Paris, France || December 12, 14:20 GMT+1 ||
It wouldn't get out of Aaliyah's mind towards a certain mole. Ever since Arthur reveals the truth of the mole, Aaliyah couldn't stop worried about her other friends. She started to adore and like them despite being in denial. The blonde girl would not only keep it a secret but also a chance to tear the team apart. She understands why Arthur is on and off because he's seeking for some answers. He finally found out the truth of the mole and hoping Arthur would tell them in time.
"Aaliyah." She looked up from her notes and surprised to see Kaldur is seating across from her. "It seems like you're busy." He pointed out the paper she holds.
"Oh, I'm taking the final test and I need to pass it." Aaliyah explained and placing it down. "How did you know where I was?" She questioned him curiously and it's the second time he visits her. Aaliyah wouldn't allow opening her heart again because she always ends up hurting.
"One of your cheerleading team members saw me before and informed me where you are." Kaldur answered calmly and she nodded her head in understanding but remained silent.
"Do we have an assignment, Kaldur-san?" She asks him while reading her notes for revision. Never noticed Kaldur's worriedness about her pushing him away.
"Aaliyah, why are you pushing me?" Kaldur finally questioned her and hoping she would answer truthfully. "Is it because I'm one of Ro-"
"It isn't about choosing sides, Kaldur-san." Aaliyah cuts him off and looking at his grey eyes. "I'm just stressed between my studies and other things." Telling him the half-truth and she didn't want him to get involved in their problems.
"I know you're hiding something from me, Aaliyah." Kaldur spoke up softly and trying to hold her hands but she pulls away. Masking his hurtful by looking calm, not being affected by her rejection. "When you are ready, I'm here to listen."
Aaliyah is looking at him with an intense look on her face. "Why are you being persistent towards me, Kaldur-san?"
"Ruby and Zara are worried about you, including Arthur." Kaldur spoke up and looks worried about her. "I noticed you often lose focus and your fighting skills- begins sloppy but manage to success it. They're not the only ones who get worried."
"I just had a nightmare that I can't explain." Aaliyah answered it frustrates her why she couldn't stop dreaming of a certain dark wizard who stayed in Tenroujima. "It'll pass."
"Please, let me help you and maybe-"
"Kaldur-san, I don't share my nightmares to anyone including my family and friends." Aaliyah answered and gathering all her notes. "I'm used to it and it's going to pass-"
"It's also not good for you to bottle it up, Aaliyah." He holds her hands and looking at her cerulean eyes. "I know that you're guarding yourself and fear of getting rejected. You can push me all you want but I would never give up on you. You always comfort us and it's my turn to take care of you. Please, Aaliyah... don't shut me out or even them."
Aaliyah's lips trembled but she never shed a tear. "Gome (Sorry)." She wanted to tell Kaldur so badly but it's hard for her to say. Especially her birthday is getting near and the day Jellal seal her memories. Aaliyah just walked out of the cafe shop and getting away from Kaldur.
"Aaliyah, wait!" Kaldur tried to chase her outside of the cafe but Aaliyah is nowhere to be found. "Damn it!" He swears and needed to find Arthur. The brunette is the only one who can answer all his questions regarding Aaliyah.
Gotham City || December 13, 12:30 EDT ||
Everyone is chattering around their plans from their holiday. Their school is going to finish next week and they couldn't wait to start their Christmas holiday. Dick wanted to keep their relationship secret because Artemis is one of the students in Gotham Academy. The team knows him dating Ruby but not as Dick. It irks him to see few boys are flirting his Ruby and poor girl, she couldn't get a day off from their flirt.
"You're going to lose your teeth the more you gritting it." Barbara teased her best friend and he glared in response. "There's no need to get jealous, Ruby loves you dweeb."
"She's a pure and innocent girl, Babs!" Dick exclaimed and gives her a stern look. "We're friends." He lied of them being together but Barbara could see through his lies.
