A/N: Another quick update - I'm on a roll! Anyway, this chapter has the usual ups and downs of the average chapter in this story. Nothing special at all. Although I did think it was the last Liones chapter, only to find out I'm splitting it in half. T~T
That being said, make to vote on who goes with the kid Sins to defeat Vivian! Who goes with the kids will heavily affect the future plot, so please make sure to vote. The poll is on my profile UwU.
Also, as always, thanks for all the constant support guys! The count is 32 Faves, 38 Follows and 52 Reviews! Thanks a bunch! You're all amazing and I wish you all a good day/evening/afternoon. After all, everyone deserves a nice day! I am just so cheery today...
Silver - Once again thanks for the kind review! The reaction for Elaine, Ban and Jericho is coming up in this chapter actually, with a small guest appearance. I'm getting excited just typing about it! Also Gowther's definitely got a little dilemma. Sometimes I feel so sorry for the poor guy. And King - XD. King will always be King XD. Now for Merlin, she is just something else. You couldn't be more right about the spell and her de-aging is definitely going to be a doozy!
Car Barrier - Thanks :)
Darkjuliet444 - Oh being late is fine! Once again another excellent review, meaning I have a lot to respond to! The trip is definitely going to have a lot of mishaps, problems and the always relatable quirks of a large group travelling in close quarters. You're completely right about space being tight and I'm dreading sorting out the sleeping arrangements. Not to mention what'll happen while the group's on the road. Ban probably won't cook all by himself, that would just be way too much. Also the 'are we there yet?' 'This one's annoying me!' and 'If you don't all stop we're going right back!' is exactly on point! XD. But I don't wanna reveal too much, so I'll just leave it there. Make sure to stay safe and well :)
Till next time,
D.L.D
High noon. The golden sun sat blazing in the sky, its kind, gentle rays still unblocked by the clear day. Fluffy clouds continued to roll, white and pure as a goddess's set of white, downy wings. A cool breeze also joined this calm and gentle weather, supplying a crisper edge to the otherwise gentle and clear day.
Like before the group of adults sat at their station. Lunch had ended not long ago for them, the royal kitchen staff definitely not disappointing. A mini-feast of sorts had been supplied for the group, the fair weather and lack of having to do anything too strenuous only making the day all the more relaxing. As a result all present parties continued their idle chatter, not bothered at all by how inactive they looked. In fact they relished in it, happy for the short break in their otherwise busy and bustling lives.
But of course it was too much to hope for as such.
"King Bartra!"
A collective sigh sounded around the group, all eyes fixed on the approaching knight. Like normal he wore a hardened look, chocolate brown eyes with a seeming impenetrable gaze matching with his frown and thick, furrowed brows. Regal clothing was upon his form, sword contrasting with the lack of heavy armour and its usual metallic clunk and gleam.
"Ah, Sir Gustaf," King Bartra gave a smile, his first sigh replaced quicker than drawing a breath. "What brings you here this pleasant day?"
"My sister, your majesty," The knight responded, seeming to bite back frustration. Once again his thick brows knit, a grimace forming as he continues to the survey the area whilst conversing with the monarch. A hand rests on his hip as he places the other above his eyes, blocking the sun from hindering his search. "I haven't heard from her all day."
A look of understanding crossed the group at that, many of them now connecting the pieces.
"Well, we can account for her," Margaret offered, delicately setting her hands in her lap. A graceful smile sat on her lips at that, long lavender hair spilling as she nodded. "She's in there."
The knight followed the princess' gestures, features once again twisting with further annoyance. Before him was what looked like some sort of children's play area, a wall surrounding the cluster of buildings and roads. Black iron formed the gate of this place, the buildings made of what was presumably wood or brick and only being one level high. Each building was painted in bright colors, differing much from what was usual in a town and emphasizing how it was fit for children.
Perfect for children.
As a result Gustaf let out a low growl, fist curling slightly as he turned from the sight.
"Of course she is," The young man sighed, teeth grit. He quickly corrected himself from this curse however, a more neutral look upon his features. "May I go get her? We have something urgent to discuss."
"Of course you may - "
"But perhaps you would like something to eat first, Sir Gustaf?" Margaret butt in, shooting a sharp but subtle look to her sister.
The princess knew of what it was like for older siblings to get carried away in their scolding of the younger one. In fact she had done some herself, earning many periods of silence from Veronica. As a result she was aiming to make Gustaf a little more calm before approaching his sister, suggesting something sweet such as a cake. However Veronica didn't seem to catch on, slightly confused but still obeying of her sister's look.
"Ah, but I cannot," Gustaf insisted, his expression and tone unwavered by the kind offer of the princess. "You see I have to talk to Jericho immediately."
"We understand completely," The King nodded, signalling his daughter not to protest. Instead he only shook his head slightly, a wise smile on his features as he gave the knight the key to the gate. "Here, take this key. Jericho was assigned the blue house."
"Yes, your majesty," The knight then took the key, nodding gratefully.
