Chapter 2.- The therapist and the shapeshifter speak of stalkers tendencies, honesty, integrity and innocent actions. How alcohol is a bad friend when in need of consult. You can't run from problems, and you can't run from who you are.

There is a saying that says people will often go doing what they believe is right even if they got no basis for it. Cid had come to believe this as he had constantly see Neeko doing whatever she thought was right to do. So it didn't came as a surprise to find himself walking with his cane on the left side, motioning for her to don't go touching anything from the mages guild. They were preparing the teleport spell to send the group to Demacia.

"Neeko, no." He sighed as the excited girl was going around the hallway.

"Neeko, yes!" She said excitedly as she was going around the hallway at a fast pace.

She knew that Cid couldn't just run for her, but she also didn't want to be caught by him when she was seeing something new. She knew the perfect distance to be on reach at same time she wasn't close enough to be grabbed.

Cid sighed as he kept walking with a smile on his face. As weird as it may look, this was normal, Neeko was moving fast, but not so fast as to leave him long behind. Rather just so, he couldn't grab her. Neeko usual way of playing with him, teasing him to run but without any real intention.

As they kept moving a robed magician approached Cid.

"Excuse me sir. Could you follow me? We need to check something with you before the teleport." Neeko halted immediately when Cid stopped.

"Cid?" Neeko spoke with curiosity walking towards him. The mage stopping her raising his hand.

"Only he needs to come lady. Is just to check about the fake leg. We had some troubles before sending a prosthetic. So we need to be sure nothing happens." Neeko looked at the man with distrust before Cid smiled at her.

"Don't worry Neeko. Surely it won't take long." Neeko nodded walking away while Cid and the mage entered to the room on the side of the hallway.

Neeko never left though, she had made an image of herself walking and taking the corner, but the real Neeko had simply become invisible. She didn't trust the mage. She wasn't sure why.

Cid meanwhile was walking with the mage in the room. It was a big room poorly lit; Cid noticed the room was for storage, he saw bread and other foods in racks. As he looked around, he wondered why they would do a checkup in such a room. It was then the mage collapsed without warning.

"What?" Cid moved forward alarmed looking at the mage, placing a hand on his neck he found a pulse, but what made him collapse?

"Ah… for a moment I was worried." The sultry voice he had heard long ago in the forest sounded again and in the darkness of the room, Cid could notice the golden orbs looking at him.

Walking forward the nine-tailed fox was smiling at him waving slightly with one of her clawed hands.

"Hello Cid. What a coincidence to see you here." Ahri smiled at him. However, different from the first time they met in the forest, he could see the smile was honest. She was actually happy of seeing him.

"Hello Ahri…" He stood up from the floor and looked at her. In one of her hands, she was carrying something. She offered it to him.

"Bread? Is not as great as meat, but they don't seem to have much meat in here…" She offered the piece of bread at him.

He reluctantly took it, only because Ahri didn't seem like the sort who would put something in food. She was much straight forward, and she didn't need tricks like that. As he took a bite of the bread he had to admit it was good. It was after a second bite he understood the bread was cheese bread.

"Is good right?" Ahri said smiling looking at him eat.

He nodded and placed the bread in a rack next to him. Ahri looked at him expectantly.

"So… what are you doing here Ahri?" Cid spoke calmly, but he was worried about himself and the man in the floor.

Ahri seemed to notice and spoke.

"Don't worry. He will be fine. I put him to sleep after he brought you to me." She smiled at him. The smile made him feel slightly worried.

"You look happy." She nodded.

"I am. I been trying to get into your head all this time. But nothing happens… it means everything you have done till now has been your own will…" She smiled widely while approaching him.

Every step forward from Ahri was a step behind for Cid who kept walking until he ended up against a wall. The hand of Ahri stopping his exit to the right side. His left side wouldn't move as fast due to the cane. Cid doubted he could push her like the last time with his cane meaning he was without many options.

Ahri smiled softly, her fangs showing as she looked at him with curiosity. She seemed to be waiting for something, he wasn't sure what, but it seemed she wanted something.

"So... what are you waiting for?" Cid asked as Ahri looked at him, her golden orbs never breaking contact with him.

"I am waiting… why aren't you calling me a monster? Surely you know more about me by now… the villagers surely told you about me." Cid nodded at her words.

"They did…" Ahri eyes looked slightly saddened, but she wouldn't break eye contact.

"Then why not call me a monster? Why say my name?" Ahri asked softly.

Cid looked at her sighing.

"Because… I don't believe you are a monster, I know a real monster that is out there in Ionia right now… but you aren't that monster. Nor do I believe you to be one." As Cid finished speaking he felt himself trapped in a hug by Ahri.

The hug wasn't soft, it was tight, clingy, even desperate. The kind of hug that resembled someone holding a rope that would bring them to safety in the middle of a storm.

"You aren't lying…" She said softly. Cid could notice she was smiling. Before he could speak he heard the door opening and Neeko scream.

"Hey! This is a storage! The mage girl told me!" As she opened the door, she saw Ahri and pointed at her. However, before she could make a fuss Ahri put her in a trance. She sighed knowing her time was short thanks to Neeko fuss.

"Is she always next to you?" Cid nodded with a smile.

"She is my partner. She is always next to me." Ahri looked at him with curiosity but a fond smile.

"Sounds like something good… then it's settled! We are partners too!" She hugged him tightly before leaving running as footsteps were heard.

"Just snap your fingers in her ear!" Ahri said as she ran away.

Cid looked at the woman waving at him. Ahri was definitely a stalker. He retrieved the cheese bread from the rack and snapped his fingers close to the ears of Neeko. The reaction was immediate.

"Hey!" She couldn't say more as Cid placed a piece of bread into her open mouth. She immediately closed her mouth and started chewing.

"Cheese bread!" She took the rest of the bread from Cid hand as they walked side by side. The situation with Ahri already forgotten.

Ahri was hiding outside of the mages reach. She was smiling still. Cid had called her by her name. He didn't call her a monster, he didn't act hostile towards her…

...but you aren't that monster. Nor do I believe you to be one.

She smiled widely. She had found someone who could probably help her. Someone who wouldn't mind staying by her side. Moreover, it was obvious he was okay with the Vastaya if he kept the chameleon with him all the time…

Partners….

He didn't say girlfriend. Meaning he wasn't romantically involved with the chameleon. Making men fall for her was extremely easy once she got them under her control. However, Cid seemingly was immune. Which was perfect. It meant everything that happened had been him being honest.

She smiled wondering how to travel next to him…

As she saw, the mages move around to a teleportation circle, she guessed what to do.

Riven and Sona were meanwhile sitting in a bench waiting for the spell to be done. Sona was playing her instrument while Riven simply slept in the bench. Sona chuckled seeing Riven-sleeping choosing to rest. She said she would need to be in full alert at Demacia so she would take a nap while everything was getting ready.

Meanwhile she played her instrument softly. Thinking of a melody for Cid. She needed to find a way to catch his attention. In her opinion, the ability to shapeshift was cheating. Neeko could just became whatever Cid liked…

Then again, they weren't a couple. Moreover, she doubted Neeko would do something like that.

She had no idea Neeko had turned into her because Cid actually was a fan of hers.

As she played with the strings, she thought on what she knew.

He was kind. His partner and best friend was a Vastaya. An Oovi-Kat, the last one. They were a pair who traveled together and had been so for the last few months. They slept together, they held no secrets between each other and they would always spend time together…

Wasn't that by all standards a couple?

As she got to that conclusion, her instrument made a dissonant note. A perfect mirage of her own thoughts. As she sighed, she rested one of her hands in her cheek. What could she do really? He had convinced him to come to Demacia to help Fiora. Nevertheless, what could she do to get some time alone with him?

It seemed that any intent of getting him alone always ended up with Neeko coming too.

Is not like she could just take him to a walk around Demacia…

That wasn't such a bad plan. She clapped at her success and Riven stirred up.

"Sona? Whats going on?" Sona looked sheepishly at Riven indicating nothing happened.

"Sona! Riven! They got cheese bread here!" Both heard the voice of Neeko coming down walking next to Cid.

Riven smiled a bit at the simple and childish discovery while Cid walked munching on half of the bread Neeko had in her hand. As they approached the pair Cid offered them some.

"Want a bit? Is not the best for sure. But hey, food is food." Sona nodded and kindly accepted the bread, taking a bit before taking a bite. She nodded at Cid words.

Definitely not the best. But then again, this people were mages, surely, they ate little and what little they ate they did without complaint. That was the life of a scholar after all, hours and hours dedicated to research, hours of grueling tests, little to no sun light. Lack of human contact, a life absorbed for the sake of glorious research!

At least that what Sona thought. She wasn't sure. She wasn't a scholar, she was a musician. And whoever dare say she had a lot of similarities with them was lying!

Riven meanwhile just took the bread without complaint and thanked him.

"Anyone know how long till we go to Demacia?" Riven asked while eating.

Before Cid could answer, a mage spoke to them.

"The teleport spell for Demacia is ready. Remember to bring your stuff with you." The mage said going away walking slowly to the room they were told the spell would take place.

"Well, there goes your answer Riven." Neeko beamed up and latched to Cid.

"Neeko has everything she needs!" Cid sighed ruffling her hair, inadvertently making Sona pout slightly. Seeing their interaction didn't really help her plans.

