A/N: I'm on a roll with update times! This one took WAY less than last time. Also I'm on Easter break which means I have more time to update! *Insert excited cheers of joy*. I'm just so glad that I have time to just write and write and write (updating this and some of my other stories). It's been ages since I've just written a chapter in a week.
Anyway enough with the babbling! Thanks so much for the support and everything. We're at 31 Faves, 36 Follows and 49 Reviews! Also we hit over 6k total views! (I'm so happy TwT). Thanks so much though! Really. You're all super amazing.
Silver - It's been ages! Also yes Elaine has appeared UwU. I think you'll enjoy what I have planned for her, Ban and Jericho. Plus Howzer and King are gonna get along with a little 'magic'. I'm so glad you aren't dead though - that would be a tragedy! Although I relate to school and other stuff getting in the way too XD. Real life is always a pain! Make sure to stay safe and well :)
Supermidgetman - No problem! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter :)
CarBarrier - Thanks! The kind word really mean a lot :)
Till next time,
D.L.D
The group of adults sat within comfort, enjoying the meal of a late brunch as the sun beamed down on the land below. It was a nice day, a clear breeze and sky supplying the perfect weather for simply talking and surveying the game going on within the walls of the mini-town. In fact for the whole morning, all the adults/watchers had been doing was talking and eating, light conversation passing along with the light weather. If any object or thing was used to describe the mood, it would be akin to a fluffy cloud. A really fluffy cloud.
"What a splendid idea Lady Diane had," Margaret smiled softly as she set her teacup upon the table, brown eyes softened. "I'm so happy that everyone is having fun during these times."
"Yes, morale is important," Griamore agreed, nodding as he focused on the walls of the mini-town.
His comment was followed by a slight cough from Veronica, the spunky princess not quite over what Diane had done earlier. The giantess had insinuated something that was very much unwelcome in the mind of the Second princess of Liones. In fact it was something that Veronica highly disliked, romance always being pushed to the back of her mind. All she was focused on for now was keeping the kingdom safe from all the ever-increasing demon attacks as well as retrieving all missing persons.
After all, things had grown dire.
"Well...it could have been executed better," The knight corrected himself promptly, Veronica giving a nod at that.
"Exactly my thoughts, Griamore!" The younger princess smiled slightly, before sighing. A hand held her chin, a slight grimace in place. "Although it was a good idea. Who knew children could be so innovative?"
A new discussion was started at that, Margaret and Baltra already knowing how children can be innovative; while Veronica and Griamore were more standoffish towards the idea. The side of the elder persons had already witnessed the wonder of children and their imaginations. In fact the King and his eldest daughter knew first hand from Veronica and Elizabeth that children were filled with all sorts of wondrous ideas and plans. They were always a surprise and so they often came up with ingenious (and often silly) ideas.
The other side, the younger persons, hadn't witnessed the magic of children yet. In fact they hadn't seen much of younger children, the castle not providing many opportunities for it. Griamore knew a little more on the subject than princess Veronica, however combined they were both quite clueless. It was actually Margaret and Baltra who enlightened the pair, sharing stories of their silly charades as kids and how they had gone on magnificent 'adventures'.
Oh yes, those were stories for the ages.
"There was even a time where you had used Griamore as a horse!" Margaret recounted the tale vividly, the event only seeming like yesterday. A small laugh escaped at the memory, the elder princess smiling. "All because father wouldn't let you have one yet."
The younger princess huffed at that, cheeks dusted red with indigence, "Well it worked in the end."
"At the cost of poor Griamore's loyal obedience!" Margaret jested, shaking her head slightly. She then turned to the knight, eyes filled with curiosity. "I've always wondered how you could put up with it. If I were you, Griamore, I would've given up on the first day!"
The young man froze slightly at that, caught off guard by the comment of the eldest princess. However he soon recollected himself, coughing slightly as his gaze shifted.
"Like you said it cost my loyalty and obedience," Griamore responded, his choice of words cautious. However it soon cleared up, a proud smile on display. "I owe my loyalty and name to the royal family."
"But you can always say no," Baltra reminded, the older man chuckling slightly. "Although you shouldn't give them ideas. Especially Veronica."
The younger princess gaped at that, a stab of mild betrayal jolting her. Her father! Her own father had gone on the rogue side! He had joined into the chiding and embarrassment of the most brash of the royals. Veronica had always thought her father was above that. In fact she thought he would chide Margaret for being so teasing - yet he was siding with her! Her own father, the person she valued so much, was joining in on the jokes.
How unbelievably cruel!
"The betrayal!" Veronica huffed as she turned away from the group. She feigned a stab to the heart, eyes fluttering. "To think I valued you all so highly when you act like joking children! You should've all joined that stupid game."
"Now Veronica," Baltra placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder, expression softened. "We weren't ganging up on you."
"Yes we're only advising," Margaret joined immediately after her father, smiling. It had a softer edge than the previous ones, the elder focused on clearing the slightly frustration.