Without another word, but respectful glances at the four adults, he then headed towards the wall. The grass happily masked the sound of his clomping boots, his sword sadly not doing the same as it bounced with each step. As a result it was obvious the knight was pissed, his expression hidden but body language betraying the idea he was not. Therefore chatter once again started up upon the idle group of watchers.
"What a grumpy person!" Veronica huffed, shaking her head as she crossed her arms. "Not even a word of thanks."
A small round of laughter sounded at that, a pair only knowing the irony of those words.
"Reminds me of someone here," Both Margaret and Griamore spoke, the laughter continuing at the chance of being in unison. Even Bartra had joined it, the older king once again finding amusement in the antics of the younger people. However Veronica wasn't finding humor in the jab.
"What was that?!"
"Nothing, princess Veronica!" Griamore shook his head attempting to hide his slight laughter, while Margaret and Bartra continued to laugh. It was only fueled more by the look on Griamore's face, the knight seeming slightly flustered by the sudden look of offence and accusation upon Veronica's face.
"I thought as much," The younger princess huffed, short hair flowing in the breeze. The face was soon replaced with curiosity, however, Veronica sighing slightly as she began to think. "Still I wonder what Jericho could have done to earn such anger from her brother..."
"Perhaps she forgot to do a task this morning?" Griamore offered.
"Or she was her usual self," The king supplied.
"I like to think Ban occupies her enough," Margaret sighed.
Veronica looked at each person at that, their offers seeming to be good but also not good enough. As a result the young woman sighed dramatically, throwing her hands into the air as she exclaimed her thoughts aloud.
"Well that was a lot of help!" Veronica huffed loudly, slouching in her chair. However once again thought took over from the princess' strop, a smile settling on her lips as brown eyes focused on the wall and mini-town within. The town where things would definitely go down and Jericho would most likely be scolded by her brother. "You know what I might go with him!"
A gasp of shock and surprise went with that, the three other parties certainly disagreeing with that point. After all whatever was going on with Jericho and Gustaf was personal and private. No-one needed to barge in and make it their own personal information. Not when it can be used as gossip fuel or as something for a stupid bet as to who would win the next sibling feud. Bets. yes that would definitely be something Veronica would do. She was already exploiting the point that the Sins and Elizabeth were all children with bets, what would happen if she knew of what Jericho and Gustaf were bickering about? Nothing good, that's for sure.
As a result the elder sister acted quicker, her decisions sharpened with wisdom.
"Oh no you don't!" Margaret tutted, shaking her head as Veronica got up from her seat. "Griamore?"
"Yes, princess Margaret," The knight sighed as he restrained the other princess.
Veronica soon found herself unable to move, form kept in check by the knight that usually obeyed her every command. As a result great anger and frustration brewed at the strong arms keeping her in place, the owner not seeming to have weakened their grasp no matter how much the princess kicked and bawled. No matter how much she tried to shake him off.
"Let go of me Griamore!" Veronica spat, "I command it!"
The princess continued her vicious fight, stomping and huffing as she tried to weaken Griamore's hold on her arms. However it was again to no use, the knight having a dedication as permanent as a tattoo. Therefore it came as no surprise as he replied to her calmly, ignoring the kick she tried to land to his face.
"Alas I cannot," Griamore sighed, blinking slightly as Veronica aimed another kick at his face. "Not until you have calmed down."
A growl sounds at that, the magenta-haired princess feeling as if she would never calm down. In fact she'd keep kicking and thrashing until Griamore grew tired of keeping her prisoner. Then Veronica would be able to escape and follow Gustaf to the town, where she will know what is going on between the two siblings. Then she could share her findings with the other watchers, therefore gaining a justified means to her not so pure actions.
So with a determination lit up like a fire, Veronica continued to try and fight against the knight restraining her. She tried to run, kick and even free her arms, but nothing was working and it was only gaining more kind laughter from her father and sibling.
Just when Veronica thought she could still escape.
"They're just like a pair of children, aren't they?" Margaret giggled, Veronica still attempting to escape from the knight. Kind chocolate eyes focused on the scene before regarding the king, Margaret smiling slightly at his response.
"Yes, they are," The king agreed, his own chuckles light as his daughters. "Very much so."
The atmosphere in the building was quiet. Very quiet. In contrast to when King and Howzer had first arrived, happily getting into a conversation and involving the tiny blonde Sin Captain, the place was more or less deathly silent. Not a soul really spoke: Meliodas finding ways to occupy himself, Hawk eating away, Howzer snoring and talking in a sleepy tone, and King himself drifting in and out of consciousness. Out of all of them, the fairy was the worst off, his thoughts and mind seeming poisoned by whatever was in his system.
However despite this, King could sense her presence clear as day. He could smell the scent of flora and fresh-cut grass, the aroma of flowers both overwhelming but not enough. Light blonde hair sat upon her head, crowning a rounded, pale face and wide, golden eyes. Golden eyes that seemed so blank and deep framed by her thick, golden lashes. A button nose sat between these rimmed golden irises, cheeks dusted with a light pink blush as her full, pink lips thinned into a line. A black dress clung to her form, the material oddly tight and swirling against her small bumps and curves. The cut between the torso was also alarming, revealing an area that she would usually hide. That fairies didn't care to show.