"You can't fool me, Dick." Barbara rolls her eyes and scoffs. "I can tell you two are closer than before. Ruby is a terrible liar when I ask between you and her." She smirked and Dick grins widely.
"She's my gem and I hate it you know." Dick sighs heavily and hating to keep their relationship in secret. "Keeping our relationship in secret and allowing everyone thinks I'm pinning on her."
Barbara smiles sympathy since Dick has a reputation as the son of Bruce Wayne. Dick is protecting Ruby from the paparazzi as they want to know the gossip between her and him. "You'll get through this." She suddenly grips his head and he cried in surprise. "Listen here, I love Ruby as my own sister. If you dare to hurt her or worse, I'll skin you alive."
"Cry-cry-crystal clear, ma-ma-ma'am." He stuttered and never have a break from threatening if he breaks Ruby's heart.
Zara is officially bored with this stupid Science Museum field trip. She curses Doctor Fate for signing the concept form to go on a field trip and hates it very much. The halfling is going to confront a teacher and demand to skip a grade, however, she didn't want to leave Lydia alone.
"That is so beautiful, Zara." Lydia gushed and Zara wanted to tear her ears off. "Look! They have different butterflies."
"I'm bored and wanted to sleep~!" She whined and never have proper sleep because of the crimes are getting higher lately. "What's the point of-ugh!" Someone crashed into her and they fall together. "Ow!" Her head is spinning around by a strong impact.
"I'm so-so-sorry! Hermana!" Opening her green eyes to meet brown eyes. "Here!" The boy may be close to Zara's age or a bit older is offering a hand.
"Thanks." She muttered and the boy pulls her up. Zara is observing the boy closely. His physical appearance is Hispanic, tanned skin, short black hair and brown eyes. "Why did you ran into me for?"
"I was looking for the profesora but I got lost." The boy explained and she gave him a deadpanned expression.
"You got distracted and fascinated those things. In return, you got separated from them." Zara answered bluntly and ignoring Lydia's stare between them. "Don't you have a phone?"
"Sorry, hermana, profesora confiscate our phones." The boy explained quietly and he's going to be left behind soon.
Zara sighs heavily and looking at Lydia. "We need to help him and Lord knows this boy would end up crashing another person." She ignored his protests and Lydia looks worried.
"Is he going to join us in our class?" Lydia questioned her and she nodded her head.
"Yeah, we're going to get an earful if we go on ahead without informing him." Zara noticed their class ditches them. "They left us." She said bluntly and trying to look for them.
"What!? Oh no! Zara!" Lydia yelled and looks panic whereas Zara remained calm and the boy looks worried. "How can you be so calm!?"
"That's because panicking won't help us to solve our problem." Zara answered bluntly and looking at them. "I know where they are and make sure you guys won't slack off. What is your name?" She asks the boy curiously.
"Ah!" He blushed and forgetting to introduce himself. "Ja-Jaime Reyes."
"Zara Dreyar and this is Lydia Mendes." Zara introduces themselves to him and they followed her.
Mount Justice || December 14, 13:00 EST ||
Arthur hums in deep thought after Kaldur is telling him everything regarding Aaliyah. The Atlantean couldn't help but worried about her why she's being distant towards them.
"All I can say is, Aaliyah is a complicated person." Arthur spoke up and giving him an apologetic look. "It's hard for me to understand her sometimes. You can ask one of Ruby's spirit, Oichi because she knows Aaliyah longer than us."
Kaldur furrowed his eyebrows and looking at him with a skeptical look. "How does Oichi link to Aaliyah?"
"Well." Arthur shrugged his shoulder. "From what Ruby told me, Aaliyah has Oichi before as she made a promise to find a suitable Celestial wizard to treat her equally. Aaliyah gave Ruby the Chinese Snake spirit because she could tell how she means to her spirits. "
Kaldur nodded his head and never doubt Ruby's love and caring towards her spirits. "Do you know where she is?" He questioned the brunette.
