Fairy Adventure

by Magnafeana

Join Lucy, Natsu, and the rest of Fairy Tail as they not only take on new challenges but watch as their kids take on new adventures and face new challenges! Join Luna, Nashi, and the upcoming generation of Mages on Fairy Tail and more for their never-ending adventure!

86. Adventure 086

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.

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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.

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• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Today is a special day

For it concludes a story of two

A couple who isn't a couple

A Queen and her fool

Come sit and watch

Gather around and see

How a foolish prince and his oblivious princess

Hold hands

Laugh

And build something sweet

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The birds were chirping outside.

The sun touched the Earth Land in its white light, but it could not chase away the touch of winter. Snow planted on the ground, the roads had been shoved and paved, and the chimes of Kardia Cathedral filled the air with the morning service in progress. The market district was sweeping out snow and preparing for the lunch bunch. Someone had tuned into a black gospel station that was harmonizing Happy Day.

The bedroom looked neat as a whistle, as it should considering last night. Thanks to Justin and Ellie's advice, make-up had been broken in and stationed with a few brushes on his dresser with his own cosmetic mirror and some more bottles for a healthy skincare routine. Clothes had been picked out, pressed, and hung up on his door, but he had been ardently cleaning his shoes for today. The Rainbow Rose glistened in its glass cage while the other two presents had been wrapped and boxed to perfection. His cute dog calendar nailed to his wall had X's marked on every day until the day February 13th had been circled.

Silver's hand went for his Compact the moment his alarm went off and he shut it off. He pulled himself out of bed and went to his window to open his curtain and let sunlight filter in. Mayan blues shining and a soft smile on his face, he watched as a few birds graced the skies.

Today's the day, he thought. Today's the day I show Ena how I feel. His smile widened. This is going to be amazing!

°•°•°•°

"Ha!"

Ena panted as she struck down her last wooden golem. Shorts and a tank top with her hair in a ponytail, she had her rapier handy as she trained with her store in the backyard. It had been easy enough to clear out the snow in the yard, but the weather was a little less cold than a typical winter day. Face flushed, she dismissed Lunagr'an to her and went over to the deck for her water bottle.

B-B-B-BEEP!

Ena scooped up her towel to blot her face and neck before she tended to her Compact. Her cheek twinged seeing which alarm had gone off and the date. Right. Today's the day. She knocked back the rest of her water before she looked at the sky. This is going to be so annoying.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

•

hitori ja kowakatta yoru demo

futari de nara tasukeatte

chikazukeru SATERAITO

irodoru machi o tobikoetara

sashidashita te o tsukamu "yatto aeta ne"

futatsu no kiseki ni omedetou

•

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Every person knew this. You did your shower routine with your products first. Once you have toweled off and lotioned up and primped a little, then came hair then make-up then dressing in that order. And you could brush your teeth before or after your shower, but it was better to do so before you glamoured yourself. Those were the rules.

Teeth brushed, they were both methodical and meticulous in their skincare routine with exfoliation a must and rehydration, rinse and repeat. Hair washed and blotted with a towel, she had the added of the unfortunate task of adding a non-tangling agent before she could blow dry and brush out her hair while he had it slightly easier. He tried hard to style his hair in the YouView video Ellie had recommended to him while she took a small chunk of hair to braid and let the rest of her hair lay as is.

Once hair was done, they went through their facial routine. He used toner while she used a serum. Eye cream came next then moisturizer. That was non-negotiable. Primer was next to make sure the make-up and natural skin oil would not mix. Both of them forewent foundation and concealer. It was not a necessity. But he moved onto a light blush while she went for her eye shadow and eyeliner. The intensity of eyebrows always needed to complement the rest of your make-up, and he filled in his arches with a brow pencil. She went for a shiny and tinted lip color with liner while he put on a shiny coat of lip gloss.

Silver finished the final touches on his look after he got completely dressed and fiddled with his shirt. He had opted for a deep blue floral print long sleeve button-down tucked into high-waisted pants and laced-up boots that went with the black overcoat. He messed with his hair in the mirror. I hope I look okay.

VRRRRRR…

That's Ena. She's probably outside. Silver glanced back at his PDP (a floral blue to match his shirt). I can do this. Today's going to be perfect. He abandoned his room and made sure all the lights were off before he opened the door and—

Mayan blues sparkled. Woah…

A heavy sigh. "Are you ready?"

Ena stood before him in platform flats dressed in black, gray, and white plaid from her high-waist handkerchief dress to her oversized blazer, but her shirt and shoes were the same red that matched her hair. A Zhōnguánese fan dressed in black with red lotus flowers was folded in her hand. She put her shades in her hair as she stood by the passenger's side of the car rented for the day. "Well?" she groused. "Are you that hard of hearing?"

"I'm coming!" Silver scrambled to her, but… Wow… She looks even more beautiful up close. Should I tell her that? We are on a non-date date… He cleared his throat and his voice cracked when he complimented, "You look really beautiful."

Ena raised a manicured eyebrow. "As expected." She fluffed out her hair as she assessed him head to toe and a sparkle of approval was in her gaze. "You look sharp. I'm impressed."

"Thank you!" Silver fiddled with the sleeves of his coat. "Justin and Ellie took me shopping last week for some clothes and make-up, so…"

"That's why your brows look a little fuller."

Silver panicked. "Does it not look good?" He tried not to instinctually touch his eyebrows. "They taught me as much as they could on how to apply it, but I might not have done it right."

"No, you look fine," Ena assured with a sigh. "I guess this explains why you suddenly changed your mind to spending the night."

Silver sweated. "R-R-Right." I backed out wanting to spend the night since I had to get ready, but I also wanted my presents to look perfect. "Is the car okay? Gary gave me the name of a really nice chauffeur, but I was worried…"

"It's fine." Ena's cheek twinged. "Although, I didn't realize I wasn't allowed to know where we would be during the day outside of the art museum."

"Ah, sorry." Silver shuffled his feet. "I just wanted to surprise you. Oh! But I promise we'll be doing things you enjoy!" he rushed to assure.

"Then why the surprises?"

"Because it's my day, and I like surprises," Silver told her. Actually, I read on Goggle it's more romantic when you surprise someone, but I had to practice in the mirror a lot to tell her this answer. He inwardly cringed at the memory of him typing out the phrase on a note on his Compact and reciting it in the mirror.

"Because it's my day, and I really like you—No, because I love you—No, that's not it!"

Suffice to say, it took him a while to say the right words.

Ena waved her fan in dismissal. "Fine. Let's get going." She went to open the door, but a hand stopped her.

"W-Wait!"

"What now?" Ena asked, exasperated, and turned to face him.

Silver gulped. Okay. I rehearsed this too. "I have a few rules."

Ena's eyes narrowed. He has 'rules'?

"So, um, the first rule is I get to open all doors for you," Silver listed as he ticked off a finger, "and I get to pull out your chair."

Ena blanked. What.

"The second rule is that I get to pay for everything today. The third rule is you have to stick close to me. And the fourth rule is…y-y-you have to say my name." Silver rubbed his neck. "S-So those are my rules since this is my day." Please don't say, 'no'. I didn't practice what to do if you rejected my rules.

Ena's posture shifted. "You do realize this day was supposed to be me treating you, right?"

Silver flinched. She's going to get mad at me.

"But… I suppose it can't be helped."

Silver looked up, and his eyes widened when he saw a small and soft smile on Ena's face.

"All right. Since today's your day, I can go along with your rules," Ena decided. "So please take care of me, Silver." She stepped aside to gesture to the doors. "Now, would you mind getting that so we can get started?"

"O-Oh! Ah, right, sure!" Silver opened the passenger door. "After you."

"Thank you." Ena brushed past him as the wind picked up and her hair fluttered.

Silver's nostrils flared. She smells really nice today. She seems a little annoyed, but… She's not mad at me. So I'll take that as a win. He waited as she slid into her seat. I planned everything down to the minute. I know she'll love that. I just hope she likes my other presents too. He filed in after her and shut the door.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure 086

•

Tales of Heart's Day Weekend

Tale of Silver and Ena

Maleficent II

Mistress of Love

•

ハートの日の週末の物語

シルバーと恵那の物語

マレフィセント2

愛の愛人

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The restaurant was family-owned, and you could tell by the atmosphere and decorations. Family-owned restaurants had a certain shift that was a lot more comfortable and relaxing. The decorations were not so plastic and made to look fancy but they never last or costed a fortune. Instead, this family had decided on a Traditionalist home-style with brighter wood for their tables, comfortable chairs, and even a separate section for those with younger children completed with a little children's area. The walls were filled with Magic and shifted in color depending on the season, day, and time. Right now, a muted yellow calmed the restaurant with the waiters dressed in mellow oranges. With church in session, not too many outside the regular patrons and a small family on their way to grandma's house.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is Daisy Dukes, a family-owned brunch establishment by a Magician and a Wiccan. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Ena hummed her delight over her omelet as she glanced around. "What a quaint restaurant," she commented.

"And the food's okay?" Silver worried.

Ena nodded. "Yes, but…" She gestured with her fork to Silver's uneaten meal. "Aren't you going to eat?" Her eyes narrowed. "Did you poison me?"

"No! N-N-No! That's not it at all!" Silver peered down at his food. I've been too nervous to eat, actually. He bucked up and got a handle on his utensils before digging into his steak and eggs. The moment he tasted it, his face brightened, and he looked like he was seeing Heaven. So good…!

Ena laughed and went for her tea. Steam rose for it, so she blew on it. "Where did you find such a charming place?"

Just, um, wandering around and stuff at the end of a mission," Silver explained with a twitchy smile. He remembered how he poured over himself looking at restaurants and looked like a conspiracy theorist with all his pins and red string. I can't just tell her how long I spend figuring out low-key brunch places that offered more vegan options and cross-referenced the restaurants Lulu told me she's been to just so I could finally find one she's never been to. The exhaustion from those hours made him want to age ten years, but he observed Ena sipping on her tea as she looked across the way. He softened, eyes sparkling. But…it was worth it if it meant I could spend time with her like this.

"So." Ena took a sip of her tea as she looked back at Silver. "How exactly can you afford all of this?" Her head cocked when Silver looked away, sweating, and she pressed on, "I know you're poor."

"Ah, well…" Silver scratched his cheek with a finger. "I, um…ran into some money, that's all…"

Ena furrowed her brow. "And you wanted to use it on something as small as this?"

"Ah, well…" Silver shrank, nervously laughing. "It could only be used for today…"

"So, this was some sort of conditional loan?"

"Um, well… No, it's not a loan…"

"Did you pawn something? Steal?"

"No, no, I didn't do anything like that…"

Ena stared down at shrinking Silver before she hummed and sat back. "All right then…"

Silver quietly sighed in relief. If she really knew who gave me the money for today…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Juvia will do whatever Juvia can do to make sure her precious prince has the best date ever!" His mother was on the couch, knitting up a storm, with fire in her eyes and a sweatband in her hair. "Juvia will give Silver as much money as he needs if it's for the sake of love!"

"M-Mom," Silver stammered, nervous. "I really don't—"

But he swallowed those words when his mother conjured an entire storm in the living room and looked at him and told him in a dark rasp, "Juvia will help Silver crush his love rival."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

It's not like I even asked for money, Silver remembered, morbid. I make decent money from any jobs I do plus working under Ena too. He let out an exhale. But I guess I can't let the money go to waste.

"Silver."

He snapped to attention. "Ye-Yes? Yes?"

"No need to look alarmed," Ena tittered. "I was just going to ask if you've been able to make time for your friends lately."

That puzzled Silver. "My…friends?"

"Yes." Ena forked in some hash. "Jasper told me you've been noticeably absent from your main social hangouts. So, I just wanted to make sure you've had time to stay in touch with your friends and attend whatever it is you do."

Jasper told Ena this? Why? Silver replied, dismissive, "I haven't had the time to hang out recently, but it's no big deal, honest. I've just been busy lately." He blinked, surprised when he noticed Ena's slight hunch-over and the sadness on her face. He hurried to soothe her, "Seriously, it's not that big a deal!" He scratched the back of his head while he waved his free hand at her. "Come on, it's not the end of the world being busy, right? I'll just make it up to them once everything dies down. So, there's no need to get upset on behalf."

"You're wrong."

Silver watched as Ena tensed up.

"Trust me when I say the moment you've locked yourself into a life of a busy schedule…" Ena's dark browns glinted with sadness. "It never gets any easier to get back into having that sort of free time." She gripped her utensils. "It's a comforting thought to think of what you'll do when the work is done. But once you've run yourself ragged, those little in-between moments become too precious to share with anyone else. You'll spend those moments alone because you finally get a chance to breathe before you have to start working again. All those promises you made to people to see them end up becoming empty. And sooner or later, you'll stop remembering what it was like to have that life again."

Silver could only observe her.

Her lips pressed together. Like mother, like daughter. It takes a miracle for her to be able to stop working. And the same for me. I'm lucky I have L in my life, but… Her grip tightened. But still…

"That's why you have me."

Ena looked up for dark browns to clash with mayan blues.

"I'm sure it does get pretty hard to do what you do," Silver said. "You're always busy and working and I'm sure it makes it hard for you to have any fun." A pitiful little smile touched his lips. "To be honest, I have felt a little bad skipping out on my friends. Whenever I have any sort of break, I pretty much spend it eating or sleeping these days."

Ena opened her mouth to apologize—

"But then I realized I don't regret being this busy."

"What?" Ena frowned. "Why?"

Silver fidgeted. "Well… It's because…" He dropped his gaze. "It's because…" He heavily swallowed. "B-Because…"

"Because?" Ena gently prompted.

Silver's bottom lip trembled. "I-I-I…" He shook his head and offered a determined expression. "It doesn't matter. The point is, I don't regret it. And neither should you. You work hard all day. It makes sense you'd want to relax a little. And if you're looking for some fun"—he pointed to himself—"then that's why you have your faithful assistant here to plan out a whole day of fun on your command."

Ena smiled as she picked up her teacup. "That's kind of you, Silver, but I don't expect you to be there holding my hand to remind me to take a break."

"But I want you to use me," Silver insisted. "I'm your assistant, right? Let me help you have fun once in a while."

Ena arched an eyebrow. "An assistant isn't synonymous with a personal scheduler," she dryly reminded. "You have your own life and interests to think about over my own. I burden you with enough when we work. I'm not doing so out of work."

"But I want to," Silver protested. "I like making your schedule." He added to sweeten the pot, "And I know you like having your schedules planned down to the minute." He could see Ena's falter and decided to hit it home. "I can do it once a month. Once a month, I'll schedule an entire day so you can have a break."

Ena sighed and gave him a long look. "You really want to do this?"

"Yes." He refused to back down.

Ena held her gaze steady, but she saw no cracks in Silver's resolve. "Oh, all right." She held up a finger when his face split into a grin. "Monthly all-day breaks are to be planned down to the minute for me, but you need to think about your own social life." She waved a hand. "Go do what people normally do."

"Like playing lacrimagames in their mom's basement?"

Ena winced. "Yes, but it was my mistake to assume." She held her head high. "But I'm not apologizing for it. You deserve that comment for being irritating."

"You really don't like giving apologies, do you?" Silver questioned.