Not that they knew of fashion such as that anyway.
"What a mess you are, brother..." Her voice and eyes were misted with sadness, the softness still there as a hand ran through his auburn hair. Another cupped his cheek, her sigh speaking more than words ever could. "How did you fall this far?"
He doesn't respond immediately. In fact he couldn't. King was still muddled from the clouds in his brain, this weird liquid he had consumed making all of his thoughts stop completely. It run his insides, warming them like a fire and causing the smoke it produced to clutch at his throat and brain. Looking for an escape, it clogged his vision and sense of smell - all seeming like a dream to him. A vision. As a result all King can do is smile as she touches his hair, basking in the homeliness and familiarity of her flowery scent.
One of the few things he can make sense of right now.
"You were doing fine before..." Another sigh, her hand now removed from his face and hair. Instead she sits across from him, daintily pursing her lips as she thought. "In fact you didn't look so young."
King hummed slightly at that, raising a brow as the now pensive blonde. Her thin brows were pinched with focus, blank eyes livened slightly as she glanced at her sibling. She looked poised and focused, something serious brimming beneath her silence. But now that King thought about it, wasn't his sister not meant to be here? Wasn't she meant to be in her own realm? A realm where the fairy king cannot stay but only visit?
It was now that King was thinking that these questions began to connect, in fact they clicked. They clicked instantly as his eyes own golden eyes widened, face shaking with disbelief.
"Elaine?!"
King sat up with a start, all the drunkenness gone. Instead he has a headache, his mind seeming like it was pounding against his skull. Hard.
"Ugh!" Howzer woke at King's sudden cry, blinking slowly as his head slowly rose from the table. The blonde's quiff had somehow survived his drunken stupor, the stupid hairstyle still perfect and springy as the knight jerked from his seat. This resulted in a chuckle from the miniature barkeep, his grin growing as Howzer fell to the ground.
"You guys were out for the count," Meliodas noted simply, easily continuing his clearing up. A small grin was perched upon his lips, amusement dancing in his green depths as he only looked at the outcome of his work. Well his work from what Merlin had mainly done.
However that didn't mean the miniature Captain's words didn't cause confusion the pair. In fact they caused mass bouts of it, King and Howzer both seeming to blink as their minds began to slowly tick and roll away. Tick and roll away with the realization that there was something in those drinks that caused them to be so groggy and drowsy. It had to be that. After all, none had touched much else outside of the beverages offered by the ever-so-hospitable Meliodas.
"How long was I out for?" King raised a hand to his head, groaning.
The headache felt terrible now, his skull seeming to throb with every blink and thought. The pain was very much similar to a hangover too, King knowing all too well that the effects of such were worse as a child. Much worse. Not even sleep could soothe the aches and pains that hangovers brought to him now. Therefore painkillers would be a very welcome thing to the fairy, King feeling as if the very pain itself would end him here and now.
"An hour," Was the simple reply, Meliodas maintaining the look of innocence that sat upon his features.
They still hadn't noticed. Not King nor Howzer, both seeming clueless to what the blonde had done while they were stuck in a drunken stupor. It was hilarious really, how Meliodas had crafted the genius idea after Hawk was the first to pass out. A simple way to pass time really. Plus the reactions were bound to be hilarious! But how long it was taking the pair to realise what the mini Captain had done was starting to ruin the fun.
"An hour?" King groaned again, this time out of annoyance. It was not like him to be passed out this long, nor was it for him to have been so easily subdued. In fact he had thought that Meliodas would rouse him if he had been asleep for so long, the Captain knowing that King often disliked sleeping for so long due to a drunken stupor. It was something strictly not King. Something that he disliked and never liked to do. Something the alkies he disdained so much did.
But speaking of a drunken stupor and alcoholics...
"You seriously need better control," Meliodas shook his head, tutting ever so slightly as his golden locks bounced. Innocence and his grin still sat upon his face, features smug and amused as turned to the knight. "You too Howzer. I heard something about childhood trauma."
"How did you know?!"
The knight sat up straight, purple eyes wide with pupils thinned to a pinpoint. Hands came to his face, skin blanched and drained as he looked at the tiny child Captain. He must've been really hammered to have even uttered anything about trauma. In fact Howzer didn't think he had any trauma, most of his life going well. But his clouded mind seemed to differ...
"You yelled it to us!" Hawk appeared, mouth full of scraps and face unamused. A slight cloud of steam came from his snout, the pig no longer asleep and looking a lot more refreshed. "You didn't even shut up when I asked you to."
"Typical Howzer," King commented, his expression grim. It left as a sigh, the fairy king frowning slightly as a finger traced the rim of his cup.
"Hey!" The knight frowned, huffing as he raised a fist towards the fairy. The look was meant to be menacing, but it failed slightly with the slight slur lingering in his tone. "What's that s'posed to mean?"