Arthur smiles gently at him. "She's in the library with Robin and Wally. The boys are helping Ruby's study and I'm sure she won't mind taking a break."
"Thank you, my friend." Kaldur smiles and patted Arthur's shoulder as he is going towards the library.
Ruby groaned and slamming her head on the table. "I feel like my brain is going to fried soon." She whined and feeling the soft pat from Mimi. "I'm not as intelligent as you guys."
"Mim! Mim!" Her spirit tries to reassure Ruby won't fail the exam before the break starts,
"Ruby, you're intelligent." Wally comfort her and stroking her head. "You're very creative in Arts even I'm a sucker for it."
"Heh! Dude, you nearly failed Arts class if it wasn't for Ruby's help." Robin commented and snickered while ignoring Wally's glare. "Ruby, we have our own strengths and weaknesses. I know that you're going to pass Maths and Science tests."
"They're not even my forte." Ruby whimpered and sighing heavily. "I'm going to fail this." Falling into more despair and Mimi couldn't help but comforting her.
Wally gives Robin a look to motivate his girlfriend so she could ace the tests. "How about we make a deal, my gem?" He's going to negotiate Ruby and hoping this plan would succeed.
"Deal?" She muttered and lifting her head up to see his mischevious look. "Um... why do I have a feeling I'm not going to like this." Ruby is sweatdropping and gulps nervously.
"You dated the prankster, Ruby," Wally spoke up bluntly and looking at Robin. "You tainted her innocence and you're going to face the wrath of her spirits."
"I'm not that desperate like you!" Robin blushed furiously and glaring at Wally behind his sunglasses. "Why are you here in the first place!?" He's supposed to have a study date with Ruby and Wally decided to ruin his date.
"One word, Arthur." Wally and Robin shiver in fear as they prefer serene Arthur than sadistic Arthur.
"Umm..." Ruby looks confused by their fearful expression and decided to change a subject. "What's the deal anyway?" She asks him curiously.
"You pass the exams, I'm taking you out on a date." He smiles gently seeing her blush all over her cheeks. "You failed, I'm going to disband you for drawing and painting until you pass again."
Ruby is staring at Robin as if he took her keys away from her. "Anything about that!" She exclaimed as that's the only hobby she usually does from her free time.
Kaldur comes in to see Ruby's despair expression, Robin's smugness and Wally's sympathy. Arriving in the wrong timing and going to show them up. "Ruby? Are you free?" He asked the scarlet-haired girl.
"Can I?" Ruby questioned them and they nodded her head. "What is it, Kaldur?"
"I need a favor..." Kaldur looks hesitant to say it out loud because Robin and Wally are here to know his requests from her. "I need to have a word with Ruby, please?"
"Nuh-uh!" Wally shook his head. "We're going to stay here and why do you need her for?" He questioned the Atlantean.
Kaldur sighs heavily as he already expected their answers. "Can you summon Oichi, please? I need to speak to her about Aaliyah."
"Does it has something to do with her being distance?" Ruby questioned him since he's not the only one who notices Aaliyah's unusual behavior.
"Yes, I hope Oichi could explain because Arthur told me they have known each other before." Kaldur explained as Wally and Robin shared each other's look.
"I thought Oichi was with you in the first place, Rubes." Wally pointed his fingers towards Ruby's left waist she usually keeps her keys.
"No." Ruby shook her head. "Aaliyah save Oichi from her previous Master. She was mistreating her badly and Aaliyah saved Oichi before the Master could destroy her key." Looking down on the floor with a sad look on her face. "How can some Celestial mages do cruel things?" Whispered lowly enough to hear her voice.
"They don't treat them care and love just like our Ruby here." Robin spoke up and she lifted her head up. "You showered them affections before and after you summon them."
"It's their loss for not seeing how amazing and strong they are." Wally complimented Ruby's spirit.