A gentle hand rested on Veronica's shoulder, the pristine glove betraying the owner.
"I ought to go with the Sins to escape you all!" Veronica sighed as she rolled her eyes and removed Margaret's hand, tired of the antics. She then grinned, her snarky comment in fact finding a purpose. A very fit purpose if you ask Veronica herself. "Actually, I'll do just that! I'll go with the Sins and prove that I have matured!"
A light cloud of laughter followed that, both Baltra and Margaret being doubtful of such a thing. Veronica has always been Veronica after all. She has always been defiant, has always been outside of social norms. In fact Veronica was the one to break nearly every rule of etiquette, her manners still needing polishing at times. Elizabeth often performed better than her for crying out loud! Veronica was just not built to be the average female. As a result neither eldest daughter nor father saw the youngest princess as someone who had matured.
In fact she had only gotten more brazen over the years.
"That's it I'm going!" Veronica was determined now, ready to prove that she had grown and evolved. She stood from her seat, fists balled as she remained determined. "I'm going to accompany the Sins!"
A small silence followed this, the three remaining adults seeming to digest the news. One was the epitome of calmness, face clear and unfazed; one was slightly shocked, eyes widened and expression looking conflicted; the final one was not surprised, instead they seemed serious. It was a nice mixture of reactions, not too shocked and not too expectant. It was a nice mixture of between.
"I shall go too," Margaret volunteered herself, standing readily as she collected her skirts. A look of duty came upon her features, all calmness washed away with responsibility. A look that fitted the eldest Liones daughter. "I've been considering it for some time and think I should come along. After all, I know Gil and Vivian better than anyone."
"Then it would be wise for a capable knight to come along too," Griamore noted, prepared to fulfill his duty. A hardened look replaced his slight surprise, all shock being replaced with professionalism. He turned to the king. "I accept the mission if you allow it."
All attention was then turned to the King. He sat in a relaxed posture, easily helping himself to something from the table before glancing back at the younger adults. Of course they were all anxiously awaiting his approval. In fact they were most likely hoping that Baltra would allow such a risk as sending his two daughters on a highly perilous mission. Now that he thought about it, having that as an option was rather unwise. But he can't turn back now.
A man must stick to his words.
"So all three of you agree to go?" Baltra cleared his throat slightly, brows furrowing as he internally uttered choice words. He really should've listened to Merlin when she was explaining about this... "You all agree to go on the perilous journey to find Vivian, rescue Gilthunder and restore the Sins to their normal ages?"
"Yes."
"Readily."
"Of course father."
All three young adults wore dutiful expressions, serious and clear as they looked at the king. Eyes looked directly into his own, no traces of doubt or comedy within them; Only hard and honest dedication and clarity were there, sealing the fate of the reluctant Baltra.
"Very well then," He nodded, noting to go over the details of the task once again with Merlin. He wanted to make sure that it was a safe as possible, not just for his daughters but for the Sins and knights as well. "I'll tell Merlin after the game. I'm sure she'll appreciate the offer."
The group then fell into a comfortable silence. The breeze whistled as it twisted the grass, the sweet scent of flowers travelling with its gust; while the clear, blue sky provided the perfect view of gliding birds and rolling clouds. Once again the ambiance of the perfect day had settled, discussions closed as thoughts took over. Thoughts that were important yet meaningless, somehow being both.
"Now should we talk about cakes?" Margaret raised a brow, breaking the silence. "The ones the royal chef have been making are just wonderful! Perhaps I should request some now?"
With that another animated debate continued, the adults talking as merrily as a group of children.
"So why did you want to talk?" Elizabeth raised a brow, watching as Diane picked a few things off a shelf.
It had to have been a while since the brunette had dragged Elizabeth from her 'house', saying that they had important things to do. At first the princess had believed that Diane actually had something important to do, but after doing nothing but idle talk and following Diane around, Elizabeth began to grow skeptical. After all, important things are usually done quite quickly and efficiently, not in the way Diane's doing it now.
In fact even as they browsed around Merlin's pharmacy, Diane was humming and bringing up small, idle things. The exact opposite of what Elizabeth expected from someone on an important task or errand.
"Your dream-movie thing silly!" Diane giggled, shaking her head at the princess. The tiny giantess stretched towards an item, sticking her tongue out. "You said that you saw Captain in one of them."
"Well I did..." Elizabeth trailed off, biting her lip as her words tumbled into silence.
After not having the dreams for a while, the princess had suddenly been tumbling into a huge rabbit hole of them. At first it was the same scenes of the Goddess Elizabeth in her room, talking to a bird she had rescued. Those scenes had lasted for a while, only being interrupted by figures such as Ludociel or her mother when they came to collect her for 'inspirational' speeches. These speeches were given every day.
Neither Goddess Elizabeth nor Elizabeth Liones knew what was important about these speeches. In fact they both found them pointless.
