"It's cold…" There was no one around to hear the tiny whimper.
Only the worn brick buildings towered around them, just like the distant silhouettes that walked the rainy window at the other end of the alley. The streets could have been colorful, but it was all a muted gray under the relentless overcast. It was always cloudy. It was always rainy.
It was always far too cold. Huddled among the trash, a small bundle of rags shivered. An oversized rat scurried out and dove for safety as the figure stood. Wrapped tightly in its worn cloth, the small figure shuffled forward. The rain soaked through and tried to dampen the reeking odor like a fly-ridden carcass. The figure shivered again. "So cold…"
The small child peered up, and a glint of ethereal orbs shined through like ghostly silver. Tiny strips of ghostly white hair sprouted from the rags, but none ever noticed. No one ever looked anyway. Slowly, the young child shuffled towards the end of the alleyway as an unyielding goal pointed its way.
…No. It was better to say their way.
One look in their eyes, and anyone could tell. They weren't a normal, young child. No little girl would walk the alleyways without fear like they did. Even their presence radiated of tragedy and impending misfortune. But that's not what they wanted. What they wanted was so simple, yet far out of reach.
Their mind was numb to the constant pain of hunger, the frigid chill, and the damp discomfort. Their misery was their torn teddy bear in the heaps of garbage and sneering alleys. But the collective, ghostly form of so many forgotten children still shambled their way towards the busy London street ahead.
A carriage trotted by, but their pale eyes landed upon someone who stopped for a brief moment. She didn't stand out among the masses. She was just another of the poor walking the less glamorous streets of the capital. That woman was just another among the countless who didn't look towards her… but she'd stopped for a moment.
It was an opportunity to get what they wanted. "Mommy…?"
They continued their approach, even as their muscles seemed to protest with fatigue. It's been too long since they felt something that never embraced them before. They needed the warmth. All they wanted was simple comfort and acceptance. Why was it so hard to be wanted? Why was that such an impossible dream for them? "Mommy…?"
The voices' mutual cries urged them forward like new logs in a locomotive. It pushed their shambling into an erratic walk. The woman still didn't move, and their hope skyrocketed. Their grudge with it. The urgings grew to blind and deafen them, but that didn't stop the tears from sliding down the ghostly child's face to join the rain.
Why was it so hard just to feel loved? "Mommy!"
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Fragment 93: Greedy for Warmth
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"Mommy!" "Sis! wake up!" "Mommy!" "Jackie!"
Jack's eyes shot open. A whimper slipped past her tiny lips, and she felt the warm tears on her cheeks. The darkness that greeted her wiped her mind. The streets of London were gone. Her nightmare had passed; Why did Chaldeans servants get sad dreams again? She sniffled, and quickly wiped at her eyes with one hand as she felt the reassuring warmth of her favorite teddy bear clutched in her other.
Her erratic heart slowed as the voices in her mind settled. The past still haunted them like a mean bully. It was miserable, but like Gudao often reassured, the bad things help make the good things feel warmer. Their collective could agree with that. After all they've been through, their collective form had wound up in Chaldea to find far more than they could have ever hoped for. Just when they thought things couldn't get any better, or that a wraith didn't deserve this, the next day almost always proved them wrong.
The countless spirits had achieved a once impossible long ago, and they didn't even need a grail to do it.
As the cold, mean nightmare faded completely from their mind, the true feelings returned. They'd never been happier or comfier. Every single voice lived vicariously through their wraith's identity, Jack the Ripper, as she enjoyed a wonderful reality. With the voices sounding out reassuring thoughts and encouragement, Jack finally breathed quietly with reassuring relief.
The nightmare was over. They were home… She was home.
Even if her room was dark, the blanket was warm. Very, very warm and cozy. Almost as warm as the reassuring hands that held onto her shoulders. With the blur in her eyes gone, Jack looked into the concerned eyes of her sister. Nursery Rhyme was almost like a ghost in the darkness with her pale skin, loose white hair, and ebony nightgown. Yet she never caused Jack fear.
She was a sight for sore eyes after the bad dream. Quickly, Jack lunged at her sister and wrapped her in a hug. Nursery Rhyme didn't even flinch. After returning the warm embrace, she rocked Jack gently with reassuring back rubs. "It's okay, Jackie... You're back in Chaldea…"
"It was the mean dream again…" she sniffled one last time. It was never the same, but the concept was never different: Alone, in the streets, unloved, and searching for warmth. Why couldn't it be a different nightmare? Like one of her new favorite cartoons got cancelled? Though her dream-induced sadness vanished, a new 'anxiety' began to rise. She whimpered lightly, "Um… Alice? Did I wake up mommy?"
Nursery Rhyme loosened her embrace to giggle. "I got to you just in time!"