Ena snorted from her nose. "I give apologies when I've done something wrong, not when my actions were well-earned," she explained. "But I know when I'm wrong and I'll say I'm wrong."

"Well, you've wronged me, and you never apologized," Silver teased.

"You have an astounding number of infractions against you. I don't owe you anything. That being said…"

Silver's breathing hitched when Ena's butter knife was under his chin.

"…if you want an apology from me…"—her eyes glowed—"we can fight over it."

"No, no, I'm good." Silver could breathe easier when Ena put down the knife. He eyed her and commented, "So, um… Outside you using your sword to threaten me, I hear you're a pretty big deal with sword fighting."

Ena shrugged. "I wouldn't say that. My mother taught me to hold a sword before I could walk," she supposed. "Once I could walk, she put me into different sword classes since she didn't have time to train me herself." A pitiful little smile touched her lips as a touch of sad wistfulness completed her eyes. "Back then, Aine was very sick. Mom was either at the hospital or work. I hoped Mystogan would at least be proud of me, but…" Her hands cupped her teacup. "It just…wasn't meant to be," she dismissed. "So, instead, I worked hard advancing myself. And Lunagr'an has been good to me ever since."

"Your sword?"

Ena hummed. "Yes." She glanced at her tea. "It's the weapon…my father left for me."

Silver's eyes widened. "Your dad did?"

"Yes." Ena thumbed her teacup. "Though…the memory of getting my sword is still tainted."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Mom, just throw it away!"

Behind the wall, Ena hid, but when she peeked, she could see her exhausted mother cradling a long box while Mystogan angrily stood before in her vain attempt to reclaim the box for himself.

Erza shook her head, circles under her eyes. "Mystogan, this isn't for you to decide," she reminded her son, tone weary. "This sword is the only gift your sister will get from your father. She deserves to have it—"

"Why should she?" Mystogan sneered. "It's not like Jellal's ever coming back anyway! She'll be better off without it!"

Erza gave an exasperated sigh. "Mystogan, just because you are upset with your father doesn't mean we all feel the same way," she chastised. "Your father—"

"Stop calling Jellal my father!" Mystogan growled. "He stopped being my father the day he left! He abandoned us—!"

"That's enough, Oberon!" Erza snapped. She touched her temple as though it ached. "If that's how you truly feel, then fine, but I will not have you feeding that to your younger sister. How she feels for your father is her decision."

"She's just a kid!" Mystogan argued. "She doesn't know any better!" He pointed at the box like it offended him. "This will just confuse her into thinking Jellal actually cares! But he's the one who left us when she was born!"

Erza retorted, "Mystogan, that isn't—!"

Mystogan held out a hand was his eyes glowed with Magic. "Just let me destroy it, Mom!" he insisted. "Ena doesn't even have to know Jellal had the nerve to do this." A ball of Magic pulsed from his palm. "I can make it so it never existed."

Erza tried to stop him. "Oberon—!"

"No!" Ena was in motion as she sailed across the room, the focus blurry with tears, and she reached for the box. "Don't touch it!"

Erza's face broke into anguish. "Ena…"

Mystogan, however, dismissed his power to hold Ena back from claiming the box. "Ena, you don't understand," he grunted. "You don't want anything from that man. This is just something to make him feel better about himself for abandoning us!"

"No!" Ena tried in vain to get the present, but Mystogan picked her up. She thrashed and wailed. "No! I want Dad's present! I want Daddy!"

Mystogan struggled to control her as he moved away. "Ena, you don't understand," he harshly scolded. "You'll get it when you're older that Jellal isn't the man you should ever call 'father'."

"Oberon, let your sister go now," Erza commanded. "I didn't raise you to be this selfish."

"I'm doing her a favor," Mystogan grunted as he tried harder to restrain Ena in his arms. "Ena, come on, let's go!"

"No…!" Ena wriggled and squirmed. "I want Daddy!" She held out her hands for the present. "Gimme it!"

"Ena!" Mystogan shouted. "Calm down—!"

"Oberon," Erza scolded, "let her go!"

"I want Daddy! I want Daddy!" Ena closed her eyes as a pressure filled her that she could not contain anymore. "I want Daddy!" And just like that, the weight hurting her had burst out to the point where she cried, and it blinded everyone. And her little hand connected with a cool metal that forced her to open her eyes. And right before her…

…was a glowing sword.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Ena sighed and went back to nibbling on her food. "My mother explained Lunagr'an would only obey my command. The sword is powerful. Even though I keep it as a rapier, it matches my Enchantment ability to bend and change into any weapon I choose. Sometimes, I'd like to think…"—dark chocolates shone—"that whenever I use it…my father is proud of me."

Mayan blues shone back.

"But…"—Ena leaned back in her chair—"it's just more silly thoughts. Who knows if he would be proud of me? Who knows…if he even loves me?" She went to take another bite when a hand touched her own and she looked up at a soft Silver.

"I think he loves you a lot," he murmured. "And I think he's proud of you too. The work you've done, the name you've built for yourself—it's incredible and inspiring." He collected back his hand, a little shy. "I know what I think doesn't count for much, but…"

"No. It doesn't."

Hurt twisted up Silver's insides, but he masked it with a smile. "Right… I understand…" He wanted to pick at his food, but he did not have the heart. I should've known better.

"You don't."

Silver looked into the kind eyes and smile Ena sent him.

"It means much more to me," Ena told him. "Because…you're here. You can see me." Her eyes dimmed. "My own father can't do that."

Silver wanted to console her, but how could he when he had no idea what it was like to live without one parent? Still, he had to try. "E-Ena—"

"But let's not dwell on sad things," Ena decided. "I'm more interested in the Contemporary Art Museum." She went to her blueberry muffin. "I'm quite excited to see it. As much as I'd like to go to museums, I never have the time to appreciate the artistry." She smiled. "I'm glad I'll have the chance to do so now with a good friend at my side. Right?"

Silver was unsure to let their previous topic go. "Ena—"

"Please, Silver." Ena could not look at him as her smile tightened. "Please."

Silver hesitated, but he conceded to her silent wish. He collected himself to grin at her. "Well, if you're talking museums, I'm your perfect go-to," he boasted. "I've been wanting to check out the World of Motion Museum, actually!" He brightened. "I could put that down for your monthly fun day!"

Ena cocked her head, amused. "You're under the assumption I'll want to go and I'll take you with me."

"Well, of course I'll come with you," Silver haughtily declared. "After all, I'm the one planning your entire day of fun, so it would be right for me to come along."

"Is that right?" Ena hummed her mirth. "I never took you as a classic nerd who loved museums considering your grade equates to the stereotypical dumb jock."

Silver gawked. "Hey! I'm not a dumb jock!"

"Ah, so you agree then?"

"Agree with what?"

"That you are a classic nerd. I'm sure if I looked in your room, I'd find suspenders and a calculator you use for fun."

"I'm not a geek either, you—! You—! Ugh, just…never mind…"

[]

If you looked at the building from afar, you would think that you were approaching quite the large warehouse. But upon closer inspection, your eyes would widen seeing this warehouse had been converted to have a giant glass set-up and with a triangle patterned bridge that overlooked a sizable lake. Artwork that could sustain the snow with and without Magic Enchantments waited for you outside all to ramp up what you would see on the inside. The gardens might not be available but that did might mean you could not take a look around at the indoor hedge maze completed with flowery masterpieces. Already, people were taking advantage of the twirling elevator, and the mystical merry-go-round was up and running.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is the Contemporary Art Museum or "CAM" located in Brooks County of New Azalea. It rests on "The Hub" which features CAM, the New Azalea Public Library, the Fiore Botanical Garden, FioreSea Aquarium, and more. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Silver was quick to pay for their tickets before they entered the fascinating interior of the museum. They went down a winding hall with LVs on the ground displaying popular animation sequences to interactive chalk drawings, and walls projected interactive games. When they emerged, the main portion of the museum featured a merry-go-round magicked so the steeds were not tied down and could race about their track. The art on display was ahead of their time with one piece dedicated to the queen of Fiore as a flower from each city was collected to build her sword.

Silver already had his map of the museum at the ready. "There are four floors with two upstairs and one down. I thought we could start with the top and work our way down?" He looked over to Ena. "What do you—?" He stopped when he saw her entrance look at everything around her. He pocketed the map. I think we can just go with the flow for now. He nudged her. "Do you like it?"

"Yes." Ena stepped forward in wonder. "I do." She looked around. "We'll start from the top?"

"I figured we could, but we can start wherever you want—"

"No. That'll work." Ena moved forward only to stop and backtrack. To Silver's surprise, she linked their arms. "Come on."

Silver spluttered, red, as she guided them forward. "Wh-Wh-What are you—?"

"You told me I had to stay close to you." Ena looked up at him a tilt of her head, a glint of mirth in her eyes. "Or am I allowed to break your rules?" She laughed at Silver's struggle for words. "Now walk. We have a lot to see."

Silver kept pace with her, thickly swallowing. "Right." But he looked at their locked arms only to stray to her hand. Warm flushed his chest. Maybe…someday…

Elevators, stairs, and escalators were options to reach the top. The elevator and stairs were unconventional methods with how they were built. Rather than a straight up and down, the elevator went in a slight spiral with lights all-around. The stairs alternated between flights for musical steps and steps that would change based on the colors of the rainbow. The escalators were the only normal mode of transportation, and Ena had chosen that for them to get to the top floor.

The top floor was dedicated to the immersive art experience and featured many New Azalea University and new artists from other colleges on rotation due to senior capstone projects and other protegees. It looked like a MagiaLand dark ride walkthrough if anyone asked Silver's opinion, and that was a good thing. The artists had crafted the worlds they wanted others to experience. One artist had mashed together a whimsical land inspired by Magia where observers could peer out of a balcony and onto the world built for them. Another had built a "Magic Treehouse" in which the windows displayed documentary footage from all around the world and the interior was dressed to be the base of operations for explorers.

Ena laughed behind a hand when Silver had boyish wonder when they entered a smaller rendition of Josea Town with the lights and hangul. A mix of J-pop songs was on when you on and you could smell the Josean fried chicken. Silver was entranced as he watched a flat-screen placed in one of the windows showing SHINY's Atlantis only to realize Ena was observing him (in fondness, mind you). Cheeks flushed, he hurried them along even against Ena's assurance they could stay a while longer.

The other worlds built were just as incredible. A team of students had redesigned the Magic School Bus. The moment Silver and Ena sat down, they were simulated into another crazy adventure where they explored the times of yore where Dragons were prominent all to bring back something from the past into the future. Another was a horror section with Ena quite satisfied with the level of detail only to hear screaming. She turned around to see magicked spiders had come down and crowded around a freaked-out Silver, who Ena had to retrieve and practically half carry to get him to move.

The second floor had more of a normal art museum feel to it with paintings and sculptures—what have you. But unlike in a normal art museum filled with famous works, these pieces were contemporary, and some had a little Magic to them. Silver admired an octopus sculpture made from litter found in the ocean while Ena admired a magicked painting about the diaspora of Andüsa. Both Silver and Ena curiously approached what looked like to be an ordinary wall mirror even though it had ropes around it and an attendant.

"Excuse me?" Ena called. "What is this piece about?"

The attendant smiled and took off the rope. "Why don't you see for yourself, Miss?" He gestured to Silver. "You as well, sir. This is no ordinary mirror, but in order to see the artist's intentions, you'll have to look inside."

Ena and Silver exchanged looks before they decided to step up to the task. They came to the mirror and with an encouraging nod from the attendant, they carefully placed their faces near the mirror and pushed forward—

Ena's eyes sparkled.

Silver gaped. "Woah…"

The mirror had shown them an entire pocket dimension crafted in acrylics and featured the harmless environment of a cottage by the riverside and mountains far away. Even though everything was designed as a painting, through the acrylics, you could smell that crisp and clean mountainous smell you could not replicate here at sea level or below it. The blues so poignant and the cottage had its own little watermill that churned on its own as if to remind you that this place—this painting—was alive and someone even lived here.

The animation room was on this floor as well to showcase promising animators going through their process and all their different styles. Animators for Magia and other studios had contributed to the cause to show how they went from the initial sketch to the final product. Ena was touched when one of the animated segments crafted Maleficent with Diaval on her shoulder as she cast her powerful spell.

Silver caught the glint in her eyes and looked down to see how close their hands were. At first, he wanted to attempt it. He wanted to know what it was like again to hold her hand. But he backed away at the last second and studied the animation show with her. "Do you like it?"

"Very much." Ena smiled when the iconic dance between Belle and Beast was shown. "It almost looks like L and Redfox," she tittered. "You would definitely be Chip. So childish."

"I'm a lot more mature than Chip," Silver argued with a laugh. "I'd be Lumiere."

Ena snorted. "Oh, please, like you have enough charisma to be Lumiere. He's a flirty Perenchman and you're…" She studied him head to toe and cocked a grin when he flushed red. She grabbed his chin to stare him in the eyes.

"I'm what?" Silver asked, voice cracking.

Ena hummed and let him go, sighing. "Who knows?" And she walked away.

"Hey!" Silver shook his fist at her. "You can't just walk away!"

"I'm doing it now," Ena loftily called.

"Yeah, well…!" Silver threatened, "I'm not moving from this spot until you finish what you were going to say!"

"Okay." Ena exited the animation room and disappeared.

Silver tried to hold out. He really did. But between the anxiety she really would abandon him and his own mess of emotions, he ended up scrambling to catch up. "H-Hey, wait! You can't just leave me here!" he cried. "What about my rules?"

And right as he fled from the room, the animation showed the build-up scene between a newly wedded Aladdin and Jasmine as they shared a kiss on their Magic Carpet with fireworks coveting the sky.

The first floor was more home to the reception area and the food court, but the exhibits were nothing to overlook. These exhibits featured some pop art, minimalism, and photorealism, but what was more impressive was the performance art happening. The ballerina with her feet painted as she danced as the sign said the piece would be labeled Movements. Photos and video were encouraged, and both Silver and Ena were quick to try and record when they realized what the other was doing.

"I can record," Silver offered.

"That's okay. I wanted to send this to L—"

"I can do it," Silver hurriedly cut in. He tsked over Ena's narrowed eyes. "She's my best friend too." He pocketed his Compact to hold out a hand. "I'll even record it on your Compact, so you can send it to her."

Ena reluctantly handed over her Compact. "Fine. Make sure to capture it—"

"I know." Silver turned to the Compact on its side and recorded. "So bossy," he mumbled. "I know how to record things too."

"I heard that," Ena said dryly. Her eyes sharpened when she saw a few fellow observers were trying to get a better look at the performance and would crash into them soon enough. "Silver."

"Wha—?" He paused when Ena's arm wrapped around his waist and his entire body heated the moment she pulled him close to him. What is she—!

Ena waited for the people to bypass them before she slid her hand away from Silver, huffy. "People have such little manners," she criticized in disdain. "If they would have watched where they were going, they would have seen you there." She whipped out her fan expertly and fanned herself, rolling her eyes. "Honestly. The nerve." Her eyebrow raised under her observation of Silver's beet-red face. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing!" Silver squeaked as he focused on recording. "Thanks for, um, that." He turned away to quietly cry. Although, it probably would have been romantic if I was the one who did it.