To that King supplied a smug smile, now noticing the doodles upon the knight's face. A pair of circles rimmed Howzer's eyes, acting like glasses of sorts, and all sorts of things were drawn and written across his face. As a result it took all King had not to laugh as he quickly glanced at the smirking Meliodas, pieces clicking within his still clouded brain as he decided not to mention it. Instead a smile remained on the fairy's lips, King's tone coming out slightly smug.
"I think you know."
"Yeah, like with Elaine," Howzer shook his head, a grin forming as he failed to catch on. Instead he noticed the black markings on King, laughing particularly at the words across his forehead. "I wonder how Diane will feel about this other woman King. You called out to her like a dog."
The fairy reddened at this, frowning deeply as his vision narrowed towards the blonde man. He had the audacity to think of King in such a way! To think he would betray his beloved Diane! For his sister no less too! King could feel frustration growing at the jab, no matter how friendly it had attempted to sound, the situation being a lot more complex than Howzer knew of.
"Elaine's my sister!"
"Oh..."
A silence settled between the two, knight looking at fairy and fairy looking at knight. Both were trying not to laugh at the other's ridiculous face doodles, small smiles hidden by slight grimaces as they studied the work of the mischievous barkeep. The very mischievous barkeep from the looks of what he'd written on both their faces. Some of those things were simply too much for the knight and fairy 'I love giant boobs' and 'I fail every time at pickup lines' being just a few of the words. Not to mention the doodles.
"You guys really need to clear the air between you two," Meliodas snickered slightly, shaking his head. "I sense a lot of tension."
"You don't mean - " Howzer looked at him, eyes widened with horror.
"Yep, tension because of Diane," The mini Sin Captain grinned.
Howzer nearly fainted at that, flooding with relief from the blonde's words. He had a much worse alternative to what this 'tension' could be, his very mind not too comfortable with the idea. Not that King was horrible, but Howzer didn't swing that way. He liked to stay in the lane of ladies rather than take a stroll down the alternative. After all the knight was naturally built with a lean towards women. Cute women especially.
"What did you think I meant?" Meliodas looked at Howzer, eyes wide with innocence as he blinked.
The knight reddened from the stare of the child, suddenly feeling extremely wrong and perverse for even thinking of the alternative meaning. The very not kid friendly alternative. A thick gulp then rested in Howzer's throat, sweat beading at his hairline as he regarded both children.
"Oh...nothing," Howzer grinned sheepishly, a hand running through his hair.
"You sure?" King raised a brow, suddenly wanting to join in with embarrassing Howzer. After all, he had landed himself in a very usual predicament. Not to mention very avoidable too. The two Sins were children, so it would be weird for them to even suggest things such as other types of tension. As a result it was amusing to see the knight erupt into blushes, expression indignant as he huffed and sheepishly tried to avoid what he was thinking of.
"Yeah," Howzer nodded, definitely not admitting what he thought Meliodas meant.
The subject was then closed there, the sealing grin coming from the mini barkeep as he still awaited when the pair would discover all of the doodles upon their face. Not to mention the ones that still remained on Hawk, the pig happily unaware as he continued to much on the scraps he valued so highly. The delicious, succulent scraps...
"That's good cause we've gotta clear up," Meliodas noted, his smile never betraying what he was hiding.
"We?" King and Howzer raised a brow.
"Well yeah, Diane did say she was coming here later right?"
"She is?!"
Both seemed shocked once more, eyes widening as one nearly fell from their seat and the other sat up straight. Added with the doodles it was a hilarious sight, Howzer with his drawn on glasses and hilarious hits at him being single, and King seeming like an underdeveloped perv from what he had on his face. It was an amusing sight and so only added to the hilarity of the situation as Meliodas calmly regarded the two, trying his best not to laugh.
"Yep," Meliodas nodded in response. "So I suggest you clear up before she gets here. I'm sure she'll want to know about Elaine too."
Once again King frowned and flushed at this, annoyed that the two were exploiting his vision of his sister. His deceased sister who he hadn't seen in what seemed like forever now, her life extinguished when she had tried to defend the Fountain of Youth. A death that could have been avoided if King was simply there that day instead of shucking off his duties and living blissfully in ignorant forgetfulness. But then he wouldn't have met Diane.
"I told you she's my sister!" King nearly threw a tantrum, his face turning red as the two blondes laughed. He grimaced, voice seeming to come out as a whine as he looked at the pair. "What's so funny? She really is my sister!"
"Whatever you say, champ."
"We won't tell her."
The tones and expressions matched with the words, one supplying a supportive shoulder pat and the other simply supplying a grin. Clearly the pair had misunderstood the fairy greatly, fixed on the idea that he had another lover dubbed Elaine. But Elaine was really his sister, it was evident from how she looked and how they interacted. But of course Meliodas and Howzer didn't know that, the pair never really having seen her and both having perverse minds that belonged in a gutter.
Oh yeah that was true. Both of them had minds as dirty and tainted as a gutter.