Why?
Because neither believed the speeches were that inspirational. After all, Goddess Elizabeth was taken as a joke, much like Elizabeth Liones. Both were seen as too innocent and pure to know what true evil was. In fact they were shielded and coddled because of it, seen as fair maidens who would forgive anything or anyone. Therefore it made no sense for Goddess Elizabeth to be in charge of these speeches every day.
But what was most shocking was the most recent dream, a familiar face appearing in it. That was something Elizabeth Liones wasn't expecting. So once again the tiny princess was puzzling over why she was seeing these things. She wanted to know why she was the one seeing this Goddess Elizabeth lookalike. Elizabeth Liones was also concerned as to why she saw Meliodas. She wanted to know why she saw him, but not anyone else. She wanted to know what he had to do with Goddess Elizabeth's story.
She wanted to know why she was the only one seeing this story.
"That has to mean something!" Diane chirped, pigtails swinging as she stopped reaching. She then grasped Elizabeth's hands in her own, smile wide as she began to pour out her thoughts. "I saw King in mine, so you have to have seen Captain for a reason! Ooh, I know! Maybe you guys are soulmates!"
"I don't think it's that Diane..." Elizabeth chewed her lip, frowning slightly. Oddly she ignored the burning of her face, cheeks clearly aflame. "I mean the Elizabeth in my dream-memories had wings. She was a Goddess. I'm not a Goddess, plus I don't know anyone who was seen in these dream-memory things."
"But you could have met them before," Diane raised her brows, almost wiggling them. The brunette was almost too excited to stay still, hair still swishing as she bounced and buzzed. She placed her hands on her hips, reciting her words like a lesson. "Reincarnation can't be impossible after all. Maybe you and Captain have been reincarnated over and over again?"
The word 'reincarnation' caused the princess to pause slightly, mind beginning to process everything linked to it. Elizabeth knew that reincarnation wasn't impossible. In fact she had an idea that she was perhaps a reincarnation of someone, but Elizabeth had never figured that her reincarnation was linked directly to Meliodas. After all, the princess had only known of him through the stories of the Seven Deadly Sins.
But then again reincarnation would explain a lot...
"Maybe..." Elizabeth responded quietly, thoughts still working. Then she shook her head, lips pressed. "But maybe not. Sir Meliodas has never mentioned anything about it."
Diane sighed at that, a weary look on her face as she looked at the tiny princess. Elizabeth clearly had a lot to learn about finding the truth behind weird visions. Luckily Diane was here to teach her and give her first-hand advice. Plus Diane also knew a bit on reincarnation.
"Because he wouldn't know about it either~" Diane admonished, shaking her head. A hand rested on her cheek as she leaned against the counter, items forgotten. "Reincarnation makes you forget your past life's memories - all you have left is your promises."
"But even so, looking the same and having the same name would be impossible," Elizabeth sighed, turning away from the giantess. "It can't be natural reincarnation."
"Then it's supernatural," Diane quipped, easily supplying her input. She then turned the princess to face her, eye contact direct. "Listen to me Elizabeth, unlocking lost memories often lead to good things. Look at what happened to me and King! I'm sure something similar will happen to you and Captain."
Elizabeth bit her lip at that, seeming to have a question on the tip of her tongue. It soon came out, uncertain and small as the giantess still held her within her grasp.
"So you think I should ask Sir Meliodas about it?" Elizabeth blinked.
"Definitely!" Diane winked, grinning. "Also try to remember more. Sometimes men shield us from things thinking it helps when it doesn't."
"Men really are dense, aren't they?" Merlin raised a brow, joining them at the counter.
Both girls jumped slightly at the abrupt appearance of the ravenette, her appearance not helping much. Merlin looked rather tired, her golden eyes dulled slightly with the shadows that ringed them. Her dark, wild hair also fell crazily about her face, strands often being swept away from her eyes with tired hands. But what was most concerning about Merlin's appearance was the dark rings around her eyes. However despite this she wore her signature smirk, hazel eyes filled with amusement.
"Merlin you scared me!" Diane squeaked before, regathering her senses. "But you're right. Men can be completely dense."
The ravenette laughed at the reaction, shaking her head as she focused on the form of the child Elizabeth. She was flushed red from the surprise, eyes still a little widened at Merlin's sudden appearance. However that didn't unnerve the ravenette from looking at her seriously, expression solemn.
"You'd be better off without one, princess," Merlin placed a hand on Elizabeth's shoulder. Hazel eyes were hard and serious, lips pressed into a grimace. "All they lead to is heartbreak and trouble."
"No I'd say they're worth more than that!" Diane shook her head, easily getting between Merlin and Elizabeth. She wore a frown, upset at Merlin's words. "King's so sweet sometimes! He always does stuff that makes up for the denseness."
The child prodigy pulled a face at that. It looked rather fatigued and weary, showing that she was rather unimpressed. Very unimpressed.