The lower level felt like more of a cultural ode. Contemporary art from around the world had been collected and donated from totems to talismans, from masks to mosaics. Ena and Silver drifted together and apart as they admired such dedicated works. Not too many had drifted to the lower level, but that was fine with them. The silence and solitude just allowed them a better immersive experience into the art around them.

"What's that?" Ena had asked the question as they came upon quite grandiose doors, but she saw the plague by them. She read it and summarized, "It looks like this has stained glass stored inside." She shrugged and looked over at Silver. "Shall we?"

"Sure." He held open the door for her.

Ena entered and her eyes swept around the chambers. Whatever lighting was put into the dome space had created it so sunset always hit the stained glass. Olden stone decorated the floor, well-kept but still aging, while a unique marble sort of stone was buffed for the walls and glittered like the stars themselves. It was one of those places that required a respected silence while you took in everything. It was like a church, but there were no benches to kneel and pray. Just an altar that was the stage to the masterpiece of the entire chamber.

Silver and Ena took the left and the right respectively and looked upon the glass. Silver, at first, did not understand what he was looking at, but Ena understood right away the moment she saw a watery woman. The stained glass portraited were representations of people from mythology. The woman of water was an Undine. The archer with pointed ears and a headdress was an Elf. A man with a burning beard and a sword of fire was a Salamander. An armored person with a hefty sledgehammer was a Dwarf. And that was how it went for the others.

They came together in front of the altar where the pièce de resistance had been crafted to perfection. The lower-tiered stain glass represented a Dragon with a crown of horns, a God who abandoned gender, and a Demon. To the left was a kneeling Angel with their wings a burning white while to the right was a kneeling Fallen Angel with their wings a burning black. But the one they all worshipped was a beautiful feminine representative with their hands clasped in prayer, a band over their eyes, and their mouth parted like they were trying to say something.

Ena and Silver remained entranced at the majesty of such artistry. It was Silver who broke the silence with a hushed question, "Who is she? Is she God?"

"No." Ena cocked her head. "At least, she isn't a God." No… She feels like something else… Her eyes bounced around the stained glass windows. A Demon, a God, a Dragon, Angels… Her eyes befell the feminine overseer. And they all bow to her, this person… Maybe it was her imagination, but she could have sworn this woman was glowing. Who are they?

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

And then…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"I'll be right back with your order!"

The Cake Factory was busy as usual. Sunday brunches were a hot commodity to have here. A group of elderly women was laughing as they joshed about the new hot nurse that had come into their assisted living community. With mass and service over, more families and friends had come out in droves in their fancy dresses and suits. An embarrassed father took his wailing five-year-old out to the lobby to calm him down. A ravenous young lady was all smiles when a slew of entrées came her way while her partner just had to sigh and look at her in amusement and affection.

Silver and Ena had finished their main entrées and Ena was enjoying her cake while Silver was content to watch on the opposite side of her. He smiled as she had no reservations eating an entire cake by her lonesome.

"You really like cake, huh?" Silver laughed.

"Of course." Ena eyed him in suspicion. "You're not about to ask me to share this, are you?"

Silver waved a hand. "No, not at all! That's all for you!" He had to hold back his laugh seeing Ena guard her cake like a Dragon guarding its hoard. You look like you'd strike if I even tried asking for a bite, anyway.

"Good." Ena took another healthy bite. "The CAM was very nice. I enjoyed every piece we saw, especially the immersive art collection." Another bite. "And you said that that entire floor changes every spring?"

Silver nodded. "Mmm-hmm! The top floor rotates for the art students at the New Azalea University and other artists. Gary had wanted to go since a friend of his got his project in here, but he said it's fine."

"That's good." Ena's eyes flitted about. "I'll have to bring L there one day when we're both less busy." She smiled as she thought about her best friend. "I'm sure she'll love it." An idea came to her. "Rather than you coming with me on my monthly fun day, why not substitute L instead? That way, I can spend time with her, and she and I can catch up and you can do…" Her brow furrowed before she shrugged it off. "Whatever it is you do for fun." Her eyes dropped back down to Silver to catch the hurt on his face. "What is it?"

Silver hesitated in saying anything.

"Well, spit it out," Ena encouraged as she forked more cake.

"I… W-W-Well, it's just…" Silver swallowed. I can't just say what I'm thinking. And it's not like I have a valid reason to say, 'no'. Lulu is her best friend. Of course she'd want to spend time with her on her day off instead of me. But… He tried to steel his unsteady nerves. Well, today's my day to be brave, right? He opened his mouth. "Wh-What if…I wanted to spend the day with you?"

"Hmm?" Ena cocked her head. "Why?"

Silver gulped. "W-Well, um…" He wiped his sweaty palms on his slacks. "I—"

"Lady Fernandes?"

Silver was frozen while Ena looked up to see quite the high-in-wealth lady come with her feather-laced fan, humble earrings, but she had dressed in high-waisted button front trouser pants and a blouse with a furred coat resting on her shoulder. Her personal knights had kept back, but they could be seen a little ways away. Still, the young gentleman beside her dressed to the nines with a disinterested expression was a mystery.

The woman fanned herself as she brightened seeing Ena. "Why, it is you, darling! I haven't seen you since the Yule Cotillion and I swear Gianni has been trying to keep you all to himself!"

Ena rose and offered an appropriate courtesy and a poised smile. "Viscountess Gosling, pleased to meet you again."

"Oh, Lady Fernandes, please, just call me 'Irina'," Irina encouraged.

⌜LARKSPUR COUNTY

Name: Viscountess Irina Gosling

Age: 43

Magic: Saintess

Occupation: The Viscountess of Larkspur

Likes: Pearls Dislikes: cat fur

Special Note: Irina is quite the abnormal nobility as she came from a "commoner" background and she's a Mage—which is genuinely unheard-of for Fioren nobility!⌟

Ena's smile turned more genuine. "Then, I insist you call me 'Ena'."

"Fair is fair," Irina laughed with a twinkle in her eye. She clacked her fan together to point at Silver. "And if I may, who is this?"

Ena's eyebrow twitched over Silver's lack of manners for sitting in the presence of nobility, but she brushed it aside. "This is my assistant, Silver Fullbuster. Please excuse his lack of etiquette towards you, Irina. Now that he is a permanent fixture, I'll have to give him proper lessons."

Silver abruptly got up and bowed. "N-N-Nice to meet you, ma'am!"

Ena's smile strained while Irina laughed. "Nice to meet you too, Mister Fullbuster," Irina helloed. She winked at Ena. "He's a cute assistant, Ena."

"Oh, yes." Ena turned murderous eyes onto a sweating Silver. "Even little piglets can still be cute, I suppose."

How was I supposed to know how to greet nobility?! Silver wanted to whimper. And now I'm back to being called a 'pig'. Great. He blinked when he noticed the young gentleman whose eyes bounced to Ena in interest. Unease fettered inside him. Is he…?

If Irina noticed Ena's murderous aura, she did not acknowledge it and simply laughed. "Very cute." She stepped aside to gesture to the young gentleman who had accompanied her. "Ena, you met the mine and the Viscount's daughters and our older son, but this is our younger son, Nora. He wasn't able to attend the Yule Cotillion due to, um…prior obligations."

Nora stepped forward. He was reasonably tan like his mother with black hair down for the most part, but he had part of it in a topknot and his sidelocks kept back with a headband. An unusual hairstyle for a noble, but he carried it quite well. But it was his eyes that were different. Irina had a dark brown set of eyes, but her son carried a burnt yellow. He bowed to Ena. "It's an honor to meet you, My Lady."

⌜LARKSPUR COUNTY

Name: Lord Nora Gosling II

Age: 15

Ability: Expert Swordsmanship

Occupation: The Lord of Larkspur, Second-in-line for Viscount

Likes: anthropology Dislikes: His older brother

Special Note: Nora has a reputation due to him being as abnormal as his mother in his behavior! He might be the second son, but even his older brother is threatened by his standing with their father! ⌟

Routinely, Nora went for her hand to kiss it only to be surprised when Ena grabbed his hand to shake it. He straightened to see the firmness in her eyes and felt the firmness in her grip.

"It's an honor to meet you as well, Lord Nora," Ena greeted. "Please don't misunderstand, but I do not need to be treated like nobility. I'm only a common designer and seamstress. A handshake serves just as fine for an introduction."

Nora was taken back at that, but he conceded with a glint in his eyes and shook her hand. "I understand. No need to call me 'lord'. Just 'Nora'."

"'Ena' suits me as well." Ena retracted her hand to turn to Irina in curiosity. "If I may, I didn't anticipate Fioren nobility would visit here on a Sunday. What brings you to my table? Have I missed a consultation appointment with you?" She turned to Silver, ready to scold him, while Silver shook his head, shrinking back.

"Oh, nothing of the sort!" Irina assured. She nudged her son. "Nora and I have a bit of a sweet tooth of our own. After sermon, we often come here for our fill, but the moment I saw you in such a stunning ensemble, I just had to say hello. I did want to wait until you were finished with your entrées. Apologies if we're intruding—"

"Not at all," Ena soothed, warm. "Please join us! Silver? Come sit at my side and allow Irina and Nora the other side." Her eyes spoke volumes. "Now."

"R-Right." Silver scrambled to sit on Ena's side of the table, but he tried so hard to control his fritzing Magic. How can she just speak to actual nobles? Then again, from her schedule, she has appointments with a lot of nobility. She just talks like such a…grown-up. Internally, he was comically crying. And now we've completely derailed from a no-work date and I'm just her lowly assistant again.

It was just like that. The personal knights had taken the perimeter, and a waiter scrambled to deliver cheesecake to both Irina and Nora, dismissed a moment later. Irina might have been a Viscount, but who cared when you had a delicious treat in front of you?

"Always so heavenly!" Irina cheered. "What do you think, Nora?"

Nora had a whole cheesecake to himself and was already munching. "It's good."

"He's always of little words," Irina told Ena and Silver like it was a state secret. She enthusiastically turned to Ena and said, "My word! You should be hearing the gossip from some of the other lords and ladies. Just the other day…"

Silver felt like he was hearing another language as Irina and Ena had a flawless conversation about court gossip and politics. How does she know so much about all of this? I mean I know she's Master's daughter… But she's…on some whole new level! He softened witnessing her demure laugh behind a hand. She's…incredible. She really is like a princess. He fidgeted, a little disheartened. And I'm the one hoping she'd acknowledge me someday… Just when I thought I was getting close, she goes even farther away…

"Your sword."

Silver and Ena both paid attention to Nora.

Nora stared back at Ena. "Its name is Lunagr'an. Am I right?"

"Yes." Ena lifted her chin with warning clear on her face. "Pray well, why do you ask?"

Irina stiffened and felt only dread. Oh, no. Nora, you're ruining the mood I worked so hard to build! She burst in to cut down the ominous atmosphere. "Please excuse Nora. He's not one to mince words," she explained, tone hopelessly apologetic. "He's quite the impressive swordsman, actually, and has trained for years in the art of the sword. If all fairs well, he hopes to become one of the Holy Knights of Fiore."

That brought Ena's wariness back for interest. "Truly?"

Perhaps Silver was the only one to see Irina's subtle smirk.

"Yes, truly," Irina enthused. "He's been training alongside the knights since he could walk. Our head knight finds him quite promising. Isn't that right, Nora?"

"My name isn't as famous as yours or your mother in the art of the sword," Nora supposed to Ena. "My apologies about the sudden question in your sword. It's just a curious name for a sword and not many name their swords. Where did you come up with the name?"

"I didn't," Ena refuted. "The sword shared itself name with me the moment I touched it."

Nora nodded like he understood, and something in Ena said he truly did. "I see. That really is an impressive sword." He shifted. "I have a request, and you can turn it down."

Ena inclined her chin. "Proceed."

"I'd like to have a duel against you."

Irina looked dead-shocked and embarrassed. "Nora—"

"I accept."

Irina hurried to assuage Ena, "Please forgive Nora—!"

"It's fine." Ena did not take her eyes off Nora. "However, you'll need to take the appropriate route and schedule a duel through my assistant. We can negotiate terms of time, date, location—"

"And the prize." Nora's yellows flashed. "We can negotiate the prize for the one who wins."

Ena arched an eyebrow, but she let it go for a smile as she got another piece of cake. "Very well. A negotiation for winnings as well. I have no objections. Silver?"

Silver snapped to attention. "A-Ah! Yes?"

"Be on the lookout for Nora's call." Ena's dark browns collided with those yellows. "I wouldn't want to miss such a duel requested by such esteemed nobility."

Irina looked torn between apology and anxiety and fell over herself to profusely say, "Ena, a thousand apologies! Like I said, Nora doesn't like to mince his words and tends to come off as rude, but I assure you he is every bit gentleman as his teachers have taught him and very respectable." She harshly nudged her son as though to prompt him.

"Of course, Mother." Nora dipped his head to smoothly say, "My apologies if I offered offense. I admire your sword work and would like to see it first-hand. As a gesture of goodwill and consolation for any disrespect, perhaps I can offer a personal tour of my family's armory. And"—he paused as he noted Ena's cheesecake—"I can offer tea and chocolate cake in your honor for accepting my challenge."

"I accept."

Silver and Irina gawked. She didn't even hesitate!

Irina, however, had a realization. Wait. This could work! She sparkled as she clapped her hands. "Ena, we would be honored to host you at the main estate! To have such a young lady of your caliber would bring the Gosling Family such pleasure! And I can assure you will be in good hands with my Nora! Perhaps for your next visit, we can host you for a meal and good conversation. I'm sure my girls would be in high spirits to see their favorite designer, and my husband has heard of your high win-loss ratio in chess and would be honored to have a friendly match with you." She nudged her son again. "Wouldn't you agree, Nora?"

"Yes," Nora agreed half-heartedly, though he kept his eyes on Ena. "I think I'm just as eager as Father to see such pristine strategy in person."

Irina tittered. "So please, you must accept!"

Silver had swirls in his eyes. And now she's practically being begged to go to a noble's house?! Just how deep does her networking go?

Ena's lips twitched as she smiled. "I'm honored and delighted to accept any invitation to your estate, Irina." She saddled Nora with a pleasant smile and challenge in her eyes. "But for formal duel requests, you'll have to excuse the process. Whether it's nobility or a fellow guild member, I make no exceptions."

"And we completely understand," Irina jumped in. "Right, Nora?"

"Of course, Mother." Something akin to pleasure lit in Nora's eyes even if his face did not show it. "I look forward to our duel, My Lady."

"Aye." Ena tilted her head. "As do I, Your Grace."

A little later, Irina and Nora finished the desserts with formal farewells and vacated the restaurant. Silver whooshed out a loud breath and sagged down the moment it was just him and Ena. "Wow… Actual nobles…"

"Silver."

He shrunk back when Ena let loose her deadly aura.

"Your etiquette during that entire meeting was atrocious," Ena growled. "But what can I expect from a piglet meant for the chopping block?" Through her nose, she sighed out her frustration (and Silver was quietly relieved he could live another day). "I'll have to ensure you go through proper etiquette training sooner than I thought."

Silver pouted. "Do I have to? Ah!" His eyes zeroed in on the butter knife aimed for his throat and he squeaked, "Yes, yes, etiquette lessons are a great idea!"

