If someone told Lily Jones that she would move to New Orleans, meet and adopt a thief, and learn magic. She would've laughed in their face. But now, she couldn't think of a better life.

She and Facilier worked in their shops during weekends and school breaks. They went through some weird cases, such as talking crocodiles in the swamp, malicious spirits causing pain and bad luck, loud music floating through the bayou, a couple of haunted dolls ("it's looking straight at me Lily, it wants to kill me." "Quiet Facilier just burn it already."), floating shoes, and of course seeing into the future.

They both had progressed immensely from where they first started, which they relied on rituals to do most of the work, but now they always have an arsenal of charms, potions, powder, and of course easy-and-quick customizable voodoo dolls (in case they are feeling stabby at some point). Each was better in different areas, however; Facilier excelled in the makings of hexing powders, tarot cards, and charm-making, Lily mastered the foggy arts of crystal ball reading, curses, and counter-curses (*cough*mostly curses*cough*). They were never bothered by voodoo-fearing people again.

Of course, voodoo wasn't the only thing they focused on. School was very important, at least to Tulip. Both had no interest in school and it showed, while Lily was attentive to a point, Facilier would constantly zone out and not pay attention. Despite all this, they did decent enough to please Ms. Jones.

While school wasn't that interesting their friends were, Miles, Mary, Marie, Will, and Florence each had some hobby or another that they shared. Miles was an amazing pastry chef and was always bringing snacks to birthday parties and holidays. Mary and Marie were painters, more often than not illegal ones that paint on buildings. Lots of shenanigans happened when they invited others to join their "adventures." Florence was an astrology and mythology geek, she could recognize all the constellations and tell you their myths. Will, the quietest of the group (despite Florence being the mute one), enjoyed daydreaming and could entertain the rest for hours with his complex stories.

When they all joined together, they often combined their interest in some sort of bastardized mess, which caused Tulip to grey early. A personal favorite was during Lily's first Mardi Gras, one of the biggest celebrations of the year. Each child had a specific job; Will and Florence designed, the twins made it into reality, and Miles baked… a lot, Facilier and Lily were in charge of the magic bit.

When midnight struck and the party was still going, a huge wyrm dragon made of stars and constellations burst into the air, it roared and spewed moon pies out of its mouth. The crowd cheered in awe devouring the pies till there was nothing left.

It became a custom to send the dragon into the air, although it never was designed the same. The next year it was rainbowed color and sparkled like fireworks, another time it had a medieval design and flew on powerful wings.

All was good and both the Jones siblings couldn't have been happier, so of course tragedy had to strike.

Several months before Lily and Facilier's birthday (after he revealed not knowing his birthdate Lily decided to share hers), she turned eleven and he, thirteen. They were lounging about in their shop, the school was having a teacher's workday. When Florence burst in, frantically signing, her hands were moving so fast that all they got was come, crash, Tulip, before she grabbed Lily's arm and ran out the building with Facilier following after.

Their friends slowly met up with them as they ran through the streets, confused at first but concerned when they saw Florence's signs. They skidded to a stop at the street corner of Duke's, where one of the new-fangled motor cars crashed. Tulip, Florence had signed, Tulip's shift had recently finished. Lily ran ahead ignoring the shout of her friends. A policeman grabbed Lily but it was too late, she saw the body on the stretcher. She recognized the dress, Lily watched as her perfectionist mother stitched and re-stitched it late into the night.

She fell and cried, the policeman was talking to her but she didn't care. She needed Facilier. And then he was there next to her, hugging her and crying as well. They both clung to each other even as they were escorted to the station, oblivious to the world.

Numb is what Lily felt after she stopped crying. The police were trying to soothe her but it didn't work, she still refused to let go of Facilier.

Scared, angry, frustrated. Each one swirled in Facilier. He was scared for himself and Lily, what would happen now? Could they live in their shop, would the adults let them? But he was angry and frustrated at himself, why did he have to grow attached? He knew that adults always leave him, it's his curse… so why did he let himself love Tulip?

Their friends were with them for a while, offering comforting words, it wasn't all that comforting. Finally, a policewoman walked up and kneeled in front of them.

"Hey you two, my name is Rachel. Could you tell me what your names are?" She asked softly, trying not to spook the shaken kids. Lily and Facilier looked at one another, Lily still had family so the police would place her there. If they tried to pretend that Facilier was her brother they would get found out and he could be taken into foster care, separated from her forever. Facilier signed to Lily hoping the officer wouldn't know sign language.

"We have to split up, I won't be put in foster care." The officer quirked her eyebrow at him signing.

"Are you mute? We can get a translator." She offered. Lily shook her head and answered both.

"We're fine miss, I know sign language. Use forgettable blue powder on her, I'll deal with the rest." She hiccuped and could feel more tears stream down her face. "You'll write?" Facilier smiled and squeezed her as he pulled out a small bag.

"Pinky promise." He then threw a pale blue powder at the officer's face, she stumbled back with a dazed look. "You didn't see me." He stated clearly, the officer nodded dumbly. Facilier stood up and ran out of the building as Rachel's face cleared. Lily pulled in on herself and sobbed watching Facilier run, wishing that the day would restart.

"What's your name sweetie?" Rachel said sympathetically.

"Lily Jones, miss." And just like that, Facilier and Lily's fate was sealed.

AN:

UnnaVox: haha Woah, that was heavy… but don't worry the Jones siblings will see each other again. It'll just take a while (._.||) anyways! The next chapter will give a clear view of the after-effects of Tulip's death and the story will start to focus on Lily more.

DuoAnimi: Unna is such a jerk! I knew Tulip was gonna die but I cried anyway. T^T