"That's what they all say," Merlin sighed, rolling her eyes as she shrugged. She then turned to Elizabeth, tone becoming grave. "Pick or choose your path, princess. Just remember you can't take both."
The ravenette then disappeared from behind the counter, leaving the giantess and princess alone.
Gowther panted as he slid into another hiding spot, his chest somehow feeling heavy. This time the doll had chosen to resign within a small gap between some mini-buildings, quietening his heavy breathing as he regathered himself.
For the past whoever knows how long, Gowther had been running throughout the streets of the mini-town. Lefts, rights, straight downs, or straight ahead - he had taken every possible direction to avoid bumping into another apparition of Nadja. In fact the doll had ran for so long, that he was beginning to wonder how he hadn't bumped into anyone else at all. Not another soul had encountered Gowther on his wild dash, not even Guila and Zeal.
As a result Gowther grew more skeptical of the visions. He felt like they were some cruel type of trickery - a play on the mind - to try and make the doll lose his remaining strands of sanity. Therefore Gowther had irrationally ran away, his child mind seeing it as the best possible action.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Gowther smiled slightly as he noticed nothing had followed him. He was now alone. Well and truly alone...
"I've been watching you...From the city of the dead."
The vision broke the calm silence, her appearance like a boulder thrown into a calm sea. Once again her blue skirts were seen, purple hair gently swaying and brown eyes filled with sadness. She stood before the doll, features softened and voice feathery. Arms were placed at her lap, hands clasped together as she looked directly at him.
Gowther turned away from this sight, huffing as he purposely made his back face her. This vision was not Nadja. As much as he would like it to be so, this wasn't her. It was simply a trick of the mind, most likely something triggered by the cruel mastermind of this age-reversing spell. Therefore he should ignore her. Gowther should pretend that this vision - this stupid hallucination - was not Nadja. Yes, he should ignore her.
It will make her disappear.
"Why do you hurt yourself so?"
She was closer now, tone laced with a sadness and a little sympathy. A cool breeze followed her form, gently brushing strands of hair away from Gowther's face. He could feel her presence beside him, close but not extremely close either. She was keeping her distance.
Something Nadja would never do.
"Gowther please answer," Najda looked at him, face contorted in pain. She had never expected for him to be this far gone - for him to have hurt himself so much. She had always thought that Gowther would pick himself up, that he would forget about her and her short, expired life. But it seems he never did.
"Please."
The word left as a desperate hush, the owner near the verge of tears. Her eyes bubbled with forming tears, trembling hands clutching at her skirt. They wrinkled the fabric slightly, the grip tight despite the Nadja's shaking hands.
Nevertheless the pain, the hurt in her voice, was evident to the doll. Gowther could feel the emotion in her voice, he could sense the tears that formed. He could tell that he was causing those tears, those huge crystalline tears. Gowther never wanted to cause Nadja pain, nor did he want to hurt her, but he had to.
He had to make her know that he knew she wasn't real.
"You're not the real Nadja," The doll shook his head vigorously, hands gripping his pink hair. Tears formed as the words, his hands shaking as the words left his mouth. "You're only a vision from my subconscious."
Nadja frowned at that, a look of offence carved into her features. A hand rested over her heart, the other clutching her skirt indignantly. She felt deeply offended by the fact that she was claimed to have not been real. In fact she knew she was real, requesting something that was risky from the leaders of the City of the Dead. But to have done that, to have risked so much, only to be told she was not real?
Najda would not stand for that.
"I'm not," She shook her head firmly, purple hair bouncing. "I'm real Gowther. I'm here..."
A hand rested on his arm, cool and yet soft. Once again the gentle breeze followed it, the scent of flowers and fresh morning dew somehow coming to the doll as well. It had been ages since Gowther had longed for Nadja's touch. Decades since he had last seen or held her. In fact he had longed for the day he would see her again, knowing that it was but an idle dream. Yet here she was, touching him and talking to him, and he still refused to believe she was real.
Gowther was decided that she wasn't real.
"You can't be!" The doll choked through tears, body and hands shaking as they clutched onto her arm. "You're dead! You died! I saw it! You can't be...You can't be..."
Nadja looked at the hysterical Gowther, tears now forming at the damage that had been done. He was so hurt and lost, so lonely and heartbroken, that she felt it must all be her fault somehow. After all, she was the one who went and died. Nadja was the one who had grown closer to him, knowing that she would likely die. The princess was the one to blame. Yet she couldn't help but not feel all responsible too. After all, despite the hurt she had caused Nadja also brought happiness.
She just had to remind Gowther of that.
"I did die, but you can't suffer because of it," A look of sadness and remorse sat upon her eyes and lips. A hand rested over her heart, pale and porcelain-like like a piece of fine china. The other rested on Gowther's cheek. "Don't hurt yourself because of me, Gowther. Please don't."
"But it hurts regardless!" Gowther cried out. "It hurts so much to remember! To carry all that's happened and to see you here. It hurts too much for a doll like me to carry. For something not natural to hold..."