"That's what I thought." Ena lowered the knife back to the table and continued to polish off her cake.

Silver swallowed and shifted. "So, um… Does that happen to you often?"

"Does what?"

"You know…" Apparently, Silver was going to have to spell it out per Ena's raised eyebrow. "Meeting nobles like this and invitations and stuff?"

"Oh." Ena bobbed her head. "Yes, quite often."

Silver's eyebrows rose. "Seriously? But we've never gone to a noble's house before!"

"I visit them on Saturdays or Sunday afternoons, for the most part, or after you've gone home," Ena explained. "Frankly, I've done so intentionally because I feared your manners would slander my name."

Well, I'm gonna learn, aren't I? Silver wanted to bring up albeit weakly. He sighed. "Still, that's pretty impressive. What normally happens when you visit? And how come they invite you?"

"My mother's name holds more weight than you would think." Ena had an empty plate before her and looked a little mournful her delicious treat was over. "Before my mother was Guild Master, she was a high-ranking S-Class Mage and earned the title 'Kensei', one of the few swordswomen to have ever accomplished that name, let alone someone who was not Cipanguese. And it's apparent in both Magic and non-Magic circles how much people compare me to her likeness, from my swordsmanship to my Magic and my temperament. Rumors circulated about Mystogan's induction as a Sorcerer as well and the potential of the Magic Council inducting him personally as a Sorcerer. And, outside of that, my own accomplishments as a designer and seamstress precedes me. Nobles and other wealthy types hope to keep me in their good graces as a connection to my mother, Mystogan, and to me. And also…"

Silver leaned forward. "Also…?"

Ena said flatly, "They seek to have their sons court me and, one day, marry me."

If Silver had taken a sip of his water like he had wanted to, he knew he could have spat it out, but for now, he just choked. "M-M-M-Marriage?"

Ena hummed before she looked around. "We should probably get the check…"

"Hold on a second, don't change the subject!" Silver shot her a wide-eyed look. "B-B-But you're just a kid! How could they even think about marriage?"

"Honestly, I'm surprised you'd have to ask me such a thing." Ena retrieved her fan and expanded it to cover her mouth. "Then again, fools like you must know so little about the world." She sighed. "It's common for those with strong ties in political communities to marry for even stronger ties, be it Spiritless or magical. While marriage isn't to be expected until your later twenties, many families try to sew deep bonds through their children at a young age to help push along engagements." She quietly fanned herself. "Most nobility I meet hope I bond with their sons so they can cultivate a connection to myself, Mystogan, and Mother. Irina is no different."

"She's trying to set you up with that Nora guy? Her own son?" Silver gaped. "For real? But he was total douche!"

Ena thought about that. "I don't think he was that bad."

"Are you serious?" Silver gawked, incredulous. "He challenged you and everything!"

"And?"

Silver was taken back when Ena looked unfazed. Why is she…?

"I have no issue with declared challenges," Ena told him, "so long as they understand they aren't special. Like every challenge before, they have to go through the appropriate outlet to challenge me. As for Irina's hopes I grow fond of Nora, that won't happen." She snapped her fan shut…

…and Silver was alarmed by the smirk on her face.

"But that doesn't mean I can't use our connection to my advantage. After all, to know a Viscount's family would allow me more networking opportunities. Their daughters, while irritating, were eager to make my acquaintance in hopes I become their permanent designer. Both of them hope to be the envy of their friends and catch the eye of the Grand Duke's children. I will never be an exclusive designer for one client outside of L, but I can offer them a Settler's contract for a certain amount of scheduled commissions per year with an additional fee added on should they ask for a special request outside the parameters we outlined.

"As for Nora, my stance doesn't change of having no intention with romance. He had no ulterior motives, and I doubt he was looking at me to appease his parents." Dark browns intensified in interest. "However, something about Nora's interest in my sword tells me he has an equally interesting sword of his own. I suspect this will be a duel I'll remember. And for him to show me his family's personal armory means he hopes to gain my favor into talking shop. Oh, yes."

Ena's smirk broadened as she crossed her legs and rested her fan against her lips. "Very interesting indeed." Just what sort of sword will he choose to duel me with? Lunagr'an? And she could feel her sword's energy course through her in what she could describe as excitement. You silly sword, she thought, amused. Be patient. A battle worthy of you will be soon.

Silver's eyes shined before he looked away and disliked how his stomach knotted. She thinks…he's interesting…

°•°•°•°

The building was built like the top of a book that sank into the water. Though, the rest of the building was merely flat and was part of a restaurant and docking station. Still, you could not discount the beauty of the building with its sleek panels and oceanic blues that crafted waves and silhouettes of sea life. Sundays were "free days", which meant everyone from children to the elderly would come to spend an afternoon here.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is the FioreSea Aquarium, one of 12 aquariums in Fiore. FioreSea Aquarium works with many outreach programs and is part of the Worldwide Wildlife Conservation Organization (WWCO). It employs Water Mages, Water-based Aberrants, and Water-based Tamers to help maintain the aquarium alongside curators, vets, biologists, and aquarists! »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Ena was quite pleased seeing the arrays of blues and silvers interwoven in the lobby while Illusion Magic had drummed up a wave simulator and had illusioned sea life swimming in open air to greet the plethora of guests. "Beautiful," she complimented. "I like it." She looked over, but she ended up frowning when she saw Silver still withdrawn, even if he was escorting her. The second they got into line, she turned to him. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," Silver dismissed. But he could not forget the look on Ena's face at the restaurant. She's so up there that people try to push her into dating their sons. And that Nora guy… He can sword fight, so of course she'd like him… But what can I do outside of being her foolish little assistant?

Ena was not one to want to let it go, but she resigned for the time being. He's been so quiet since we left Cake Factory. Her eyes drifted until they fell onto a happy young couple. Two partners, one who was ecstatic to be here while the other was happy their partner was happy. It clicked. Oh, he must feel awful unhappy he can't spend a day with Paige. I'm sure bringing up about nobility and their keenness to marry made him think about her. She held her chin between her index finger and thumb. But how do I comfort him?

Silver sighed as they moved up the line when he felt fingers thread through his hair. His heart jolted and a pretty blush spread on his cheeks. "Wh-Wh-What—?"

"There, there," Ena soothed. "We can stop today early so you can go. I'm sure you have better things to do."

"What?" Silver went wide-eyed. "N-N-N-No! Why would you even say that?"

Ena presumed, "You've been closed off ever since Cake Factory. I guessed my explanation about marriage made you think about your failed attempt to spend time with Paige. That's why I offered for us to cut today short." She smiled. "I've had more than enough fun today, thanks to you. You can go now."

"But I don't want to leave," Silver blurted, distraught. "I wanted to spend the whole day with you!"

Ena was taken back. "But you were just so upset, so I thought—"

"I said I wanted to stay with you," Silver stressed. He hated this. His heart felt jacked, his mind felt useless, and suddenly, his eyes felt hot. "Why do you keep trying to get rid of me?"

"I-I…I'm not," Ena tried to explain, perturbed. "I-I just thought that—"

"You thought I'd want to ditch you just like that even when I said I didn't," Silver cut in, his heart hammering. Why was he getting so panicked and heated? Why could he not just stay calm?

Ena noticed the smaller aquariums in the lobby were becoming agitated. "Silver," she tried to soothe, "please calm down. It was just a suggestion—"

"A bad one!" Silver cried. What's wrong with me? Why am I getting so upset? "Not everyone is going to just up and leave you. I thought you understood that—understood me."

"I do, I do," Ena placated. "I know you won't leave, but you need to calm down."

But Silver felt the opposite of calm as his Magic spiraled. A pounding hammered down on his temple, and he flinched at the pain, mashing his lips together to stop from groaning. Why do I feel even worse? It hurts. It really hurts. He put a hand on his forehead as though to shove back the pounding, but it was futile. It was one of the aches that started in your head and made your chest feel like a bowling ball was lodged in it. Swaying, he held in his whimper. Hurts… Hurts…

And just like that, little whispers played tricks on him.

Are you all right, Your Highness?

Highness? Highness!

His Highness doesn't look well.

Why aren't the humans helping His Grace?

Someone alert His Majesty!

They crowded—no, invaded—his mind with worrisome whispers and troubled murmurs, but it tore him up hearing these voices he had never heard before. His headache pulsated as tears gathered in the corner of his eyes. His teeth almost broke skin from biting down hard on his lip—

"Silver."

Warm hands.

Silver felt himself be curled into Ena's shoulder while her hands roamed his back in gentle strokes. "Hurts," he croaked to her. "S-Sorry…"

"Yes, I know," Ena murmured back to him as she held him. "No need for sorry or tears. I'm right here." She added delicately, "And I know you're right here too."

Silver sniffled. His fingers dug into her jacket to ground himself, but he relaxed, vulnerable, and tucked his face away in her neck like a child seeking immediate comfort. His nostrils flared and inhaled her scent. For a designer, she knew better than to pamper herself in false scents. The mildness of her own natural milky scent mixed well with the slight sweetness from whatever soap she used. The whispers, the pain—it receded in due time with each new lungful he took. The agitated aquariums dialed back down, much to the curiosity of human onlookers.

It was like Ena could feel the weight unburden him as her hand came up to stroke his hair. "Do you feel better?"

Silver could only hum positively.

"Good." She pulled away, but she held his cheeks in her hands to search his eyes. "I meant no offense when I offered for us to call it a day early," she wanted him to know. "You seemed moody after our run-in with the viscountess and the young lord, and I made an assumption. A careless assumption, I take it, that was incorrect. And for that, I'm sorry."

That startled Silver. But it made him saddened at the same time. "No, I'm sorry," he murmured. "I didn't mean to get offended. I just thought…" He could not meet her eyes as he stumbled through confessing, "I just thought after all that talk about marriage and then you saying I could leave…that you didn't want me around and only wanted Lulu…a-a-and you just…wanted me to go… I just thought…"

Ena sighed. "You really are a troublesome fool." She dropped her hands to take a long look at him. "I've enjoyed your company," she told him plainly. "You've made a day of which I'd normally work an enjoyable day where I don't have to work. I'm appreciative. Of course I'd want to enjoy the rest of the day in your company, but I'd also understand if you felt restless." Her eyes softened. "But it seems I misunderstood. My thought was careless and alarming, but it was just a thought. Nothing more."

"So…you want me around?" Silver hoped. No shame trapped him from such a childish question. He sniffled and rubbed his nose. "You weren't sending me away…"

"As I said, it was just a careless thought," Ena assured him. "I know where you'd prefer to be now. I won't question your judgment again. I'll trust it. I'll…" She looked at him from head to toe and made a decision as she offered him her hand. "I'll trust you."

Silver looked at her hand then to her then her hand then to her again. "You trust me?"

A quirked eyebrow. "Was that not obvious?" Ena stated, suddenly agitated. "Now that your level of competence and emotional range has taken a drastic improvement, I can confidently trust you." She withdrew her hand, lifting her nose. "Though, perhaps I spoke too soon—"

"No, no, you didn't, you didn't!" Silver hurried to hold her hand. "You can trust me!" he eagerly promised. "And I trust you too!"

Ena squinted over the shiny aura Silver radiated. Ugh… So bright…and happy… What is wrong with him? "Well, very well then," she sighed. "We can confidently trust in each other." She shot him a warning look as she whipped her fan that was millimeters from impaling his eye. "But if you make me regret giving you my trust, I can assure you that you won't live long to know how your betrayal feels."

Silver sweated, but he shakily smiled. "Y-Yes. Right. No betrayal from me. Just trust." I'm starting to be okay with threats on my life if it means she shows me more of herself, but still, I know she'd kill me without any hesitation. He looked down at their joined hands, and his heart somersaulted. Does she know we've been holding hands? What does it mean when someone holds your hand for this long? He itched for his Compact. Should I let go? But I don't want to let go—

Silver yelped when Ena yanked him forward. "Hey!"

"The line moved. What did you expect, for me to allow us to stand here all day?" Ena huffed. She raised their joined hands and deadpanned, "You're lucky I'm holding your hand. I have to mother a fruitless fool of a child, apparently, on my day off."

Inwardly, Silver was crying. Why can't you hold my hand and say you like me back, huh? He sulkily tugged at his hand to get her to let go, but she did not. "Well, you can let me go now," he mumbled. "I can keep up."

"Absolutely not."

Silver perked, hopeful. Does this mean…?

"You walk too slow and tend to not know where you're going," Ena deadpanned. "Until you can show me you know how to walk independently, you'll continue to hold my hand. Or better yet, I can get you a child's backpack and leash—"

"I like handholding!" Silver intervened with a nervous laugh. "It's great!" He squeezed her hand only to falter when he felt her. Wow… Her hand feels so small in comparison to mine. He had meant to keep it to himself, but he ended up mumbling, "Your hands are like a baby's hand."

Silence.

Silver froze when he suddenly heard funeral music. I should become a mute.

"You…"

Silver shrank when a violent Ena towered over him with her fan as her death weapon. "You're calling my hand delicate and weak like a baby?" Savagery fired around Ena. "A foolish pig like you has the audacity to say such words?"

Silver paled and scrambled for his apology. "N-N-N-No—!"

SMACK!

°•°•°•°

The greeter in their blue shirt and khaki capris smiled at the next pair to approach her for bracelets and pamphlets. "Welcome to FioreSea! How many of you will be adventuring in the deep blue today?" But then she looked at the pair and her eyes widened.

"Two." Ena had her fan expressed and covered her mouth while a very broken Silver was attached to her, looking all pitiful and… What was wrong with his cheek? And was that a lump on his head? "One adult and one child, please."

The greeter hesitated as she looked over at the broken Silver. "But he's—"

"One adult and one child, please," Ena repeated.

The greeter was still uncertain as her eyes passed over Silver. "But—"

"Don't look at him. Look at me."

The greeter uneasily looked at Ena.

"I said what I said." Bloodlust reeked in Ena's eyes. "One adult and one child."

°•°•°•°

Silver pouted over his child's bracelet that had little turtles on it and clearly stated his child status while Ena did not care about his attitude. I can't believe that lady actually gave me a child's bracelet.

"Dearest little Diaval, are you by any chance pouting like a child?"

"No, mistress," Silver mumbled.

Ena gently fanned herself as they headed into the aquarium with all the other guests. The little carpeted tunnel had glass renditions of both magical and nonmagical sea life from the dark ages and facts about them and their evolution. "Good. Because if I catch you sulking"—she yanked him down so her words directly hit his ears—"don't expect me to be as nice as before, and I will turn you into someone who permanently smiles."

Silver reddened and nodded. "Yes, mistress."

"Mistress? Hmph." Ena rolled her eyes. "Another charming nickname. Wonderful. Would it kill you to smile a little?"

Silver offered a weak smile. "Better, mistress?"

"Hardly," Ena grunted. "Etiquette lessons will teach you to smile on my command." She folded her fan to smack his back, which made him yelp. "And don't slouch," she scolded. "You are in my presence. I expect proper posture."

Silver straightened and replied, "Yes, mistress."

Ena snorted, but she offered no other criticisms.