Ruby smiles and she could feel their positive feelings. "I'll call Oichi. Hebi no mon, watashi wa anata o hiraki, Oichi! (Gate of the Snake I open thee, Oichi!)" Calling the Chinese Snake as Oichi appeared in front of them.
"What can I do for you, little lamb?" Oichi questioned her while crossing her arms.
"It's about Aaliyah, Oichi." Ruby looks hesitant and unable to form words. "We're worried about her."
"Aaliyah is hard to understand, Oichi." Kaldur backed Ruby up. "She's distancing herself."
Oichi frowned and looking at them with a grim look on her face. "It has something to do back in Tenroujima, Ruby." She answered and Ruby flinched while hugging her arms.
"Ten rouges?" Wally asks and Robin shook his head.
"She means Tenroujima, what is it?" He asks the green-haired snake spirit.
"It's an island that all candidates who are taking the next step to become S-class Wizard are participating to take the test. The master of the guild is going to choose 8 candidates to go to the island where the first exam is one of them has to battle S-class wizards whereas they battle each other." Oichi explained it to them. "The 8 candidates should choose their partner wisely excluding the S-class wizards and different guild before they go to Tenroujima."
"Wow, have you been there before? Ruby?" Wally asks and she nodded her head hesitantly with a troubled look on her face. "Hey, you okay?" He asks her worriedly.
"A little shaken, that's all." Ruby smiles weakly and looking at Oichi's golden snake eyes. "My sister and Aaliyah are one of the S-class wizards that they need to defeat first before doing the second exam."
"How did know about this, Ruby?" Robin questioned her.
"I wasn't supposed to take the exam in the first place because of my age." Ruby explained it to them. "Aaliyah's grandpa, Makarov, convinced him that I should participate in the exam seeing that I'm more than ready to face."
"To think you're one of the candidates is a huge step and responsibility, Ruby." Kaldur spoke up and feels proud of her achievements.
"Ahaha..." Ruby laughs nervously while twiddling her thumbs. "I wasn't sure if I pass the exam because we canceled the second exam." Looking down on the floor sadly. She didn't want to admit the whole incident and leaving it to Aaliyah to explain their situation. "I was still grasping how I pass."
Oichi feels sorry for her to face Aaliyah from her first tests. "At least Aaliyah pass you rather than fail."
"Are we missing something here?" Kaldur asks seeing their looks.
"Wait!" Wally is looking at Ruby with a disbelief look on his face. "Aaliyah is one of the S-class wizards and you fought her!?"
"She let me pass after I landed an attack." Ruby shivered in fear and didn't want to recall it. "Still, it's more than Tenroujima, isn't it? Oichi?" She asks and changing the subject.
Oichi pursed her lips and she trusted these boys won't use it for Aaliyah's weakness. "Listen here, brats." Narrowing her golden-eyes towards Wally, Robin and Kaldur. "I couldn't care less if you three are friends or not. If you dare something stupid towards the girls, things are going to get ugly."
Ruby laughs nervously and wouldn't doubt if Oichi would skin them alive. Oichi's magic has the ability to copy their strong powers and she can copy any type of magic she wants. "Ye-ye-yes ma'am." The boys stuttered and didn't want to become her food since she's a snake.
"Good. As I said, Aaliyah is a complicated girl." She spoke up while crossing her arms. "Ever since she was a child, someone sealed her memories and didn't recall any of it but her name. Her memories come back but not all of it. Aaliyah didn't remember an exact date when she lost her memories."
"Who sealed her memories?" Kaldur asks the green-haired snake spirit gently.
"She didn't know and her brother, Jellal, unsealed it but not everything could retrieve her memories back." Oichi answered and sighs softly. "Aaliyah is one of the most stubborn people I've met. She won't say anything of her memories to us or her family. Give Aaliyah sometime, she's trying to tell us soon regarding her distances. Aaliyah is still grasping on how to rely, other people, because she usually does it alone."