Neeko and Cid had little to no things to carry on them. Riven had a simple bag with stuff Karma had given her. Sona only had clothes and her instrument. Therefore, there wasn't much to carry. As they made their way to the room, they noticed that inside the circle for the spell was also a huge box.

"What's there?" Neeko asked pointing to the box.

"Oh, those are books for our brothers in the mage guild of Demacia. Demacia doesn't allow much magic literature in their land, so we send them books, so long as they don't get out of the guild, Demacia has no trouble with it." Neeko nodded not really getting why Demacia was so strict.

Cid and Riven did know about Demacia more strict paths, one through knowledge and one through war. Sona looked saddened, she knew of Demacia ways to hate magic, and the order they had that was in charge of hunting anyone with magic. Demacia was falling into stagnation by inaction in trying to adapt to a world that kept going forward.

Demacia needed to adapt the same way music did. Going forward, learning from the past and using it for the betterment of the future. Without music, life would be a mistake.

It didn't take long for the group to be teleported to Demacia. In fact if one were to count it, the process in itself takes three seconds. Nevertheless, Cid stomach thought differently as he was fighting hard the wave of nausea.

"Ugh… when will I become used to that…" As Neeko helped him stand straight, Sona approached him and made a number with her hands.

"Seven times?" Sona nodded. She had become used to the feelings Cid was experimenting after teleporting seven times, after that she never felt anything.

"Ugh…." Sona patted him in the back as Neeko finally got him balanced, offering him his cane.

"Thanks Neeko thanks Sona…. Riven how come you don't feel anything?" Riven looked the same way and she shrugged.

"Guess I am good with that, I didn't feel anything." Sona congratulated Riven by clapping. Neeko just looked at Riven with curiosity.

"Maybe you are used at moving in weird forms?" She said without much thought. Riven shrugged while Cid walked away.

"I don't know what you are all thinking, but I rather get out of here, I am not fond of teleporting." The group got together leaving, not noticing the box behind them was moving.

Sona was excitedly signing at Cid.

"You will love Demacia. Plus you will surely be able to help Fiora." She smiled signing as he signed back at her.

"I am sure I will." He smiled at Sona who walked faster motioning for them to follow her.

As they followed Sona they were going through some big constructions and elegant zones, Sona signed at Cid mentioning it was Demacia residential area. Most of the big families in Demacia lived around. She mentioned to him the Buvelle mansion wasn't so big nor full of luxury as she wasn't one to stay home for she was often going around playing concerts. Cid nodded at her.

Neeko just huffed saying it wasn't fair how Cid and Sona had a secret language. This made Cid chuckle Sona to smile at herself. Sign language was by no means secret. However, with so little people who actually practice it, it could be considered a secret.

When they reached her home, Cid decided they needed to talk about what was considered big and run down.

The Buvelle mansion was with tons of gold color on the outside with lavish golden colored gates of metal with the family crest. Sona motioned for them to follow her. Four visitors entered through the main door. A fifth one they didn't know off was making her way through the shadows.

Inside the mansion Cid saw the signs of dust around, yet it was obvious the place was far from run down.

"Are you sure you don't mind us staying with you Sona?" Cid signed at her as she smiled and nodded that it wouldn't be a problem.

"I got plenty of rooms I never use. It will be fun to have people here." Sona signed excitedly at Cid who could only smile at her.

Neeko meanwhile was rushing with Riven through the place.

"It's so big!" Neeko expressed her simple thoughts while dragging Riven who was wondering how Cid managed to keep pace with Neeko.

Riven had to admit she did agree with Neeko observation. The mansion was big.

It was the middle of the day; Cid was in the small library of the mansion when Neeko appeared next to him. She took to sit in one of the four couches in the room.

"Cid, I got a question." She spoke simply and to the point.

Cid looked at her putting the book he found in the couch.

"What do you want to ask?" He smiled at this. Memories coming at him.

"Hey Cid! I got a question! What is that?" The shapeshifter spoke pointing to a store of a…. nature that is more adult like.

"Ah that's…. a store for adults who feel lonely… sort of…" Neeko looked with curiosity.

"Can we go in?" She asked without understanding the more mature nature of the store.

"Ah, not really, only one can enter at a time…." Neeko nodded.

"Maybe Neeko should enter." Cid alarmed and ushered for her to kept walking.

He didn't know what mess could pass if Neeko were to enter a brothel.

He chuckled. Not exactly a fond memory, but definitely a funny one in retrospective.

"What's the deal with honesty?" Cid raised an eyebrow at this. That wasn't a question he expected.

"What brought that question?" Neeko hummed before relaxing in the couch opposite to his.

"Well… I remembered a mage lady in the mage guild. She said Neeko wasn't being honest because she chose to transform into one of them…" She hummed without much understanding.

However, Cid knew her. He was good at understanding Neeko wasn't one to stop without knowing the answer to the questions that came to her mind.

"Well, honesty is just that, being honest. Being truthful around others. When you lie to someone you are being dishonest, when you tell the truth you are being honest." Neeko nodded indicating she was following.

"I don't see why she felt I was doing something bad, I am always changing shapes for fun." Cid nodded. She did that indeed.

"Well, she just didn't like it Neeko, some people are against the idea of someone not being honest with them. Others don't mind it so much… I mean, both of us got an agreement to always be honest with each other remember?" Neeko perked up.

"But that is different, that's because we are Co-´om Se-Henna, we got no secrets." She smiles widely at the title they share with each other.

He nods at her.

"Indeed. But most people want that too, for others to don't have secrets with them." Neeko eye him curiously.

"But they can't know everything; we don't know them that well." Cid smiles at her. A memory coming to Neeko when he smiles.

"Why should Neeko not say she looked bad with that hat?" Cid chuckled walking next to Neeko.

"Well, she felt insulted." Neeko sighed.

"But is truth! Hat doesn't look well on her." Cid chuckled patting her in the back.

"Somethings are not good to tell others unless you know them well." Neeko poked his side.

"Like secrets?" Cid nodded.

"Secrets especially." Neeko smiles at getting it right.

"Well, don't take it to heart, some people are like that." Neeko moved from her couch to sit next to Cid. She then proceeds to hug him.

"Are you honest with Neeko all the time?" She says softly. He nods ruffling her hair.

"I try. Since the day I promised to be honest with you I been keeping my integrity." Neeko raised an eyebrow at the word.

"Integrity?" Cid chuckles.

"Honesty is when you are telling the truth to others, or when people are watching you that you choose to do the right thing. Integrity is when you do the right thing when no one watches, when you are alone and yet you chose to do the right thing." He smiles fondly at Neeko who smiles back at him.

"Ah! Like what Neeko does all the time when you leave her alone!" Cid chuckles, ruffling her hair, he feels how Neeko approaches towards his hand to let herself enjoy the contact.

Close to the library Sona smiles fondly at the scene, she peeked through the hall when she heard the voice of Cid and Neeko. She didn't regret it as she found herself smiling happily seeing the two interact.

She almost had a heart attack when she heard the voice of Riven behind her.

"Cute right?" Sona looked at Riven who was close to her, a teasing smirk in her face.

"Silent and prone to spy? Are you one of those Ionian ninjas?" Sona cheeks puffed in indignation, but before she could start signing, Cid spoke.

"Riven? Sona? Are you two over there? I was going to read a book to Neeko if you want to come." Cid spoke at them from the other side of the wall as Neeko screamed.

"Neeko gets bored reading! Is much better when Cid reads to her!" She said excitedly at the prospect of the book being read to her.

Sona smiles and goes to the room sitting in a couch in front of Cid, Riven chooses to take another one so she can fully rest by herself. They are focused in Cid and no one notices that close to a window a pair of ears is peeking to hear the story too.

"Well, I found this book of yours Sona, you may have already read it, but I will read it to Neeko, this book says the story about the legend of the Bearded Lady, the Kraken; the story of Nagakabouros." Cid starts reading as Neeko focuses all her attention on his words. Sona smiles fondly at him. Riven notices this and wonders if Sona will try anything.

But she wonders, does Cid even notices the look of the girl?

It doesn't take but two hours for Cid to take a pause and for Neeko to stretch out of the couch. Riven stands up doing the same, Sona meanwhile looks at Cid intensely signing at him.

"The rest! I need to know the rest!" Sona signs intensely at him as he signs back at her.

"You own the book Sona, you can read it if you want." Sona signs back at his words.

"Is much better when you read it! I ask you as your host to read the rest for me!" She signs excitedly as Cid places a bookmark on the book and stands up with help of his cane.

"I will read you the rest later then." Sona smiles excited at the prospect.

The group was invited by Sona to eat in a place she likes, rather private in addition, for what she signs at Cid. As they walk the streets of Demacia, Cid notices how people focus on Neeko. He walks slowly to stay next to her and cover her. She noticed the stares but didn't care. Cid did care, and wanted people to stop staring.

Sona sighed. She knew people in Demacia would look at Neeko with something far from kindness; Demacians were not fond of anything magical. She sighed as they walked faster. Neeko simply didn't care of their looks.

The only one she cared for was the one who looked at her with a smile.

"We are almost there Neeko." The voice of Cid spoke and she nodded.

