At the door two men in their white cloaks grinned from ear to ear, seeing Lavie shocked as Al clasped her hands together in happiness and slight shock.

" It's a double date, isn't it Lucciola? " Dio peered over his friend's shoulder seeing Lavie standing speechless from inside the home.

" Lord Dio, it isn't nice to stare," Lucciola exclaimed, he had never seen Lavie in a dress before until now. Her gray eyes brightened with happiness as she ran towards the door.

"Dio!" Lavie stopped seeing for the first time Al's love, it was Lucciola, out of all this time, she thought there was nobody. Now she blushed seeing Al actually in love with someone, it seemed as if they were sisters.

" I brought you some chocolates, with raspberry crème, some are caramel filled..and they'll fill your mouth with a sweet taste--" Lucciola was cut off as Dio stepped out from behind him, Lavie smiled seeing he held a strange, but gorgeous flower.

It seemed to glow in the darkness in the light, she herself wished to be guided to the right path in her own life.

"Thank you Dio," Lavie embraced him, not even wanting to bring up why he hadn't given her a rose, she never liked them that much. She saw them as a gift of apology, for death, or an insignia of Delphine.

Had she even known that Dio was with her? Never had that crossed her path until now.

" I didn't even ask for a date!" She smiled feeling Dio nudge her playfully, a light in his eyes.

" It's a present, to you!" A small box wrapped in silk was placed in her open hands, it was such a sight. The material seemed to shimmer in the light above them, her heart pounded, what was it?

----

" Don't open it until it's time to do so," Dio smiled waving a finger at her, she could see he didn't trust her with such a mysterious gift in the palms of her hands. "That means no peeking!"

Lavie nodded and gave him a thumb up," You can trust me on that one!"

"Lavie, come on let's go!" Al tugged at her sleeve as it hit her that time was already being wasted as they just 'stood' there. Blushing, Lavie felt Dio take hold of her hand as the four headed off to the car, it had been strange since she was used to a vanship...

"Let me drive Lord Dio," Lucciola spoke calmly, opening his eyes to see Dio at the wheel he laughed bouncing up and down in his seat. Honking the horn on Lucciola, which nearly gave his friend a heart attack.

"Come on Lavie! Let's fly!" He cried out in excitement as she cautiously sat in the passenger's seat. Lavie never knew Dio could possibly drive a car in her life, to see him now in a vehicle she barely knew that worked frightened her a bit.

Al even sat in the back with Lucciola worriedly, how would the night come out to be like if they were ever in an accident?

"Everyone ready?" Dio looked over his shoulder seeing Lucciola give him a 'yes signal' from the way he looked though sweat covered his face and he looked frightened.

" Aye, aye, sir!" Lucciola spoke, giving Dio the chance he waited for to finally start the engine. Lavie looked ahead of her, the dark road seeming long and unsafe.

"Are you sure about thi---" The car lurched forward and she held tight to the seat, forgetting to lock herself in during the worry in her thoughts.

---

Opening her eyes Lavie was surprised to see Dio driving quite well, looking back in the rear view window to see Al holding tight to Lucciola's hand. She smiled putting her seatbelt around her as the lights from the streets were streaks passing by on their skin of light.

"You're great at this Dio, though I...I'm not really sure about being in a vanship," She stopped for a moment and found her words, "Well, with you."

" Not really sure about being in a vanship with me? Lavie have you no trust in me?" Dio laughed after what he said, she shook her head and closed her eyes, the soft hum of the engine in her ears.

---

"Are you awake?" Her eyes fluttered open to see Lucciola standing at the side of her from outside the car, his hand outstretched to her. She took hold of it sleepily and felt herself lift from the seat she was in and right before Lucciola.

"Thanks," She whispered, she didn't notice she was blushing until Dio looked at her peculiarly.

"Come on Lavie! We're going to eat!" She felt him actually help her walking on her tired feet as they headed towards the restaurant.

"Wait for us! Dio!" Alvis cried as she was walking, rather then in a sprint to get eating. It was a slightly ridiculous sight, a red head being taken by the hand of a cheery guy who looked as a boy going to the candy store. When the actual case was the candy store was replaced with a restaurant.