In his mind, he was on the ground weeping while Luna comforted him with his favorite stuffy. I don't know what's more pathetic. That I'm doing what she says like I am her pet or that I like it when she bosses me around. Lulu would probably either get excited or call me disgusting. He tucked his sweaty palm into his jacket pocket. But at least she's holding my hand. That counts right. But he wanted to cry even more. It doesn't because she's only doing it since she thinks I'm just some dumb little kid.

LUB-DUB.

Silver stopped.

Ena grunted. "What are you—?" But she noticed where his entranced look transfixed. To their right, a reinforced window was between them and liters of blue water that housed native sea life who flourished in their habitat. From the chars and trout to magical eels, schools of fish with plenty of reef, sand, rocks, and seaweed thrived in their home with much to do and much to see. It would seem this was the large freshwater tank that took up most of the above-ground portion of the aquarium.

Mayan blues sparkled.

Silver was drawn to the glass and placed a hand on it, eyes pinned on the aquatic life behind it. Even if his skin only touched the coolness of the glass, he could hear the water brush against his ears, against his flesh, and nurture its coldness into a comfortable warmth. So beautiful…

"Do you like it?"

"Yes," Silver breathed.

Ena hummed as she, too, looked into the waters and took it all in. "I thought you've been here before?"

"I have, but…" But I never felt like this… It surprised Silver when a few smaller fish with multicolor scales came over. To his amusement, they booped his hand and pulled back as though waiting for something. "Hello," he greeted. "It's nice to meet you."

The colorful fish blinked before they did an odd movement. Almost like they were…

No. No, they were fish.

They bustled away when a trout came by, but Silver could have sworn the large trout paused seeing him and dipped before swimming away.

"They like you," Ena teased him. "Just when I thought you couldn't get any more peculiar." She tugged at his hand. "Shall we see the rest of the aquarium?"

"Oh, um, sure."

And see it they did.

The other little terrariums and aquariums were all impressive and fit for their wards. The first portion they saw were fish prominent in lakes and rivers with catfish and spotted turtles and more. Silver laughed a little at the curious movements these creatures did, almost like they were trying to be silly. The next portion was aquatic life from Sela and parts of Giltena. Silver got the pleasure of having an Undo-lizard (a water lizard that was the size of half a child's forearm, in contrast to its anthropomorphic predecessors) in its hand. The creature was quite happy to be in Silver's hands, or so its handler told. When Silver offered the lizard to Ena, both the creature and she looked wary, but as though the lizard waited for Silver's encouragement, it climbed from Silver's hands to Ena's and attempted to sniff her before deciding it liked her too.

The tropical forest was next with piranhas and frogs and angelfish and mischievous water creatures that still tried to trick those around it either with splashes or into giving them treasures like money or treats. One had goaded Ena into coming closer, feigning interest in her fan, but Silver pulled her back and looked over only for the creature to pretend it was innocent and humbly backed away.

The industrial habitats harbored saltwater fish like lionfish, eels, and otherwise. The weedy sea dragons perked upon Silver's appearance, blowing bubbles, and were happy to follow his movements. As Silver excitedly pointed at them to Ena, it was almost as if the weedy sea dragons seemed to understand and blew bubbles in her direction like a cheerful welcome.

The octopi gallery was next, and it was a doozy. The difference between magical octopi and nonmagical was the level of their mimicry versus transformation. Whereas the regular octopi would mimic their surroundings as best they could, magical octopi had the power to disappear entirely or transform their bodies into landscape. Ena nearly had a heart attack when Silver eagerly volunteered to meet one of the resident octopi and let its tentacle wrap around his hand. He waved Ena over and she reluctantly came closer. The octopus, curious, felt her hand before the tentacle wrapped around Silver encompassed both hers and his hands and it closed its eyes, happy, while the handler laughed.

The "Boardwalk" was specifically designed for more interaction between fish, amphibians, aquatic mammals, and people. An Aberrant born with fish gills and fins was heading the Boardwalk with his trained assistants. The stingrays were so friendly, and Silver guided Ena the right way to rub them. Magical jellyfish that could change their fluorescent color on command were all shining a healthy red and blue when Ena and Silver interacted, much to Ena's fascination. Though, the second she murmured it was a shame jellyfish did not make good fabric, it was comic to see such creatures cower from her. The live coral, the "shrimp manicure", and the seahorses—all were fun to meet.

By then, it was time for them to make their way down the sea tube to go under sea level.

And Silver was absolutely amazed.

The sea tube made you feel like you were scuba diving without the equipment. Wrapped in the blues of the water were hundreds of fish and aquatic life that lived together in harmony. Sharks, eels, manta rays, and schools and schools of other species flashed their scales with pride. They skated by the acrylic glass with their coral reefs and caves and sand in the background, and Silver wanted to see it all. He kept Ena close as he stuck to the glass. A magical shark that's skeleton glowed from beneath its skin cruised by and flashed its stomach to Silver on its way to its destination. He freely laughed when tattooed manta rays (a special magical breed) altered their tattoos as they came close to make mystical symbols. An old sea turtle came over to offer Silver quite the mysterious look before pushing off.

"This is amazing!" Silver crowed. "Isn't this amazing?" He pointed when a group of multicolor fish shuddered to turn their scales into a serene blue. "Look, Ena, look, did you see that?"

"I did."

Silver looked down to see Ena watching the sea tube in rapt interest. He smiled before he tugged at her hand. "Come on. There's something even better up ahead."

He escorted her down the sea tube and they crossed into makeshift coral and rocks before they emerged into the grand finale of the aquarium. Ena's eyes went wide as she looked upon the larger-than-life acrylic glass wall that looked like it showed the ocean itself and all who lived within it. A few Aberrants born with aquatic organs and were part of the aquarium staff were swimming with the fish to monitor a few things and entertain the more active species. Large, carpeted stands allowed people who filtered in a good resting spot where they could get something to eat and visit the gift shop.

But Ena did not want to sit.

She led Silver right in front of the glass. The cold of the sea somehow surpassed the glass, and they felt it mist around them, but neither minded. They observed the life before them with respect and awe.

"It's beautiful," Ena breathed. "I feel inspired for next year's summer line."

Silver laughed. "It's always work with you."

"Of course." Ena's lips twitched, but she spared him no look. "Always."

A comfortable silence fell between them.

"My dad told me there was once a Sea King Dragon called 'Mercuphobia'."

Ena glanced over at Silver. "Really?"

"Mmm-hmm." Silver readjusted his hand in Ena's.

"Huh…" Ena looked back into the water with a ghost of a smile. "Perhaps he's angry from beyond the grave that you called yourself 'Prince of the Sea' considering he's the king."

Silver gawked at her. "It wasn't my fault I got that nickname!" His lips quirked into a grin when Ena laughed behind her fan. "Hey, I'm serious!"

"I know, I know," Ena assured him. "I just find it amusing. What if you get haunted because you someday decided to call yourself 'King of the Sea'?"

Silver snorted. "No way. That sounds way too lame." He puffed his chest and declared, "I want to be called 'Aquaman' when I get older."

"More like 'Aqualad'," Ena muttered good-humoredly. "A peculiar name for a peculiar fool."

"Says the one called 'Enchantress'," Silver retorted good-naturedly. "Now that's weird."

Ena snapped her fan shut to lightly hit his arm. "It's appropriate given my abilities," she sniffed. "You, on the other hand, would make a poor King of the Sea. Mark my words. You'd probably slack in your duties and trash your entire castle in your atrocious sweatpants." She cooed at a huffy Silver, "Oh, come on, that's funny."

"I don't wear sweatpants to work," Silver grumbled.

"No, you've done decently in dressing yourself," Ena supposed with mirth couching her tone. She looked at him and hummed in thought. "Now that I think about it… With the right set of clothes, you could become a king. And a nice scepter…"

"No…!" Silver whined, shaking her hand. "I am not your mannequin." He felt himself caving when he took at Ena's imploring eyes, and then… He groaned in defeat. "Fine."

"Oh, goody!" Ena cheered. She patted his head. "Good piglet. Nice and submissive. Just how I enjoy men."

Silver groused, but he could not get rid of the red splashed on his cheeks and muttered, "Don't tease me."

The red increased at Ena's chortles. He wanted to huff and cross his arms, but he was too afraid if he let go of her hand now, he would not be able to hold it later. He decided to look at the larger-than-life tank instead and watch the aquatic ecosystem. The colorful array of fish as they lazed about or zipped through could be hypnotic if you allowed it. The cold of the water might have been unbearable to some. Water could be merciless when it wanted and often stung you and pinched you and forced you to cower into your suits and submarines. But he could feel the water on his skin like it was welcoming him. So soothing and soft and pliant.

Two glowing eyes pierced through the water.

Silver could not look away.

A gentle growl nudged him. He heard it, but it was like an echo in his mind rather than something that disturbed his ears. It confused him. Familiar… Why was it so familiar?

Silver…

Now, this voice was not familiar. This voice was feminine, stern, and nurturing.

Silver, came lone, feminine whisper. The sea is calling to you.

What? Silver felt like his mind was in a strong daze. Even his thoughts were absentminded. Who are…?

The growl surged and smoothened over the rising confusion.

I have watched over you since you were small, the lone whisper told him. My pupil has raised you well…but it is time for you to come home… The ocean is family to you now.

He felt a tug on his hand.

Who…? Who are you? Silver wanted to know. The rumbling, this voice… His eyes glazed over the menagerie of sea life, but he no longer felt like he was a bystander. He could feel himself on the other side of the glass where the water welcomed him like a mother to her newborn. He could feel himself move through schools of fish and earn the respect of the sharks who kept their distance and dared not to pursue him.

You know who I am, the voice promised him. I have been with you since you were small.

Those glowing eyes were joined by a second pair, but… If he squinted, he could see that the water was curving to form something…someone…

What was once locked from you is being free… The water churned and created a delicate hand. It is time for you to come home… It is time for you to remember me… A warm smile. Come home.

I… Silver reached out a hand. I… But… Vivid scarlet hair and stormy dark chocolate eyes interrupted everything. I don't… I don't… More images filled him. His family with his mother getting overly excited when his father pecked her cheek; Julia begrudging helping him draw a bath; and Gary taking him to get more art supplies. He thought about his swim team and how much of a riot they were during competition after-parties. He thought about Luna and their fun singing along and swapping secrets. There was Fairy Tail and friends and family…

Dark browns filled with warmth.

The growl loudened, and the call of the sea sucked him in, pushing his hand along. Please, come home, the voice begged of him. You don't have time anymore. You must come home.

Silver still resisted. But I—

"Silver!"

With a blink, his feet were grounded. He was back as a simple spectator watching fish live inside a gigantic tank with hordes of people behind him. The coolness of the water, the voice, that growl, those eyes, even the hand… None of it had survived his crash back down to reality. But one constant that had come with him into the depths of his mind and reality maintained.

He looked down at his hand and Ena's own before he saw the worry on her face. Half in a trance and half-aware, he threaded their fingers—

Ena looked up in arms. "What are you—?"

"I can't drift away if I have an anchor, right?"

"What?" Ena's brow furrowed. A typical expression of her with him in her presence. She huffed. "I can't understand you if you don't expl—"

"I don't want to go. Don't let me go. Please be my anchor."

"Silver—" Ena grew alarmed when Silver stumbled and started to fall. "What is going on?" She caught him and helped him to the ground on his knees with her before him. "Goodness, Silver, I can't understand you when you mumble and speak like this." Heavy concern threaded in such irritated words. "Could you not…?" She trailed off when she felt it. He's…shaking…

"I don't want to go." Whispered words cracked and caked in pleading. "I don't want to go." He lifted his head.

Teary mayan blues clashed with shocked dark chocolate.

"I just want to stay," Silver whimpered. "Can't I stay?"

"I…" Ena touched his cheek only to quickly retreat. He's so cold… Did he have another attack? "Yes, you can stay," she told him. She touched his cheek again and got over the sting of the cold. "I told you before that you could. I don't go back on my word that quickly."

"Then…" Silver sniffled and then…

Ena was grateful she had good core strength when Silver hugged her, head nuzzled into her chest. Startled was she, yes, but that was it. Realization set within her what he was doing. He asked me to be his anchor… She softened. Poor thing… He shouldn't say things so casually. I'm sure he's just desperate and I'm the only one around. She stroked his hair. I'll comfort him for now until he can find his true anchor. It's the least I can do.

"You're always so emotional," Ena sighed. A flaw I can't afford… Emotions just make you think more and more about the bad in your life. She shied away from the memories of an empty house. Not truly empty. But with Mystogan's back to her as he spent his attention on Aine, with her mother stressed… It felt like the house was empty and her invisible.

DRIP.

Ah, but then… She saw Luna and Gigi.

DROP.

And then she saw…

Ena looked at this young man who relied on her for strength. So, her mouth parted, but… Her eyes lifted as she did her best to comfort him. "You can stay." Soft tones. Gentle tones. "You can stay at my side forever. Never leave. I…" She sucked in a breath. "I will…be your anchor."

Neither cared that stares had flitted to them. In fact, it was strange. The stares were suddenly drawn away due to a rowdier pairing, who started arguing like no tomorrow and proved far more entertaining. Which meant the young Prince of the Sea and the Enchantress were left in their own bubble of privacy as His Highness leaned on her and clung to her as her anchor to keep away the thoughts of leaving. And his mistress, the Enchantress, comforted him as she kept her head held high.

But in that moment, she did not look like a simple Enchantress.

She looked like…

…a Queen.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

A walk was due. Not just due but it felt like it a necessity. The driver had no qualms using this time for himself, so Silver and Ena took the time to keep close as they moved through the nippy February air. The boardwalk would have been ideal for a walk, and it would seem like many had that idea. But neither one of them wanted to be so clustered with other people or have to socialize. Well, Ena would not mind. She had learned how to socialize even when it was abhorrent to her. All a part of being the Guild Master's daughter and popular in high society. But Silver was more selfish and more shameless.

Thankfully, the main boardwalk was not the only one. With the beach too cold to walk across, they settled on a less venture boardwalk that bordered the sand. Silver was more adamant than ever to keep their hands threaded, and Ena did not have the heart to get him to let go. She took point while he kept to her side, quiet and subdued.

He worked so hard on today, Ena acknowledged. I'd suggest for us to go home, but… She remembered the desperation on his face. I…don't want him to think something I didn't mean. She struggled for the right choice. I wish L could give me advice on what to do. She's much more acquainted with Silver's emotional state than me. I can't get out my Compact in this state. What to do…

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Silver's thoughts were sullener and more unfocused. I ruined everything… But I just…

'Come home… Come home…'

A weight in his heart crushed him just a little bit. What…was that? That voice? And the growl… He shook it off. It doesn't matter. I… I don't… His teeth gritted when he remembered those transcendent dreams of the ocean, but it ended in a chaotic remembrance of Caeryssa's horrid eyes and Nano Leaf's cold glare. I don't…want to know. I… I just want it to stop. He looked down to see his fingers interlocked with Ena's. I just… I just want to stay here.

CR-CR-CRACK! CRACK!

Why did my stupid attack have to ruin everything? he wanted to know. I was supposed to make this day the best one for her, but now, I just… He sighed. I'm just…nothing.

CRACK! CR-CRACK! CRACK!

"It's raining?"