A sigh left the deceased princess at that, head shaking softly as she moved Gowther to sit upon her lap. Since he was now a child, Nadja decided to take a simpler approach. In fact she tried to put it all softly, easing in all the happier memories to replace the final, morbid one.
"Do you remember when you dressed up as a maid to sneak into the castle?" A giggle passed her lips, the deceased princess smiling as she stroked his head. "Or when you took me horse riding because that's what Meldor did? That night was so magical..."
And so the recounting began. Neither knew for how long, nor how many memories they retold - in fact they had lost count - but soon they were nearing the last of the happy memories. They were nearing the close of Nadja' visit. However Gowther seemed to be a little happier now, calmly listening and responding when seeing fit. He easily allowed Nadja to pet and fuss over him, the princess shocked by how he was suddenly so tiny.
By the end of the retelling, Gowther was soothed and seemed to be a little sturdier on the subject.
"You see, those memories aren't painful," Nadja smiled widely, looking directly into Gowther's eyes. "They're beautiful and they're yours. Keep them for me Gowther."
"But - "
"Nope, you have to," Nadja shook her head, smiling again. She gave a wink, smirk in place. "Let's make it our final promise."
She then disappeared, her lips lightly dusting the doll's cheek and leaving him confused and alone. Confused and alone, yet fulfilled.
"What was in this again?" King slurred slightly, vision hazed.
The last thing the Fairy King remembered was deciding to head somewhere where he wouldn't have to deal with Howzer head on. As a result he had found himself at the local tavern, easily distracting himself from the undesired situation he was landed in. In fact King had distracted himself so much, he failed to notice that his senses were beginning to scramble and become hazed. They did it very much in a familiar way to being inebriated.
Howzer and Meliodas on the other hand were a little better off, both being well-trained in the art of holding liquor, not to mention not being lightweights like King. The Fairy King couldn't hold it if his life depended on it after all, especially now that he was a kid again. Oh King definitely was a lightweight.
"No idea," The tiny Sin Captain responded, barely feeling the effects as he took a swig from his own cup.
It took all he had to hide his slight grin, amusement being the main cause of it. There was no denying that Meliodas was enjoying the unprecedented effects of this. In fact he saw it as the perfect way to get back at Diane for ditching him with Hawk, happily supplying more for the disastrously drunk fairy.
"Well, who supplied this then?" Howzer raised a brow, slightly more sober than King despite drinking more.
He had an inkling that whoever gave this to Meliodas probably gave it to him with the intent of watching the results. Or that person had expected to see if a certain 'experiment' of theirs had worked. The second seemed more likely to the knight, Howzer already knowing how that person already had their mischievous ways. After all, she was known to 'innocently' try things, often in the name of advancement or research.
"Merlin," Meliodas answered simply, now leaning against the counter.
He knew that to be very true. Very true indeed. In fact the Sin Captain had suspected it from the get-go, noticing that something was a little off with Merlin. But since he had run dry on something interesting, Meliodas wanted to see what might happen. After all, nothing could go terribly wrong right?
"Well there's your answer!" Howzer chuckled, happily taking another gulp. "She most probably spiked these or something."
"Wouldn't be below her," Meliodas shrugged, another swig being taken.
The knight's lone laughter filled the room at that, his deep chuckles more or less deafening everything else. It lasted for a few moments, Howzer allowing himself to laugh before he felt the intense side effects of this later. As a result it lasted way longer than what would seem natural, the knight near the verge of tears as he finally settled down.
"That would explain the taste..." King hiccuped, somehow taking another drink. His eyes were slightly lidded, tone matching them in a distant and dream-like tone. If those were an indicator of anything, it showed that he was on his way to being well and truly pissed. "This is what I've needed for the past few days!"
The fairy continued to say comments of these manner, happily downing more as he did so. Clearly King had a lot of problems he was temporarily hiding with all that booze - or this new thing Merlin had given them was highly addictive... Maybe the second one might be true. It was a bit difficult to stop, but perhaps that was because none of the child Sins had been allowed to touch anything to do with alcohol while in these child states. If you were mentally an adult, an adult who indulged, wouldn't you binge if you were in this situation?
As a result Howzer said nothing as he took another gulp, allowing the two children to have a bligh. After all, being kids again must be annoying and stressful as hell. Especially since these kids have to do so much, like go and fix themselves because some random ass person decided to make them kids. Not to mention they all had babysitters now, meaning they were more or less degraded from respected knights to daycare group.
In that sort of situation, who wouldn't want some sort of stress relief?
"You guys are totally gonna feel the effects tomorrow!" Hawk staggered slightly, eyes drooping. His tone was slurred slightly, the pig snorting several times between words. "Good thing I'm too smart to - "
Hawk them fell asleep where he stood, causing the mini Sin Captain to chuckle slightly. Howzer was about to bring up the question of what Meliodas had done, but he decided to once again leave it be. After all, no-one had really come to harm. Hawk was still alive and the knight himself felt fine as well. Plus today Howzer was a 'kid'. That meant there shouldn't be any questions to raise, since he should simply respect and honour his elders.