"I know; Neeko sees less people there." She smiled at Cid and Sona signed at them that it was the place on the right.

The place looked fancy and elegant, yet it also seemed to have more the vibe of a tavern. As they approached inside, it was indeed looking like a tavern, but with carpeted floors, Cid had to give it to the owner. It took guts to put a carpet in a place where drinks would spill.

The place was indeed a tavern, one that according to Sona signs was frequented by people who liked privacy.

As the get inside, they end up in a booth Sona signs at Cid.

"This is my spot. I always come to this booth in particular." Cid smiled nodding, the group gets in the booth, Neeko and Cid sharing a side as Riven shares the other with Sona. Not much later, a lady wearing an apron comes toward them.

"Ah, Sona! I see you brought guests with you finally!" The lady smiles at Sona who signs embarrassed at her. Cid can see what she is saying.

Not in front of my friends!

"Ha-ha, you know I jest Sona. Should I bring the usual?" Sona nods and the lady looks at the rest.

"Anything I can offer you?" Cid nods. Indicating at Neeko next to him.

"If you got cheese bread and chocolate that would be great. I would like whatever Sona is getting." Sona looked puzzled at Cid words. He signed at her.

I got no idea what they sell here, so whatever you order must be great. Sona smiled kindly at his words.

"And you mam?" The lady looked at Riven.

"If you have meat I would be thankful." The lady nods and ushers away.

Cid looks at Riven with curiosity.

"Meat?" She nods.

"I didn't eat much in Ionia; they mainly eat fishes and vegetables." Neeko nods.

"And they don't have chocolate!" Cid chuckles as Sona smiles at Neeko. It was obvious the girl liked chocolate.

As they were waiting for their food Sona looked to the side and saw a figure entering the place, she smiled and waved at the door. Cid looked at where Sona was looking and saw an elegant woman with a blade by her hip.

"Sona?" The elegant woman spoke walking towards them. She made an elegant bow at them.

"You must be friends of Sona. I am Fiora, Fiora Laurent." The group nodded, Sona smiled patting a spot next to her in the booth.

Fiora looked saddened at Sona for a moment.

"I am afraid I will have to deny your offer again this time. I got an important duel later. I only came here to pick something up before that." Sona looked angry with Fiora and started signing fast at her. Fiora sighed ignoring Sona as she walked away leaving the girl essentially speaking alone. Or signing in this case.

Neeko whispered to Cid.

"What did she say?" Cid had the decency to look embarrassed.

"Nothing good I am afraid." Neeko noticed Cid face and understood.

"Ah. So she is like the lady who got angry at Neeko?" She whispered at him who nodded.

He may or may not have seen many signs that did not meant anything good, and judging by Sona angry face she was indeed meaning them all.

Cid sighed and signed at Sona.

"Are you okay?" He signed and she huffed. She signed back at him with more calm.

"Theres always another duel, she never stops… I am worried about her." Is then Cid remembers the whole deal about coming to Demacia in the first place.

"Want me to look out for her?" Sona nods excitedly.

"Please! Check she doesn't do anything foolish." Sona hoped at Cid as he stood up and left the table.

"Neeko…. Eat my food. But if you don't like it then leave it." Neeko nodded with decision and solemnity. As if, she had an important order.

"Sure you don't want me to go with you?" Cid ruffled her hair.

"No, I will be fine. I will just be following her." Cid pointed with his hand the direction of Fiora. Neeko nodded smiling.

"If in trouble, scream for Neeko, and Neeko will be there." She smiled at Cid as he nodded.

Sona and Riven saw the exchange with a small smile. Riven couldn't avoid it, they were just nice and refreshing in their exchanges.

Following Fiora wasn't hard. She actually knew she was followed. As such, she walked slowly as to both imply she didn't need to run, and a challenge. She didn't know that Cid really wouldn't be able to fight her. He chose to make use of the fact that Fiora knew he was there to try to make conversation.

"So… a duel?" He asked with honest curiosity, Fiora answered without stopping her walk.

"Indeed. A man believes he can become the head of my house by marrying me. I refuse to marry anyone who can't defeat me. And if he believes I will submit to a pompous nobleman with no manners. He is up for a sword in his neck." Fiora spoke with a confidence that made Cid ask something.

"How many duels like this have you been part of?" Fiora seemed to hum in thought.

"Good question, sadly I do not have a proper answer. I believe somewhere after sixty I stopped counting my victories." Cid whistled in admiration.

"My own record is so far zero victories against Neeko." Fiora raised an eyebrow at this information, of course, Cid couldn't see her face, but he could notice the curiosity in her posture.

"Zero victories you say. And you speak so calmly about it, have you no pride?" Cid chuckled.

"I got no use for that. There is no shame in admitting Neeko can beat me with her tail only. Plus I am not competing with her." Fiora let out a scoff as if he said a bad joke.

"Life is a competition, and if you can't keep it up, you will end up falling behind." Cid shrugged as he kept walking behind Fiora.

"Can't say I agree. I find little use in competing for simple manners." Fiora sighed.

"Do you have no sense of honor? Of being, the best and making others fall. That they recognize you are the better one?" Cid chuckled.

"Why would I care about the others? I only care of my own opinion…. And maybe Neeko. I don't care what others say or think of me. I have nothing to prove." Fiora stopped walking and Cid clashed against her back.

He then noticed as he clashed; Fiora was solid, her slender physique hid an impressive amount of muscle. She truly was a fighter.

"That's the thing you and Sona don't get. There is always something to prove." Fiora kept walking, but Cid noticed the dejected tone in her voice. There was a story hiding there.

It didn't take long after that to find the place where the duel would take place. A park, many people, mainly nobles Cid noticed, were waiting for the duel to start. In one side was a man who looked in the opinion of Cid as rather arrogant. His face seemed to show his uncaring of the situation. Next to him was a man dressed as a sort of butler holding a sword inside an elegant sheathe.

Cid saw Fiora was standing alone in the other side, her sword sheathed and her eyes looking at the man who was in the middle of both her and the noble, he looked old. Judging by his look, Cid could guess this man was going to be a sort of referee for the duel.

"We are here today for a duel regarding the hand of Fiora Laurent and her title as head of house. Is that right Fiora Laurent?" Fiora nodded her face serious. The man looked at the nobleman.

"George Bottdwell. You are fighting agreeing that should you lose. Fiora Laurent will never marry you, nor will she even have to consider you as suitor. Is this." The noble man didn't let the judge end.

"Yes, yes, whatever. Can we get done with this? I plan to move to the Laurent mansion once this is over. And Fiora, you better let your hair longer, such unfitting hairstyle is not good for a wife." The man tried to taunt Fiora, but if she was angry, she didn't show it.

The judge though was a different case.

"You better avoid interrupting me young Bottdwell. Otherwise I will make this duel void, and you will automatically lose as the challenger." The nobleman stiffened.

"As I was saying, do you accept the terms?" The nobleman sneered but nodded and answered with a simple "yes."

"Then the terms are set. Remember. This is not a duel to the death; you will fight until one is unable to fight or surrenders. No other weapons aside of blades are allowed. Outside interference will make the duel null and void. So please, everyone move ten steps away." The crowd didn't lose time moving. Cid found himself comfortably sitting in a bench of the park. He had a good spot.

A noble woman looked at Cid and asked if she could sit next to him. Cid knew she asked simply for being kind as he wasn't a noble by any means.

"By all means, you may sit, is good to have company for this kind of events." The lady smiled at him and sat. No other word was exchanged between them as the duel was about to start. The judge moved away and signaled for the duel to start.

The nobleman had his sword out and got in posture. Cid noticed it looked more like something of status and not a proper weapon. Fiora blade was a different case. It was beautiful, but it also had signs of use. The marks of clashes, the tight marks of where Fiora held it with one hand, and the dull coloration of the guard.

The blade wasn't new. It had seen many fights, and would probably keep seeing many more.

Cid noticed the man stance was full of holes and looked stiff. Fiora meanwhile was extremely relaxed with the blade in front of her. Cid couldn't avoid thinking that Fiora looked her most comfortable with a blade in her hand.

"What are you waiting for woman?" The noble asked as Fiora laughed.

"I thought that the lady should have the first movement, so I was waiting for you to move." Fiora taunted the man, the crowd let out small laughs at the man expense. Even Cid had to concede that had been a good taunt.

The angry noble rushed with his sword, Fiora did a parry against the sword with minimum effort, it was something incredibly graceful, and a move that allowed Fiora for a quick riposte. Instead of going with her sword, she brought out her left hand, and a punch swiftly met its mark against the nose of the noble man.

Fiora laughed as the man clutched his injured nose in pain.

"Bad move. I believe, you had better keep your things in your own home. House Laurent will not be yours." The man seethed in anger before rushing again. The result this time was that Fiora faked to block, only to guide the man movement away, forcing him to fall as she put her feet against his. The man fell to the floor and his clothes got dirty. Fiora smiled softly as she kept her sword in front of her at all times. Ready for anything. Cid was mesmerized, seeing Fiora fight was a show of elegance and technique. The only reason she could mock her opponent was that she truly was ready for anything.

And anything indeed. The man tried to throw dirt at Fiora eyes; she simply sidestepped and kicked the man sending him to the floor before he could even stand.

"Surrender. This is a mockery to a duel." Fiora said with confidence.