Silver blinked and looked up. Not a single droplet of rain had hit him and soaked him, nor did it hit Ena, but she was right. A soft rain trickled down with grayed clouds polluting the sky and a roll of thunder to boot. It was unusual for rain to hit and, if it did rain, it was icy rain. But this rain smelt like the rain you get in the springtime. People were rushing past to make sure they could hide from the rain. Water and cold weather on a person never meshed well.

Rain… Fear gripped Silver. Did…? Did I do this…? He flinched when thunder struck as though answering him. Panic pushed his somber thoughts in disarray. No… No, I… "I didn't mean to," he whispered. "I didn't…"

Ena looked over to catch the stricken look on Silver's face, and it clicked. "You can't control it. It's understandable," she assured him. "My mother and Aunt Lucy told stories of how your mother could make storms appear. And…" She raised a hand to show that the rain would not hit them. A barrier had been put up as the water accumulated into making it more physical than invisible. "See? You've been sheltered us from the rain." She smiled. "Not a bad power, if you ask me."

Silver blinked. "You're not…mad at me?"

"'Mad'?" Ena raised an eyebrow before shaking her head. "No. I'm not upset, but I'm more worried about us staying in this weather." She caught the despaired look on Silver's face and tried to soften the blow. "I'm not blaming you, Silver, nor am I asking you to immediately stop the rain. You're upset. I understand. I'm just proposing for us to find a quiet shelter for you to gather your thoughts." She led him to the first open place she saw. "Here. This way."

Silver followed her without hesitation into a place called AZALEA FUN ZONE.

The arcade had amassed only a small bout of customers. To be honest, it was not a hot commodity except in the summertime if that. Most of the time, those who came in were curious and had no jewel to spend on simple games that were painted too old school for their tastes. But a few kids who had skimped out on familial affairs had come down to play some racing games and some air hockey.

Ena looked around for somewhere for them to sit while Silver sighed and mumbled in thought, Why can't I do anything right? Why can't I…? He stopped, surprised when Ena had paused. "Ena? Are you okay?" He caught where her staring at a newer game that had come in with a large pad that was glowing all on its own and making shapes while the monitor attached to it clearly spelled what it was:

DANCE DANCE STARDOM

"L loves these," Ena remembered, fondness in her eyes. She laughed to herself. "She always dreamed of playing on one of these."

"Didn't she with Bleu?" Silver supplied.

Ena nodded and hummed. "Yes…" She sighed, though, and her gaze dropped.

"What?" Silver tried to catch her eyes. "What is it?"

"It's just…" Ena tried to dislodge her hand, but at Silver's tightened grip, she decided to be truthful. "I…always hoped to play a game like this with her. She's just…so accommodating to me. She always felt like she had to since she was trapped in Magnolia." Dark browns sparkled with a bittersweet smile. "But she's like that. And I love her for that. But…"

"It's like a bird in a cage."

Ena looked over at Silver.

"The bird itself is so beautiful and it sings for you and looks happy when you're around," Silver compared. But he remembered Luna's tears and despair, her anguish, her rage. "But…when it's alone…it's sad in its cage…"

"Precisely." Ena sighed. "And now, with these past two weeks, it's like she's back as that bird in a cage. No matter what I do or ask or try, she just…shuts herself in and smiles for me like nothing's wrong."

"Sounds like someone else I know."

Ena shot him an annoyed look. "Elaborate carefully."

Silver did not back down. "Well, you shut yourself in," he pointed out.

"There's a difference," Ena scoffed. "I don't shut myself in. But there's a level of professionalism I have to have. I don't have the luxury of acting like a child. But she's…" A residual pain hit her chest. She could see Luna trapped in a gilded cage with no life to her.

Silver swallowed. He looked at Ena then the game. I might've ruined today, but… He tugged her forward. "Come on." He stopped Ena before she protested. "Today's not about work or professionalism. Today's just about you being you. And besides"—he smiled—"you'll need some practice for when you and Lulu play together."

Ena blinked, then she smiled back. "Okay."

Both of them came onto the panel as it glowed beneath their feet. They shed their bags as Silver paid for their game time together. Once the system recognized two players, Silver took command to sift through the song selection and asked of Ena, "Anything you want to dance to? It's pretty much mostly house music, a lot of Selan music…"

Ena listened to the short clips when…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

mabeop gatatji

When we disco when we disco

geuraeseo ijjireul mothae ajikdo

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"This one."

Silver looked to see Ena staring intently of the album cover. "This one?"

"Yes." Ena's lips twitched. "And to help us…" Her hands swirled with Magic.

Silver watched in pure astonishment when his clothes were eaten up and even his hair tussled. Ena's Magic warmed him, and he could feel it alter his appearance. What he was left with were stylish high-rise bell bottom and a flashy button town tucked into it with his hair slicked back and yellow sunglasses on his face. "Woah…"

"Do you like it?"

"Y-Yeah! I…!" Silver looked over, and he could feel Shoulder Devil Silver pop up and start howling while Shoulder Angel Silver smacked him with his lyre, even if he was a little struck. "I, uh…"

"Yes?" Ena had whipped up white go-go boots and a scarlet disco queen dress that had flared long sleeves and a circular belt. Her hair had detangled with a white bandana headband and, somehow, she looked like she was glowing. "Are we starting?"

"U-Um…" Silver dismissed the Angel and Demon of his consciousness to pay attention to the screen. "Do you want easy mode?"

"No." Ena's eyes glittered. "The hardest level."

Silver gulped and knew better than to argue. "Okay…" He selected the hardest mode, locked in this was a two-player game, and stepped back.

The screen set the stage for them. They were allegedly set in a disco club where the beat had dropped into a mixture of R&B and disco. Flashy suits and dresses with people in disco cages were the norms for this scene. Apparently, the two dancers that they would follow were across the club with their own friends, chattering away, when the opening for the song came on. The female dancer struck to the dance floor and the steps were on screen for Ena to try and match.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

•

mabeop gatatji

When we disco when we disco

geuraeseo ijjireul mothae ajikdo

•

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

But just as the female dancer wanted to continue, her unbeknownst-to-her male partner came onto the floor to impress her as he knew the steps. With Ena already excelling after all the Excellent and Perfect she had gotten from the system, Silver tried to keep up the momentum.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

•

neomu geuriweo

When we disco when we disco

neodo gieokago inneunji jigeumdo

•

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

With the crowd hollering for more, the two dancers decided they were worthy of each other for this dance. The beat kicked up a notch, and Ena and Silver were prepared to match pace. Thankfully, the beginning steps were not too difficult and followed the original choreograph to a T.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

•

neo ppaego nameojin da Blur

neoman boyeotji (When we D-I-S-C-O)

ppallyeo deureogasseo Rapture

bami saedo mollatji

•

neon jigeum eodie inneunji

nal gakkeum saenggageun haneunji

areumdaweotteon geu shijeorye uril

Do you remember, baby?

•

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The chorus was where the intensity came in. The original choreography was simple with independent mirroring rather than any partner touching. But the highest difficulty on a two-player required them to work together through the complicated steps. Silver was nervous when the moves preemptively showed he would be behind her as they had to be in sync for a move, but Ena's smile and encouragement put those nerves to bed.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

•

mabeop gatatji

When we disco when we disco

geuraeseo ijjireul mothae ajikdo

•

neomu geuriweo

When we disco when we disco

neodo gieokago inneunji jigeumdo

•

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The next portion, the female dancer and singer were leads in the verse. Now, everything had derailed from the original choreography where there was simple mirroring. Silver had simplified moves, of course, since he was not the focus, but he tried to not sweat and show his panic when Ena played the kittenish lead. The storyline in the original music video, from what Silver remembered, followed this video, but the story had twisted. It was a Romeo and Juliet story. This Romeo was a simple man who loved to disco, and his Juliet was held within a gang as the gang leader's girl. Their love taboo and could have killed him, but it did not matter to him.

And right now, as Silver was quietly panicking as Ena danced, the more he realized…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

•

chumeul chuneun urireul da

baraboatji (When we D-I-S-C-O)

umjigim hanahanaga

jeonyureul ireukyeotji

•

neon geugeol ijeul su inneunji nacheoreom

ijji motaneunji

areumdaweotteon geu shijeorye uril

Do you remember, baby?

•

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Ena and Silver mirrored each other for this, but the disco moves were a little more advanced and a little more involved. But Ena could not help but laugh at the silliness of it all while Silver felt all those dark thoughts that blundered him lighten and brighten until…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

•

mabeop gatatji

When we disco when we disco

geuraeseo ijjireul mothae ajikdo

•

neomu geuriweo

When we disco when we disco

neodo gieokago inneunji jigeumdo

•

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The last part of the song was an instrumental that had both Ena and Silver working for the finish. The only way either could describe it felt like they were in an intensive aerobics course, but their training and stamina was able to endure longer than the average human, even for their age. They shuffled along to each advanced step, but that was when Silver caught what the finishing move was.

And all his realization and happiness crashed down into dread. I can't do that! I can't…touch her there! That's…! That's not…! He flailed a bit, clumsily following the moves as he tried to think of something. We can't just stop, but I can't do that to her… But the finale was approaching! Panicked, Silver screwed up the steps and ended up tripping.

Ena was quick to act, ready to catch him…

…but she did not expect him to turn it around on her!

As the song ended on a powerful note and the finishing on the screen was a risqué shot of the male lead openly groping the female dancer's butt, Silver and Ena finished their song and dance with Ena, wide-eyed, dipped in Silver's arms and her hand was the only thing that kept her and Silver from another accidental lip touch while Silver was red all over. He was quick to sit her up and backed away with excuses left and right.

"I-I-I-I'm sorry!" Silver blurted. "Pl-Please, I didn't mean to—!" He yelped when a rush of Magic filtered down his body and reverted him back to normal. Somehow, he felt like this was not a good thing. Why is this happening? Why me?

Ena, back to her original clothes, pushed back her hair as she fanned herself. "I will…overlook your mishap," she decided. "After you have tricked me twice with lip contact, I'm learning how to adjust so it doesn't happen again."

"Oh…" Silver was internally sniffling. Well, all my hopes for us ever kissing just flew out the window… "I'm sorry… I… I don't mean for it to happen—"

"Yes, I know." Ena stepped off the panel. "You just happen to be a clumsy fool. Just…" She sighed. "Try not to keep up this behavior. While I could not care less about rumors, you should save face, so that you don't damage your reputation with Paige." She fluffed out her hair and failed to notice the crestfallen look on Silver's face. She checked her Compact for the time. "That should make this close to dinnertime, so—"

"Ena?"

Ena was checking her messages, but she hummed in question.

"What if I…?" Silver swallowed. "What if I…didn't like Paige anymore?"

Ena barely gave it a thought as her brow furrowed seeing a message from Luna. "Then, you don't like her anymore," she guessed.

"And…" Silver reached for her sleeve. "And if I…if I liked…y—?"

"Excuse me, Silver." Ena instantly called Luna, upset, and walked away from Silver. "L, explain to me in detail why I shouldn't shove a sword down his throat," she growled. "No, don't calm me down, I've been mad for three days straight."

Silver could only helplessly look after her. Sighing, he got out his Compact to look at the time he put in for dinner and to call the chauffeur. What if I liked you…would it be okay if I…? He squashed the thought with a humbled smile as he watched Ena speaking to Luna as her expression went from irritated to affectionate and understanding. Who cares? He pressed the number for the driver. It doesn't matter. She's enjoying herself and…that's all that matters.

If only his heart would agree.

°•°•°•°

Another walk was on the agenda. It was not like Silver had presented options on his well-planned non-date with Ena, but she had insisted after their delightful dinner in this hole-in-the-wall restaurant that served amazing desserts and a classic horror movie that had them both snorting about unrealities regarding the Magic used and how to properly care for yourself in a life-or-death situation.

It was not like the walk was not on familiar territory. They walked around Magnolia and bypassed all the lights and winding down markets as Silver carried Ena's bag and they indulged in peppermint hot chocolate (Silver was too shy to tell her he was not a fan, but the flavor had grown on him).

"I can't believe people in horror movies don't understand how to set up proper protective barriers," Ena complained with a shake of her head. "That's the most unbelievable part when it comes to horror movies with Wizards in them. They should already know proper protocol. We were taught protocol at ten."

Silver laughed. "I know, right? And that werewolf? Totally unrealistic."

"Mmm!" Ena swallowed her sip. "I know! Have they not studied magizoology or magi-anthropology?" She rolled her eyes, but she had to offer a secret smile. "Though, to be honest, I do quite enjoy the Dawn anthology."

Silver feigned a gasp. "No! You're a Dawn-hard!"

"Don't judge me!" Ena laughed.

"I'm already judging you," Silver teased. "And here I thought the mistress was smarter than me, but now I see you're a common fangirl."

Ena shoved him, though her strength was more than Silver could handle when he nearly tripped. "I am not a fangirl," she scolded him. "However…" She whipped out her fan and feigned her high-and-mighty look. "Even I have a weakness for rippling pectorals and impressively toned backs on any person. Even if the werewolves weren't at all accurate—"

"They were," Silver grumbled.

"—they were still attractive," Ena tittered in completion. She caught Silver's exaggerated eye roll and clicked her tongue. "Now, I'm sure you have guilty pleasures too."

Silver pinkened. "N-No!"

"So you do!" Ena's eyes glinted in mirth as she purred, "Tell me all your dirty secrets then."

Silver ended up blurting, "I actually really like make-up!" Now the pink turned into a violent red, and he blinked this way and that. "U-U-Um! Well…!" He shrunk a little. "You can, um, just ignore that…"

"Why?" Ena tilted her head, confused. "I've been meaning to ask you about the brands of make-up you used for today, actually."

Silver still could not look at her. "You don't…think it's weird I like it?" His shoulders fell. "You don't think I'm…not manly…"

That was when everything caught up with Ena. Silver's aversion about J-Pop and C-Pop and the embarrassment up until now. She pulled them to the side and to a stop with Silver too ashamed to look at her. "I think it's wonderful you are living your truth," she murmured softly. She caught his red-tipped ears and chuckled. "Oh, Silver… Please, won't you look at me, my precious Diaval?"

Silver flinched, but the mayan blues gazed at her with all the fear in the world.

"There is nothing wrong with what you like," Ena assured him. "In my presence, I never want you to question your self-worth. Never equate yourself to standards of 'masculinity' or 'femininity. I certainly don't."

Silver gulped. "You don't?"

"Of course not," Ena confirmed as she drew them back into a walk. "A true vision in fashion aspires to surpass gender. Yes, there are clothes marked for men and women, but that should never stop someone from wearing what they want to wear." She smiled. "I've made skirts for male clientele and suits for women. And I've adored seeing my clients happy they are living their truth. I certainly don't live to the expectations of a lady."

"But… Don't you?" Silver questioned, puzzled. "I-I-I mean… You're like the perfect lady!"

"Thank you, but I don't deserve such a compliment," Ena told him. "I don't abide by the standards society sets for age nor gender. And you don't have to either." She caught Silver's nervous look and amended, "You don't have to with me. You are at my side for who you are, not the standards you should live up to." She prodded his chest. "However, I will be periodically checking your grades and you will be taking business and meal etiquette where I will thoroughly keep track of your progress."

