Disclaimer: I do not own Hiro Mashima's Fairy Tail, any work professionally associated with it, nor any pop culture or classical references. All original plots and characters are mine.
In a land far, far away lies the kingdom of Fiore, a small, peaceful nation of 17 million, and a place filled with Magic found in every home, bought and sold in every marketplace. For most, Magic is merely a tool, a mundane part of everyday life. For some, however, Magic is an art, and they've devoted their lives to its practice. These are the wizards. Banded together into magical guilds, they ply their skills in search of fame and fortune. Many such guilds dot the landscape of Fiore. But there is a certain guild in a certain town that soars high above the rest, one from which countless legends have been born. A guild that will no doubt continue to create legends well into the future. Its name...is Fairy Tail.
The room was dressed head to toe and Heart's Day galore with candles lit for those they loved and lost. Red hearts and pink hearts and white hearts littered the living room with other candles staged for ambiance. Rose petals decorated the table set for two with candelabra all dolled up and pretty. The food would come soon enough, but the plates and salad plates and the forks and spoons and knives and cloth napkins were set with chalices for the iced wine. Gifts were set up, however, for this date, but one was the most important gift. It was a photo album that spelled:
TALES OF HEART'S DAY
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
•
So, you've made it this far
To our last full Heart's Day tale
Thank you for indulging
In the Magic and how love can prevail
•
We turn to a story
About the daughter of a great evil
About the son of a great good
And yet their relationship is loving and stable
•
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
The final and most important part of this Heart's Day celebratory dinner was that—the dinner! But the plates that had been painstakingly taken out with the good Zhōnguá and the clothed napkins and fancy placements had been empty. No food was placed, not even an appetizer.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
•
You might not know the story of Mal, for she's more of a recent being
For years, she lived spreading chaos and evil
And, in the end, she lost her own meaning
But now she has her own little Ben
And Angel who refused to let her go
And with him, their daughter, and Exceed, and a Daemon
And unconventional family
But hey—it's a family that makes a place a home
•
So come with me, friends
On this love affair of theirs that never ends
How a demonic daughter of evil and a hybrid Angel
Spent their Heart's Day weekend
•
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Staying still in a room full of murderers was easier to do than you would think.
The focus did not dare break from their blank gaze at nothing. Ears pricked, they listened to every word that floated by, of course, but it was not the time nor place to sit. If that happened, it would an act of disrespect and offense, and the punishment would be nothing desirable. The focus kept to their place at the wall of the expansive dining room like all the others worthy of being in this room and yet were under someone did. Those who sat at the table were the ones spearheading this cause as they fell into a deep debate. But those who sat at the table looked fuzzy and shadowy with glowing eyes, almost as if…
As if it was hard to remember what their true forms looked like…
"How can we find the Catalyst?" came the harsh complaint from one of the shadows who sat at the table. The accent had the cusp of a snake's hiss to it. "One of our own betrayed us to tell the Prosecutor of our need for the Catalyst and now every Agent is out to kill it."
Claws raked the table in agitation as another shadow questioned, "What happened to taking the Prosecutor's mate as leverage?"
"That bitch is useless," another shadow declared with an unsavory tone. "And one of our informants told us the Prosecutor no longer cares about her." They broke into a snarl. "If the Prosecutor finds the Catalyst before we do, our only hope of victory is gone."
"Rumor has it a Sinful is hiding it," came a purr. "But you know how those Sinful all. They all think they're better than us since they were Agents once." Snorts, squealing chuckles, and other noises were passed around at such a sarcastic statement.
"If that's true, then how can we find the Catalyst?" another shadow pressed. "If a Sinful found it, we don't have a chance in getting it back."
"Oh… I wouldn't be too certain on that." Bael had said this in his flesh and bone form. He looked on a mixture of his human form and his true form with his horns and two sets of eyes, but he spared the other guests from seeing his body as he cloaked himself in armor. "Does anyone know anything about the rumored Sinful that stole that Catalyst?"
Glances passed around until one shadow spat, "On with it, Bael. Stop being so dramatic."
Bael chuckled and have a hand. "The rumors I heard was that this particular Sinful was banished because he had been overcome with obsession and greed."
"So?" a shadow haughtily questioned. "That's nothing new."
"Then, you should understand what I'm saying." Bael's golden eyes gleamed. "If this Sinful truly did capture the Catalyst, it did so out of greed. That makes getting the Catalyst back all the more easier." He clasped his hands. "To get the Sinful to come to our side is to make it seem like the only possession it obsesses over is make it seems like he's about to love his favorite possession"—his fanged smile sharpened—"permanently."
The scene dissolved away as a new scene was reconstructed. A fireplace roared in this stoned chamber of a room filled with servants of every race standing against the wall. From Dragonkin with their scales and horns to Dark Fae with their unnatural eyes and wings, they were all treated like prized possessions in loincloths to cover them, heads down, and with no escape. The orange glow of the fire reflected the lust in their eyes. They were not empty slaves who mourned their fate. They were drugged off the power their master had and were eager to be of service in any way possible.
The focus stood once more, silent and unmoving, while Bael drank from a goblet, naked as day. Some servants risked a longing glance at him in the hopes he would choose them to bed tonight, but he paid them and their arousal no mind.
"Mirella," Bael purred after another sip, "I want you to pay Valhalla another visit. Sleep with a few soldiers and learn about the war about to happen. Try to see if you can get that royal advisor between your legs. She seemed to like you the last time you went, didn't she? Start planting the seeds a preemptive strike would guarantee the upper hand."
"As you command, Father." This was the only way she knew how to respond. Detached agreement. Numb consent. No thought about what her body would endure. Not anymore.
Bael finished his goblet and passed it off to a servant. His lips twitched into a smirk as he caught the flush on the servant's cheeks and rewarded them with a lazy grope of his loincloth. "Do you know why I brought you here tonight, Moralia?" He lifted his chin as he worked the servant over his cloth and the poor thing's face pinched as a moan slipped out.
Jealousy splashed on the other servants' faces that he received the attention they were desperate to have.
"Do you know what this room is, Moralia?" Bael questioned as he continued his ministrations. The second the servant came with a lengthy groan, Bael lost interest and approached the focus to stop before her. He caressed her face. "I brought Hemera here." Tone scarily soft. Reminiscent. "She was so willful. I had to restrain her. She used her powers to burn me."
A smile worked over his lips as his hand drifted down. "She was so beautiful with her hatred. So beautiful." He cupped her breast. "Why the fuck did she have to leave me?" His tone might have been light and pleasant, but his eyes spoke of chaos. "Fucking her corpse did nothing for me. I needed that hate in her eyes. I needed her."
Those golds flickered down to inspect her body in a lethal hunger. "And you look just like her." His hand took hers as he lured her to a lush bed that could easily fit five people even though it would be used for two. He shoved her down on the bed before caging her in his arms.
"You look so much like her," he whispered. His hand came out to grab a look of her hair and sniffed it. "You smell like her." Those liquid golds had fire in them. "I can't help it. Fucking mortals is nice, but you can be her." His hand drifted down to widen her legs. "You'll sound just like her, won't you, Moralia?"
No crying. No pain. No panic. Just numbness. A void that consumed every feeling she could have, every tear she could shed and left her as an empty husk. She did not jolt when she felt his fingers circle around her nether region. Her body would not react anymore. It had given up and surrendered to this nightmare as though turning its back on her.
Bael groaned when he let his finger slip inside. "That's it, Moralia, just like that." His fingers started to move. "You'll be my new Hemera." His fingers jerked. "I won't let you kill yourself. You can't escape me now." He licked his lips as the chaos spread across his face in a frenzied passion. "You'll never escape me!"
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Mirella woke with a jerked start as her body ached unpleasantly and a cold sweat clung to her person. Panic hurt her rapidly beating heart and the urge to vomit crawled up her throat. Her surroundings were a blur for a moment. Everything was a blur for a moment. What year was it? What mission was she assigned on?
But slowly, the pieces fell into place. The blurriness sharpened for her to see she was in a bedroom stained with homemade decorations and furniture bought after some blood, sweat, and tears. The bed she was in did not smell like blood and sex, and no one had touched her down there. She was safe. She was fine.
A deep breath carried out most of her fear, but she was interrupted when she heard a soft sigh. The liquid golds drifted to see Kyler as he slept on his side tore her, turquoise hair in such perfect disarray. The lump in her chest and the weight that clung to her lifted as she took him in. Kyler… Her hand reached out to him, but she stopped herself, as much as it pained her. Instead, she slipped out of bed and made a light-footed journey to the bathroom.
SHHHHHHH…
Maybe a shower would not solve all her problems, but it felt like a start. She brushed back her hair under the spray as nausea in her stomach skittered away. I can't believe one of those memories came back. I thought I had made my peace with this a century or so ago. It's not like me to dream about the past. A sadness tinged her eyes and made such vibrant gold dull. Even if Bael was banished back, I know his fight with that Metatron Agent well. His power might be sucked from him so he can't freely travel, but that won't stop him from communicating with other Demons and his other followers.
"Does anyone know anything about the rumored Sinful that stole that Catalyst?"
The Catalyst… Mirella thought more on that as she shampooed her hair. Back then, no one had a clue about what the Catalyst truly looked like. A Demon had betrayed the rest by telling the Prosecutor about the existence of the Catalyst. The only object in existence that has the ability to permanently grant that snake access to mortals. One of the Agent spies had told us the order came for them to search and destroy it. But no one even knows what the Catalyst looks like.
Her mind flashed to that young maiden with flaxen hair and the white glow of her powers.
She's not the Catalyst, but… Her powers are great, Mirella thought. But there was something strange about her. With powers like her, she would have been a beacon to Bael to drop his fight with Kyler and try to get to her at first sight. He didn't even notice her until she came to the battlefield. And when she had passed out, that strange energy clung to her. And it wasn't Magic.
Her eyes shimmered. I wonder… What sort of protection is on her that not even Demons or even Sinful and other dark creatures can't sense her?
The shower was done and over with, but she was surprised when she saw Kyler waiting for her in his robe with a towel and kind eyes. "Did I wake you? I'm sorry—"
"You didn't wake me." Kyler stepped forward as he handed her the towel. "I can dry your hair for you if you'd like."
Mirella hummed. "Sure."
That was how she sat on a stool at the vanity with her towel wrapped around her while Kyler blow-dried her hair on a low setting. He commented, "Mortals impress me more and more with their inventions."
"We've seen planets more advanced than this," Mirella pointed out.