Cid found himself admiring Fiora. However, he also noticed that the butler of the nobleman was seemingly getting something out of his coat and aiming it at Fiora. Cid didn't waste time and got something out of his own coat. A flash grenade.

"Fiora! Close your eyes!" Cid threw the grenade. Not long after a flash of light blinded everyone except for the judge who had heard the warning of Cid and Fiora. The rest of the crowd let out cries of surprise and some of pain as they saw the explosion directly. Cid didn't lose time in moving and taking hold of the hand of the butler. As people eyes got better, Fiora was the first to see Cid holding the man arm.

"Hey. I believe you shouldn't take out that from your coat." The man got nervous but before he could speak the judge was next to them. A dagger aimed at each of their throats. Seems the old man wasn't a there for nothing.

"Both of you. Bring out whatever you two have in your clothes." Cid nodded, taking out another flash grenade. The judge nodding and then motioning for the man to take out what was in the coat. For many, what came out the coat was a simple toy, looking like a kaleidoscope. However, the judge had another opinion.

"A poisonous dart. Such a shameful tool for a duel. I haven't heard of such a fool intent as the old head of house Laurent and the paralysis agent." The mention of the man who Cid could only guess was Fiora father made him be surprised, he noticed Fiora herself didn't look too thrilled about it.

The judge took the trinket and fired it at the nobleman in the floor. He shouted in indignation and suddenly seemed to stay still as a stone.

"Ah, paralysis poison? Such a shameful act. Fiora Laurent is the winner of the duel. Nothing more to see here." The man motioned for the butler to take his master and go away.

He looked at Cid before going off himself.

"Your intervention will not affect the duel of Fiora Laurent as you interrupted an attack against her person. But next time you may want to use something less showy." Cid nodded and apologized as the man went away.

Fiora meanwhile looked towards the floor, her sword back into a sheath. Cid approached her slowly. Noticing the grim aura around her. A foul mood surrounding her.

"Fiora?" He spoke slowly as she looked at him; she looked angry and pointed at him.

"I didn't ask for your help in the duel. You shouldn't have intervened." Cid looked apprehensive at her words.

"I only wanted to help." He said feeling slightly bad, he didn't have bad intentions, then again, the road to the realm of the death was full of good intentions.

Fiora looked at him with anger before turning her back.

"I am not…. I am not angry at you, I apologize…" She slowly walked away and Cid followed close behind.

"Fiora?" The woman sighed as they walked.

"You heard him didn't you? Mentioning the shame of my father." Cid nodded, Fiora couldn't see him but he offered a short "yes" at her question.

"My father was rumored to be the best duelist, but it was all a lie… he probably was the best in his younger days, but age made him paranoid, made him wish to never lose… losing would have been less shameful than cheating." Fiora sighed.

She looked at him. Her eyes a mix of confusion.

"Why did you help me? I am not sure you know, but the majority of the people there came to watch me lose. Why did you got into the middle to help?" Fiora was confused at his actions. Cid just smiled.

"Because it was the right thing to do." Fiora eyes opened in surprise. Such a simple answer, yet in its own way highly meaningful.

"Maybe I misjudged you." She smiled offering her hand at him.

"Fiora Laurent, top duelist and head of house Laurent." Cid smiled shaking her hand. Her grip extremely solid.

"Cid, no last name, wandering therapist and full time expert on vagabonding around the world." Fiora chuckled at his words.

"Well then, I believe Sona is home by now, allow me to escort you then." Cid smiled thanking her.

He didn't notice it at first. However, this was the first time he and Fiora walked side by side, instead of him being behind her.

Turns out, Sona wasn't home yet. Therefore, Fiora took him to her own house. Turns out the house Laurent was similar to the Buvelle. Just instead of golden tones of color, it had more of a silver and gray look, sort of resembling a blade. The house had the symbol of the Laurent family. There was just a big difference between Sona home and Fiora. The inside.

The inside of the home of Fiora was looking dark and abandoned. One could see the trails of Fiora footsteps. It went into three directions. Kitchen, a study, and the upper part where he guessed her room was. It was obvious Fiora didn't have servants cleaning around, nor cared for them.

"Sorry for the dirt, I don't spend time gallivanting here." Fiora took him to the study, it was similar to Sona, full of books but he noticed a lack of painting. However, laying in the floor were sketches.

She motioned for the couch.

"Let yourself comfortable. I will be back soon." As Cid did as told he took the liberty to explore the books of Fiora. He found one that hit his curiosity.

"Mount Targon. A history on the mysterious mountain where the Aspects exist…. Sounds good." Cid didn't lose time and started reading it out loud. In the past, he would have read in silence, but his time with Neeko had made it a habit for him to read aloud.

When Fiora came back with a jar of water and a pair of cups, she found herself letting them in a small table and sitting in another couch, moving some of her sketches aside and listening the self-called wandering therapist read aloud.

"The Aspects on Mount Targon are said to be the manifestations of ancestral powers…." As he read Fiora, found herself enthralled in the book.

She honestly thought it was boring. It was an academic study; regarding the Aspects they know about. Specifically, the mythical Pantheon. The aspect of War of whom there were many theories. Where did his inhuman strength come from?

The book was more about the little they knew. Moreover, explored many theories regarding beings of mighty power in Mount Targon. Yet the book had never been as interesting as while being read by the therapist. Fiora didn't feel the flow of time going until she heard knocking coming from her door and noticed the sun had gone away. Cid too got of his own musings as he read. Fiora opened the door to meet Sona who looked less than happy with her arms crossed. Next to her was a girl with animal characteristics that Fiora knew meant she was a Vastaya.

"Sona. How can I help?" Sona look said everything. She started signing slowly, Fiora getting the idea.

"He is here, he was reading." Without warning the girl next to Sona rushed inside and seemingly went for Cid. Fiora focused on Sona again.

"Sorry, we went to your home but you weren't there… are you mad at me?" Sona sighed and her face showed worry as she signed.

"Did you got hurt?" Sona would always worry about her. She couldn't blame her. They were friends.

Cause it's the right thing to do.

"I am not hurt… as a matter of fact, your friend, Cid, helped me out during the duel." Fiora retold the events of the duel to Sona. She wasn't happy hearing what happened. However, she also was relieved Fiora was well.

"Then I am happy." She smiled at Fiora who softly smiled back.

Footsteps were approaching and Sona saw Cid in the company of Neeko with his cane in hand.

"I found him! He was reading!" Neeko smiled hugging the arm of her friend who ruffled her hair.

"Sorry, Sona. We went to your home but you weren't there." Sona smiled at Cid and ushered for him to come. As they were outside of the home of Fiora, the head of house Laurent spoke.

"I got some questions I would like to make you sometime. Will you be on the city for a while?" Cid nodded. Fiora smiled.

"Good. I will see you in two days then." With that she went away closing the doors of her home. Neeko curious.

"She didn't say goodbye." Sona smiled at hearing the girl speak. She motioned for Cid to translate her signs to Neeko.

"Neeko, Sona says Fiora doesn't bid goodbye because she will see us again. She says that Fiora never says goodbye to anyone except to those who lost a duel against her." Neeko nodded and giggled.

"Sword lady is cute. Think she'd be interested in Neeko?" She looked at Cid with a smirk as he laughed and ruffled her hair.

"Probably? You will have to ask her yourself, but I will be next to you when you do. You know, to make you look better." Neeko laughed.

"Neeko knows she counts with you!" Sona only saw the exchange with a fun smile in her face. She couldn't say it wasn't fun and interesting to see the odd pair.

She had her own words she wanted to exchange with Cid, which she guessed was the main reason Fiora didn't say she would see them tomorrow. She knew the duelist like her instrument. Up to the minimal detail.

As the night was over her home, Neeko and Riven were soundly asleep... Riven probably was, Cid had the feeling Neeko was awake and doing her own thing. Cid meanwhile was reading, fulfilling an unwritten contract with Sona who was sitting in front of him with her eyes wide open, sleep not coming to catch her as Cid read the novel she had requested for him to read.

"I don't want her; the one I want is you!" He read the lines with emotion and honestly, he was also too deep in the reading, he really wanted to know whether the protagonist ended up with the main love interest or not. However, honestly he was afraid.

There were still too many things to solve in the book. However, there were barely ten pages left!

Cid was panicking inside. For that matter, Sona was too. She had bought the book in a whim liking the cover of a young woman of a high standing and a vagabond witch. Fighting the social norms. She simply had to buy it.

Sadly. Both of them would be disappointed.

"I choose… Oh dang it!" Cid screamed and Sona stood up in disbelief, signing quite fast.

"Surely it didn't they wouldn't dare!" Cid sighed and nodded.

"They did. It will continue on the next book, the author thanks you for your patronage." Both Cid and Sona fell back in their positions on the couches and looked to the floor.

He felt a pressure next to her as Sona sat in the couch next to him. He looked at her as she started signing.

"Did you like it?" She smiled softly at him. He nodded at her.

"I would have preferred if they finished the book in one go instead of leaving us hanging. However, I do like the story. But I want to know whether or not Hariku and Kerine end up together." Sona nodded too.

"Still, it was fun. Thank you for reading it to me." She smiled softly signing at him. Cid nodded, he was slightly blushing seeing Sona so close to him.