"How did I get stuck with you two idiots..." King sighed, beginning to help with the effort despite the pair's jabs. He then rubbed his cheek, black smearing his fingers. "What's this black stuff?"
Both blondes laughed again in response to that, causing King to only grumble in annoyance. Extreme annoyance. Howzer and Meliodas were definitely too much sometimes. Much too much.
"Ban!"
Jericho grumbled as once again she was looking for the stubborn little imp known as her temporary ward. Once again he had ran away, insisting that he just had to do something. With the addition of whatever role he had chosen too, Ban had the perfect excuse to disappear.
All because of this stupid game...
At first Jericho had lightened up to the idea of such an event, seeing it as something that would finally get her to break the ice with the stubborn Fox Sin. The stubborn asshole of a Fox Sin. The asshole who was so difficult and yet so easy to understand. The one who had devoted his life towards some sort of unseen cause, confusing all around him. After all, you'd take Ban as the type to break hearts and care not a bit. The type to have commitment issues. And it showed in how he constantly ran away from his babysitter, talking about all his 'responsibilities'.
Yet there were also times when Ban was the complete opposite. Times when the Fox Sin was actually responsible. Times when he was actually committed. But Jericho seemingly never saw much of those times, the knight left to deal with the more carefree side.
"Can you not run away for just once?!" Jericho huffed as a light blush dusted her cheeks, eyes fixed on the child she'd just found.
The answer to that was a firm 'nope', the Fox Sin perched on a fence as he took a bite into what looked like an apple. A grin was perched on his lips, red eyes dancing with smugness as he let a leg dangle from the fence as he looked directly at his pissed babysitter. The babysitter that was bending over backwards to make sure he was happy and content, not to mention harbouring the secret of Elizabeth apparently being Ban's sister.
"Why is everything always a game to you?" Jericho sighed, shaking her head as she took a seat beside the boy. The woman easily maintained her frown, blush dying as she snatched away his apple and took a bite. "Do you ever think about how your actions affect others?"
"Do you?" The boy shot back, raising a brow as Jericho took another bite from his apple. A reddened face and long crunch was his answer, the young woman clearing her throat slightly. A smirk then crossed Ban's features, chin lifting with smugness. "Exactly."
Jericho huffed once again at that, grumbling under her breath. He was just so stubborn - so careless and - ugh! You'd think with all the intelligence and cunning Ban uses to steal and achieve his goals that he'd use them to be a decent person! That he would get a clue about how people get annoyed by his constant antics. But of course Ban doesn't do this. It wasn't in the code of being someone like the Fox Sin; of being an asshole like the Fox Sin. He's Sin was greed for crying out loud! That should give a hint into what Ban was about.
But then he wasn't entirely greedy either...
Jericho blinked as that thought crossed her mind, brown eyes wide as she then studied the boy. His dragged up appearance, blood red eyes and spiked hair could make anyone think that Ban was the unapproachable type; but when you met him you found layers. Multiple layers. These layers were only shown to certain people, and even then those layers would only peel so far. But if you delved deep enough, you'd learn that he isn't a complete ass, that he does have actual feelings like a normal human being, and that he does care. You'd learn that he has a long time of sadness and suffering hidden beneath his cocky smirks and sly grins. You'd learn -
"Can you stop looking at me like that!" Ban snapped slightly, face reddened as he squirmed from the sudden silence and intense gaze of the babysitter. "You're staring at me like a damn owl!"
A laugh then bubbled from the knight, face filling with redness as she hunched over. Peals of laughter left her plump lips, body and shoulders shaking as Ban only looked at her in confusion. Complete and utter confusion. Red eyes blinked uncertainly, similarly to a deer caught in headlights, as the boy thought. Ban was pretty sure he hadn't said anything funny. In fact it was pretty hostile, warning Jericho not to stare. So why was she laughing so damn much?
"What's so funny?" The Sin tilted his head, vision thinned as he looked at the laughing knight.
"Well - you - ha!" The knight laughed once again, words barely escaping as she poked the boy on the cheek. A wide grin sat on her face, stomach beginning to ache from all the laughter she had done. "You're just a complete jumble of contradictions. You act like a jackass but really - ha!"
The chuckle fell into a fit of laughter once more, causing the child to look at her in complete bemusement. Complete bemusement and confusion. Ban blinked again as Jericho continued to guffaw, shaking his head as he tutted at the sight. Clearly Jheri curl had hit her head a little too hard when she dropped earlier. She was talking complete and utter gibberish, her laughter coming out of nowhere and mood swings highly similar to bipolar. It was extremely weird and honestly quite uncomfortable for the Fox Sin to watch, Ban deciding that Jericho clearly needed some help. A lot of help.
"Look why don't we - "
"Ban, I've found you!"
A girl stood at the end of the road, a bright smile on her features as she spotted the boy. Blonde hair sat delicately on her shoulders, surrounding a youthful and rounded face. Her button nose and cupid bow lips only matched with the joyful look of innocence, her golden eyes seeming to sparkle as she instantly tackled the minor into a hug. This caused Jericho to fall off the fence, the cackling knight's laughter ceased as she hit her head on the ground.