"But it's amazing watching them take such divergent steps only to end up similar to each other," Kyler remarked. He had to chuckle. "Though, I do miss the simple life we lived."
"Yeah, but we lived in a place where everyone had Magic, so technological advancements were irrelevant," Mirella remembered, though fondness showed in her smile. "But those realms were nice. Did you ever go back?"
"I did." Kyler finished drying her hair and grabbed a brush. "When I was searching for you, I had hoped you visited those places or left some sort of clue." He brushed her locks with care. "It took some time for me to realize you had left."
Discomfort settled as a grimace on Mirella's face. "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For—!" Mirella sighed. "For leaving you alone. For not telling you I was pregnant. For letting you go all that time thinking I had abandoned you."
"You've said your sorries, and I accepted them long ago," Kyler murmured. "You had to make choices that were impossible to make. I don't know what I would have done in your place."
"You would have done better than me."
"Maybe, maybe not," Kyler conceded. "But at the end of it all, your decisions brought Talia into the world, and I'm blessed enough to have a daughter."
Mirella snorted. "You and your blessings."
"O ye of little faith," Kyler teased.
"Ugh, don't tell me you still like reading those bible things," Mirella complained. "I swear those things are going to burn me one of those days."
Kyler chuckled. "I like reading religious texts of Earth Land. It's fascinating about their interpretations of this planet's conception and other notions about how the Presence works. I even read on some online forums about how Watchers work. Apparently, Guardian Angels have one human assigned to them and have to help steer their wards from all the bad in their life."
"That sounds like being a glorified babysitter," Mirella snickered.
Kyler nodded. "Yes. It's not like Watchers don't look out for humans, but it varies from Agent to Agent about the interest in mortal affairs." A thought came to him. "Oh. I did find some interesting research about Angels and Devils."
Mirella's ears twitched. "Oh?"
"Yes. Apparently, there's a lot more erotica on the relationship than I thought." Kyler sounded truly miffed. "Maybe that's why my little sister is so taken with such an uncouth Devil."
Mirella barked a laugh. "I know you respect him, Kyler, no need to play overprotective brother card," she teased. "I like the kid. He's a philanthropist, well-read, traumatized…" She shrugged. "What more could you ask for?"
"He has an overzealous lust with her," Kyler tried to counter. Though, it came out as a childish argument. "It's not healthy to be that taken with lust. He's going to ruin her. And look at his wings! He doesn't even probably care for them! How can he care for hers?" Now, he was pouting. "But if I could just introduce her to a nice, pure Phoenix…"
"You're just nitpicking." Mirella turned around to cup his cheek even when he huffed. "Come on, baby, they're young and in love. Of course they're so into each other that they'll probably have a lot of sex!"
Kyler grumbled, "Why would you say that? Now I want to purify him even more." His cheeks flushed when Mirella chortled. "I'm serious. What if he isn't treating her right? We've both met Devils before. It's not like their bedroom etiquette is anything to write home about." His mind conjured horrifying images of chibi-Nashi bound to a table, looking like a saint, while a comically villainous chibi-Gary loomed over her with fans and horns. "I need to get her away from him."
Mirella hummed her mirth. "Kyler, stop worrying like a mother hen," she soothed. "She's fine. He took a bomb for her," she added when Kyler looked like he wanted to protest. "I think it's safe to say she's in perfectly good hands."
"What do you know? You weren't even there in Alvarez," Kyler muttered. "We were supposed to be resting down in those caves, but I just know he seduced her."
"Just like I seduced you?"
Red stained Kyler's cheeks and he looked away from the teasing grin on Mirella's lips and unbridled lust in her eyes. "That's hardly fair…"
"Is it?" Mirella let a hand slide onto his chest with her mirth increasing the more Kyler looked spellbound. "Ah, yes, you poor Agents. So pure and naïve and then oops! Here comes us Devils and Demons from the Under Realm to entice you to do wicked things with us."
Kyler looked like he wanted to flee. "W-We should go back to bed—"
"Why?" Mirella stood as she let her towel drop. "Are you afraid to give in to temptation? Such a cliché." She tucked his hair behind his ears. "You were so cute and innocent when we were younger. So respectful and embarrassed whenever I was naked. But I know you're not innocent anymore." She added in a low purr, "I know you can throw it back. Hell, I've seen you. You're not so pure anymore, Angel."
Kyler swallowed as her nails dragged against his arms and made his body electrify. "Talia has school in the morning," he tried to reason as his weak defense. "So, we can't—Ah!" Just his luck. Mirella had backed him into a wall and caged him. And that predatory look in the eye made him feel he was not just a person in her eyes but delicious prey.
"Do you know what about you turns me on?" Mirella licked his lips as she looked at his neck. "Out of all the centuries we've been together, you still get so shy like a virgin." She gripped his chin downwards so her lips could brush over his. "And I love it." She pressed a lengthy kiss onto his lips.
Kyler tried to pull away with one last appeal, "But we shouldn't—"
"Which is exactly why we should," Mirella whispered. "I've had a long couple of weeks sorting out the deal with the Ministry of Magic Creatures, and before that, it was centuries without you. I'd thought you'd miss me."
"I did miss you," Kyler quickly assured. "But we should endeavor to resist—"
"You always speak so eloquently with me when you're nervous; did you know that?"
Kyler gulped as his flush crept down his neck. "I-I-I—"
"If you're unwilling, I won't touch you," Mirella promised. "Do you want me to touch you?" She cocked her head when he covered his mouth with an arm and had to simper. "Covering your mouth from me won't stop me from kissing you other places."
Kyler pulled away his arm, embarrassed, and tried to formulate an answer. "I—"
KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK.
"I should get the door!" Kyler blurted before he hurried out of the bathroom, and his ears burned when Mirella's laughter trailed after him. Now that she's home, I'm going to have to go back to trying to dodge her aggressiveness. He felt the need to hang his head. Not like that worked well for me in the past. He opened the door, but all his thoughts on Mirella evaporated when he saw Talia in her Rebecca Rabbit pajamas. "Pr'olprcht? What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Talia replied. "I want to sleep in here tonight."
Kyler still looked concerned. "Did you have a nightmare?" He frowned when Talia shook her head. "Are you sure everything's okay?"
"I'm fine. I just want to sleep here." Talia added, "Can I please sleep with you, Daddy?"
The arrow of fatherly love shot Kyler's heart.
"Of course you can, my pr'olprcht!" Kyler picked her up and smiled when she clung to his neck. "Make sure you go right to sleep, okay? You have school in the morning."
Mirella had come out of the bathroom dressed in one of Kyler's shirts when she noticed he came back to the bed with Talia in his arms. "What's going on?"
"Talia wants to sleep with us tonight," Kyler told her.
Mirella's eyes narrowed when she caught Talia's eyes and the way she clung to Kyler. Unconvinced, she crossed her arms and demanded to know, "Why does she want to sleep with us tonight?"
"I just missed Daddy." Talia made a show of tightening her hold on Kyler while she stared at her mother. "I wanted to sleep next to Daddy."
Sparkles flew between mother and daughter.
Kyler was happily oblivious as he pulled back the comforter. "Of course you can sleep with Daddy!" he cheered.
"Does she really need to sleep with us?" Mirella asked, a tad desperate. "She has that Daemon to sleep with her, doesn't she? And I think she's a little too old to be sleeping with us." She directed this jeer at her daughter who stuck her tongue at in retaliation. Mirella dragged her thumb across her neck in threat—
Both adopted innocent looks when Kyler set Talia down on the bed before turning to Mirella. "I don't think she's too old," he reputed. "And besides, if she needs us, how can we just turn her away?"
Talia clung to Kyler's arm. "Thank you, Daddy. I love you so much."
Kyler looked like he could comfortably ascend as a shiny aura full of flowers burst around him, and he smothered his daughter with a warm hug. "I love you too," he cooed. "Daddy loves you very, very much!"
Mirella squinted and had to shield her eyes with a hand. Ugh, that aura of fatherhood around him is so bright. She glowered at Talia and just knew smugness was radiating from her. How am I fighting my own daughter for time with my baby daddy? Her eyes twitched when she saw Talia peck Kyler's cheek and Kyler glowed even brighter as the power of fatherhood compelled him. That is it.
"Kyler?"
Kyler gave an absent him as he turned around—
Mirella had let one shoulder show as she mused her hair and offered him a tempting once over. "Are you sure it can't be just us, baby?" she purred. "It's been so long since we've slept in the same bed together. I'm sure Talia can sleep in her own bed, and you and I could…"—she sauntered close to whisper in his ear—"…maybe start thinking of expanding our family." She shot a smug look at her highly displeased daughter. Ha! Sucks to be you, kid.
Or so she would have said if she had not been placed in the hallway.
"Mirella," Kyler scolded with a pointing finger, "that's highly inappropriate of you to suggest in the presence of our sweet daughter. She needs us, and your mind is on selfish temptation."
Mirella was gobsmacked. "B-But…!" She shot a glare at Talia, who stood a little behind her father and wiggled her fingers as though wishing her mother farewell. "She's the one being selfish!" she cried as she pointed an accusing finger at Talia. "She's ruining our time together!"
"She's just a child, Mirella," Kyler argued. He looked down at the now innocent Talia with a loving smile. "If she needs us, who are we to turn her away?"
Talia clung to Kyler's leg and said, "Lynn never spared me any affection. For all my life, I never felt any warmth." She lowered her lashes. "I just wanted to sleep with Daddy so I could feel love and warmth again. Is that…not what children do? Do parents not give their kids love and warmth?"
Kyler crouched down to stroke Talia's head (while Mirella's jaw had dropped) and he soothed, "You have every right to come to us when you're feeling lonely, pr'olprcht. We'll give you all the care and attention you could ever want."
Talia blinked up at him for breaking into an adorable smile. "Thank you, Daddy."
Mirella was officially blinded by the glow of fatherhood shining off Kyler. This feels like Lynn's final act of revenge. Forcing my own daughter to keep me away from Kyler. She could hear Lynn's vicious cackling and shook it off to whine, "Kyler, don't fall for it! She's just manipulating you!"
"How can a child who just wants love and care be manipulative?" Kyler picked Talia back up and turned his disapproving stare onto Mirella. "I think you're the one being manipulative."
"Wha—? Me!" Mirella tried to argue, "But she's—!"
"If you don't mind, Talia needs to go back to bed, so she has enough rest for school," Kyler sniffed. "And since you won't act decently towards my person and resist temptation, you can sleep in the living room."