The dream of any fan was to share a moment with their idols. Cid admired the music of Sona, the Maven of the Strings. Her talent and the ability she had to make everyone amazed with her music. Now he also had the chance of meeting Sona Buvelle. The simple woman, who liked romance books, conversations and could be rather spirited when she was angry, the girl who had thrown some mean words at Fiora for being too stubborn.

The same girl was sitting next to him in a couch smiling at him.

"No problem, I had fun reading the book…" He spoke with a tad of nervousness. While not against females being close to him, the only girl who had ever been so close was Neeko, and she was an exception to the norm.

"You are always kind… are you able to say no I wonder?" She teased him with the way he always said yes to Neeko, even when he said no, he would end up doing it.

It was mostly due to the nature of their relationship. Co-´om Se-Henna.

"I can say no whenever I want to… I just choose not to do so." He didn't sound convincing at all. He doubted he even sounded convincing to himself with that phrase. The result was obvious as Sona was covering her mouth with her hands, but her eyes showed she was laughing at his answer.

"Harr, harr, harr. Pretty funny I know." He said with a smile on his own. Sona hands went away from her mouth but she was smiling, obviously having fun.

Sona simply smiled, closing the little distance between them in the couch, essentially making it as they were now sitting next to the other. Cid face turned slightly red on the cheeks seeing her so close. Sona kept her composure and her face devoid of any signs of blushing the whole time.

In truth, she would be blushing of being so close to a man, especially one who had her attention, but years in the scene of music helped her keeping her composure, and her inability of making any sound helped her.

Cid meanwhile was blushing heavily. He decided to make a bit of distance from Sona who immediately closed the distance. The scene resulted in a comical intent of Cid to make distance, until he met with the end of the couch and Sona tightly putting an end to his escape on the other side.

"Sona?" Cid spoke for the first time since she closed the distance.

She kindly smiled signing at him a simple "yes?"

"What are you doing?" Sona smiled and didn't sign anything. Just smiled and kept looking at him softly. There was a message underlying her eyes, one Cid got clearly.

Guess.

A simple word, a challenge, a dare of sorts.

"You want something?" Sona nodded.

Cid was in thought, his face less red, but still keeping a small blush in it.

"Food?" She smiled but crossed her arms indicating that wasn't the right answer.

"Water? That I read another book? Ask me something?" Sona crossed arms were all the answer he needed to know it wasn't that.

"For me to listen?" Sona was about to cross her arms when she smiled and nodded excitedly. Seems she didn't thought he would guess it that quickly.

She motioned for him to get close to her. He wasn't sure what was going to happen as he approached. After all, he knew Sona was mute. She couldn't speak. So what would she need him to get close?

As he approached her as if she were to whisper something to him, it happened. He felt a pair of soft lips kissing his cheek quickly before going away. A peck on his cheek. He moved back in surprise at the action she took.

He let one of his hands go towards his cheek; to the spot he felt the soft peck of Sona lips. She was looking red in the face. Her previous composure flickered and went off on a vacation as she smiles softly and her cheeks reddened.

A blush was on her face as she stood up from the couch signing at him.

"Good night." She went off quickly to her own room. Leaving behind a wide eyed Cid who was trying to understand what happened.

He did what he recently started doing when confused. Speak to someone about it. Therefore, he went with his face red to his room. He got into the bed. Moreover, spoke to Neeko who had been waiting for him in it. She looked at his reddened cheeks and smiled, looking at him on the bed.

"Co-´om Se-Henna?" She asked fondly, she saw his expression and she knew everything. So softly and with fondness she asked him what was wrong in her own way.

"Sona kissed my cheek." Neeko hummed in understanding before standing up from the bed and locking the door of the room. She then proceeded to go back to the bed, letting no distance between her and Cid.

"Did you like it?" She asked with care, softly taking his hand on hers as both were in the bed looking at the roof of the room.

"Sort of… is confusing." He sighed as Neeko took his hand and gripped softly, indicating for him to go on.

"I… well you know I am a fan." Neeko snorted at the sentence.

"Fan falls short. Neeko knows you like her music." She spoke with a teasing tone making him sigh.

"Yeah. That's the thing… I like her music. I don't know how I feel about her." Neeko hummed.

"Sona kissed your cheek. How did it feel?" Cid sighed.

"Warm… I believe it was just innocent though. I am overthinking it probably." He chuckled, and expected Neeko to laugh too, but instead he heard her humming in thought.

"A kiss in the cheek isn't always so innocent." Cid found himself surprised.

Neeko may be childish at times, but she also was incredibly wise, and outside of what some thought, she could be incredibly smart too. Moreover, when she chose to speak seriously it always was serious.

"Neeko, are you sure? I mean, this is Sona Buvelle. The Maven of the Strings?" Neeko giggled, as they kept looking the roof.

"Cid, Sona is a girl. She is not a mystery or a riddle. She is a girl. When a girl likes a boy. They kiss them in the cheek." Cid sighed. Thinking those words.

"You kiss my cheek all the time." Neeko giggled.

"Because we are Co-´om Se-Henna. We smile forever, remember?" She said with a smile looking at him instead of the roof. He returned her look with a soft smile.

"Yeah." Both sighed returning their eyes towards the roof.

Silence enveloped the room; it was just them inside with the rhythm of their breathing and hearts beating in the silence of the room. Both didn't say anything, they didn't need words at times. Moreover, right now, it was one of those times. They never broke the contact between their hands either. It was just a moment of both of them enjoying the silent company the other brought.

Knowing there was someone right next to them, someone who was willing to listen and not judge. Simply listen. Was marvelous.

Silence was by no means awkward. It was purely their moment.

Neeko was the first to break their silent moment.

"What will you do? How will you answer her feelings?" Cid sighed.

"I don't know… I don't know Sona that much as to be able to do anything." Neeko giggled.

"Well, Sona did the first move. I doubt that kiss was innocent Cid. She has started…. The courting." Neeko said the last part as if it was a mystical problem, and not a simple situation.

"Is not something so weird… people share feelings and try to pursue relationships all the time…. They go on dates to see if they are…" Cid hummed. A memory of a similar conversation coming at him.

"No one is perfect Neeko." Neeko huffed.

"Except you?" Cid chuckled.

"No one is perfect. Nor me, nor you, nor anyone. The question when speaking of couples is, whether or not they are perfect for each other…."

"If they are perfect for each other." Neeko finished for him with a soft smile.

"You told Neeko about it before, so… will you try to see if you are perfect for Sona, and if she is perfect for you?" She said holding his hand tightly.

Cid sighed.

"I don't know… I don't know her that well…. But I am willing to try to know her." Neeko giggled at his words.

She released his hand only to hug him.

"Neeko will stay with you. No matter what! Co-´om Se-Henna for life!" Cid chuckled returning the hug.

"Co-´om Se-Henna…." He said with a soft smile as he hugged her.

The hug kept going longer than he expected.

"Neeko? Release me?" Neeko giggled as she kept the hug.

"Tonight we sleep together." She said with decision.

"We always tend to sleep in the same room." He said destroying the argument as if it was so weird.

However, he didn't try to pry her off. Not when the lights went off. Not when they were both in bed. Not even when sleep overcame both, but the arms of Neeko refused to let go. Once again, like many nights before, Cid started sleeping in the company of his partner. Tomorrow would be another day, another chance of keep on learning, and keep growing.

What is loss?

Loss is to lose something. Moreover, the only way to lose something is because you love it more than you love yourself. And then it's gone.

Have you ever lost something?

I did.

What was it?

Cid woke up feeling warm, like he was enveloped in a fluffy pillow. Which didn't make sense. He didn't even got sheets over him as Neeko was hugging him. Which he still felt her arms around him.

It was then he felt a soft hand on his face. Which didn't make sense. After all, Neeko arms were holding him, and last time he checked she didn't have four arms. As his eyes tried to make head or tails of what was going on, he felt his glasses being put back in the place they belonged. Then he saw her.

Ahri was sleeping with him and Neeko. Enveloping the pair with her tails. She was smiling at him. Her other hand softly touching his cheek.

"You should be more careful, if you had slept with your glasses on they would have broken off." She said speaking softly. Cid taking notice of the tails around him and Neeko.

"Ahri? Why… why are your tails around us?" She giggled, obviously having fun.

"You two were looking as if you had cold. So I decided to warm both of you." She said with a tone as if she said the sky was blue.

"Ah… thanks…" Cid said without much more to say. Ahri kept looking at him with her golden orbs shining brightly.

"You are welcome….." Cid kept looking at her, and Ahri looked at him expectantly.

They remained like that until Cid noticed movement from the ears of Ahri.

"Isn't this the part where you give me a good morning kiss?" She said with slight disappointment in her voice.

Her straightforward answer made Cid look surprised. Moreover, in a way he did feel slightly saddened for her. Therefore, he decided to move slightly and kiss her cheek. The kiss took her by surprise and put her to smile.

"Ah! Thank you!" She tried to pounce over him, but found herself stopped when she felt pain in her tail and Neeko gasped.

"Ah! Hair! Since when you got so long…." Neeko took notice of Ahri and immediately screamed.

"You!" Neeko wasn't fond of Ahri, mostly because she suspected her intentions with Cid.