Mind made at that Howzer took an extra large gulp, finishing what was probably his sixth cup.
"What was that Hawk?" King raised a brow as he floated towards the pig.
He then poked the snoring animal, golden eyes narrowed.
"Wakey-wakey, eggs and bakey~!" Howzer joined the fairy, talking right into the pig's ear.
This caused Meliodas to laugh from behind the counter, shaking his head as he knew this wasn't ending anytime soon.
Lunch hour came slowly for Escanor today. Time seemed to slow to an agonizing crawl after the blonde girl's visit, in fact it felt as if days had passed since then. Seconds stretched to minutes and minutes stretched to days. Escanor had done everything he could to busy himself: restocking, cleaning and even doing unnecessary extras like cleaning even though everything was already clean. However despite the Lion Sin's effort to make time pass, it only did at a slow snail's pace.
As a result the boy couldn't help but feel relieved as his lunch hour came, turning the sign in his window and heading across the street. He easily opened the door, walking into the building and spotting Merlin behind the counter, noting something down.
"Escanor, what a pleasant surprise!" Merlin smiled as she spotted the boy, happily stopping her work. Her dark hair was clustered around her face, hazel eyes a little dulled but brightened to see the Lion Sin. "You're just who I was looking for!"
An odd grin spread on her lips at that, a weird form of intrigue being painted on her features. It seemed eager, happy and nervous all in one - an odd look for the usually certain, calm and sure Merlin that was portrayed to almost everyone. In fact she only ever looked like this when she had found something big, or had a new experiment to test.
"Really?" Escanor raised a brow, his voice jumping slightly as he looked at the Boar Sin.
She seemed to be staring at him a lot, something seeming odd in the action as much as he enjoyed it. In fact Merlin's stare seemed so off, that Escanor began to grow nervous. He shifted the collar of his shirt, his neck feeling warm from the intense gaze of the ravenette.
"Yes, I was waiting for you to come by," Merlin nodded, her tone seeming easily calm. She then turned, placing her papers down. "You see I have something to tell you."
If Escanor wasn't nervous before, he sure as hell was now. It was obvious from the slight flush that came to his face from her words, Merlin's eyes seeming to stare right into his very soul. The stare seemed very grim and serious, perhaps even solemn as hazel eyes fixed onto the Lion Sins. This caused Escanor to gulp slightly, sweat beginning to gather at his hairline as he tried to withstand the urge to faint. Yes, it had to be the urge to faint and not collapse. After all, his legs wouldn't feel so shaky right now along with with his mind.
However it was with the feeling of fainting that Escanor remembered why he had come here in the first place.
"W-well I have something to share as well," He finally got the words out, trying to control his jelly legs.
"Great!" Merlin smiled widely, a stern nod being sent. "Well you should go first, as my explanation may take a while."
A while? Merlin usually gave short explanations, not really long-winded ones. After all, time was something that cannot be wasted, especially in situations like the one they were all in. Time was something they didn't need to waste, in fact they needed it more than anything.
"Very well," Escanor cleared his throat, shuffling slightly. "There's something odd going on recently. You see I bumped into this weird girl earlier - "
"Oh, that's nothing to worry about Escanor," Merlin waved it off, tone cheery as she shook her head. "Trust me, it'll sort itself out."
"But - "
"Just trust me, Escanor, it's fine," Merlin insisted, looking directly into his eyes. "Sometimes you worry too much."
A disheartened look crossed the boy's features, the comment seeming like a nag to him. After all, he had just bugged Merlin for something that could perhaps mean nothing. In fact she stated herself that it was nothing to worry of, Merlin most likely bumping into this blonde girl as well. So really he shouldn't worry, not when Merlin had stated that he shouldn't do such a thing.
Yet still Escanor couldn't feel content. She had such a weird presence after all...
"But that's not a bad thing!" Merlin rushed the words out, turning red. Her voice quietened as Escanor looked up at her, blinking. "In fact it's something I admire..."
She looked a right picture, actually red for once. When Merlin had begun this idea, this theory, to prove Diane wrong - she had never imagined that she would actually feel so flustered. In fact she felt like it would be like before, where she could easily hide her reactions. Blushing, bashful smiles and other things she had displayed since beginning this were things Merlin never usually felt. Theses things were things that Diane and Elizabeth did, that normal girls did. Not Merlin.
But perhaps these weird things are part of the fun...
"Really?" Escanor looked at the ravenette, eyes wide with curiosity. His voice came out hopeful, slightly squeaky as he peered at her.
"Yes," Merlin nodded, walking towards the Lion Sin. "That's why I wanted to talk to you. You see..."