Mirella was flabbergasted. "But I just got home!" She tried for a shaky smile. "Baby, it's been so long since I got to hold you—"
"We're a family, Arezodi," Kyler sternly reminded. "We have an adorable daughter now. She comes first before our needs."
Talia piped up with a note of sorrow, "I don't want you and Mommy to fight, Daddy." She wriggled. "I'll go back to my room—"
"Yes—!"
"No!" Kyler shot an eager Mirella a reproachful look. "You don't have to go anywhere, pr'olprcht, since you'll be sleeping with Daddy. Mommy will be fine sleeping on the couch and repenting for having such selfish and lustful thoughts."
Mirella whined, "Malã'iko—!"
Kyler sniffed and paid attention to Talia as he stepped back inside the master bedroom and shut the door behind him.
And left Mirella stranded outside.
Her mouth worked several times before her face dropped into a scowl. Fine. You can have him tonight, Talia, but I'm the one who has a long date with him tomorrow. She stomped away and, with a wince, made her bed on the couch in the pristine living room. The knitted shawl would be her blanket tonight, but she could simply warm herself if she needed. How the Hell is it fair I get kicked out of my own bed after the weeks I had? She huffed and crossed her arms. Dammit. How the Hell is that snot-nosed Devil kid getting more action than me?
°•°•°•°
"Oh, Gary…!"
A singular screen penetrated the darkness. The Compact coveted like the Holy Grail was playing a video of a half-naked Nashi with her wineglass and a steam pink smacked across her face. She was giggling all the while.
"Did you know how sexy you look when you come out of the shower?" wine-drunk Nashi giggled and took another sip of her drink. "I just want to lick your abs all over. Lick!" She made a show of licking the rim of her glass. "And you taste so good…!" she groaned. Like a child, she kicked her feet and whined, "When are you coming home? I miss you…!"
"Princess!" Býleistr sounded out of breath. "Star King, give me the fucking Com!"
"No…!" Nashi danced away, though the video had angled down to catch her breasts. "I didn't get to tell Gary how hot his butt is!"
"Why are you running away?" Býleistr cried. "Give me the Com before you do something even more embarrassing, please—! No, no, don't take off your bra! Dammit, Princess!"
Steam condensed onto the screen as the video ended. Trembling fingers scrolled to showcase the plethora of videos sent that progressed with Nashi being chased by an exasperated Býleistr, but it did not matter. Ceruleans gleamed as Gary stared at his screen with his cheeks flushed.
I need to buy Angel more wine.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
•
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
•
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
By the time Mirella had awoken for the day, she was still in quite the sour mood. And that furthered when she went to the kitchen to see Kyler fawning over Talia as they ate breakfast together while Mammon was busy finishing up doing dishes.
"Good morning," Mirella wished when Kyler still did not look up to notice her.
"Oh, good morning," Kyler off-handedly greeted. "Talia was telling me how a lot of other parents will coming to her school for the Heart's Day party." He offered Mirella an apologetic look. "I know we had plans—"
"No." Mirella shot him down. "We already said that Mammon was doing to the party, remember?" She thanked the Daemon for her plate of an omelet, hash, and bacon.
"I know, but we had also said I could possibly attend since we didn't know how long negotiations would go," Kyler pointed out. "And all the other parents are going…"
"But all the other parents don't have reservations in another realm where they get to indulge in the best massages and food that the galaxy can offer." Mirella saw him wavering and was quick to sit at his side and go for the kill. She stroked the back of his hand as she cooed, "Come on, baby, we discussed this. Mammon said he'd go to Talia's party and watch the shop, so we could officially reconnect."
Kyler reddened. "Yes, I know, but…"
"And I've missed you." Mirella's voice dropped into a rasp as her hand climbed up to rub his shoulder. "Haven't you missed me?"
Kyler thickly swallowed. "I-I-I…"
"But Daddy…" Talia clung to Kyler's arm with those pools of turquoise looking up at her father. "Can't you come for a little bit?" She snuggled his bicep. "I want to show the humans the best Daddy in the world."
Mirella's eyebrow twitched. He couldn't possibly fall for…
SNIFFLE.
Mirella's jaw dropped when she saw Kyler holding back comical tears as he covered his mouth. He actually bought that?!
Mammon stepped in before Kyler could speak and said, "I would like to attend Talia's party."
That Kyler surprised while Talia looked displeased at her Daemon and Mirella was relieved. "You actually want to?" Kyler echoed. "Why?"
"I promised Miss Senna that I would bring in the double-fudge brownies and chocolate chip cookies to the party," Mammon deadpanned. "And I had promised to use Misses Elizabeth's recipe for the brownies and Miss Heather's recipe for the chocolate chip cookies."
Kyler's eyebrows rose. "And…those women are…?"
"Oh, don't tell me." Mirella had to suppress her laughter with a wide grin. "Those are some of the moms, aren't they?"
Mammon did not bat an eye. "Yes. But Miss Senna is Talia's homeroom teacher."
"I'm starting to understand the phrase 'oh my god' that Nashi loves so much," Kyler muttered as he rubbed his temples. "Mammon, how did you get these recipes?"
"When I started to take Talia to school, a group of women was always there," Mammon relayed. "One of them approached me to ask for my name and my relation to Talia."
Kyler looked horrified. "And what did you say?"
"I am her uncle, as rehearsed."
Kyler could breathe easier. "And then what?"
"After I told her I am unwedded and have no spawns, the other women started to speak to me," Mammon continued. "And now, these women continue to flock me whenever I drop Talia from school." He pulled something out from his apron and laid it out for Kyler and Mirella to see. "I believe I have broken into their circle for they have given me a passcode for their telepathic link."
Mirella squinted at the paper before she burst into laughter. "That's not a passcode; that's a Com number."
"Oh my god," Kyler whispered. "Why did you get a number?"
"I was informed this number is a passcode for communication," Mammon told him. "However, the woman seemed upset the next day I had not used this passcode to contact her. I had recited it aloud, but because I felt no telepathic link, I had assumed they did not want me to contact them."
Once again, Kyler repeated, "Oh my god."
"This is a Com number," Mirella explained again. "You have to have a Compact to use it." She showed him hers. "See? And then you just type the numbers into the Com app to speak to them, or you can text the number to send messages."
Mammon looked intrigued. "Fascinating." He nodded. "I would like to purchase a Compact to extend my communication abilities."
Kyler looked like he was about to have a heart attack while Mirella shrugged. "Sure."
"What?" Kyler looked between Mirella and the Daemon before he hissed at her, "Are you sure this is a good idea to give him a Compact?"
"Why not? Honestly, I don't know why we didn't give him one sooner," Mirella admitted. "It'll be better for him to have a Compact in the event of an emergency."
"We have telepathic powers!" Kyler cried. "Why would he need a Compact?"
Mammon deadpanned, "I would like to communicate with the women I meet with every morning."
"That sounds horrible when you say it like that!"
Mirella asked Mammon, "Anyone reason why you want to keep in touch with them? What exactly do you guys have in common?"
"They are terrans. I could kill them with a flick of my finger. They are weak, breakable, and primitive at best. I considered killing them when their presences irritated me," Mammon started (both he and Mirella ignored a panicking Kyler). "However, over the past month and a half, their chattering has proven useful. They have inside intelligence on the humans around here and their secrets. They provide advice on perfecting this planet's cuisine and socialization. And, like me, they are bound to a master they must serve."
"I think you're confusing 'master' with 'husband'," Mirella assumed. "And women don't 'serve' their husbands. Some do, but it's not like all of them do. Some husbands serve their wives too."
Mammon blinked. "I understand." He turned to Kyler. "When will you assume your wifely duties?"
Kyler looked ready to faint.
"Since I'm home, I'll take you to get a Compact once we get back," Mirella decided. "We'll make sure you're all set up with the latest technology. If you're going to live like a terran, we might as well make sure you adjust to it." She smiled. "And since you volunteered to go to Talia's party, so I can go on a date with my man, this is the least I could do."
Talia looked unhappy and wanted to speak up—
BEEP-BEEP-BEEP!
Mirella clasped her hands. "Oh, look, time for Mammon and Talia to leave!" She smirked over the irritation on her daughter's face. Not this time, kid. She made a show of being a loving mother as she got Talia's pre-made lunch and ushered her daughter out of the kitchen. "Have fun today, Talia! Mommy and Daddy will miss you so very much, but what can you do?"
With a displeased Talia and Mammon out the door, Mirella could let herself relax. Finally. We're alone. She circled back to the kitchen and her eyes catalogued every exposed inch of Kyler's skin while she chewed on her bottom lip. Mmm… What a sight for sore eyes…
Kyler was clueless to Mirella's intentions as he tried to wrap his head around this morning's conversation. "How are these women wanting to be close to a Daemon?" He was too far in shock to notice Mirella had draped over him to kiss his neck. "He even got a Com number! Don't they know he's dangerous!"
Mirella hummed as she slipped her hands down his shirt. "Hmmm…"
"I want to think this is a friendly affair, but what if it isn't?" Kyler worried. "What if this leads to those women flirting with him? What if they have an interest in him?"
Mirella gave an absent hum as she nipped his ear.
His eyes widened. "What if he starts dating? Are we supposed to set a curfew for him? We have to teach him the Lacrinet, but what if he goes onto bad websites? How are we supposed to teach him Lacrinet safety and…?" His words fumbled when he felt where Mirella's hands were drifting. Pink sprinkled his face as he tried to snap, "Arezodi!"
Mirella grinned. "Yes?"
"This is no time for your shameless antics," Kyler tried to dissuade, but he shivered under her touch. "Be serious. We have to think about…!" He gripped the counter as a pant left his lips. "W-W-Wait…" All his bravado had failed him from a timid whimper.
Mirella took pity on him as her hands came up to roam his chest. Liquid golds darkened at the red on his neck as it climbed higher. "You left me all alone last night." Voice airy yet promising as she murmured in his ear. "That wasn't very nice of you to tease me in that robe…"
"I-I wasn't teasing," Kyler tried to defend. He turned away from her and pressed his lips together to stop any noise when Mirella gave him a tender bite on his neck. "Arezodi, please…ah…we can't…"
"I've been away from you for so long," Mirella moaned in his ear. "I bet you've forgotten what I've felt like." Her hand drifted away to capture his chin and turned him towards her to drink in how cute his blush was. "Have you? Are you bored of me since you had others while I was gone?"
Kyler's breathing was erratic. "There wasn't anyone else," he whispered. "I… I still remember, but…"
"Do you not want me?" Mirella teased him.