Silver laughed a little and the weight on his chest diminished. "I honestly liked to mess with my mom's stuff when I was little," he confessed to her. "Lulu and I always had fun, but…" He winced at the memories. "Igneel and Julia were…um…"

"Oh, don't mind Igneel. He was an asshole."

Silver gawked. "Ena!"

"He was," Ena said in defense. "He might have grown up, but he was an asshole. He might not be my brother, but I was around him enough to see it. I can't speak for Julia, of course."

"She wasn't an asshole; she was just being my sister," Silver supposed with a weak laugh. "My parents didn't care, and Gary was always encouraging." His eyes lit up, and his tone drew into a wistful note. "I still remember when I was little… Gary was home, but he was pretty in his room a lot. He caught me looking through Mom's make-up, so he asked me if I wanted to go to the mall and we could get my own stuff. Our parents were okay with it."

Ena softened. "That's nice of him."

"It was." Silver's delight dimmed. "But…" He roughly swallowed. "These group of girls in the make-up store… They weren't…nice… I could tell they liked Gary, but he was nice. He told them we didn't need any help, but he started getting quieter and quieter the more they kept insisting to help us shop for 'Gary's girlfriend'." Mayan blues saddened. "I…knew he was going through a rough time. He didn't like to show it, but I knew he was. And I hate seeing him cornered." A deep breath. "So, I told them we were shopping for me."

Ena could see this tale ended on a sad note. "What happened next?"

"Nothing good." Silver's tone went dead. "They started saying I was too young, and that Gary was turning me gay…and then accused Gary of being gay." The insults came back and pressed uncomfortably on his throat. "I…hated it. I started crying, but they didn't care. The workers were really nice, though. They made those girls and that mom who came with them leave. But I wanted to leave. Gary tried to comfort me, but…"

"Silver… Hey, it's okay."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The focus was teary as young Silver sniffled. Gary was a youthful teenager with soft cerulean as he shielded Silver from the unkind world and did not care about everyone else. He soothed, "Please don't cry. We can go to another store instead—"

"No!" Silver wailed. "I wanna go home!"

Gary crouched down to Silver's level, worried. "Are you sure? But the make-up—"

"I don't care!" Silver cried. "I don't want it! I don't—!"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Silver shook his head. "I said things and…Gary just got quiet and agreed to take me home. We…didn't really talk about it again. He just apologized and promised he'd take me if I felt like it. But…" He sighed. "I don't know. I just didn't want to think about it. So, I shoved it away."

"Until today."

Silver was quiet.

The commercial district was over, and they were talking into the suburbs now. The nightlife was quieter with most people who retreated in their homes for LV, homework, and sleep. A few cars bustled here and there, and some owners were out for a nighttime walk with their peppy pets.

"Thank you."

This greatly surprised Silver. He looked down at Ena in confusion, only to catch her serene expression.

"Thank you for letting me see your truth," Ena elaborated. "It's common for people to have sides of themselves that they hide from others except for a select few or none at all. Some hide for matters of safety. Others hide for the matter of fitting in. Both are understandable." She looked up at the sky rampant with stars. "I've hidden what I could from Mother. She can see through me, but I do my best, so I don't stress her out. Very few things can I hide from L. She's my best friend, and I know she accepts me for who I am. But…"

She looped her arm with Silver's. "You've seen parts of me that I hate to show…and I don't mind showing you those sides of me. So, please, in my presence, never fear having to hide your truth from me. I take you as you are. After all"—a kind smile—"you are to remain at my side for a lifetime. It's only natural for our friendship to be open, right?"

Silver stared at her before he, too, looked up at the stars and let them twinkle in his eyes. "Right."

The Fernandes House was up ahead. No words passed between them as they walked up the sidewalk and onto the deck. Ena went for her keys, but she hesitated when Silver clung to her. Rather than ask him, she remained quiet and waited for him to be ready to talk.

A winter breeze whirled around them.

"Did…?" Silver looked down at Ena. "Did you have fun?"

"I did." Ena tilted her head. "Did you?" A quirked eyebrow. "Answer honestly."

Silver dipped his head. "I did," he promised her. "I had a lot of fun on our…"

"Date."

Silver's eyes widened. "'Date'?"

"Yes. A friend date," Ena clarified. "L and I go on them often. I figured you and I could as well."

Silver waited for Ena to add on another name, but when she did not, he prompted, "What about Jasper?"

A conflicted expression went across Ena's face. "Jasper is a friend," she carefully answered, "but I'd prefer to call my outings with him just that—outings. You and L are the only ones I feel comfortable going on dates with."

"Oh. I see." Silver felt the need to apologize. "Sorry to bring up Jasper…"

"No, no, that's okay," Ena soothed. "He's your friend. I understand." She patted his arm. "Thank for you the lovely date, Silver. I couldn't have planned anything better nor would I have wanted to." She added sweetly, "Tell you what. You and I can continue going on dates outside of my schedule monthly fun day."

Silver's heart soared. "We can?"

"Yes, we can. L and I always enjoy our friend dates, but if you are to remain at my side, I suppose it's appropriate for us to go on our own dates and learn more about each other."

"Uh, yes, of course," Silver quickly agreed, a little breathless. "Yes… Yes!" He pumped a fist. "Y-Yeah! We're going to go on a lot of dates together!" He was on cloud nine and now he understood what Gary meant when he said he felt like he was ascending whenever Nashi acted cute. If this is a dream, I never want to wake up! Birds singing in beautiful ballads and the swell of strings filled his head. Ena and I going on dates! My prayers have been answered! Thank you! Thank you—!"

A murderous aura hovered over Ena as she warned, "But if you continue to act ill-mannered, I will never show my face with you in public. Am I clear?"

Silver, still beaming, was weeping on the inside. "Y-Yes, mistress…" He panicked when he saw Ena was going for her keys and blurted, "Wait!" He retreated a little when Ena's attention was on him again, but he had to power through. Okay, Silver, this is your moment. Now is your time. You've rehearsed this in the mirror. He took a deep breath. "I have a present for you." His eyes widened. Oh my god, my voice cracked. That didn't happen when I was rehearsing! Damn puberty.

"You do?" Ena looked a little uneasy. "O-Oh…"

Silver instantly felt like his heart was breaking. "Oh, um… Well, I don't have to give you them…"

"It's not that, ah…" Ena brushed her hair back, an embarrassed look on her face. "I just…didn't get you anything since I don't celebrate Heart's Day. It's improper for me to receive a gift on a holiday and to not have one prepared for the giver."

Silver blinked. "Wow. Etiquette is stupid."

Ena's eyes instantly blazed in a murderous inferno. "Say that again, you—!"

"You can't get presents if you kill me!" Silver cried.

Ena lost her will to slaughter him as she coughed behind a fist before whipping out her fan. "Well, on with it," she sniffed.

Silver set down everything to pay attention to his own bag. The presents had been magicked to shrink and enlarge once they were in the real world. He decided to pull out the painting first and the other present, both carefully wrapped. Blushing, he offered, "These three are for you…"

"Oh!" Ena's eyebrows raised seeing them. "Hold on a moment. Let's bring these inside. I would like to open them."

Silver panicked. "O-Oh, no, no, no, that's okay—!"

"I will open them."

Silver paled when he could have sworn he saw the will of Satan pass through her. "Y-Yes, mistress…"

After unlocking the door, Ena held it open for Silver to shuffle inside. She deviated to throw away their empty hot chocolates before she beckoned him into the lit-up living room. They both settled on the couch with an excited Ena and a nervous Silver.

She went for the bigger present and admired the wrapping. "I'm impressed you wrap so well."

"Yeah, well…" Silver felt his palms clam up. "I always liked wrapping presents with my dad and I volunteer when Fairy Tail does the whole gift-wrapping thing at the library and at the guild for Christmas…"

Ena shot him a look of approval. "You are shaping up to be more and more useful to me by the day. Well done." She hungrily looked at the present. "Now that I have properly honored your skill, forgive me for what I'm about to do." She led up her hand. "Lunagr-an." Her sword came to her touch before shapeshifting into scissors. Her eyes gleamed while a worried Silver stared at her. A maniacal laugh bubbled out. "Are you ready?"

Lunagr'an gleamed.

Silver watched in horror as Ena shredded the wrapping paper. My heart! She looks like she's cutting up a body like a psychopath! He softened and rested a cheek on a hand as Ena laughed again. She does look cute though…

One day, others would show concern that Silver adored someone who looked like a madwoman whenever she used scissors.

Once Ena breached and got to the present itself, she set aside Lunagr'an only to give pause and figure out what she was seeing. The ever-nervous Silver tripped over himself trying to flesh out a reasonable explanation. "Well, ya see, that old guy who did our sketch in New Rosemary gave me a copy of his sketch and, um, I thought it wasn't fair if only I got a sketch, so, um, I, um, well, I—"

"Silver."

He flinched. She doesn't like it. She thinks I'm creepy.

"This is…"

Here we go, Silver thought, miserable. She thinks it's—

"…beautiful…"

—creep—wait, what? Silver came out of his shell to see Ena genuinely admiring the watercolor painting as she held it. "You…think it's beautiful?" he echoed.

"Did you…make this?" Ena breathed.

"Um, well, not really." Silver rubbed his nape. "The nice old man sketched it. I just did some resizing, tracing, and then painted it, but I didn't do much."

"My hair…"

"What?" Silver realized Ena was looking at her painting self and her hair. "Oh!" He offered a shy smile. "Yeah, um… I'm sorry if it's not the right color. I really tried hard to get it to the right red, but nothing beats the original." He remembered how he kept himself up all night as he worked with red, black, and white. He had zero photo references to go off of, so he had tried to redo her hair color by memory. The final product he settled on was the shade he felt was the closest, but still… Her hair is so beautiful. Doing a cheap imitation like this…

"Silver." Ena's voice was light, calm. "The second gift… Could you unwrap it for me?"

Silver nodded. "Yeah, sure." He was more delicate than Ena with unwrapping, methodical in his approach. A new wave of anxiety hit him and made him nauseous, but he swallowed it down as he offered her the second gift. "H-H-Here…"

Ena cradled the painting before she let it rest on the coffee table. She turned to covet the second gift only to be astonished it was none other than— "A knitted blanket?" She took the blanket into her hand. Dark browns glinted seeing a logo that had been knitted into the blanket. It showed HOUSE OF E, but the logo had been underlined with an exact silhouetted replica of Lunagr'an with horns on one side and a crown on the other. "My brand?" She looked at a red Silver in confusion. "But…?"

"I just, um, thought it would be a cool rough draft to try," Silver told her. He hurried to add, "You don't have to actually use it or anything like that! I was just messing around was all—!"

"What inspired you to use my sword?"

"Ah-ha…" Silver kneaded his pants. "Well, um… You said you wanted your brand to represent you. Your sword represents you, so…"

"And the horns and the crown?"

Silver heated. "Um, well… I added them since you're Maleficent and y-y-you're…"—he sunk in his seat a little—"a Queen too…"

"And you made this?"

"I did." Silver's breath turned shaky. "I always liked to knit with my mom. I knitted Lulu the first blanket I ever made." He smiled to himself. "It looked pretty bad, but Lulu didn't care. I help my mom knit on Sundays for the main part. The thread is from this magical sheep, actually. You'll never feel cold or too hot whenever you use the blanket, and it's rumored to help give you a healthy sleep and nice dreams."

As the silence grew, the more Silver fidgeted. Does she not like it?

Ena spoke low. "You said that you had three presents. You are not one to constantly misspeak. So, where is the third?"

"O-Oh…" Silver gulped. "You might not like it—"

"Show me the third present."

Silver felt like he had no choice. Reluctantly, he went for his bag and, after another moment's hesitation, he brought out what looked like a toy of a glass cloche. He had not wrapped it. He felt like it would be wrong to wrap such a precious beauty of a flower. Instead, he let it expand in his hands and looked at the Rainbow Rose in pity that it would not be admired. She doesn't even like to receive flowers, let alone roses. Sorry, Rose. Forgive me. He sighed and handed it over. "Here. I know you don't like getting flowers, but I swear, I didn't…"

He looked up.

Stunned mayan blues collided with teary dark chocolates.

LUB-DUB.

Ena was gentle in taking away the glass cloche to look at the glowing Rainbow Rose that looked like it put more effort to shine brighter for the person it was supposed to be with. Her fingers skimmed the glass, but a precious tear dripped onto the lid.

Silver was taken back. Ena…

"You're right." Ena's voice was soft, hoarse. "I don't like receiving flowers, especially roses. Every time I've received flowers, I kill them due to neglect. As for your blanket, the logo you designed is far too busy. Horns are unable to be used due to too much of it being seen relating to Demons or the Devil. And your painting was not even enchanted to ensure the colors stay fresh."

DRIP.

DROP.

"How dare you give me such gifts without even warning me," Ena scolded, sniffling. "Shameless behavior. You really are a fool. Doing this to me. Who do you think you are to do this to me? To give me these gifts?"

"I…" Silver did not know what to say.

"Selfish fool," Ena said, voice breaking as more tears fell. "Selfish and inconsiderate. Incorrigible. I doubt you even know what that last word means." She sniffled and dabbed under her eyes. "And you have the audacity to make it rain in my own house. Stupid fool. Shameless."

"But I…" But Ena's words and her actions all pieced together for Silver. "Ena…" He went into his breast pocket to pull out a handkerchief and was careful in brushing away the tears on her cheeks. "I'm sorry I made it rain."

"Well, at least you have some propriety according to proper etiquette," Ena muttered.

"I like to embroider," Silver confessed. "But Justin was the one to tell me I should have a handkerchief to complete the outfit." He made sure Ena's face was dry before he retreated.

Ena sniffed as she calmed herself down. "Yes, well…" She sniffled. "I'll have to properly thank him." She looked at the three presents she had been gifted and paid special attention to the Rainbow Rose. "That being said… I have to properly thank you as well." Her eyes went to the portrait. "You gave me a portrait and matched the shade of my hair." The blanket was next. "You knitted me a blanket with my brand name." She touched around the glass cloche. "And you gifted me an innocent flower." Another tear squeezed out. "And I… I did nothing to deserve this." Her hands trembled and so did her bottom lip. "I didn't…even get you a gift…"

"I don't mind," Silver soothed. "I didn't want to give these to you because I wanted something in return. I wanted to give them to you because…I…"

His fingers twitched.

"I…like you…"—he closed his eyes—"as…a friend… I respect you. And I admire you. That's why I gave them to you."

"But these are…so nice," Ena whispered. "Misty… He never…"

He did not mean to think it. He was a pacifist by nature. But another bout of that scalding rage came up and was all directed at Mystogan and, to an extent, Jellal. His gums stung, but for Ena's sake, he remembered his mother's cooldown technique and stayed calm. "If it makes you feel better, then…there is something want from you."

"Yes." Ena wiped under her eyes. "Anything. Name it."

"Then…" Silver steeled himself and gave her a determined look. "Make a promise to me," he decided. "Promise me you won't keep your heart so shut off. An-And… And that you'll share it with people you can trust." His gaze dropped a little. "It's okay for you to want to be alone. No one said you have to make one hundred friends or anything. But… I know there are people who want to get to know you. Fairy Tail isn't just a guild we joined. They're family." He brought his stare back to her. "So, trust them a little with your heart. And they won't ever let you down."

