their free will, their love—it's precious to them and precious to me. Dante is precious to me. And I can't give that up for anything.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Somewhere unknown…
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
The elevator parted open.
Boots clanked out.
Security was tight, but none of them would stop him. The dark storage room was full as the pipes hissed out gas and steam, but that did not matter. A few assistants were doing their due diligence as they went around with their L-Pads to check every single storage item was in top condition. For if one of them showed any sign of decay, they would be scrapped. The chequer plate forming reverberated such heavy boot footfalls, but the assistants tended to their own. He passed through.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
'I feel safe and lighter for once. Everything is different and sacred.'
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
The prize to be one—the Pièce de résistance—was at the center of this enormous storage room with monitors surround the water containment tube and a team of scientists constantly at the helm for vitals. Naked to the world, the subject slept with her brain waves monitored. Her silver hair had grown down to her knees and her heartbeat was steady. But he ignored the most important subject in storage for a different one.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
'I won't let what happened ruin this feeling. I just want to hold on to it a little longer.'
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
STEP… STEP…
Boots stopped before another water containment tube. With a glance at the plate, the subject had been reduced to letters and numbers, but the charts hanging by the tube indicated this subject held promise and prestige.
STEP… STEP…
"See something you like?"
The charts were put down.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
'Because the beauty of this world and these humans are the choices they get to make with their feelings, their actions… And I want to be a part of it.'
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
A drag of a cigarette clouded the air with harmful smoke. A hand stuffed into the white lab coat pocket as an odd insignia was embroidered on the breast pocket while the name SCARLET WARLOCK stitched as the title. "Apparently, this one was difficult for the contractors to take down. He has powerful blocks in place, so we're still ripping them down."
The cigarette was dropped and smashed.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
'So if you're after me, then come for me. I won't run away from you like before.'
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
"How'd the job go, by the way?" came casual question from the lab coat-wearer. "Heard you weren't able to take down your target. That must be disappointing." A wide smirk. "I can feel how angry you are by the loss. You'll get a second chance, though."
A gloved hand touched the water containment unit. "How much longer until he's ready to be sent out?" Soft. Toneless. "I'm getting impatient." The hand tightened. "I don't like being impatient."
"Easy," the lad coat-wearer soothed. "He isn't like the others brought here. He's one of the few S-Class Wizards we've managed to capture, but he's been trained to prepare for the worst. It'll take months until we can break through his defenses. After that, he'll be ready." A hand dropped onto a shoulder. "You've been promised a second chance. That time will come soon. But rushing the process will lead to mistakes down the line."
"I see." A shift in position. "Humans are so annoying. Your tie to time is annoying. But he likes humans and wants you to keep your freedom, so I'll continue to tolerate you for him." The focus dragged up the water containment tube to observe a naked man inside with wires patched into his skin and an oxygen mask over his mouth and nose. Scarlet hair drifted in the liquid as he floated unconsciously. But he had one unique trait no one else in the facility had.
A Fairy Tail tattoo on his shoulder.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
'The next time we meet…I won't be afraid. I won't run. We'll settle this just like you wanted…'
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
"Freedom is not a thing to exist in this world, my friend," came somber remark. "It is but a lie. We live in a world where imbalanced fragments of power lord over all of us from every angle of our lives. The more power you attain, the closer to freedom you are, but you'll never achieve it. You'll just keep craving what you don't have."
The water containment tube reflected two men. The taller man was dressed in a lab coat with his hair a tamed sapphire and slicked back. An eye patch covered his right eye, and he squeezed the shoulder of the slightly shorter man before him, dressed like a mourner with a mask to cover his nose and mouth and a hood to cover his hair.
"Isn't that you right now?" the man asked. "Just like everyone else in this world, you crave what you don't have and you'll stop at nothing until you can have it. Your own freedom is shackled to your want for this power. But I know you won't be satisfied until you get your second chance, will you…"
Poisonous tangerine oranges looked at the intubated Mystogan Fernandes.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Hunter.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Chibi-Luna hesitantly comes into the classroom, but she freezes when she sees the students are in a dark mood. Quietly, she begins setting up for the lesson—
"Teacher?"
Chibi-Luna freezes and sweats. "Y-Y-Yes?"
"Why is Author-san cruel?" the student questions. "Why did she have to do that to us?"
Chibi-Luna starts panicking when the other students mumble and mutter and she feigns loud laughter. "W-W-Well, anyway, let's get to the Fairy Lesson for the day!" She gulps when the students are still deep in their dreary moods. "We'll keep the lesson short today, okay?" She sweats more when the students refuse to pull out of their dark mood.
Clearing her throat, Chibi-Luna haltingly starts, "Today's Fairy Lesson is about Heart's Day in Fiore. Heart's Day is similar to Valentine's Day, but in actuality, it's a combination of Sweetest Day and Friend's Day. Heart's Day is about the celebration of both romantic and platonic relationships and it's normal to give your coworkers and friends chocolates, flowers, and other gifts. It's also a religious holiday for Catholics and Christians to make their pilgrimages to shines in hope of reconnecting with loved ones and finding a friend or lover of their own.