"Th-That's not…" Kyler could not look her in the eye. "I…w-want you…" He gathered the courage and concerned-tainted turquoise clashed with heated gold. "But will you be okay? Last night…"
Mirella understood Kyler's fear and softened at his consideration. "I'm okay," she promised him. "It was just a pesky memory."
"Are you sure?" Kyler searched her eyes for a sign of deceit.
"Yes." Mirella's grin spread. "And don't you remember my best way to get rid of the memory?" She squeezed his butt for effect and reveled in the little whimper that escaped him without consent. "It's selfish to say this, but I'm so glad no one else has had you. No one else gets to see you this shy and adorable."
Kyler tried to resist. "I…" His tongue felt twisted when Mirella kissed his jaw. "We…" He shivered when her hand drifted up his back in such a light rake that he felt goosebumps.
"We what?" Mirella kissed her nose, then gave his bottom lip a dragging bite. "Use your words, baby." She pulled away from him and waited.
Kyler cleared his throat, unbearably hot, and consented in a small voice, "If you promise we won't overindulge—"
"Never." Mirella could not resist as she kissed him hard, and Kyler bonelessly surrendered.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Fairy Adventure 089
•
Tales of Heart's Day Weekend
Tal of Kyler and Mirella
Mal
•
ハートの日の週末の物語
カイラーとミレラの物語
マル
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
To say Mirella was disappointed was an understatement.
To say she was pissed was more accurate.
To say she wanted to ring her daughter's neck was the profound truth.
Kyler merrily pushed the chart down the snack aisle. He had transitioned from his pajamas to a gray sweater that did wonders to his complexion, dark pants, and black overcoat while his hair was in an over-the-shoulder ponytail. His turquoise glasses, albeit fake ones, drew together his ensemble. Pausing at a section of mini donuts, he asked, "Maybe we should buy these?" He picked up a box and inspected the ingredients. "Though these do have a lot of sugar…"
Mirella had her arms crossed as she ground her teeth. Black was her color from her leather jacket to her knee-high low chunk heel platform boots; she looked like a Hell's Angel. "I should have just knocked you out and kidnapped you," she groused. "I'm finally home after weeks of negotiations, and you ditch our perfectly sound reservation just because you get one Com call."
"It's just for this afternoon," Kyler reasoned as he added the box to the cart and took a few more. "You said we had the entire weekend. One day won't hurt us."
Mirella huffed. I was so sure I had gotten rid of her. How the Hell am I competing with her for his attention? A tick mark pounded her temple when she remembered a blanket-covered and red-faced Kyler answering his Compact. It's not like I don't love her, but she got her precious Daddy all month long. I'm the one who deserves his attention. Liquid golds slowly scanned Kyler's profile top to bottom, and she chewed on her thumbnail to groan. I would've gotten away with him if it wasn't for that meddling daughter of ours. An impure idea came to her.
Kyler looked down at his list and frowned. "Mammon said Miss Senna could use some more varieties of chocolate as well. Maybe we should go to Chocolate Factory. They should have a bigger selection."
"They should? Interesting."
A shiver crawled up Kyler's spine, and he fumbled for his list when Mirella had hugged him from behind. His cheeks warmed as he scolded, "Mirella, we're in public."
"I can't show you affection?" Mirella tightened her hold, and a smirk lit her face seeing Kyler's neck flush. "I just want to show my cute Malã'iko love. Should I not?"
"I…!" Kyler swallowed and gripped the cart. "You shouldn't be so bold in the public eye," he shakily reprimanded. "We're older than this planet's current calendar era. We should know better." He shivered when Mirella's blew in his ear.
"We do know better," Mirella murmured. "We know pleasure and sex better than most of these mortals could ever conceive."
"Don't say that so loud!" Kyler whispered. He tried to inch away, but in a battle of strength, even he would admit Mirella might have a slight advantage. "Shouldn't you be satisfied from this morning?"
Mirella offered a rasping laugh in reply as she thumbed his stomach. "Baby, you know as well as me that I can never get enough of you." Her hand came up to feather his throat and felt him swallow hard. "Talia will be fine with Mammon. Why don't we go home? You only let me have you for a few hours. Don't you remember we could go for days?"
Kyler trembled. "W-W-Well…"
VRRRRRRRRR!
Kyler was quick to wrestle out his Compact, clear his throat, and he answered, "Dit is Kyler." He relaxed at the other caller. "Ja, we hebben nog steeds het standbeeld van de tweelinggodin van chaos en orde." He skittered out of Mirella's hold when she tried to touch his chest and shot her a look.
Mirella sighed as he strolled away and spoke to the caller. I hate to watch him leave—her eyes dipped to his backside—but I love to watch him go.
°•°•°•°
DING-DONG!
Armed in reusable bags, Kyler and Mirella left the store with Kyler chipper and Mirella still a little agitated. "We'll make a hefty profit off that statue sale," he informed her. "And I got another order for a cello, so that'll be another four-month project. And with all the snacks I bought, Talia will call me the best daddy in the world." A flowery aura overcame him as he beamed. "It would perfect if Nashi called, so we go on a flight together."
Don't tell me I'm competing with her now? Mirella's eyebrow twitched as she saw a chibi-Nashi looked clueless about being the object of her ire. Shaking it off, she asked Kyler, "What made you want to collect antiques? You've been making instruments ever since I moved in with you, but I never thought you'd sell antiques."
Something tinged Kyler's smile. "To be honest, much of what you see in the shop, I inherited from my parents."
Mirella's eyes widened, and she stopped him. "You're selling your inheritance?"
"It would have collected dust," Kyler told her. "My father might have been a collector, but my mother and I weren't as materialistic, I suppose." His smile brightened back when he saw the genuine concern on Mirella's face. "Arezodi, please don't worry. Muta already tried to dissuade me, but my mind is set on it. I want my father's collections to go to people who can properly appreciate them."
Mirella sighed, but she ushered them back into a stroll. "If there's something I got from Bael, it's greed." She bumped his shoulder in a playful gesture and purred, "Though, I'm greedy about one thing."
Kyler cleared his throat, but his ears tinged pink. "Please control yourself," he insisted diplomatically. "We still have to get to the school, and we should act appropriately—"
"You're so cute to think I give a shit about what's 'appropriate'," Mirella chuckled. She prodded his fake glasses. "How can I resist when you look like a sexy nerd with your glasses?" Her eyes dropped to his neck. Her tongue darted out as she licked her lips. "You'd look so delicious with just those glasses on."
Kyler sidestepped her before she could get any ideas and gave her a harried look. "I'm happy you understand this planet's colloquialisms, but we aren't human adolescents," he scolded, though he straightened his glasses with a trembling hand. "We should act appropriately as Talia's parents or else there could be talk."
Mirella arched an eyebrow. "You think I care what all the stay-at-home moms say about me?" She snorted. "Please. If anything, they'll be jealous I got such a hot piece of ass for a baby daddy and be stupid jealous of my luck." Her grin broadened as Kyler blinked rapidly, abashed. "Don't be so shy," she cooed. "Are you going to tell me I can't compliment you now?"
"N-No, but…" He coughed and tried to regain his dignity. "We should try to blend in with the locals as much as possible," he explained. "I don't want Talia to be bullied because her classmates see she has a very, um…aggressive mother."
"You are worried about our quarter-demonic-eighth-god-half-you daughter being bullied by flimsy mortals?" Mirella sounded out slowly as though to hammer it home the absurdity of his worries.
Kyler tried to conjure up some sort of reasoning, but he could only lamely say, "It could happen."
"Aw…" Mirella pinched his cheek as she cooed in a babied tone, "You're so adorable trying to be such a good daddy." She let him go with delight filling her at Kyler's blush. "Whether you like it or not, I am who I am. I can't stop that."
"And I don't want you to," Kyler hurried to assure. "I love everything about you, Arezodi." He winced as he added, "But we should save any…shameless transgressions for a private location."
Mirella exaggerated a sigh. "We were together for centuries and you never lost your sense of propriety, huh?" She shook her head. "You know, your delicate little sister is just as shameless as me."
"No, she isn't," Kyler denied. "She's graceful and pure-spirited. I'm certain she would never be as shameless as you."
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Yesterday…
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Flat on her back, a wine-drunk Nashi with her bra strap slipping held up her Compact with her sultry grin and dark eyes staring back at her from the video she took. "Gary," she purred, "I can't wait to see you." She hiccupped as she took a swig from the bottle before breaking into laughter.
"I want you to come home and pour all of this on me, Master!" She widened her legs in invitation, then rasped, "And then you can lick every inch of me and kiss my p—"
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Back to the present
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
"One of these days, we're going on a double-date with her and Gary, and you'll see your sister-in-wings isn't as pure as you think," Mirella muttered. "I'm betting my money we'll see them play footsie and maybe try to cop feels."
Kyler clenched his jaw. "Gary wouldn't dare do that to my sister-in-wings in my presence unless he wants me to use the Staff of Miracles on him."
(Dressed in a hood and a face mask, Gary shivered as he sat inside his car with his Ryde app open. I think someone is threatening to kill me.)
"Oh, don't act so high and might, Stiff," Mirella jested. "Whenever you'd get tipsy, you were no better than me, remember? You'd practically beg for me to take you home, so I could—"
"You can't say that out loud!" Kyler cried. The poor Enoch looked ready to pass out from mortification. "I-I-I wasn't in my right mind those times! You can't use that against me!"
A breath of amusement left Mirella. "Gods, my baby is so cute…!" she crooned. Hunger bled into her eyes. "Makes me want to kidnap you even more."
"Please don't. You've done that once before," Kyler mumbled. "I didn't enjoy being kidnapped."
Mirella waved a dismissive hand. "Is it really kidnapping if we were already living together?"
"Yes! Yes, it was still kidnapping!" Kyler exclaimed. "You stole me away from our home for two weeks! That's kidnapping!"
"It's fair play," Mirella reasoned. "You were always so busy playing peacemaker or whatever—"
"'P-Playing'?" Kyler echoed, incredulous. "I was stopping the entire realm from going to war—!"
"Details. The point is, I felt lonely. And every time we talked, you were always too tired, or you wanted to run another boring diplomatic speech by me," Mirella drawled. "I think you were lucky I had that much restraint with you. Do you know how crazy I was going? If I hadn't kidnapped you, those leaders you were so desperate to mediate for would have seen you bent over—"
"Ah-ha-ha…!" Kyler cleared his throat and did not know whether he was fortunate to have such an open lover for a partner or whether this was his karma for abstinence until he met her. "Well, then, yes, thank you for indulging in such temptation in privacy and letting me save face, but it doesn't change the fact that I was trying to stop a war, and when we returned, one of the leaders had died—"
"I killed him."