The scream didn't go unnoticed by a rather angry looking Riven with her broken sword in hand.

"It's too early for this…" She saw the scene in front of her and sighed. Getting ready.

"Too early…"

Pain was about to be served for breakfast.

Sona sighed. Her instrument in her hands floating around her as she saw Ahri in her knees looking at her and towards Cid, forcing her to move to block her view from him. Neeko was standing next to Riven who was behind Cid.

Sona made signs that Ahri couldn't get so Cid had to move to see her hands and translate for Ahri.

"She says why you are here. And how did you got in." Cid spoke the words of Sona and Ahri smiled.

"Simple, I traveled with a bunch of books. I just followed you all the time. Then I just slipped inside by opening a window." She expressed simply. Sona sighed and signed again.

"Sona says you should leave as you aren't a guest in her home." Cid spoke and Sona looked at him mentioning he didn't say what she said.

However, Cid didn't feel like throwing curses at such a time in the morning.

Speaking of which, he found adorable how Sona long hair looked out of her usual pigtails. She seemed to notice his stare making him blush and look away. Sona while not showing it outside since she was focused with Ahri was incredibly happy of him looking at her.

Ahri seemed to notice this exchange and internally seethed, but showing anger wouldn't let her get close to him. Therefore, she would need to play her game. Ahri sighed.

"I am sorry." She wasn't. However, Sona didn't know that.

"She lies!" Neeko didn't really notice. Nevertheless, she didn't believe a word of Ahri.

Ahri laughed at the dramatic tone of Neeko. However, it was Cid who spoke next and put her to stop laughing.

"She isn't sorry, not really." Ahri focused her eyes on him.

"I am, really…" She knew a lot on people, knew what they saw, what they thought.

"If you were really sorry it would show. You are just saying what we want to hear." Ahri was surprised at how easily he was seeing through her. It only made her want to know him even more.

Sona looked in thought before signing.

"Sona says you can stay. But only if Riven is next to you." Ahri nodded, her tails swishing from side to side, happy at seeing things going her way.

"And don't try to make anyone here fall under your charm. Please Ahri." Ahri would have normally not cared for someone asking such a thing. However, the fact Cid asked her saying "please" and her name, she couldn't really say no to someone being nice towards her. It was different from the usual treatment given to a monster.

"I promise." She found herself saying with honesty in her voice. Honesty that Cid noticed.

"She lies I tell you!" However, Neeko kept being herself.

Cid only sighed thinking it would be a long day but he also felt a small sense of satisfaction. Things would surely get better. After all, if he can't put his trust in someone, then he is really not fulfilling his word.

He walked next to Neeko, ruffling her hair and she relaxed.

"I don't trust her." She said immediately and he chuckled.

"Well… I do. And you trust me right?" Neeko sighed, crossing her arms in mock anger from what he could tell.

"That's cheating. You know I always trust you." He smiled. Ahri and Sona looking at the pair, one with cold anger hidden inside, the other with a small sense of worry inside, wondering if she could really have what they shared.

It was hard to know. What were they?

Cid chose to spend the morning in the seclusion of the room he had been given by Sona. He saw the roof, and he looked at Neeko who was playing with her own tail. The pair was thinking on what to do for the day. Neeko was curious of seeing Fiora. Cid was thinking mostly on what to do. He didn't feel ready to face Sona.

Both looked at each other and then to the window. The same thought in mind.

"Want to get out?" "Window?" Both friends spoke at the same time, a smirk in their faces.

Both nodded. Surely Sona wouldn't mind them getting out through a window, it wouldn't be the first time they did it.

Cid was currently considering how friendship worked.

Was it like an unvoiced promise? A pact made between people who agreed on being next to the other in the good and bad. On the other hand, was it more like a formal contract that signed itself with blood and sealed with bonds of camaraderie? Moreover, if it was like a formal contract. Was friendship born in a whim and lasted for eternity?

He wanted to know in which part did it said he had to hold his friend when he was vomiting breakfast and probably lunch. On the other hand, when did he started to call him a friend?

"This is horrible! Why do you subject yourself to this kind of entertainment?!" The words of the explorer were high as Cid sighed patting him in the back.

"You should have said no." Cid was wondering how he reached this situation but it was fruitless. Things just kept rolling until he reached this point.

"You are… a good friend Cid." The words muffled by the contents of Ezreal stomach coming out.

"And you are bad with alcohol. Why did you even considered you would beat that guy?" He was sighing as he kept the explorer steady and managed to keep him clean.

When the explorer seemingly was back to normal Cid got him a jug of water that was resting in the floor of the bathroom, when he first saw Ezreal face he knew he would need water.

"Drink. I swear this whole thing of true ice wasn't worth it." As he found himself remembering, the chain of events that got them into the bar in the first place and into a drinking competition with a man who was obviously not going to lose.

"Gragas cheated… he has to…" Cid sighed at the words of Ezreal after he drank the water and washed his mouth with another part of it.

"I doubt that man has the need to cheat…" Cid saw the giant known as Gragas drinking. It was obvious he wasn't going to lose. The moment he entered, Gragas promised he would give away a piece of true ice to whoever bested him in a drinking competition. Needless to say, Cid most recent … friend, thought he could win that treasure.

Ezreal and Cid had just met. Neeko had entered the bar when they were walking around Demacia, inside the prodigious explorer immediately took a liking to Neeko for her nature as a rarity, but Cid cane made sure to remind him that Neeko was Neeko. Not a rarity. Still, the explorer simply took it in stride and actually invited both Cid and Neeko for a drink. Mostly cause he was an intellectual visiting Demacia, and so far had to find anyone interesting.

Therefore, the apparition of a man who traveled all over and a Vastaya was more than welcome. Soon the group got into chatting, Ezreal immediately enjoying to chat with someone who knew of the world, though he was surprised to find Cid was no scholar and Neeko was the only one of her kind alive.

Their chat kept going on and then Gragas appeared. The rest. Was in the bathroom. It didn't took long for Cid to help Ezreal compose himself and get him to the table where Neeko awaited in the company of Gragas.

"Cid! Gragas can change colors! Like Neeko!" At her words, Gragas laughed, his face showing the signs of drinking but he was able to keep his hulking physique standing and his laughter was actually contagious as Neeko found herself laughing.

"Well, I am glad you are having fun. And I apologize Gragas, I know we just met and here I have you taking care of my partner." The man waved him off without worry.

"Its fine!" He slurred the e at the end but had no signs of being affected by his drink. "The girl is fun company! She knows how to appreciate the good ale!" At this Cid raised an eyebrow and noticed Neeko had a mug of ale in her hands. Yet she seemed unaffected by it.

"Is that Ezreal mug?" Neeko nodded, taking another sip. Ezreal who was holding himself with the help of Cid was surprised; just a sip of Gragas personal mix in his barrel was enough to make him more than drunk. And here was Neeko, drinking it sip by sip and with a happy smile in her face.

"It is cold! But not too cold or too warm, how do you do it?" Neeko asked Gragas with curiosity, the man laughing as he opened the casket next to him and showing Neeko the inside. She saw a pretty piece of ice. Yet she could tell it was not normal by any means.

"This is true ice. It never melts, and keeps my ale perfect!" Gragas patted Neeko in the back, the girl being able to take the physicality of Gragas and returned the gesture back, surprising the giant of a man.

"Hah! You are truly worthy of having a mug of my ale, here, have another!" Gragas poured more into the mug in the hands of Neeko. Cid and Ezreal were surprised at the girl drinking calmly. So much was the surprise of Ezreal he fainted, Cid sighing as he picked up the explorer. Truly, Neeko was always full of surprises.

It wasn't long before Gragas said he had enough of the weak ale of Demacia, which made some of the other patrons stand up in distaste at Gragas comments. Cid didn't need to be told twice to leave as he thanked Gragas for caring for Neeko, meanwhile the chameleon told Gragas to visit them another time. Before Ezreal could try to persuade Gragas on sharing the piece of true ice, a chair hit Gragas behind the head, to the surprise of the patrons, the hulking man laughed as he turned around.

And head-butted the man towards the floor.

"Whose next!? Come forward weaklings! You are as weak as your ale!" The patrons rushed towards Gragas, Ezreal immediately using the power of his gauntlet to blink outside of the walls of the bar, and ending next to Cid and Neeko.

"We were waiting for you to come through the door… so that's the blink you mentioned before?" Ezreal nodded, but before he could answer, a man passed through the wall. Not with a blink spell like Ezreal, but rather, through pure brute force that send him towards the outside of the establishment.

"I believe we should go." Cid spoke calmly as Neeko giggled, linking her arm with his, Ezreal, flabbergasted at the destruction going on pointed at it.

"Shouldn't we try to help?" Neeko giggled, Cid never stopping his slow stroll as she spoke.

"You can try. But I doubt we could stop Gragas. Neeko is not risking Cid when she knows Gragas will be safe." Ezreal wasn't worried about Gragas. However, before he could speak he saw a second man going through the same wall as the previous one.

"Theres your brother! Hahaha!" Gragas laughter, as merry as it sounded, sent chills through Ezreal spine as he rushed for the other two. "Wait for me!"

As the trio walked, Neeko spoke to both of them.

"I don't get it. Why do people drink ale…" Ezreal answered her question.