"I've looked everywhere for you!" A hand brushed against his brow, "I was wondering where you could've gone and - oh I was so worried when I saw what that mage had done! When I get my hands on her..."
The blonde then presumed to check Ban over, small, delicate hands tracing his features. Face, arms, legs: everything within being professional and thorough was checked and the blonde continued to chatter as she did so, expression creased with worry. While this occurred Ban was in complete silence, eyes wide and mind quite unbelieving of what was happening. In fact he was sure he was dreaming, his now child form causing him to see visions of her once again.
After all, she wasn't here right now. She couldn't be. She died. He saw it with his own eyes. He felt the pain, heard the gouging and smelt the metallic scent of blood. Ban had held her body as the life inside it extinguished. He had defeated the demon that so cruelly took her life away because of his stupid actions. Ban had spent too long searching for a way to bring her back to life, journeying all over Britannia just to bring back the woman he loved, only to come up short every time.
Every single time.
But here she was, checking the Fox Sin over and muttering her concerns. She acted as if she had always belonged - as if nothing had happened. As if she hadn't been dead at all.
"Elaine- "
Features washed with emotion, red eyes softening as the boy dared to meet her own golden orbs. He opened his mouth to speak, his voice coming out oddly wavering as everything within his mind wished for her to not be a dream. As Ban willed for it not be yet another fabrication.
"Are you really- "
"And just who are you?" Jericho growled slightly, brows furrowed as she glared at the blonde girl. A hand was curled into a fist, the young woman pissed that she had been so easily pushed off the fence. Not to mention that this brat had her hands over Ban.
The blonde, Elaine, frowned slightly at this greeting. It didn't match with her soft and childish looks, her petite and cute ways. Sadness, anger and all those other negative emotions never matched with her, Elaine being someone who everyone wanted to be happy. She had always been happy in a way. But now, right now, she seemed to have changed. Maybe it was from how she looked at Jericho, or how she suddenly seemed to tense at the sound of the knight's voice. Maybe it was how Elaine suddenly had a eerily silent presence, or that she was now much more alert than a few seconds previous.
"Whoa calm down," Ban shook his head, grinning as he wanted to introduce Elaine to his pain-in-the-ass babysitter. "Jheri curl this is Elaine. Elaine this is Jheri curl."
A short silence followed this, both females seeming to have their own conversation between glares. It was icy and tense, both unwilling to back down as the other grew more and more hostile to counter the other.
"Ban we have to leave," Elaine began to float away, dragging the boy with her.
She had a lot to do to make sure Ban was safe now that he was a kid. Plus the fairy had to make sure that what Vivian had done was reversible. After all, the crafty minx had clearly gotten some help from someone powerful to pull something like this off. Reversing time for just one person is extremely difficult, but reversing it for eight people was near impossible. Only a few people could master such a feat without failing in some way. Not to mention Elaine could sense the fleeting memories from within Ban's mind, her brother also displaying these symptoms.
Therefore she had to save him before he forgot who she was.
"What are you talking about?" Ban pulled against the blonde, stopping her from dragging him away.
Once again he wore a look of slight confusion, his mind truly lost in this situation. After all, why did Elaine want to leave so fast? Didn't she want to hang around for a bit and have some fun after being dead for so long?
"We have to leave," Elaine reiterated, this time holding her hand out for him to take. A look of urgency sat upon her soft features, the blonde's tone turning desperate. "I know how to get you back to normal. But we have to leave now, Ban. There's not much time left."
"Don't go with her Ban!" Jericho snapped, arms folded across her chest as she glared at Elaine. She attempted to get between the two, but Ban blocked her path. "What are you doing?! Don't even think about taking her offer! Ban!"
"But what about everyone else?" The boy simply ignored the ranting and raving of his babysitter, raising a brow as he once again questioned the fairy.
"It doesn't matter," Elaine shook her head, pressing for the boy to take her hand. "We have to go now."
A silence settled at that, Jericho continuing her squawking of protests while Ban slipped into thought. Elaine was now here after years of looking for a way to revive her; Ban should be elated to see her. In fact he should jump at the chance to just leave with her. But while it was true that the Fox Sin was glad Elaine was alive, something seemed off about her. He didn't know what, but the boy could sense a shift in his usually kind and caring Elaine.
Clearly something had changed in her journey between life and death.
"Fine," Ban found himself agreeing, a smirking sitting on his lips. "But we have to help Kilia too."
"Kilia?" Elaine frowned slightly, brow raised.
She had no idea who that was, in fact she feared it was a past lover or something. Ban did know a lot more than Elaine did after all, and they had only known each other for seven days. But then again Ban wouldn't do that. He had some dignity despite carrying himself like he didn't. But still that doubt lingered, most likely amplified by the force that brought her to life...
"My sister," Ban clarified the identity of Kilia, raising a brow at the blonde's sudden silence.