"—even so—" Kyler stopped in his tracks. "You did what?"
"I killed him." Mirella turned around, unbothered. "What?"
There were only so many muscles in the face to make expressions, but Kyler felt he had strained every last one of them. "But… They said he was poisoned—"
"I poisoned him." Mirella gave a careless one-shouldered shrug. "He was a shit person, so I killed him. And the realm prospered, so it was a win."
The noises Kyler made stumbled for proper words. "But-But you…! And…and the realm… And my peace talks… And he died…"
"Yes, baby, your peace talks were flawless, but they weren't getting anywhere, so I took care of everything." Mirella pushed Kyler back into a walk. "And that realm is doing far much better now that he's dead, right?" She stroked his arm. "And if he didn't die, I would have wiped out the entire planet, so you'd stop paying so much attention to their fickle politics, and start giving me attention."
Kyler was at such a loss that he gave up. "Then, I guess it was a good thing he died…"
"There we go!" Mirella cheered. "Aren't you happy you have such an attentive lover?"
"I…" Kyler blinked. "I suppose so…"
"That's the spirit!" Mirella smacked Kyler's butt (and he let out an unholy yelp). "Let's get to the party, yeah? The sooner we get there, the sooner we can leave, and…"—she could not hide her lust seeing Kyler's skin tinged red—"the sooner I can get you out of those clothes and worship my man."
Kyler gulped. Oh, dear… I had forgotten—he could not look at the predatory Mirella in the eye and turned away—what it was like to feel like prey whenever she got like this. He closed his eyes and feebly prayed, Mother, please give me strength to survive this.
°•°•°•°
The venture to the school was long only because, while Kyler officially had a license to fly, Mirella had been far too busy to gain a license. They had settled on taking the monorail into the city. Granted, the city was not a big city with skyscrapers and towers. It was a heavily commercialized district that had obviously spent time and money into making its stores and venues updated with the new contemporary style that was sweeping the content and forcing business to lose their personal touches. A Minstrish Education academy was open and during the day, most of the students were older and were eager to improve upon their Minstrish. A local coffee shop was seeing a sudden increase with it being midday. Trolleys thanklessly ran up and down the brick streets. It was not that people did not drive, but no one felt the innate need to drive when it was easier to walk.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
« This is Asafetida City of Bellum which rests on River Cicely which connects the Dodola Ocean and Lake Orage, which borders Bellum, Joya, Iceberg, and a few other low land countries, The Magic to Nonmagical ratio is around 1:1, which is pretty unheard of in most cities. It's the second-largest metropolitan with over 1 million residents and is an important trade city. »
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Talia's school had two floors, two gyms, and over sixteen thousand square meters to it, thank you very much. Converted from a stone mansion with its pillars and tiles and majesty, it served around three hundred or so students with bountiful staff and faculty. Some might have thought such a wealthy school would be expensive to maintain tuition. After all, the halls had marble; the artifacts were the tried-and-true real deal, and the astronomy tower in the west wing was top-tier (not to mention the telescope had cost an arm and a leg). But that could not be further from the truth. Students from all different backgrounds found their place here with full bellies and wonderment.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
« Cockaigne Institute of Magical Education and Outreach. This mansion used to house "gifted students" or students with powers long ago when it was considered taboo to be a wizard. Now, this academy takes on young witches and wizards and nurtures their talents, even providing housing! Unlike magical education in Minstrel, Bellish magical education separates the magical youth and young adults into three separate school systems. »
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Mirella and Kyler meant to go straight to the campus when they saw a swarm of people parading across the street with signs and anger in their hearts. With a glance and a nod, the pair of them decided to investigate.
The chanting and signs all looked to be derogatory towards Magic, but Kyler approached a woman with a bullhorn with a friendly face and inquired in Bellish, "Excuse me, miss? May I ask what's going on here?"
"This school is a threat to our neighborhood," she told him firmly. "We can't allow any more of this Magi schools to keep their doors open after all the terror those Magi spread."
Kyler frowned. "Has the school been threatening anyone here?"
"That entire school is a threat," she told him. "We were all nearly wiped out because of those Magi. My husband…!" She choked, but her anger was fierce. "My husband died because of those Magi committing terrorist acts on our city. We can't allow more of them to be taught here and terrorize us even more."
"But they're only children, miss," Kyler countered with subtle steadfastness. "Hatred breeds further hatred into the next generation if we allow it. Those children in that school are innocent. If we teach them kindness—"
"You're a Magi sympathizer," she accused in an awfully loud voice that drew attention to Kyler. "They nearly destroyed our home! Them and that Devil! How can you side with them?" She shot him a look riddled with disgust. "Sympathizing with them won't bring my husband back from the dead. It would bring any of our loved ones back to the dead!"
Kyler tried to stop her. "Miss, please—!"
She ignored him as she took up her bullhorn again.
Mirella surged forth with a growl as her eyes glowered, "Let me—"
"Don't," Kyler stopped her as he put a hand on her arm. He nodded to one of the members with their Compact in hand as they recorded the event. "Talking to them is the only thing we can do. A show of force being recorded would get spread and the negative bias on the Magic here would be fueled." He turned them both away to go towards the school. "Come, Arezodi. Ignore them."
Mirella could not get over her anger. "I can't believe these mortals are this bigoted to go after children," she sneered. "Those Wizards they're degrading are the ones who came out of the woodwork to help rebuild the city and all these people want to do is slander them and frighten their children?" Her hand twitched. "I should drag them all to the Dark Zone. They'll know what terrorism really is there."
"We can't help ignorance when they refuse to see the truth at all costs." Kyler sighed and looked over his shoulder to sift through all the people. "To be honest, I recognize that crowd."
"You do?"
"Yes." Kyler lowered his head. "Ever since December, before Ketchum City was finally rebuilt, I spent time tracking down those who had lost their loved ones to Bael. I did what I could to take on a majority of their grief since they had no body to bury. Their anguish was excruciating and raw, but with all the press against Magic and Bellum's government associating Lapita's Fall with magical terrorism, I feared their grief would turn to hatred. And I was right."
Mirella lost touch with her anger to comfort him. "You did the best you could," she murmured. "You know just like me that hatred like that doesn't go away. The realm's politics are shifting in a horrible power balance between those with powers and those without them."
"It's not like this is the first time we've lived on a realm with that sort of political dissonance," Kyler reminded. "But…"
Mirella remembered. "But you're worried Earth Land will go through the same thing. The war, the devastation, the loss…" She sighed as she nudged him. "I think it's sweet you want peace. But you have to be realistic. Some wars will always happen, no matter how much you delay it. No amount of peacekeeping and speeches will stop it."
"Maybe." Sad turquoise connected with liquid gold. "But can't we eliminate as many battles as we can before a war?" He looked away. "I can't help but think what my mother would have done…and if I'm truly living up to her legacy if I can't even stop the fight on our own front door."
It broke Mirella's heart to hear the notes of grief and doubt in his voice. She stopped them before they could enter the school. "Hey." She laid a hand on his cheek and forced him to meet her eyes. "Your mother would have been proud of you," she promised. "She is proud of you, Kyler. Let those mortals run their mouths. Don't let what they say get to you." She could see she was not getting through to him when his gaze dropped. She wanted to try again to bring him comfort—
"We should go inside," Kyler supposed. "We don't want to miss set-up." He opened the first set of doors for her.
Mirella looked at him as though hoping he would look at her, but she resigned when he did not. "Sure." And she moved inside.
One of the pleasures of a Magic School was the security that came with it. The enchantments and magical locks could fend off a Spiritless army with no problem and delay the most powerful of Mages long enough for a complete evacuation. The receptionists were both kind souls, Dims who faced judgment in Spiritless society and magical society, but they were welcome here. It was amusing they still had Mirella and Kyler sign in and fill out their name tags, just like a normal school. But of course, not everything was normal.
An Inumiho waited for them with its coat fine and nine tail always shifting. A harness was on its body to prove it was property of the school, and it did not look ashamed. Quite happy, in fact. It looked at the two of them, but it shifted its focus directly to Kyler and cocked its head.
Kyler broke into a smile. "I'm okay."
"Telepathy?" Mirella guessed.
"Empathy," Kyler corrected. "The school employs intelligent magical creatures to help with the children's exposure and to give the creatures a home. This one will be leading us to Talia's classroom."
As if on command, the Inumiho turned and walked away.
Kyler and Mirella followed along. The halls had vaulted ceilings with doors that could touch them. The paintings were alive, even the abstract ones, and the plants were of the magic kind with their own sentience and enjoyed a dollop of mischief every now and then. Staff members were taking this time while the students were busy with their lessons to tidy up. Aberrants had found their home here as well. Rejected by most forms of society, just like Dims, they welcomed the change of pace and a home who took them as is.
A warm smile. "Mister Wilson, how lovely it is to meet you again."
The group stopped, and the Inumiho brushed past the couple to approach a dignified woman in her powered wheelchair. Her long kurti was flocked in a tinted teal with off-white floral print on time with her cigarette pants to match and her flats a complementary off-white. Her thick band of black hair was swept into a romantic braid that fell over her shoulder and exposed her pierced ears. She smiled as the Inumiho came over and got up to give her a friendly lick on the cheek.
Beside her was a straight-backed bald person with a three-chained ear to septum link piercing and small glasses that hung on the bridge of their nose, but their feet were cloven like that of a horse's. Their robes were terribly traditional, but their necklace that plated part of their torso looked like it had a unique significance.
"My apologies for hijacking your journey," the woman in the powered wheeler apologized, "but when I saw you, I felt the need to come over."
⌜COCKAIGNE INSTITUTE OF MAGICAL EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
Name: Karisma Chopra
Age: 81
Magic: Mind-Over-Matter
Occupation: Headmistress
Likes: concerts Dislikes: movies without subtitles
Special Note: Karisma is C4/5 complete quadriplegic, but that does not stop her from being a fierce headmistress with telekinetic powers that have earned her awards for her execution! ⌟
Kyler smiled back in kind. "It's no trouble at all, Headmistress Karisma. It's nice to meet you again." His eyes fell to her companion and nodded. "It's nice to meet you again too, Tracer."
Tracer nodded back.