The rest was whispered into the Lion Sin's ear, Merlin careful not to let anything slip out too loud. After all, anyone could walk into the chemist. Then they would hear what she was discussing and it would be most embarrassing, as well as intruding. As a result the girl made sure to keep it very quiet, making sure that Escanor caught it all.
"Oh really!" The boy flushed red as Merlin finished, taken aback by the words. "Well I would love to assist- I would -but are you sure? - I mean of course!"
"Great!" Merlin smiled. "It's a date!"
The wink she sent him almost caused Escanor to faint again, but he quickly regained himself and headed towards the door. He definitely had to spend the rest of his lunch break alone, this news was a lot for him to digest. Way too much.
"Well, it was nice talking to you Miss Merlin," The Lion Sin waved as he left the building.
"You too Escanor," The girl nodded.
The door then closed and Merlin released a sigh. A long, hard sigh. Hopefully she wasn't making a mistake by taking this leap.
"Gowther! Gowther!"
Guila and Zeal had been searching all morning, hoping to catch a glimpse of the doll. Normally when they played hide-and-seek, they would've found Gowther by now. In fact it never took any longer than an hour. Gowther always made sure to stay within the perimeter marked by Guila after all, his hiding spots being smart ones hidden in plain sight. But now that she and Zeal had checked almost every hiding spot within the mini-town, Guila was beginning to worry. It was very unlike Gowther to go missing like this. Very.
"Where could he have gone?" Zeal frowned, dismayed that he had failed at seeking.
Usually he would've found Gowther by now. In fact he always found Gowther by now, remembering that the doll loved to fit in little nooks an crannies. Sadly those spots were all empty when Zeal went to find him, Gowther seeming to have vanished into thin air.
"We've searched all over," Zeal pouted slightly, worry being masked with dismay. "He has to be somewhere!"
The boy then went to frantically check within a bush, sighing as he came up empty handed. It was like Gowther had just gone - like he had vanished. It was really frustrating let alone upsetting. The little boy felt about ready to burst with how worried he was, let alone how frustrated. Gowther wasn't like this after all. He was usually within sight and always came when called. He never ignored when you called for him.
"I know, Zeal, I know," Guila sighed, brows furrowed as she also looked. She'd asked everyone she'd bumped into if they'd seen Gowther, but none of the other kids had. They were all busy doing whatever they were doing. "This is worrying though. It's very unlike Gowther."
"Very," Her brother emphasized, nodding.
"Yes, very," The knight agreed, but she somehow mustered a smile. "But we'll keep looking. He has to be somewhere around here."
A sigh was the response to that, both of the pair quickly losing hope despite the shared smiles.
A/N: I've also had this one written up for ages. Ha! The irony that the extras are done before the actual chapter XD. Well I have to write the next one from scratch so...*sigh*. Anyway enjoy the little extra-chapter! Hopefully I can get the next chapter up soon :I
Watchful Waiting
I went back.
Much against my mother's, as well as all the other higher-up Goddesses', wishes. They all told me it was simply too dangerous to venture towards somewhere that was known to the demon race. They agreed that it was too risky for me to go somewhere where a high-ranking demon could be at any time. After all, my death would be near certain, my powers 'significantly weakened' from my efforts during the war.
Yet I still went.
I went there every day and sat among the ruins, staring at the sky or even the occasional glance at the crumbling statue of a Goddess. A statue that I didn't believe was commissioned for the Goddess at all. After all that statue - It was very...creative.
The Goddess sat there upon a pillar, legs tucked to the side as she gazed over her shoulder at what seemed like nothingness. Two sets of wings were upon her back, one set destroyed and the other somehow intact. She was graceful and beautiful, the regalia of her image paired with her long hair being fancily tied up. Curls framed her face, her expression plain as she gazed over her shoulder.
The Goddess also wore a simple robe, the material quite form-fitting and revealing of much of her bust. A very overflowing bust I must say. I think it's almost genetic at this point for Goddesses to have such large chests at this point. I've met no other female Goddess who hasn't got one after all, myself included. But still it made looking at one, especially preserved in stone, quite uncomfortable. The position of the statue's shoulders didn't help either, her arms seeming to emphasize the large swell of her chest.
A very odd choice for a statue meant for a theater. But art is art I guess and something about the statue helped to pass time.
Releasing a sigh, I turn from the statue. Yet another day has been wasted sitting here among the theater's ruins. It seems that all the wishing and waiting in the world could not summon a second crossing of paths. Another meeting by chance.
I've been coming here for the past week now, same time and same place, only to spend a while sitting alone and staring at the theater and clouds. No-one came and no-one looked. It was just me and the theater, the theater and me; my first encounter with Meliodas most likely being my last. A shame since I wanted to learn more. Talking to him was the closest I'd ever gotten to a demon - healing doesn't really count - and I wanted to know more.
I wanted to know so much.