"Well, some find it fun, relaxing even." Neeko moved her head, indicating that wasn't what she meant.

"Neeko get that, Neeko drinks chocolate, lots of chocolate when she can. But she never cries while she does it." Cid understood then what she meant.

"You are speaking about the man in the corner right?" Neeko nodded. Ezreal didn't remember someone crying in there. Nevertheless, Cid did notice it, Neeko did too, she felt the sadness radiating from the one in the corner.

"Some people… drown their sorrows in alcohol or other vices. Drinking isn't bad Neeko. Is in the excess, where things go badly... some try to lull the pain in their person with it… some lose themselves in it to forget memories of harder times… reasons are many. But in the end… some people just fall in it." Ezreal looked uncomfortably to the side.

He had his own views on those who kept drinking without control. Having seen many academics fall on different vices, but he never… he never really cared. And seeing Neeko ask, and Cid answering her was… uncomfortable.

"No matter how much they drink from the bottle. The answer wont be in the bottom… but you can be sure another bottle will be ready in their hands. Until they understand that, a drink is not a good friend when you need consult. When you need help…" Ezreal asked him something as he finished speaking.

"Who should they ask for help then?" Cid chuckled as he walked and looked at the sky.

"A friend. They need to start speaking with others… is not easy mind you, but it is possible. I have seen groups of people who speak between themselves of what they have gone through… is possible to live life, even when in pain." Neeko smiled as she spoke, looking at Ezreal.

"When Neeko feels down, she speaks to Cid. When Cid is sad, he speaks to Neeko… a friend is always good to have. However, is even better to know, that when we are alone, we aren't truly alone. We are as alone as we let ourselves to believe we are. Sho´ma connects us all, and it is the proof that we are never alone…" Neeko sight went towards Cid, smiling at him.

Ezreal didn't get what Sho´ma meant. Nevertheless, he could understand Neeko. Sort of. A bit… maybe not as much as he wished he did. But he had the idea in his mind…

"Friends, eh?" He looked at his gauntlet. Thinking how he tended to send people away as he was always travelling and exploring without groups, considering he didn't need anyone else close.

You will just slow me down!

No thanks! I can do this alone!

Why even bother?

He could be… rude. He didn't meant it. He simply… maybe he really needed to consider that he didn't need to be alone as much as he did… maybe he could visit a friend.

"Cid, Neeko, how would you like to meet someone famous of Demacia?" Ezreal asked with a smile as Neeko was about to blurt they knew Sona Buvelle.

A woman with red hair and fair skin was walking, her body covered in an armor of black, made from iron protecting her body, her shoulder carrying what looked like a glove in the form of a dragon maw. Many would consider her a beauty. But whoever knew the truth, would know that was a look that was not her real self…

Shyvana was walking around the gardens of Demacia, a zone closer to the walls that kept the border of the city of Demacia, the walls that kept the magic at bay and stopped sorcerers, a legacy from the rune wars that threatened the world so long ago… now a reminder that magic and anything non-human was not welcome in Demacia.

That included herself.

She like patrolling the borders of the city. Therefore, when Luxanna Crownguard said she would be going around, Shyvana offered to go with her. Luxanna was more than happy. Shyvana felt a bit guilty of using her as a way to get out of the walls of the castle. Yet if the girl knew, she didn't minded, she told her to take it easy as she would just be walking around, needing a rest from the castle too.

As Shyvana strolled, she heard footsteps and was surprised to see someone walking with a cane approaching her. "Mind if I walk with you? My friends decided to ditch me in favor of someone with two working legs." He chuckled pointing with his cane to the direction where Luxanna was.

She recognized Ezreal, a friend of Luxanna, but she didn't recognize the… colorful girl with a tail.

"That's Neeko. She is my friend and partner." He spoke calmly as he kept walking until he stood next to her, offering his free hand at her. "Cid. No last name." He smiled, something that surprised her, she guessed he wasn't from Demacia if he was so…welcoming. She took his softer hand into her more roughed one.

"Shyvana… no last name either." She returned his smile as they walked together. She decided she could relax if Ezreal was with Luxanna.

They kept walking silently until he spoke again.

"So… what's your relationship with Lux?" Shyvana raised an eyebrow at the causality of the question.

"… We both work as guardians for the prince. Jarvan IV." He nodded. Smiling softly as he looked at the other group away from them. They seemed to be playing tag if she could guess.

"Nice isn't? That they can relax and enjoy having fun like that." Shyvana didn't smile nor frowned at his words. Sighing instead.

"I wouldn't know. I am not into playing games." She heard the short laugh of her walking companion.

"Surely you joke. Everyone is into playing games, though what games they choose to play vary, come on, lets play a game ourselves." He used his cane to poke her leg. "Tag."

Shyvana looked in disbelief at what he did. Was he mocking her? She was rather bothered, but she still raised her arm, and stretched it to get him. To her surprise, he stepped back in the moment and she grasped air. Therefore, she took another step, and he stepped to the side. She blinked. Was she losing a game of tag against someone who used a cane to walk? With determination she kept moving, a step forward always answered with a step back. A fire burning in her chest the more she tried to get him. She was moving faster yet, it was as if he was always a step ahead of her.

"Surely you can do better? It would be ridiculous for someone who can barely walk to beat you at tag." Shyvana grunted in determination as she kept her rush, it was then she noticed something. The cane.

He was always moving to the side or back, but it was because he used the cane first to move. If she saw where the cane went, she would catch him! At her discovery, she stopped her assault and waited for the cane to move. It was then she noticed it was still, she tensed, preparing for any move. Soon the tense moment broke off when she heard the laugh of Cid.

"You caught on my trick. Thing is, what you are trying to do with my cane, I am doing it with your legs. So if you don't move, I won't move." He admitted his trick and she reacted instinctively and just pounced forward. Catching him by surprise as both fell in the soft grass.

"Tag!" Shyvana spoke in victory, only to feel a tap to the side of her head, courtesy of her opponent hand. "Tag." She blinked and just touched him again with her hand. "Tag!" A chuckle and she felt the same tap again. "Tag."

She couldn't get it how to win, because her focus faded, the red haired look and the fair skin she wore faded, turning into more draconian features, as her eyes changed and her skin too turned into scales. Shyvana noticed her changes and quickly jumped away from Cid. Knowing full well what was about to happen.

Monster! She is a dragon! Death to the beast! She doesn't belong here!

"Shyvana? Are you okay?" Cid took to stand and walked towards her. Shyvana stepped back and tried to move away from him. She was losing control… she could feel the red of her hair go away, and the last vestiges of fair skin disappearing as she took on her real form. Purple scales, hair of another tone, her eyes feral. The half-dragon showing her form.

She had been having fun… she forgot she wasn't allowed that right…

She stood up with dignity looking at Cid. If he would berate her, or call her names, she would face the insults with dignity of a royal guard… she wouldn't show weakness…

Not again.

"Amazing…" Shyvana sighed. She knew she was… what?

"What?" She asked with disbelief, surprise in her features.

"You are… no, you are not a Vastaya like Neeko… judging by your looks… I will guess… dragon?" Shyvana nodded.

"I am a half-dragon… you are not scared?" Cid shrugged.

"You are you right? What should I be afraid of?" As Cid spoke an invisible force tackled him. Shyvana was alarmed for a moment until said invisible force revealed itself, the friend he mentioned. Neeko.

"You two were having fun without Neeko! And you!" Neeko pointed at Shyvana who tensed for a moment at the look of the girl, who was approaching her… and smiling?

"Does dragon lady want to eat lunch with Neeko sometime, maybe?" Neeko smiled as she took the hands of Shyvana in her own, who meanwhile was confused.

"I, um… huh?" Neeko giggled and winked at Shyvana.

"I will take that as maybe." As Shyvana tried to think of what was happening, she saw Luxanna and Ezreal walking towards her. They focused on Cid, who was smiling at seeing Neeko and her.

He stood up and composed himself with help of the cane.

"Dragon lady?" Shyvana couldn't focus a lot on the others as she focused on Neeko.

"Why hide your face? You are pretty, like a dragon!" While many wouldn't take that as a compliment, Shyvana actually smiled at the fact someone found her real side… pretty.

"Thank you…" Shyvana smiled as she looked at the deceptively strong girl who had a firm grip on her hands. "Neeko… can you release me?" Said girl smiled.

"No."

"Cid… that girl is hiding." Neeko pointed at the walking figure. He nodded. She looked… rather common for him, but if Neeko said she was hiding it was true.

"Her Sho´ma is trying to keep itself hidden… maybe you can help her?" He nodded.

"I can try to make her show her true colors. But, you will be helping me. She is hiding, so she probably will need some support… think you can be supportive?" Cid asked as Neeko giggled.

"Neeko can take her on a date? Her Sho´ma shows me she is pretty." Cid chuckled.

"I guess you can."

Cid knew Shyvana was hiding something when she tensed. She moved with tension. Tag was a game that would let him try to take away her tension and distract her mind. Which worked. He just didn't expected she was a half-dragon. Was it bad? Not at all, was it curious? For sure! But he would not pry… plus in a way, he was happy of seeing someone else go through Neeko physicality without being a victim of it.

It was then he felt a familiar sensation around his waist, and he was pulled towards Neeko and Shyvana, the first, whom let go of the hand of Shyvana so she could hug her two friends together.