Ena's trembling slowed and she took a deep breath before she moved.

Silver shied away, ready for her attack when—

Mayan blues sparkled.

Ena was kissing his forehead.

The moment felt like forever to Silver with her warmth and her scent so close to him, but Ena pulled away after a second or three with her eyes wet and her smile bright.

"I promise you," Ena vowed. "I share my heart with L, Gigi, and you. And I'll do the same for the rest of Fairy Tail."

She…shares her heart with me? Silver smiled back. "Then that's the best present I could ask for from you." He felt the urge to pat her head. "Thanks for—Nngh!" He snatched back his hand when Lunagr'an defended her master to turn into a jackknife.

Ena's eyes were colder than Hell. "What on Earth Land do you think you're doing?"

"Nothing!" Silver squeaked. He sprung up from the couch and faked a yawn. "Oh, look, I'd better get going, so…!"

Ena dismissed her sword and set aside her gifts. "I'll walk you out."

The second Silver was outside, and Ena remained inside, he turned for them to gaze at each other as though imprinting each other into the mind. Or maybe that was Silver's hopeless romantic talking and Ena was waiting for him to bid adieu so she could close the door.

"So, um…" Silver knew he was stalling, but he could not help it. The forehead kiss was making him not want to leave Ena alone. "I'll…see you tomorrow?"

Ena nodded. "Yes. We do have work."

"Right, right…" He still lingered. "I really did have fun." He slipped his hands into his jacket pockets. "Sorry for some of the drama I caused."

Ena shook her head. "I wouldn't consider it drama. No harm, no foul."

"Right…"

Ena inclined her chin as she watched Silver grapple with what to say next and pitied him. "Are you stalling because you don't want to leave?"

"What?" Silver went bright red. "No!"

Ena chuckled behind a hand. "You get flustered so easily," she teased. She prodded his cheek. "So red. How adorable."

"Don't make fun of me," Silver grumbled. "I'm not stalling. I just, um…figured your mom would be back is all."

Ena's laughter faded. "No. My mother spends days like today away from the house, and Aine is with Lance, I presume."

"So, you'll be all alone?" That saddened Silver.

Ena shrugged it off. "Yes, but it gives me time to work a little—" Her eyes narrowed when Silver groaned. "What?"

"This day was supposed to be a work-free day," Silver stressed.

"And the day is over," Ena countered. "I enjoyed our date"—she did not notice how self-conscious yet delighted Silver was at her words—"but it's time for me get back to work."

"No."

Ena pitched up an eyebrow. "No?"

"No." Silver stood his ground. "You're not going to do work this late at night. I said I wanted to be with you all day, and I meant it." He pointed at her. "And you can't say, 'no'! You already said I could have you all to myself for today!"

Ena looked part-amused and mostly exasperated. "Your perseverance shows no bounds," she dryly commented. "I suppose you can stay for a little while longer." She brightened. "Why don't we start with reorganizing your calendar, so you have better time management for training and etiquette classes?"

"And our dates?" Silver hoped.

Ena waved a dismissive hand. "Friend dates aren't something normally planned—"

"I want to plan our dates," Silver said.

Ena sighed. "I don't have the strength to argue with you anymore." She turned back inside. "Don't just stand there. Come on in. I'll make some tea."

"I can do that!" Silver rushed in after her. Silver rushed in after her, brushing off her complaints he was becoming too pushy.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

At the end of the day, I…couldn't do it. I couldn't confess.

But I did say some of my feelings.

I like her and respect her and admire her.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

While Silver bustled around, he realized he needed to ask her preference in evening tea. He poked his head out to ask her, but he stopped as he saw Ena was admiring the Rainbow Rose with a fond, little smile as her fingers brushed the glass.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

And if I can just stay with her, so be it. As long as she's happy and most trusting, then I'm happy to.

She's my friend.

My boss.

My mistress.

My Maleficent.

And…my own Queen.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

And the second bud on the Rainbow Rose cracked open to reveal its shiny, multicolored petals.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

•

And so the date ends

With a kiss and a goodnight

With a prince whose heart keeps growing

And a Queen who decides to keep her prince in sight

•

The next tale futures the son of a god

And the gift he received from a long-distance friend

We'll meet Hercules and his Megara on this grand adventure

But for now, good night, for this story has come to an end

•

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

---

Onaka sukanai? Nani ka tabetai?

Eeto, atashi mizu de ii ya

Ano ne, tokoro de, toutotsu dakedo

Okashiitte omottara gomen

•

Bikkurisuru kamoshirenai no

Demo ne, kiite hoshii, eeto

•

Puhaa, doushiyou

Ano ne, jitsu wa ne…

Dame da, yappari kowai no

•

Kimochi tsutaetai yo anata ni

Kono kimochi doushite kurushii no

---

w/AskWomen

u/SeaPrince1221 • 2hr

⌜10 Awards⌟

What does it mean when she kisses your forehead?

(Wholesome)

Sorry for the weird formatting, I'm on a Com.

So. There's this girl [14F] who I [14M] really like and admire. I respect her. She's amazing and beautiful inside and out, even if she pretty much works 24/7. I'll call her "Maleficent" (this is an inside joke, I promise, please don't come at me for being rude, Maleficent is my favorite Magia character) since she's pretty well-known for her accomplishments.

Maleficent and I went on friend date today, and it was really great! Well, she said she had fun and she was smiling a lot and she held my hand today. Which is major progress since we used to not like each other. She held my hand for the reason I don't wander off, but I'll still take it! We went to the Contemporary Art Museum, the aquarium, and had fun at the arcade. We even saw an old school horror film, and we were laughing the entire time (I'm pretty sure we pissed off this couple a few rows in front, but I don't think they were even watching the movie).

Anyways, I gave her her Heart's Day presents today since we have work tomorrow, and I thought today would be perfect. She cried. It was good crying, though! She was really happy. And then she…kisses my forehead.

I know it sounds stupid, but it felt really nice when she did it. She pats my head and I really like it too. But I've never seen her do forehead kisses to anyone before. She normally does cheek kisses to people (except for me).

What do forehead kisses mean, ladies?

EDIT: Wait, please don't give me awards for this! But for "info", I feel like if I say her profession, people will know who she is, but she has a building empire and I'm her assistant. Yes, I know it's weird, but this is true. The reason she doesn't know that I like her as more than a friend is because she doesn't want a relationship. She's very busy and doesn't feel like romance is her thing. Which I respect! There's no sign that she likes me. I'm pretty sur she tolerates me as a friend at this point LOL.

EDIT 2: I knitted her a blanket with her brand name on it, watercolor painted a portrait, and I gave her a Rainbow Rose, but two of those presents have a long story behind them.

EDIT 3: You ladies are really nice and kind! Thank you for the comments! Since she doesn't want a relationship, I don't think I'll say anything for now. She trusts me, and I don't want to break that trust by making her uncomfortable. I'm at her side as her friend. It doesn't hurt or anything. I'm just happy if she's happy.

Final EDIT 4

Hi, okay, thanks for all the comments. I'm glad I posted to this subwritet. Thanks for the advice and awards and everything. I'll definitely come back to this sub if I have any more questions! Good night everyone!

↑ 14.7k ↓ 3.2k Comments Share

• — • — •

BEST COMMENTS ↓

PrincessDiariesismyJAM • 2m • Moderator

Hello, my lovelies. Due to the sudden increase in volume, we're locking this post. We apologize to those in the middle of typing out their wholesome replies. We agree this post is wholesome and have, thus, added the flare (Wholesome).

OP, from the moderators to you, we appreciate your content and think forehead kisses are the best, especially from someone that you like. Keep treasuring those little acts of affection. Even though this post might be best suited for u/Relationships, you're welcome back anytime to post on this sub about any steady progress you make with your Maleficent. Thank you to all participants in their encouragement to OP.

P.S. We all stan Maleficent in this house. Best – villain – EVER

… ⤺ Reply ↑ 15.1k ↓

— • — • — • —

MamaNeedsANap7 • 2hr •

⌜2 Awards⌟

I wish my son was like you, OP, only because you sound a lot more emotionally mature than him. I love him, obviously, but the number of times I want to slap him upside the head for whatever this generation's weird speed-dating and ghosting and impatience methodology.

INFO: Is there a reason you haven't told her how you've felt yet?

When I was a teenager (which was…well, some things are best kept secret), forehead kisses weren't something we did just because. Honestly, I doubt people even thought about forehead kisses. We did those cute pecks and cheek kisses (hoo baby, only if we were lucky) and cutesy shit like holding hands down the hallway and the awkward "keep Jesus between you" dances. So, our emotional bandwidth wasn't on par with yours.

I'd say, however, in your case, if she does cheek kisses normally, but she gave you a forehead kisses, this could be her way of expressing deeper gratitude. I don't want to give you false hope about her possibly liking you, but she might have a deep respect and admiration for you as well.

EDIT: I reread your edits. Ah, I understand now. I understand her not wanting romance. You guys are teens! It's good that she has a high work ethic for her age and to be so well-established. Just make sure you're comfortable remaining her friend. Some people get impatient and try to preemptively cross that line before someone else is ready and do so aggressively. I'm not saying that you are like that, OP, I just want to make sure you are happy where you are.

Who knows? Maybe when she's ready, she might want a relationship with you. But it seems to me like you respect her choices. Good on you. Please teach my son how to do that.

EDIT: Aw, guys, thanks for the awards, much love to yall and best luck to OP!

… ⤺ Reply ↑ 15.1k ↓

— • — • — • —

QueerbaitNeedsToDie • 2hr

OMG an enemies to friends to lovers trope is the best sort of romance trope anyone could get. Forehead kisses, though, need some context. When my wife gives me forehead kisses, it always says "I love you" or "I like you" or "I care about you". And I love giving them back to her!

Cheeks kisses, to me, is something you dish out to family and friends and even business colleagues, if that's the manner of conduct there. So I guess INFO, what's her personality like? If she's extremely affectionate, the forehead kisses can just be a simple "Thank you". If she's pretty much closed off and is a more polite than a personal person, then you can take that the forehead kiss had a deep meaning

… ⤺ Reply ↑ 10.5k ↓

— • — • — • —

ImNotLikeOtherGirls • 1hr

INFO: So I'm curious, but what did you gift her? Was it something personal?

Also, OP, if she dishes out forehead kisses sparingly or not at all, I think you can comfortably conclude it meant something deeper. Might not be romantic, but still something deeper. It might not be the right time to confess, but I'd say keep doing what you're doing. You seem like you've got a good head on your shoulders.

… ⤺ Reply ↑ 2.4k ↓

— • — • — • —

hotmessyandstressed • 2hr

OP, why is this so wholesome?

LOL honestly, this is adorable and better than half the posts on here that are, um, less than respectful or fake.

I'd say, in this context, the forehead kiss meant she might not like you in a romantic aspect, but I'm pretty sure she does see you as more than just a baseline friend. Granted, I have extremely affectionate friends who love to hug, hold hands, sit on my lap (for reference, I'm 21), but forehead kisses aren't something they typically do outside their partners. You could always ask her, but I feel like that'd be too awkward.

I'd take your "friend date" as an absolute win, by the way. Your date sounds so much better planned than the dates I went to when I was 14, which were movies and MgRonald's and also just walking around the mall. I'd totally be down for an update if anything between y'all progresses.

EDIT: OMG your gifts are even more wholesome WTH Sir, yes we need stories about them. And the fact that she even cried is just so aww. Please post this on w/aww because this is too cute.

… ⤺ Reply ↑ 9.8k ↓

— • — • — • —

MynameisJoshbutnotTHATJosh • 1hr •

I know this is u/AskWomen, but I want to hijack from a guy's perspective and how I feel about it.

My [23M] girlfriend [24F] likes to give me forehead kisses whenever we're cuddling and I f*cking love it. To me, whenever she kisses my forehead, it feels like a subtle action of love on her part and makes me feel warm and sorta shy (which, from your post, I'm sure you feel the same).

You have it sooooo much more figured out than I did when I was 14, dude. At your age, I didn't really get the whole thing about love and tenderness and the little acts that count. I was pretty much stereotyped as a teen who did make-out sessions with my girlfriends in private and handholding was something we rarely did, since I was one of those idiots that cared if guys saw me as a pussy.

Dude, you can knit and paint for your girl. That's pretty awesome! Before my current girlfriend, I was pretty much useless about household stuff outside laundry and dishes, but now I cook a lot more. I wish I had talent to do actual artistic stuff. And if she likes that you can knit and paint, PLEASE keep Maleficent because I know people are assholes about guys learning "feminine" hobbies, and she sounds like she likes it.

Forehead kisses = she wants you to feel appreciated.

Your Maleficent sounds great. Best wishes to you, mate, from my girlfriend and me.

… ⤺ Reply ↑ 7.8k ↓

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Silver hid under his comforter with his Compact clutched like it was pearls as he read over the comments from his post. A giddy smile armed his face, and he touched his forehead. I'm never washing my forehead again, he dreamily sighed. This is Heaven. Ena, you gave me the best gift ever.

(And from Ena's deep sleep with her chainsaw snoring, she sneezed before turning over.)

---

TO BE CONTINUED…

Next time

On Fairy Adventure

Episode 087

TALES OF HEART'S DAY WEEKEND

HERCULES

---

Voices of Characters in Order of Appearance

— • — • — • —

Narrator – Kelsey Grammer

Silver Fullbuster – Yuri Lowenthal

Ena Fernandes – Xanthe Huynh

Mystogan Fernandes (Child) – Brina Palencia

Erza Fernandes – Colleen Clinkenbeard

Viscountess Irina Gosling – Pamela Merrick

Lord Nora Gosling II – Brad Swaile

Unknown Woman – Kira Vincent-Davis

Gary Fullbuster – Griffin Burns

• — • — •

Additional Voices

Opening Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Description Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Closing Narrator – Melissa Fahn

— • — • — • —

⌜OPENING SONG

⟪ Prism ⟫

ClariS & GARNiDELiA

Lyrics by

Ryosuke Shigenaga⌟

•

⌜INSERT SONG

⟪ When We Disco (Duet with SUNMI) ⟫

J.Y. Park

Lyrics by

J.Y. Park⌟

•

⌜ENDING SONG

⟪ I Like You, I Love You ⟫

Kagamine Rin

Composed & Lyrics by

JevanniP⌟

---

Chibi-Luna peeks out from the credits. "Hello, everyone! Author-san wanted to thank commenters Daniel Murphy, Murtalah, kimikou, and SaFireSammi for coming along with this adventure with us and leaving such kind feedback and questions! We love reading them, and it gives us inspiration for the next leg of our adventure! We hope you'll all continue to support Fairy Adventure."

She whispers conspiratorially, "Author-san pretty much cried when she finished the first draft to the first saga of the trilogy—"

"You liar! I did not cry! I am your creator! I brought you into this world and I can take you o—!"

Chibi-Luna panics. "O-Oh! Um, look at the time!" She gives a frenzied wave. "Catch everyone on the next adventure!" She pauses. "Oh, and, um, if you see some episodes start to change, Author-san is going through and editing the older episodes for better formatting and plot hole fills since they cringe at their own writing—"

"I WILL NOT HESITATE TO TAKE AWAY YOUR PLOT ARMOR!"