I don't know why, but something about the whole holy war situation interested me. I wanted to know why peace couldn't be obtained between the two races. I wanted to know why demons and Goddesses insisted on being so different. I wanted to know why they couldn't settle for peace.
Getting up, I decide to leave and call it a day. Sunset was approaching, and my mother always wanted me back by then. It was a rule enforced much more since bumping into the Demon King's son. A rule introduced for my safety and nothing but. Nothing else at all they say, but I can't help but think differently. After all, things just keep changing and I'm powerless towards it.
Releasing another sigh, I go to take off only to spot something off out the corner of my eye. A flicker of pitch blackness. However I pass it off as nothing, knowing I could've easy blinked. After all, a lot of things appear as blurs from the corner of your eyes. But then I see it again - full on this time. Only what I see causes me to instantly take off in the opposite direction of home, wings spreading as I try catch up with it.
"Wait!" I call after him, somehow managing to catch up despite being cooped up for so long.
"You again?" He seems annoyed, expression not so patient. But then again he doesn't really have expressions, or that's what I've gathered from my short observations. Meliodas only really wore a blank face that seemed to hide so much. It was so similar to a mask, like a way to shut off everything else.
I wonder what he hides beneath it...
"Yes, and I've finally bumped into you again!" I give a smile, opposing his eternal poker face. "So why haven't you come here for a week?"
I finally get a reaction from this, something going on but happening too fast for me to catch it. Instead I only hear the words, the answer leaving as easily as water escaping a fall.
"Avoiding you," Dark eyes seem to focus on something else, the owner clearly not in the mood to talk. Not that I could really blame him. I was a Goddess and therefore I couldn't be trusted to communicate with, but then again I must be a pretty strange Goddess to him. I mean I'm trying to be his friend and not kill him, that has to be weird behaviour right? Goddesses aren't known to be so civil towards demons.
"Oh..."
Despite my own justification of his response, I can't help but trail off. It was slightly dismaying to learn that I still hadn't reached a common ground with him. I'd thought that perhaps by not wanting him dead that I'd earn some trust of sorts, or maybe a little friendliness. After all, the other demons I'd healed seemed to be pretty happy when they woke to see my disappearing from view. But then again all of those times, I was hidden from view.
They never saw my face. They never saw my wings.
"What do you want?" Meliodas gives a sigh, his tone seeming different from the other times he'd spoken. But I couldn't really tell since I'd only heard him speak a handful of times. Plus he didn't seem like much of a talker with his eternal poker-face. It was probably a miracle that I'd gotten him to speak this much.
"I want peace," I say the words automatically, determination behind them as I glanced at the blonde. "Peace between all of the races."
"Peace?" He raised a brow at that, the reaction somewhat better than the others I had gotten before. Nevertheless, that didn't mean I couldn't feel the actual meaning behind that reaction. I mean it was evident from how he seemed to shake his head, fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. "Please tell me you're joking."
There it was. The very thing that everyone had told or shown me: disbelief. They all didn't think that what I believed in was true and so they left me to try and create it alone. In fact they all expected me to fail, and yet I had gotten this far in my quest to create peace. I've successfully spoken to a demon and not died, the conversation somehow being civil-ish and not breaking out in disagreement. That's a new milestone in my journey.
"I'm not joking," My tone is serious, a hand resting over my heart as I look at the passing land below. Greens, browns and blues mixed into one, the blend somehow calming. "I really want peace..."
Meliodas studied me at that, dark eyes seeming thoughtful. For the first time, I could see some sort of emotion crossing his eternal poker-face, thought chipping away at the blankness. Furrowed brows and a slight grimace were my first clear glimpse of emotion from what seemed like a perfectly guarded person. It was interesting to see someone who was often so stoic seem more normal - perhaps even more relatable.
So naturally I anxiously watched, chewing my bottom lip as I thought of the many responses that could come. While I had successfully caused an actual reaction, it still wasn't an exact sign that I had got Meliodas on board. In fact his expression was still guarded thought, nothing really being given away from his looks alone. All I could really rely on was his words.
"Ok, I'll help you get that," The mask had fallen slightly, something seeming like a grin escaping.
"Really?!"
In a flurry of instinct and happiness, I rush over to him. I realise only too late that I'd trapped Meliodas in a hug, his face ending up buried in my chest. Right where my cleavage would be. Curse you Goddess genetics!
"Sorry!" Flushing crimson, I immediately release him. A tangent of apologies begin to form, all of them seeming like verbal diarrhea as I bite my lip and fumble with my hands. "I forgot that - And you - I really shouldn't have -"
"It's fine..." A laugh actually escapes, something cracking through the mask once more. But this time, it's a little more permanent, a grin forming. "I'll see you around Goddess."
He then zips away, making me realise that he had actually gone slower for my benefit. Or was it to make a point that I was a sheltered Goddess? I wasn't sure of neither anymore, my mind too muddled with happiness and glee to actually think. So instead I call after him, cheeks still warm.
"It's Elizabeth!"