⌜ COCKAIGNE INSTITUTE OF MAGICAL EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
Name: Tracer
Age: 102
Magic: Read
Occupation: Reader (Psychometrist)
Likes: public art Dislikes: kissing scenes
Special Note: Tracer is a Reader which means they have the ability to assess and understand anything's history and potential such as a person's morality or hidden abilities and how far a person can grow into their powers! Tracer also does not have a tongue! ⌟
Karisma nodded to the bags. "I take it you're here to part-take in the party?" She looked between the couple only to cock her head at Mirella. "And this is Misses Wilson I take it?"
"Oh, we're not married, but she is Talia's mother," Kyler corrected, much to Mirella's quirked eyebrow. "She doesn't speak Bellish."
"Yeah, but I can understand you for the most part," Mirella muttered, a little irked.
Karisma laughed and spoke in Minstrish, "My apologies, miss, for my rudeness." Her wheelchair moved forward as her smile brightened. "It's nice to meet Miss Talia's mother as well. Your daughter is a delight to have in class. She's shown exceptional progress."
"She got her intelligence from her dad," Mirella joked. "It's nice to meet you too. Please call me 'Mirella'"—her smile tightened—"since I haven't proposed to Mister Wilson yet."
Kyler choked.
Karisma laughed. "Very well, then. Shall we continue down to Talia's room?" She waited for the Inumiho to lead the way before the group followed after the psychic fox creature. "Miss Mirella, since Mister Wilson already toured the facilities during your daughter's trial day, how do you like it?"
"Everything here is impressive," Mirella admitted. She hesitated, but she decided to broach. "However…the people outside…"
Karisma sighed and her smile turned tired. "Yes, the protestors. Did they give you any trouble on the way in?"
"Nothing like that," Kyler assured. "But when did this start happening? Have the parents been notified?"
"They were two weeks ago," Karisma explained.
Mirella and Kyler both thought, Mammon must know since we were gone.
"The protesting, at first, was only brought up in online petitions and at the city hall open forum," Karisma went on. "However, the city council made it clear the academy would not be leaving. Ever since then, many have gathered outside our doors to protest. Thankfully, they can't cross the street or else they'd be trespassing. The Anti-Magic Unit here gave us a few morning and afternoon officers to spare for children who walk to school, and with our protective enchantments, we have little to worry about with them breaking in."
"And there's nothing more you can do?" Mirella questioned. "This is clearly harassment."
"It's peaceful protesting," Kyler corrected, though he too sounded upset. "So long as the people keep to their side and don't actively harm anyone, they have the right to peaceful protest." He sighed. "Even if that protesting is against innocent children."
Mirella felt a flicker of sadness for her partner before turning to Karisma. "Is there anything we can do to help?"
"Thank you for your concern, Miss Mirella, but we're okay," Karisma assured. They arrived at an elevator and the jaws opened. Everyone piled inside, and the second floor was pushed. "Our wards and enchantments are successful, and we have discrete security measures just in case. All parents, guardians, and staff are aware of the protesting and we've offered personal protection in the event the protestors cross a line."
"I'd like to think they wouldn't," Kyler murmured.
"So would I," Karisma sighed. The elevator opened, and everyone got off at the second floor. "But considering the politics these days, it's hard to say. Lady Magic-Speaker Hendrika is supposed to be appearing at the board of education meeting at the end of the month. I can only hope she'll have a plan of action."
Mirella and Kyler exchanged a look before Mirella turned away in thought. I hadn't heard much about Hendrika, and Kyler's been too busy with recovery and holding down the fort while I was away. All Mammon could decipher was that Hendrika started having threads around her, which means someone is trying to bind her to them. And that means they plan to warp the bond to force her to do their bidding. Her eyes hardened. But why her? Is it because of the severe imbalance? But it would have been easier in Valchestria. So why start here?
Mirella drew to a stop when she saw a large painting that was not alive like the others. It harbored a family of a beautiful and regal woman with her fanged smile and brunette hair tucked into an intricate bun to carry her crown, a dapper young man with blazing red hair and shining eyes, several daughters who looked like their mother with their dresses, and one shy son with his red hair covering one eye as he clung to his mother.
Karisma stopped and turned to see where Mirella was looking. "That would be the royal family," she explained. "The queen mother and prince consort passed away in a fatal accident alongside their daughters, but the son was found alive."
"That's right," Kyler piped up. "But the king has a weak constitution and was too young, so the prime minister has taken over until the king gains better health allegedly."
Karisma's eyes shined. "I take it you're not a fan of such propaganda?"
"The prime minister might be subtle and declare to be impartial, but it's obvious of his hatred for those with powers or deviate from the norm," Kyler said. "The parliament is no better."
"If only everyone were astute," Karisma wished. "The royal family carried an immaculate power called Chess. It allowed them to create countless animated chess pieces out of anything and anyone, dead or alive, organic or inorganic. Back then, people were fearful of the royal family because of this power, but they never misused it. As history states, this power caused Bellum to persevere against multiple wars and battles."
Mirella's eyes narrowed as she looked at the eldest son. "And the king hasn't made any appearances?"
Karisma hummed in thought. "I think there was a rumor that the king made an appearance once, but he's too sick to leave his room." She tacked on, "Allegedly."
"Allegedly," Kyler agreed.
Mirella thought, Allegedly.
Karisma turned away. "Let's make sure you're not late for the party. Miss Talia's gym class should be ending soon."
Mirella was pulled from the painting and the group got to the middle of the corridor where the Inumiho stopped at a colorfully decorated door with the words MISS SENNA'S CLASSROOM written on a whiteboard next to the door.
Karisma turned to the couple and said, "Thank you for allowing me to accompany you this far. Miss Mirella, Mister Wilson was already informed, but we'll be doing parent-teacher conferences soon after the International Magical Assessment scores come back. I hope you're in attendance."
"I will be," Mirella promised. "This past month and a half, I was away from home for some business, but I should be home for a while now."
"Oh. What's your profession?"
"I'm a lawyer," Mirella told. "Though these days, I think I'll want to transition to Curse Consultation."
Karisma looked mighty impressed. "An admirable profession. Bellum doesn't have too many Curse Consultants. Do you have a degree in imprecatiology? Caligology?"
"Both."
"Well then." Karisma raised her eyebrows. "If you're ever looking for work, please stop by. We have a few students who were born with Curses and Black Magic." She smiled over Mirella's astonishment. "Don't worry. They live perfectly healthy lives. We don't segregate the children here. Students with Curses or with Black Magic practice meditation to help exercise control, but we have yet to have a Black Arts teacher to understand their craft."
"I'll be in touch," Mirella assured.
Karisma beamed. "Wonderful. Thank you. Then, I'll leave you both to it. Enjoy the party." She turned her chair and powered down the hall with the Inumiho and Tracer in tow. She heard Mirella and Kyler enter the classroom and closed the door behind them before she murmured, "Tracer? Is your curiosity satisfied?"
Tracer tilted their head.
Karisma hummed before her eyes looked at the Inumiho, who shook its fur. "You're both very correct." Her eyes glided to the portrait of the late royal family. That entire family… They certainly are interesting.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Fairy Adventure
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
The classroom was expansive just to hold twenty students, but it allowed proper space to think and to grow. Decorated with charts and maps and colorful posters to help remember easier methods to simple concepts, what truly made this a wizard' classroom was the illusioned solar system that clung to the roof. The windows gave an excellent view of the side yard and a bulletin board had been made to pin-up fun photos from all the events and special moments the students experienced in class together.
For Heart's Day celebration, the parents had done a bang-up job putting together pink, white, and red streamed and balloons and love-themed decorations. Since the school would be offering the students their own Heart's Day dance and optional lighting of votive candles, it was normal for the parents and guardians to come on in for a small classroom party for sending the kids on their way. Sure, this might have been a magical school, but even they saw the appeal of celebrating national holidays.
Why the fuck are they touching my man?
Mirella's eyebrow twitched for the dozenth time as she bore witness to a friendly Kyler help shape up the decorations with three mothers flocking him, hands curling their hair and trying their best to puff out their chest. One had dared to touch his arm and laughed (Mirella was dying to stomp all over that obvious nasally giggle) at how muscular he was. Rather than flush, Kyler had thanked her, clueless of her intentions, and explained his love of yoga and qigong.
Mirella's eyebrow twitched when she could just tell those women had their panties melted off their newest prey was even hotter now. I miss the days I could kill a bitch, and no one asked questions. Her gaze swept over to Mammon, who was somehow also a hit with the mothers and a father as he positioned the Heart's Day cake. The Daemon gets hit on, but I'm stuck here? She huffed. I should've just kidnapped him like I did centuries ago and trapped him.
"You're really not married?"
Mirella's ear pricked.
Kyler gave an abashed shake of his head while he rubbed his neck. "Ah, no, I'm not."
"I can't believe Talia's mom wouldn't want to put a ring on your finger!" one of the mothers gasped. "Or any person for that fact!"
"Yeah!" another eagerly agreed. "Since we've met you, you've been so sweet and helpful." She laughed. "We only knew Mister Mammon and thought Talia's parents weren't around."
Kyler chuckled. "My apologies. Her mother has been away for business reasons and just returned this week. I've been holding down the fort the best I can, but I had an injury that took me off my feet. Thankfully, Mammon was around to help out, so it wasn't too difficult for Talia and me." Though he remembered the heart attack he nearly had from all of Mammon's unceremonious phasing. But he's going to send me to an early grave.
The three women swooned and complimented, "You're such a dedicated father! Is there anything we can do for you? Should you be resting?"
"No, please, I'm quite all right," Kyler assured. "And how could I rest when my daughter wanted us to be here for this party?" His smile brightened. "Even if I was injured, I don't think I could resist her requests. She's just too adorable."
They swooned. He's perfect!
Mirella ground her teeth and her hands itched for her death scythe. Dammit, Kyler, can't you stop being irresistible to women?
Mammon came over and looked between an agitated Mirella and Kyler surrounded by women. "When Hemera was alive, Bael slaughtered anyone who looked at her once. He wanted to covet her beauty and body all to himself."
"Are you telling me to kill them?" Mirella asked. Though, she muttered, "Not like I wasn't thinking it." She shook her head. "And please don't mention Bael to me in any sort of advice."
Mammon nodded. "Understood."
Mirella huffed when she heard one of the mothers giggle as though Kyler told the funniest joke in the world. "I just don't understand," she groused. "We have to be married for them to respect he's taken?"
"I've learned from the group of women I meet every morning that forbidden fruit is more desirable than kept fruit," Mammon reported. "Even if you did this marital ceremony humans find binding, that would not stop others from pursuing him."