"Aaliyah is more of a lone wolf and she's still learning emotions." Ruby explained and remembering the first time they work together, Aaliyah always distances herself and take time to befriend with other people.
"Before she was a lone wolf..." Kaldur trailed off his thoughts. "I overheard Aaliyah used to have a lover. Is it true?"
"Ye-yeah." She stuttered and looking at Oichi as she shook her head. "You should ask Aaliyah about it. She was worse after the breakup- maybe it has something to do with her quest." Ruby muttered.
"Quest?" It grabbed Robin's interest. "Young maiden, what quest did Aaliyah took?"
"Aaliyah won't say it because it's classified information." Ruby smiles apologetically and it's not in her place to say it. "From what Erza-nee (sister) told me, it's better to give Aaliyah time otherwise she would lash out on us."
"I have a feeling this fishboy here is our solution." Oichi smiled wickedly and Ruby looks pale as white as a ghost. "Fufu~ this would be fun."
Ruby's eyes roll and faint as Robin catches her. "Ruby!?" He cried out his name and could've sword he sees a soul coming out from Ruby's mouth.
Wally gulps nervously and glancing at Kaldur. He feels sorry for the Atlantean from whatever plans she has to him.
Zara suddenly lays down on the couch in her human form and sighs tiredly. Her and Lydia finally manage to find Jamie's classmates and teacher. It irritates her because Jaime wouldn't stop questioning her acting more mature despite he's older than Zara.
"Tired already, Zara?" Someone asks her with an amused look to see Zara laying down on the couch.
Zara lifting her arms up to see Wally and Robin are looking down at her. "Field trip is boring and I have to help someone to reunite his teacher."
"Wait- did you said his?" Wally grinned and Zara just glares at him. "Ohh~! Someone has a crush!"
"Shut it, fatty!" She snapped as Wally gasps and feels offended by her blunt words. "He's stupid and clumsy. I hate him."
"Hate is a strong word, Zara." Robin commented and grinned widely.
"Aren't you two suppose to help Ruby's study?" Zara changes the subject and the boys just smirked. "Oi, are you trying to annoy me?" She asks them with an angry mark on her head.
"What is he look like?" Robin asks and earned a whack from her. "Ow! Can you stop whacking using that stupid paper fan!?" He rubs his head and glaring at the halfling behind the sunglasses.
"There's no way! Not in a million years would I tell you what the boy looks!" Zara exclaimed angrily and scoffs. "He would never see me again. Love is stupid and a distraction."
"Denial." Wally spoke up and Robin nodded his head. "Completely denial." He earned a whack from Zara. "That's it! You're going down~!" Zara reverts back to her Exceed form and uses aera magic to escape from their grasps.
Paris, France || December 14, 14:20 GMT+1 ||
"Eh? Me being part of the play?" Aaliyah asks and looking at the script in her hand. "I haven't practice and never been in the part in the first place."
Her class is asking Aaliyah to take the part of portraying Katherine Swan. The one who used to portray the character suddenly quit because one of her family members passed away. Everyone know Aaliyah would be a perfect character to ace their play. Their teacher, Flora Cowell, asks them to do a play for their English class. Their story is all about a woman who's in love with their family rival and got framed from murdering to her fiance's brother.
"Please?" One of her classmates, Seira Knight, is pleading while clasping her hands together. "You saw everything and giving us key points to improve. Aaliyah, the play is going to show on the 20th of December."
"Can we really pull that off on short notice, Seira?" Aaliyah asks and still debating whether to accept it or not. "I just finish the final exam and you're asking me to be part of the play."
"I have completely utter faith in you, Aaliyah." Seira holds her hand with determination. "You're going to nail this story and all of us can pass this stupid project."
Aaliyah sighs heavily and going to regret this plan. "I'm in and I hope you know what you're doing." Seira squeals happily and hugging the girl. "Oi!"
"Thank you! Let's start!"