"Thank you…" Jack sighed with relief. She'd never say no to more hugs from her loving mother, but she did start to feel bad after Amakusa had a tiny talk with her about consideration. Atalanta did so much for her, she couldn't help but want to return it in her own ways. She definitely wanted her mother to be happy, so waking her up in the middle of sleepy time was a big no-no.
But she wound up waking her sister instead. As Jack hugged her favorite blue bear to her chest, she buried her mouth into its head bashfully. "Sorry I woke you…"
"It's okay. I would've been madder if you do it every night," Nursery Rhyme giggled, but hugged her sister again. Jack didn't say no to the warmth. "Sisters have to look out for each other!"
Jack smiled into her bear and Nursery Rhyme's hug. "Mhmm~!"
The warmth of a sister was something the voices never considered in their past search; It was hard enough just trying to find a warm mommy. Now Jack couldn't imagine living without her either. It helped Nursery Rhyme was almost a fated, perfect sibling for a collection of abandoned children.
She was still confusing to Jack, but she knew the really really warm part: Alice was her former master. Nursery Rhyme took her form and identity in her own tribute attempt, so that lonely child can find the happiness she deserved. It was exactly like what Jack was doing for the countless loss voices in her mind. Their intents one and the same, they'd bonded extremely fast, and made for inseparable sisters… most of the time.
'If only she didn't act so weird at her tea parties…' Jack mulled, but quietly relished her sister's warmth. "Sowwy again… Let's get more sleep, Alice."
"Right! We got another fun day at the festival~!"
Without hesitation, Jack nodded eagerly and happily. With all her needs met, each new morning brought a new challenge of sorts: To try and make a new record for the most cuddly, happy moments in a day. The Autumn Festival just made a new record far more reachable. Jack wasn't sure what time it was, but this sisterly moment was already a nice way to start yet another promising day in her perfect home!
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"All warm and cozy?"
"Mmmmm~!" Jack's loving reply earned a happy giggle from her mother.
Just a short nap later, Jack was in her mother's room getting her usual coffee blend. Atalanta, still wearing her silky emerald nightgown, remained under her comfortable fur blanket. Jack sat curled into her side after burrowing herself in the covers. She still hadn't changed out of her new blue pajamas with different animals all over them. No, she needed her coffee first!
And what better coffee than being curled under the warm blankets with her very pretty mother? With eyes closed, but smiling brighter than the morning sun in the Sunscape window, Jack sighed blissfully. The warm, furry tail rubbed soothing circles on her cheek, making her nuzzle further into her mother's side. Atalanta giggled again, but kept most of her focus on the laptop atop the blanket. The tiny clicks of the keyboard echoed in the quiet room to join the crackling of her small fireplace.
It had become hard, and very very guilty, for the many voices to remember just how mean they were to Atalanta. Grudges were painful, and they held many amongst them. Yet the archer persevered through their abrasive discontent in pursuit of her own, wonderful dream. Now Jack was a part of it, and one of her biggest achievements, or so the voices hoped. Atalanta did save countless by loving Jack.
Yet, her mother's dream was endless, and it wouldn't stop there. As she enjoyed the warm silence while waiting for her sister to finish her half-an-hour daily ritual of… brushing her hair… Jack peeked an eye open. She nuzzled her head again before looking at the laptop screen, which was a bunch of really boring words and official looking stuff. Make that really, really boring looking.
But she recognized some of the words. Especially the little prompt boxes on an otherwise parchment colored website. She watched Atalanta type a large sum of money into one of them; The smile on Jack's face grew. "Are you giving all your money again, Mommy?"
"Most of it," Atalanta smiled down to her without any hesitation or pause. She merely went through the many other prompts contently. "They made lots of progress with my last donation, so I hope they can do even more if I continue."
"Do they send you letters and things?"
She hummed a yes. "Pictures too. Would you like to see some when I finish this?"
"Okay~!" Her quick cheer made her mother giggle. The archer reached over, gently rubbed Jack's other cheek with her finger, then gently propped her up so she could kiss her cheek. Jack squirmed with delight as Atalanta laughed, then quickly proceeded to finish her donation.
It was far too common to wind up getting local currency and money from supply sorties. It was a gray area, but Jack never saw the problem with it. She heard the United Nations feels differently about the acquisition. Some really confusing and boring stuff about economics and crashing markets. Jack didn't care, especially since it gave her so much money to spend on her stuffed animal collection and other toys!
But her mother did something even better with hers! While others got goodies, her mother always donated to good organizations that helped unfortunate children. Just like Jack sort of was. It made the many voices in her head coo with delight and love their mother even more. They really had the bestest, most caringly mother this time!
After a few moments of enjoying warmth, Jack glanced to the laptop as Atalanta showed a photo of a crippled African child. The young girl had clean clothes, but was missing an arm and an eye. The voices in Jack's head cried in sympathy for a fellow child's plight, but they were warmed by the genuine smile on her face and the wrapped gift held in her arm.