"Ah, my friends! We should have some fun together, all three of us in a bed!" Cid face was widely red as he looked at Ezreal and Lux, both who were surprised of the statement of Neeko. Shyvana didn't blush, but her feet did scorch the grass under them.

"Is not what you think!" Cid spoke as Neeko laughed.

"It is exactly what you think! The three of us and lots of chocolate!" Lux face was red, and yet, she felt weirdly curious of seeing such a thing. Ezreal meanwhile was extremely surprised. Shyvana meanwhile was considering transforming and rushing away.

"I swear is not what you think!" Cid tried to explain.

"Is exactly what you think!" Neeko spoke with a mad smile in her face, and Cid knew it would be something long to explain.

An explanation later, apologies done, and a heavy, heavy apology towards Lux who said she didn't mind at all, Cid managed to save some face. However, Ezreal was skeptic.

"So you two… are not a couple?" Ezreal asked as he pointed at the two of them. Cid nodded, meanwhile, Neeko, who was still trapping one hand of Shyvana spoke.

"Co-´om Se-Henna. We are friends, we smile forever!" She said as she brought the embarrassed dragon close to her again.

"Is she always this physical?" Shyvana asked as she tried to push Neeko away, the girl was smitten it seemed. Shyvana always wanted to experience the things human did. Romance was one of them, but she was expecting something less… strong.

"You got no idea." Cid said, entertained at the scene.

"So, are you two on a vacation?" Lux asked as Cid negated with his head.

"Not really, I came here on a case. I will help someone with some personal issues. Then… I am off to the road again with Neeko." Neeko nodded.

"We will be taking Shyvana with us, yes? Neeko likes dragon lady." Cid chuckled as he motioned for Lux.

"Oh… well…" She noticed her friend distress. Still she found it fun. "I guess you can take her… but what would happen with Cid?" She asked and Neeko raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

"What with Cid?" She asked curious.

"If you and Shyvana are together, wouldn't that leave him out?" Neeko eyes were wide open before she burst in laughter. It was so much her laughs that she released Shyvana who quickly moved closer to Lux. As if the blonde mage would keep her safe from the iron grip of Neeko.

"You think I would leave Cid out? Neeko heart is big, and his Sho´ma would easily let him hold many too in his heart. Neeko being with dragon lady doesn't take Neeko away. Rather, dragon lady gets closer with us." Neeko composed herself from the laughs and smiled kindly. "Say, Lux, wouldn't you like to join us? We can have Ezreal too, adds diversity… he is pretty so Cid would like it." At that comment, Ezreal and Cid looked at each other with surprise.

Ezreal then moved a bit farther from Cid who looked offended at that.

"Hey! I am not into men." Ezreal simply faked he didn't hear the words of Cid and looked away as Lux giggled. She took a tuff of Ezreal hair and giggled.

"We could work with his hair; Ez could look pretty cute in the right hands." Ezreal flushed red, but before he could defend himself, he found his face cupped by soft hands, as he looked at the owner of said hands he was surprised to see Cid who winked at him, his rather feminine features surprising him. Ezreal let out an undignified sound and blinked away.

With the distance, he saw Cid in his spot. Moreover, Cid in… Neeko.

Everyone laughed as Ezreal grunted and went back to his place. Neeko coming back to her original form and patting Ezreal in the back.

"Did seeing Cid so close made your heart beat faster?" Ezreal huffed and refused to answer her as she giggled. "I wouldn't blame you if it did. My heart always beats happy when I am with my Co-´om Se-Henna." The words of Neeko made Ezreal flush in embarrassment. His heart didn't beat any faster…

Lux meanwhile looked slightly down for a second, Cid noticing this decided to try to have a moment with her.

"Say Neeko, why don't you show Ezreal and Shyvana some of your talents?" Neeko beamed in excitement, also catching what he wanted; quickly she took to drag both Shyvana and Ezreal, leaving behind Lux and Cid.

"Well. You are smarter than Ezreal by a long road. So… will you tell me what got you down?" Cid asked in a professional tone as Lux was surprised he noticed.

"I just… I guess I am jealous." She went ahead with his invitation; she decided it wouldn't be wise to try to play circles around him. Not when it was obvious, he was an expert on that.

"Jealous of what?" Cid asked. He had an idea based on all he learned of Demacia plus what he knew of Lux from Ezreal.

"You two… you seem so free, so happy… you two can be yourselves without any sort of worry. Why can you two do that? What gives you that freedom?" She seemed angry for a moment, and Cid could swear light came from her closed fists.

"… Not being in Demacia for starters." Lux raised an eyebrow at his comment and he took it a sign to go on.

"Why should I be afraid of being myself? I know myself. Moreover, I can't hide from myself. Wherever I go, I will always be Cid. There is no one else I will be… and that's more than fine. I like being me. Do you like being yourself Luxanna?" He asked with her full name, knowing well the answer.

"Its Lux… and yes. I like when I can be myself, when I don't need to suppress my power, or go around faking. I like Ezreal visits exactly for that. He won't judge me for being me… Shyvana doesn't for that matter… Galio is nice too. You have not meet him, but he is also… like us." She motioned towards them and Cid raised an eyebrow.

"Us?" Lux nodded with a smile.

"Yeah, weird beings, out of the norm. I mean, Neeko is this unique Vastaya, Shyvana is a half-dragon, Ezreal is… Ezreal. You are a man that honestly looks to pretty to be a man. No offense." Cid motioned there was none. "And me…" Cid motioned for her to answer the question.

Who was her.

"… I am a mage. I am light." She smiled as she opened her hand revealing a small sphere of light that went away.

"Well. Is good you can be open, but let me tell you right now, is not healthy to keep stuff in. try to open up more often." He smiled as she looked with curiosity.

"Through life you know there will be problems. At every turn and every corner there can be a new problem that will come to try to stop you or inconvenience you. The thing on problems is they are everywhere, they come in many shapes and forms, and one could try to run away from their problems for the rest of their life and would get nowhere… because you can't run eternally from them, nor you can run from yourself… Say Lux. How many people now you don't like the customs of magic on Demacia?" He asked with curiosity and wasn't surprised at the long sigh of the smart girl.

"Shyvana, Galio… Sylas." Cid had heard of Sylas and his movement. He didn't know much, but enough was mentioned between travelers that the man was dangerous.

"Two out of three. Not bad." Lux groaned as she let her hands go to her face.

"I can't believe I was… so stupid as to trust him." Cid chuckled approaching her and patting her in the back.

"You weren't stupid… I would dare say you really wanted your friendship with him to work, maybe… so much that you blinded yourself from the truth. Is nothing new, and you won't be the last one who goes through that." Lux looked at him with curiosity.

"Is this your way to make me feel better? Cause it isn't working." Her eyes looked down for a moment as he laughed and she got angry.

"The point isn't to make you feel better. The point is for you to know that what you went through is not weird. We like to look for the best in people. So much at times, that we miss the warning signals. You shouldn't feel bad Lux. Instead of having, a self-pity party… be glad. You got out of that situation much wiser, is in failure where we learn the most." Lux sighed before a smile broke in her face and she started laughing.

"You… you truly suck at this." She laughed, she laughed as she felt tears of relief coming through her eyes. She never had the chance to truly admit her failure, or consider the learning that came from it.

To know that it was something so common. It helped her.

Garen reaction had been anything but kind; many looked at her with disappointment and some others with accusation, and as if she wanted to cause the chaos that resulted of Sylas actions. To be told by someone, even if it was someone she just met, that it was okay to make a mistake, a mistake that anyone would commit, it brought a huge sense of relief to her. Cid turned his back away and took to stroll a bit alone, in his opinion; Lux deserved to have some privacy with her tears.

As he walked away, he couldn't avoid thinking there was a grade of truth in the words of Lux. He did suck at helping others without making them feel sad or cry before they felt better. His job was one that demanded to bring the truth, something that wasn't always nice.

But just as he said to Neeko. It was much better people went to him for answers rather than a bottle. He had seen first-hand what the excess of anything could bring. Everything in excess was bad… even too much of the good was bad…

Well… maybe there was something one could never had too much…

Something he had recently come to enjoy.

"Cid! Shyvana can become a full dragon! You got to see it!" Neeko screams made him laugh as he walked at her direction.

That's what Cid could never have too much of.

Good moments. There was never one dull moment with Neeko… and judging by the time, he guessed it was better he enjoyed it the moments as much as he could, because he doubted Sona would be thrilled they escaped through a window…

"Cid! Come here!"

Still. Cid smiled as he walked with his cane, already seeing the dragon blowing fire upwards, surprising Ezreal who yelped at seeing the burst of flame Shyvana could release.

"I am walking over there Neeko!" He laughed as he walked at the waving girl.

"Faster! Shyvana said is not something she can keep long!" She laughed as she kept amazed at looking at the dragon.

Cid thought that worrying could wait. Now. Was the time to make fond memories.

He had more than enough time to worry and overthink later, now he just wanted to see if he could make Ezreal scream again.

I'm back. So. 2020 eh? Quite the year we are having. I hope all of you are okay… times are hard. But don't let that stop you of trying to do your best. There is never a good moment, so might as well make even the hardest of moments into the moment you want. Stay safe everyone.