However that look was quickly broken by Elaine scooping him up and smiling widely.
"Ok!"
With that she quickly floated away, leaving a grumbling Jericho behind. A Jericho that was extremely disappointed and pissed at Ban for even taking that blonde bitch's offer. After all, she just appeared from nowhere and in his state he could be confusing names and faces again. That meant Jericho simply had to give chase.
"Damn it Ban!"
The knight then began to give chase, boots clunking heavily against the ground as she followed the scent of flowers.
A/N: Another installment to the mini story! This time it contains two segments to help the whole process move along a little better. That being said, I'll keep the author's note short and let you guys read on.
Forbidden Friendship
It was warm today so I decided to dress in something a little shorter than usual. It was simply a white dress, the skirt reaching around mid-thigh and being simple in design. Of course my mother had insisted upon me wearing one embellished with gold, meaning the waist had a thin but intricately designed belt. I'd chosen a velvet ribbon to tie to the collar, the bow a personal touch. Paired with sandals, I was ready to go out into the blazing heat of the day.
The dress had gained quite a lot of attention within the walls of the palace, the staff most likely having a field day with the gossip. After all, I was usually seen in gowns or short dresses with leggings, but today I had ditched the dress code. It was way too warm to wear anything like that, the exhausted guards in their heavy armor were a sign of that. Plus I had been disappearing a lot more often now, my small escapes to see Meliodas now noticed by a large number of people.
However no-one ever stopped me.
As a result I easily left the Celestial Realm, a basket tucked in at the joint of my arm. It isn't long before I arrive at the familiar sight of the Theater, this time passing it instead of going directly there. I then continue onward until I spot the area Meliodas had described to me last time we'd met. The last time we spoke, Meliodas asked me to meet him somewhere different next time. He said it was to show me a surprise, so happily I agreed. After all, he hasn't deceived me so far despite having many chances to. So I believe that this 'surprise' may be pleasant.
I easily pick out his form, legs dangling over the rock edge above the waters below. A smile edges onto his features as he spots me as well, only it looks a lot more scheming than usual. In fact there's a mischievous glint in his eyes as I land on the rock face, gently setting the basket down.
"Why did you want to meet here?" I raise a brow, honestly confused to the change of scenery. However I soon find out when a hand pushes me forwards. "Meliodas!"
A shriek escapes as I fall into the water, the basket I'd brought thankfully left atop of the rocks. I emerge on the surface, face and hair wet as well as the dress I'd worn. It clung to me like a second skin, white fabric now partially translucent due to being soaked. However despite this, I manage to muster a playful glare towards the laughing demon.
"It's not funny!" My face reddens as a pout forms, arms and legs working to paddle to the shore. As I step onto land, my wings flutter water escaping the sopping feathers. I then take it into my own hands to wring out my hair, walking towards the rock face once more.
"Why would you even do that?"
"You looked like you needed to cool off," All he does is laugh at my response.
"You are a dangerous friend," I shake my head slightly, sighing. A small grin then forms as an idea creeps into my head. "Oops."
Giggling, I attempt to get Meliodas back for shoving me in the first place. I only meant to push him into the water, but it backfires tremendously, the blonde dragging me down with him. His hand catches around my wrist, dragging me over the edge as he falls. Just perfect timing for my clumsiness to kick in.
"Again?!" A whine breaks from me as my dress begins to cling once more. At this rate I wasn't going to be dry in time for the 'inspirational speech' my mother had scheduled for tonight. As a result, she was bound to be mad due to me ruining yet another 'lovely' dress.
"Better luck next time," Meliodas grinned, sneaking a grope. A splash of water hit his face for that, my face a reddened display of fluster. "So now you're starting a war?"
A splash hit me back, right in the face. This resulted in a laugh from both of us, me from knowing I had no chance of evening the score and Meliodas most likely from simple amusement. Although maybe he was having actual fun for once. Like actual, actual fun.
"Yep," A smile forms as I think about the morose demon actually having fun. "Be ready to be beat Meliodas!"
And so began a great water war. Splashes, cheat shots and everything was used to even the odds and I think it was safe to say that my dress would definitely not be dry in time for the speech. As a result I decided not to care and only tried even more to get Meliodas back for shoving me into the water in the first place. The whole thing was drawn out for a while, both of us only quitting when it had begun to grow cold. But even then we still tried to continue it.
The sun was now setting, both of us once again sitting on the rock face. It was only after stopping the water war that lasted for so long, that I remembered what I'd brought along for today. A special treat that was hard to get if I didn't 'borrow' them from the kitchen. They were something I wanted to share with Meliodas, especially since I wanted to try and get to know him really well. As a result I thought the perfect way to do that was by bringing one of my favourite treats.
"I completely forgot!" I grab the basket, opening it and pass him a strawberry tart. "I packed these for today. They're my favourite thing to snack on."
He raises a brow at the tart I gave him, the pastry seeming foreign to him. Odd since I saw them nearly every day, they were quite common after all. But maybe they were only common in the Celestial Realm where we could grow fruit all year round.