Mirella sighed and dryly said, "Thank you, Mammon. What do you think I should do then? Propose to him?" She waved an irritated hand. "We already exchanged rings a long time ago. On other solar systems, our union is recognized and respected in full." She chewed on her thumbnail as though to stop herself from snarling when another woman touched Kyler's arm.
"Humans are very primitive with their bonding," Mammon noticed. "They don't have the capability to bind themselves to each other through soul, blood, or power. It makes their relationships easily breakable." He paused. "I do recall the Lycan Race claimed their partners before others as a simple of possession and dominance. The vampiric race and Undines were the same. Dragons and Demons frequently killed competition for mates."
"I can't kill them, Mammon," Mirella reminded. "And it takes a miracle for him to not squirm away whenever I touch him." She heavily rolled her eyes. "He's such a puritan, but I love him and his cute ass."
Mammon considered something. "Have you tried kidnapping?"
Mirella gave Mammon a long look. "Why did we never talk before? You're quickly becoming my best friend."
"I was Bael's servant. You were irrelevant," Mammon told her.
Mirella patted his shoulder. "Fair. Well, now that I am relevant if I plotted to kidnap him, would you help me?"
"No."
Mirella scowled. "Asshole."
"Talia said I have free will. I don't want to kidnap him. I have been informed about something called 'yoga' and would like to attend it. I am told it is an intensive training exercise."
Mirella's scowl dropped in disbelief at how deadpan Mammon sounded. "What the f—?"
"The kids are coming!" one parent hissed to the entire class as they flicked off the light. "Quick, everyone, get into your position!"
The parents and guardians all arranged themselves at the back of the classroom where their banners, snacks, and excitement awaited. Mirella cut through the group to get beside an eager Kyler. All her previous annoyance disappearing seeing his wide smile. She brushed his ponytail. "Excited?"
"Very," Kyler murmured in reply. "Now that I have a daughter, I'm excited to show her all the love my parents showed me." He scratched his cheeks, a little embarrassed. "It's silly, I know. We discussed not having children given what was happening back then. But I imagined if we did have a child, we'd get to have precious moments like these."
Mirella kissed his cheek. "It's not silly. It's sweet." Her hand caressed his back. "You're already an excellent father, Kyler."
Kyler looked at her in such childish hope. "Really?"
"Really?" Her smile turned into a rakish grin as her hand drifted downwards and she whispered, "That's why I should call you, 'Daddy'." And she squeezed his butt.
Several things happened at the same time.
The second the lights turned on with the children breaking into the classroom, the adults all cheered, "Happy Heart's Day!" And thank goodness their cheers and claps were so loud to cover up the yelp a red-faced Kyler threw out.
The students were all aglow with delighted beams as they called for their parents and ran over for hugs. Talia looked bored as one of the students talked her ear off about her crush, but she brightened seeing Kyler and could not help using her super speed to get to him. "Daddy!" She frowned. "Why are you all red?" Her eyes nailed suspiciously on a smug Mirella. "It's unhealthy to be overzealous with your lust, Mirella."
Mirella crouched down to crush her daughter in a hug and whispered back, "We're at school in front of humans, daughter. You have to act like how you look. And I'm very much going to look like I have the hots for your daddy." She pulled away to boop a very unhappy Talia's nose. "Aw, don't give me that face! Aren't you happy to see Mommy?"
"I…" Talia clenched her hands to snuff out the glitter that tried to populate. "I…am happy to see Mommy."
Mirella pinched Talia's cheek with a blinding smile. "And I'm happy to see my cute-as-shit daughter," she cooed. She saw glitter swirl around Talia's hands and tutted. "Ah-ah-ah…! You're a student like all these other children, remember?"
Talia dispelled her powers, but she muttered for Mirella's ears, "No one would know if I killed you."
"Sweetie, who do you think you got your murderous tendencies from?" Mirella jeered. She patted Talia's head, pleased to see her thoroughly vexed. "Now, go hug Daddy like a good girl." She popped up to her feet and indulged in Kyler trying to calm himself down. She snickered when the moment she touched his back, he jumped like a bewildered cat. "Are you okay, baby?" she teased. "Did you not hear me? Should I say it again—?"
"No!" Kyler coughed and cleared his throat and answered as politely as he could, "N-No, that's…that's quite all right." He smiled down at his daughter. "How was gym today, pr'olprcht?" He easily picked her up.
"Boring," Talia disclosed as she clung to him. She whispered to him, "These mortals are ridiculously slow. None of them would last a second in a real war." She rested her head on his shoulder as he chuckled. "Daddy, I want to fly like you."
"And fly you will," Kyler promised. "Your mother and I can both fly. It's natural to have it be passed down to you." His eyes brightened. "Perhaps you might even get wings!" He spun her around. "And you will become the most beautiful little Angel known to the cosmos!"
Mirella sighed as some of the parents were swooning. Well, you can't win them all, she supposed with a small smile. He really is a great father. I guess she can hog him for a little more. She let herself relax into the atmosphere. After all, she's finally with her dad.
"All right, students!" A short woman clapped her hands to gather everyone's attention. Her striped sweater brought out her perky smile, but perhaps that could more be attributed to the butterflies in her hair. She beamed at the wonderful sight of her elated students and their families before she raised her hand and pressed her middle and ring finger onto her thumb. "Quiet coyote…!"
The students settled down, much to the amusement to their families, and mimicked the gesture.
As the woman gave the students instructions about washing hands and such, Mirella could not help it when she went to Kyler's side and gave his cheek a long smooch and nuzzled into his side (and enjoyed how red he turned). I could get used to this sort of bliss. Liquid golds softened when she saw Mammon checking discreetly on Talia with a fondness in his eyes. Yes. Her eyes closed. This is what I've been fighting for.
°•°•°•°
KA-CLACK! KA-CLACK! KA-CLACK!
A burnt umber settled into the sky as the sky blue found itself retreating after a hard day of labor. The clouds were too lazy to whip up any snow under the sun's command, but the sun was melting anyway, trying hard to not accept its fate of surrendering to sunset. The monorail was a little busy this time of day. Two teenagers from a nearby academy with obvious crushes on each other shared a set of earbuds as they listened to a new indie rock song. A group of civil servants was debating about the bar they wanted to go to. A wandering cat had decided to get on his train. Maybe it knew where it would end up. Maybe it did not.
KA-CLACK! KA-CLACK! KA-CLACK!
The family of four had taken in an empty train car. Talia had fallen asleep with her head in Kyler's lap. He had shed his jacket, so she could keep warm while Mammon had strapped on her backpack as he played with his brand new Compact and looked deadly serious as he typed a formal text message. Mirella had her legs crossed as she sat beside Kyler, arms hanging off the ledge, and she had a to-go bag on her lap from a fancy restaurant.
Kyler affectionately looked down at his daughter, but he murmured to Mirella, "I'm sorry we missed almost an entire day of your reservation."
"It's fine." Mirella carried not an inkling of malice or sarcasm. A light timbre couched her words. "You were right."
Kyler looked up at her in confusion. "About what?" Turquoise widened and shimmered.
Liquid golds had softened into a fond sparkle with a small loving smile toying on Mirella's face as she stared out the window. "Moments like these truly are precious," she told him.
Kyler's smile was soft. "Yes. They are." His lashes fluttered when Talia sighed. "Thank you for allowing us to be there for Talia. I understand that little parties like these might not seem important, but I want to be involved as much as I can in her life." He stroked her back. "She has great power, and her mind is far beyond her age, relatively speaking." Turquoise shone. "But she's still our child. And I want to raise her in a house full of love and kindness."
Mirella observed Kyler for a moment before she covered her eyes with an arm. "You're not making this easy on me, you know. All this sweet talk makes me want to rush you back to our bedroom, so I can have my way with you."
Kyler instantly flushed, flabbergasted. "Wh-Why would you say that!" he whisper-shouted. "You can't just say such frivolous things in a public setting! Have some tact!"
Mirella snickered as Kyler fumed, and she lowered her arm. Her mirth died. "I was never raised in a normal household." The lack of warmth in her tone made Kyler look at her. "I wasn't even raised. I was taken and forced." Her eyes dropped to her daughter. "When I gave birth to Talia, I promised myself she would never be used. She'd know what it was like to feel the sun and smile." She shook her head.
"When you gave birth to her…what was it like?"
"That takes me back." Mirella looked up as she recalled that day. "I was completely alone when I gave birth to her. I couldn't chance it. Before my contractions were too close, I had bought potions to help numb my pain, which worked for the main part. Those sixteen hours were excruciating and at times, I wanted to give up, but…" She ruffled her hair. "When I held Talia in my hands…it was like…everything that I went through, every single moment of pain and torment and hopelessness I had… It just…"—she snapped her fingers—"disappeared like that. She was here, existing, living… And I finally understood a different sort of selfishness. I wanted to keep her secure and protected forever." Her smile turned bitter. "And look how that went."
A pregnant silence.
"I'm…sorry I could be there for you," Kyler murmured. "I should've been there to support you through the birth, but in the end, I…"
Mirella shook her head. "You not being there was my fault and not yours."
"But it was mine," Kyler insisted. "I should've done better to—"
"Kyler." Mirella stopped him right there. "When I left you, that was never your fault. You did everything in your power to protect me. You gave me comfort and security and love and…and…"
"Then…why did you leave?" A question full of curiosity and a little hurt. Small and unsure, like a child venturing into unknown territory.
Mirella sighed. "Like I said before, I hadn't known I was pregnant when it happened. I had such a realistic dream about Bael that I couldn't escape. I fell back into the pattern from before. I felt cornered, but…" She closed her eyes as though she could feel the anguish from her past actions. "It sounds so stupid saying it aloud."
"What is it?"
"I had…" Mirella hesitated, but she forced her way through. "I had myself convinced that Bael would harm you. My dream felt like it was a threat from him to take away the one thing I ever loved." A shake of her head in dismay. "Like a coward, I…ran. I left my ring, and I ran."
Kyler was silent for a few moments. "Were you with someone else?"
"Once," Mirella admitted to him. The guilt and shame from that ruthless, emotional scene sliced through her. "Only once. I… I'm sorry I—" But finishing her words meant she was giving him a weak apology, and she knew he deserved better than something so pathetic.
"Arezodi." A sad smile played on Kyler's face as he looked down at the sleeping Talia. "You know I always knew when you were with someone else. I know it wasn't something you want or consciously chose. You were in distress. You couldn't act with your mind or your heart. It's never something I've blamed you for. I understand. And I'm not upset."