"A lot of people use Heart's Day as a boost of confidence to confess or to simply make new friends, but everyone can celebrate Heart's Day." Chibi-Luna backs away when the students' dark mutters increase in volume. "So, um… That's it for the Fairy Lesson for today. Please remember Author-san promised lighter episodes soon." She is so close to the door. "So that's my cue—"
"Teacher."
Chibi-Luna's eyes round when the students rise from their sheets, shadows covering their eyes.
"We want answers, Teacher," another student questions in a dark tone. "Author-san owes us answers."
Chibi-Luna fidgets. "Um, well, I… I just…" She gulps as the students loom over her. "I…"
And that's how Chibi-Luna is sprinting down the hallway with her students chasing after her. "I didn't sign up for this!" she cried.
"Teacher…" the students growl. "We need answers…"
"Why me?" Chibi-Luna rushes down another hallway, and she blurts, "Next time, on Fairy Adventure: SHUKUMEI! Pl-Pl-Please stop chasing me…!"
Voices of Characters in Order of Appearance
— • — • — • —
Luna Dragneel – Brynn Apprill
Mariem -
Tesla Greer / Hylia Lynk – Galena White
Salma -
Naseer Raml – Faris Al-Raqqad
Nashi Dragneel – Lauren Landa
Gary Fullbuster – Griffin Burns
Kyler – Ray Chase
Elder Mozah – Cree Summers
Ena Fernandes – Xanthe Huynh
Silver Fullbuster – Yuri Lowenthal
Erza Fernandes – Colleen Clinkenbeard
Levy Redfox – Kristi Kang
Gale Redfox – Greg Cipes
Gajeel Redfox – David Wald
Pantherlily – Rick Keeling
Mister Hollifield – Simon Pegg
Carlisle Justino – Eric Scott Kimerer
Aphtan Ángel – Adam Gibbs
Mellow – Lucien Dodge
Dante Princeton-O'Neill – Adrian Petriw
Calcifer – Benjamin McLaughlin
Mirajane Dreyar – Monica Rial
Mary Jane Dreyar – Erica Lindbeck
List Galan -
Laxus Dreyar – Patrick Seitz
Igneel Dragneel – Bryce Papenbrook
Aleda – Juliet Simmons
Lucifer "Bleu" Demiurge – Xander Mobus
Peter Shuusei-Thompson – Joe Zieja
Adrian Flammel – Kyler Phillips
Erik Cragnoline -
Spencer Lates – Christopher Wekhamp
Tigerlily – Patricia Duran
Julia Fullbuster – Michelle Ruff
Katherine "Kat" Knight – Abby Trott
Eiji "Dash" Ackerman – Leraldo Anzaldua
Cane Alberona-Groh – Clifford Chapin
Orochi – Aaron Roberts
Marvin "Auntie Superia" Emond – Tituss Burgess
Justin Justine – Ian Sinclair
Ace – Billy Kametz
Eliana "Ellie" Strauss – Alexis Tipton
Ines Sharabi - Michelle Hendley
Scarlet Warlock – Robert McCollum
Hunter – Daman Mills
• — • — •
Additional Voices
Opening Narrator – Mary McGlynn
Description Narrator – Mary McGlynn
Closing Narrator – Melissa Fahn
— • — • — • —
⌜OPENING THEME
⟪ Your Hands Grasping Even Yourself ⟫
Noisycell
Lyrics by
Noisycell⌟
•
⌜INSERT SONG 1
⟪ Get Busy ⟫
Sean Paul
Lyrics by
Sean Paul⌟
•
⌜INSERT SONG 2
⟪ Snow Fairy Story ⟫
Hatsune Miku
Lyrics & Composed by
40mP, Tama, [TEST], mao, yasu ⌟
•
⌜INSERT SONG 3
⟪ A la Nanita Nana ⟫
Lyrics & Composed by
José Ramón Gomis and Juan Francisco Muñoz⌟
•
⌜INSERT SONG 4
⟪ One More Time ⟫
Daft Punk
Lyrics by
Thomas Bangalter, Anthony Moore, Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo⌟
•
⌜INSERT SONG 5
⟪ 성인식 (Coming of Age Ceremony) ⟫
Park Ji Yoon
Lyrics by
박진영⌟
•
⌜INSERT SONG 6
⟪ Juice ⟫
Lizzo
Lyrics by
Melissa Jefferson, Eric Frederic, Theron Thomas, Sam Sumser, and Sean Small⌟
•
⌜ENDING THEME
⟪ Shukumei ⟫
Official HIGE DANdism
Lyrics by & Composed by
Satoshi Fujiwara⌟
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
TRANSLATIONS
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Sinnish → Fioren-Minstrish
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Diré lo que joder quiero a varias lenguas.
I will speak whatever the fuck I want in several languages.
• — • — •
Muchas gracias
Thank you very much
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Perench → Fioren-Minstrish
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
c'est tragique, mais c'est la vie
How tragic, but such is life
• — • — •
Tu parles perençais aussi
You speak Perench too?
• — • — •
Seulement un peu
Only a little