"Are you sure you're not poisoning me?" He raised a brow, still skeptically eyeing the pastry.
"Just eat it!" I shake my head at his behaviour, taking a bite from my own tart. "Trust me, you'll like it."
Rolling his eyes, he released a sigh but still did as I told him. At first he was still pretty skeptical, but after a I spotted a nod of approval. A grin then sat on his lips, the expression not showing any hints of doubt or malice.
"You know, these are pretty good."
"Told you," A giggle escapes at that, his love of strawberry tarts noted.
So the meetings passed in a blur. Sometimes we'd meet and sometimes we'd just miss each other, but show signs that we'd been there. My sign was tying the ribbon from my dresses onto a twig. Oddly Meliodas would collect them and return them, although I insisted he should keep them. After all, I was given such an abundance of ribbons that no-one ever noticed when some went missing. As a result I gave them to him as a reminder of me, like how I kept the things he left.
It was like a trade of sorts.
At each meeting held between us, something new was shared and I learned of the progress that was being made in the whole peace project thing. Apparently the Goddesses had agreed to a partial truce, which meant the war was on hold for a while. That meant Meliodas and myself have been able to talk more openly and frequently, meeting in places that we would usually mark as too risky. As a result, confusion was met as my request to meet at the Theater today. After all, we hadn't been there in a while now.
"Meliodas," He turns at the sound of my voice, attentive as always despite his normally cold demeanor. "I want to ask you something."
He looks confused at my suggestion, but complies nonetheless.
"I'm listening."
I take his response as a go-ahead and hesitantly let the words pass, my mind still wondering if I should ask something so personal. After all, as close as we have gotten during our meetings Meliodas and myself were still relatively strangers. In a way we knew a lot about each other, but at the same time we didn't. Either of us could be lying right now, using the situation to our advantage, and yet I still choose to be extremely open.
Odd since I'm talking to the enemy.
"Well...do you ever think about the future?" I raise a brow, biting my lip. "After the war I mean."
A look of deep thought crosses his features, dark eyes seeming concentrated as he falls into silence. A calm and pensive silence. I watch as he thinks, finding it interesting to try and piece together the thoughts that went through his mind. After all, he rarely did sink into deep thought. Usually answers came quite quickly with the sure and assertive Meliodas, but with me he seemed to be thinking a lot more than usual.
"Sometimes," He finally answers, tone low and even. "I mean I've lived my whole life being trained to fight in this war. I never saw an end to it. But recently, I've thought about it a lot more."
The answer surprises me, but not completely as I always thought there was more to the withdrawn prince. There was just so much that suggested that Meliodas was more than a murderous bloodthirsty monster after all. Like how he could be kind despite his mean and ruthless ways, or how he could actually have fun like a normal person despite being the leader of one of the deadliest order of demons.
"Really?" I blink slightly, head tilting as curiosity gets the better of me. "What do see happening?"
"Probably taking the throne," A sigh escaped his lips, brows furrowing. Meliodas then grimaces slightly, expression grim. "Although I never really wanted it. Then after that a wife and heirs follows."
Now that answer isn't surprising. Not with someone who rarely went out of the line of 'what he was destined to do'. But that wasn't the answer I was looking for. I wanted an answer that wasn't made up from rules or expectations. I wanted an answer of something he wanted to do.
"No, not that," I shake my head, laughing slightly. "What do you want? What do you see yourself doing?"
"It doesn't matter what I want," Meliodas answers bitterly, his mood seeming a little dampened now. Blonde hair fell into his dark eyes, the surefire answer being the truth he believed.
"Yes it does," I argue, a smile still on my lips as I place a hand on his shoulder. "I wanted peace and look what's happened. You just have to believe for it to happen."
"Believe?" He scoffs slightly, shaking his head. "It takes more than that Elizabeth. Nothing's that simple."
"Well meeting you was," I respond easily, gaining a look that seemed like shock. "And people thought it was impossible for a Goddess and demon to get along. So what do you want to do Meliodas? If you didn't have to succeed the throne, what would you want?"
Once again he sinks into thought, the silence filling the empty space between us. However it's broken quite quickly, the blonde demon answering simply but surely.
"I'd want a simple life," Meliodas gives a grin. "Perhaps travelling."
"See it's nice to think about it!" I give a smile that matches his, a hug of joy given to the demon for actually thinking about it. As stated before, he didn't think often but now he was beginning to think a lot more around me. It was nice to know that I was the only person he really thought around, witnessing such an act seeming priceless to me.
"What would you want?" His voice comes out muffled, causing me to squeak as a hand squeezed my chest. He chuckles at my reaction, a flicker of green appearing in his dark eyes. "Since you got an answer from me."
"Well...I don't know," I breathe as I sink into my own thoughts. "I'd probably want a life that's less restricting and happier than this one. But I think most importantly, I'd want to find someone who completes me. Someone like you Meliodas."
The smile I give him at this is genuine, my naive heart and brain unaware as to how much meaning was behind those words. Naive to the light dust of red that covered his face.