"You're a bigger person than me," Mirella told him. She wanted to look at him, but the dirt from the past had sullied her, so how could she look at someone so pure and loving? "All that time…I lost my mind thinking you were with someone else. And it…wasn't right of me to think like that. I know that. I…" She clenched her hand. "When I learned I was pregnant," she picked up where she left off, "I had two thoughts. My first thought was how you'd be so happy you were a father. And my second thought was Bael would take her from me."
"You had to protect us the best way you could," Kyler interpreted.
Mirella clenched her jaw. "I ran and hid like a bitch," she spat. Hatred burned for herself, for her cowardice, for her stupid ideas of what protection and defense truly meant. "In the end, Talia was taken from me, and you were hurt. All my self-righteous lies I told myself about protecting you both were just that—lies. I should have been honest to you from the start. I should have talked like a mature adult. You should have been there when Talia was born, but I… I took those precious moments away from you because I was scared."
"Arezodi…"
Mirella looked down when Kyler's hands covered her only for despairing liquid golds to collide with gentle turquoise.
"The fact that you can self-reflect and know you would have picked a better path is enough for me," Kyler soothed her. "But it doesn't take the fact away that you were courageous in protecting our child with your life. Alone, you brought her into the world. And for centuries, you soaked yourself in blood for her sake and mine. You fought a silent war, and you won. And I'm so proud of you."
Liquid golds stung. "You're so good," she whispered. "I wish I could be half of what you think of me."
"You're more than what I think of you." Kyler threaded their fingers together. "You're so much more."
Mirella swallowed. "I know you tried to hide it from me, but… I always say the way you looked whenever I'd come back," she confessed to him. "I know you'd smile and welcome me home, but I always saw how shaken you were. All that time…"—she clenched his hand—"I took you for granted. I'd leave for days and come back, and we'd act like nothing happened, Kyler, but something did happen. Something always happened."
"I know." Two simple words, hushed.
"Then how can you hold my hand and sleep in the same bed as me?" Mirella desperately wanted to know. "How could you always wait for me to come back? You waited and you waited for me, and I left you…and you still waited. Why…? Why did you wait for me when I…?" A wet inhale and a shaky exhale. "I wish I understood you." A whispered confession. "I wish I understood what makes you think I'm so special that you'd wait for me? After I left and took our daughter… After everything…" She shook her head. "I just want to do right by you."
Kyler searched her face with all the patience in the world. "I don't think you'll ever understand how I can see that you're special and good. No. You won't understand. And that's okay. I'll understand enough for the both of us." His thumb trailed over knuckles. "I never minded waiting for you. I waited to meet you again after our first meeting. I kept waiting."
"You waited for me to change from being Bael's dead puppet. You waited for me to stop running." She did not understand. "Why?"
Kyler made sure she stared into his eyes to see his sincerity. "After a few decades, I was angry at you."
"You had every right to be—"
"Let me finish," Kyler shushed her. "I was angry and hurt. But I was grieving. I had adjusted for you to be gone for a day or two, but… I hadn't prepared for you to leave for so long. I did things I regret during that time before I came to terms with something." He shifted. "I don't believe in many things, but I believe in you. I believe in your flaws and your imperfections. I believe in your choices. I've believed in you since the moment we met. And I've waited for you. And I'll keep believing and waiting for you."
"I don't even believe in me." Mirella was grasping at straws to understand.
"Then, that's okay too." Kyler's smile widened. "I'll be your biggest believer, enough for the both of us. I waited for you for centuries, and I've believed in you every second of those years. I don't mind doing so until it's time for my own Judgement."
Mirella could only stare, but she broke away to sniffle. "You Angels and your beliefs."
"Ye of little faith," Kyler quipped back.
Mirella snorted before sighing. "I'm going to do right by you, Malã'iko." A declaration. A promise. "I'm going to learn how to love like you. I'm not going to keep you waiting." She raised their joined hands to kiss the back of his. "I'm going to adore you. I'll become someone worthy of your devotion and belief."
"I know." Turquoise gentled. "I know you will, Arezodi."
°•°•°•°
Talia was still asleep by the time they got home. Mammon had smoothly taken her into his arms to put her to bed. Kyler and Mirella had decided to take their need for togetherness out onto the balcony of Kyler's workshop, where they could see countless homes and shops and walks alive from their little slice of land. Mirella had wrapped her arm around Kyler's waist while he draped his over her shoulders. Their eyes that had seen life and death and love and birth and peace and war looked upon this new realm they could call their home.
"I hope to bring my cousin here."
Mirella looked up at Kyler.
"I know his life was never easy. I know it isn't now." Kyler thumbed her shoulder. "But I want to show him that I'm not just fighting for this realm to live. I'm fighting for his right to live. Because if I don't, who will?"
"I will." Mirella looked out to the horizon. "I've fought in so many wars on the wrong side. I want to fight a war on the right side."
"It'll be dangerous," Kyler teased her.
"'Danger'?" Mirella mocked. "I laugh at the face of danger. Ha-ha-ha…!"
"I see nothing amusing about this."
Mammon had come outside with Talia holding her hand as she blinked herself awake. She let go of the Daemon to cling to her father instead while Mammon parted to stand beside Mirella.
"I thought you went to bed, pr'olprcht," Kyler said.
Talia shook her head as she looked at the land. "You have a cousin here?"
"Yes. He's like us. He's different, but…" Kyler saddened just a bit. "While our differences make us a threat, his differences make him a target." He held Talia against him. "That's why I'm willing to fight for him. I'm willing to defend his right to live and anyone else who comes along."
"As will I," Mirella agreed.
"As will I." It was surprising that Mammon had spoken up. "I have served under Bael for longer than this planet has been alive. I have watched countless bloodshed. I slaughtered without question and served without hesitation. A Daemon does not have a choice in our ways." He looked at the family. "But now I understand the meaning of free will. I would like to keep my free will, and I will kill anyone who tries to take it."
"Me too," Talia decided. "I don't care about the humans. But I enjoy having family. If I have another family member out there, then I'll kill whoever I have to."
"We aren't killing," Kyler tried to explain to them, but he just had to give up at some point.
Mirella hummed her mirth. "You tried, Malã'iko."
"Not hard enough." Kyler let out a breath. "Either way, there are millions of mortals out there who are under attack. We can't save them all." Turquoise steeled with resolve. "But we can defend those we can reach. Unlike mortals of Earth Land, we aren't tied to this realm's Ether Core. We can fight battles they can't. We can win wars they can't."
Teary sea greens freckled in violet.
Wide hickories.
"And we can give them the freedom they deserve," Kyler murmured. "We can become their Agents of Life."
"Together." Mirella made a point to look up at him as though wanting to remind him he did not walk alone. Mammon put his hand on Mirella's shoulder as he offered a nod to Kyler. Even Talia had gripped her father's hand.
"Yes." Kyler kissed Mirella's forehead before he picked up Talia and kissed her cheek. "Together."
The sun, drenched in burning gold, crawled with its dignity towards the horizon. Another protest had broken out before a city council hall. Two people were in a heated argument over a fender bender accident. A baker waved her goodbyes to her last customer of the way. A husband, frantic, rushed out the florists with a bouquet in tow to make it up to his husband since he forgot their ten-year anniversary. Nothing about this would change. There would always be people with their own issues, their own imperfections, their own ignorance and truths, who lived in this land with their own priorities and their ideas and their own dreams.
But there were others who lived in this land to defend these people's rights to their own personas, their own tastes, their own goals.
And as the wind blew around the unconventional family of four with a Daemon of free will, a rough-around-the-edges demonic part-god, a friendly angelic hybrid, and their powerful little girl, their pasts of debauchery, of bloodshed and manipulation, of waiting—all flowed with the wind.
And Kyler could feel his mother's sweet caress as her voice carried with the breeze.
Together.
Ah, the food was done! The soup made was a creamy cheese-broccoli soup that was thick enough to fill your incessant hunger, but it left you hungry enough in time for the main entrée. For tonight's celebratory Heart's Day feast, steaks had been grilled to perfection where, once you cut it, the meat cut open like butter to give you a faintly pink center with garlic butter on top that melted and glistened on the grilled meat. The sides had come in herb-roasted mixed vegetables baked to a firm crisp and steaming baked potatoes already loaded with butter and sour cream.
And the wine that had been chilling was poured, the gifts looked nice and presentable…
And there you have it.
The perfect set-up for a Heart's Day feast for two.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
•
Love is not always fair
It's not always understanding
And not always kind
But it can be sweet and gentle
It's a belief that's undefined
•
That concludes our full-length fairy tales
But we still have short stories
About love and friends and robots
Well…that last one might be a bit gory
But we'll save that for next time
Enjoy your own Heart's Day meal
You matter and you are loved
And you are deserving of the care you feel
•
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
•
Tatakatte, tatakatte, nani o erareta nda?
Tatakatte, tatakatte, kansha sareta no ka?
Tatakatte, tatakatte, kowashite kurikaesu hibi wa, itsu owaru nda?
•
Tatakatte, tatakatte, nanimo nokottenai yo
Tatakatte, tatakatte, soredemo shinezu
Mata hitotsu, hito datta koro no kioku ga
Yurari usurete...
•
Tatakatte, tatakatte, michi o kirihirake
Tatakatte, tatakatte, chi no hana yo sake
Tatakatte, tatakatte, kono sekai ga itsu no hi ka yomigaeru made
•
Tatakatte...
•
TO BE CONTINUED…
Next time
On Fairy Adventure
Episode 090
TALES OF HEART'S DAY WEEKEND
SHORT STORIES VOLUME I AND II
Voices of Characters in Order of Appearance
— • — • — • —
Narrator – Kelsey Grammer
Bael – Paul St. Peters
Mirella – Edie Mirman
Kyler – Ray Chase
Talia – Serena Varghesa
Nashi Dragneel – Lauren Landa
Gary Fullbuster – Griffin Burns
Mammon – Paul St. Peters
Karisma Chopra -
• — • — •
Additional Voices
Opening Narrator – Mary McGlynn
Description Narrator – Mary McGlynn
Closing Narrator – Melissa Fahn
— • — • — • —
⌜OPENING SONG
⟪ Prism ⟫
ClariS & GARNiDELiA
Lyrics by
Ryosuke Shigenaga⌟
•
⌜ENDING SONG
⟪ Flower of Blood ⟫
GUMI
Composed & Lyrics by
GizenshaP⌟