---

Lavie stepped past the wooden doors feeling a breeze of cool hair touch her skin as she came inside. A fireplace was at the very middle of the room. Looking around to see any familiar faces, her eyes at the time were to tired to do so.

"Let me take you to your table, Lavie?" The waiter asked as he brought them to their table, only then did she look up at the man.

"Mullin? She laughed seeing him in a professional tuxedo as he held menus to pass to the four of them. He smiled back at her and waved, though something other then them caught his eyes.

"Hello! Mullin are you with us?" She waved a hand before his face, blushing red he quickly handed out the menus. Still with his eyes kept on Dunya who sat in the next isle of tables, aside from their own.

"Sorry, I just, got distracted," She took a menu from him and grinned, she knew he loved Donya dearly, barely believing they would be married soon. Someday it would be her own time to get wed, to the one 'she' truly loved.

" I'll be back in a snap!" Mullin walked off to help other people here then themselves, Lavie rested her head on Dio's shoulder as she felt his hand stroking her hair.

"Do you want to share something Dio?" Her eyes skimmed the menu until one dish caught her eyes, waiting for Mullin to return she closed her eyes enjoying the warmth of the fire, and of Dio at her side.

"Excuse me, Mullin, sir," She opened her eyes, seeing Lucciola politely address him, Lavie could see the confused and worried look in his eyes as he glanced between Dio and herself.

Sitting up immediately Lavie looked up at Mullin, "What is it? What's wrong?" He wiped his brow and gave her a look that he just needed to build up the words.

" You've been given... well.. someone has agreed to give you a free meal, and...some wine," He took the wine that was on the platter he held and she looked at it.

Red wine....

Lucciola worriedly looked at Dio who's eyes widened, his mouth was barely open, as if to speak, even whisper. Nothing came from his lips, he kept silent, his eyes narrowed as he stared hard at the table.

"Who would give us a free meal?" Alvis asked, Lucciola stood for her to see who it was as Mullin's finger pointed right at a figure that sat at a table. A menu covered the person's face from view, until it was placed down he saw Delphine, her whole suit a dark crimson.

Lucciola felt his legs weaken, just to see her made him feel so, unsafe. Dio looked up at him with his cheek resting on his hand. " What is it Lucciola?" With no reply from his friend he stood, slowly turning but to see her...

Delphine...

He felt himself shaking as he gaped in shock and horror, those hazel eyes of hers were so cold. The dark purple of her lips and what she wore, that menacing look in her eyes. Across from her Lucciola's brother sits motionless, looking right at her.

"No...-N-no....she died...," His hands shook and his face paled, that supposed murder was a false, he couldn't find the strength to sit down

----

"Dio! Come on sit down! What is it?" She shook his arm and felt infuriated, who could possibly serve dinner to them for free? And with that red wine...red.... That must mean.

She gasped pulling down Dio right when Delphine almost had made eye contact with him. She breathed heavily and embraced Dio as Lucciola sat before she caught their eyes.

"Even if we wish to be hidden Lord Dio, she knows we're here," Lavie shook her head, ignoring his words she looked straight up at Mullin, still finding herself nearly gagging Dio who she pulled down by the neck.

" Mullin! Please don't tell her we came! She'll do anything to hurt us!" She already felt tears swimming in her eyes, Mullin nodded, with a truthful look on his face.

" A soldier's promise!" He beamed and walked off, releasing her grip from Dio he rubbed his neck in pain.

" You nearly killed me!" Dio moved his neck to help the muscles become less tense.

" I don't care! I didn't want her to see you! Darnet...I love you!" She covered her mouth with both hands and looked at him with wide eyes. Not only did she admit her love to him but anyone could have heard her....

And that anyone...could be Delphine...a figure came towards them and a shadow loomed over their table....

- Things turn terribly wrong as it seems we're trapped in a restaurant with a supposedly dead woman! Calm down Lavie! How can I calm down if there's--- Who-who are you?--Next time on Last Exile: A Shadow of Dread!-