Atalanta's satisfied smile only made Jack's own grow. "This is Tawia. She lost her parents to the local warlord, but she's being looked after now. Some of money went to her aid."
Jack stared for a bit, but the picture minimized. She smiled in awe of the many portraits on the screen as Atalanta scrolled slowly in consideration. Her mother then smiled to her, "She's just one of many. Which would you like to see?"
There was only one proper answer. "Can we look at all the kids you helped save, Mommy?"
Every single time, her mother's warm smile could make all of her pain waft away really, really fast.
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Nursery Rhyme often accused Jack of being far too spoiled and actively avoiding anything remotely to do with work; She wasn't exactly wrong… Okay, honestly, her sister was right. Extra work was boring and the many voices just wanted to live a happy carefree childhood. What was wrong with that?
She loved her spoiled life. She loved the many smiling faces in it that made her days brighter. But at least she was more conscious about inconveniencing others. Especially her loving mother, who can never say no to her when she starts cutely pleading; Jack was very, very aware it was her deadliest asset.
So with that in mind, Jack took small joys in proving her sister wrong by actually doing a few 'chores' here and there. That's why she found herself at the Furniture Department's doors. It was a small vacation for Chaldea, but some of the workers still came around to enjoy their craft. From the open doors, she could hear the loud screech of a table saw slicing into wood, and the smell of fresh blue oak that came with it.
In her black sweater and jeans, she strolled in slowly while holding the straps of her teddy bear backpack. She walked up to the front desk, stood on her tippy toes to look over, and searched for her target. She puffed her cheeks; She didn't see the metal basket for order forms. In fact, none of the other paperwork bins were present.
Chaldea was supposed to be on vacation for the festival, so she guessed that was to be expected. "Oh, hi Jackie! Need something?"
Her gaze quickly snapped to one of the open warehouse doors. Delaqua was quickly strolling over to her, but it took her an extra second to recognize the supervisor. Her usual ponytail was gone, letting her red locks flow down the back of her white track jacket. Her jeans were rather baggy too, but Jack never did ask about her choice of fit; Gabrielle taught her it was rude to ask a woman's size!
"Hi, Valley!" Jack called back with a hopeful smile, making the supervisor giggle. Jack scooched around the desk, ignored the glances from the only two other employees, and skipped up to her. "Am I still allowed to make an order? I know it's break but… Mmm…"
Just in case she was going to say no, Jack began her prep work. She glanced downward with an embarrassed expression, clutched her backpack straps, and gently twisted from side to side. She made another ashamed little groan, then glanced up at the supervisor. Her puppy eyes were well honed, and she saw the first slice cut through as Delaqua stared down at her warmly. Jack smirked mentally, but asked quietly. "…May I still leave an order? Pwetty pwease pweeease? I might forget."
To many, she was just a cute girl, but it was often on the battlefield everyone remembered she was a cunning opponent. Anyone alone, especially a female, was usually easy prey to her blade; Triply so with the right setup. Her super-secret smarts paid off well in Chaldea too. She just chose different knives to match the situation, that's all!
"Awwww~… Of course you can!" Delaqua cooed as she gently reached over to rub her head gently. Jack giggled happily in triumph. "We're still accepting forms, but work will begin later. I'll put it in the bin personally so we can make sure yours is on top."
Her eyes glittered. "I get to be first!?"
To her slight disappointment, Delaqua shook her head and waggled a finger. "Sorry, cutie, but that wouldn't be fair to the other customers. Rules are rules, but I'll see what we can do about Quetz and I working on it. How about that?"
"Mmmm… Okay!" She grinned happily, but sighed mentally. Her dialed up cuteness was fatal to most, but Delaqua was one of the few who could resist. It was worth a shot anyway. Jack quickly took her back pack off, opened a zipper behind the teddy bear, and reached for its innards. She quickly fished out the finished form that was sandwiched between her towel and some beach toys. With a smile, she handed it to the grinning supervisor. "I filled it out myself! Please don't tell, Mommy!"
"So I can't tell her how cute and hard working you are? Shame," Delaqua sighed playfully, took the form, and patted Jack on the head again. She then glanced with an amused, knowing glint. "So what is it you don't want Mommy to know about?"
Jack looked over to the two employees, who were out of earshot. The loud whine of the table saw made it extra safe. As Jack swung her pack back onto herself, she held up a finger to her lips. "I bought more stuffed animals and my old castle chest isn't big enough anymore. I need another big home so my stuffed animals are warm and cozy!"
"Would you like me to surprise you with fancy housing?" Jack quick and eager nod made the supervisor giggle again. "Alright, Jackie… It'll be a secret between you and me… and Quetz. Quetz will figure it out, but I'll see what I can do to ensure she doesn't squeal about it."
"Thank you~!" As always to those she's come to appreciate the most, Jack dove in for a quick hug. Delaqua was usually serious and straightforward, but if there's anyone who could make others show their weaker side, Jack was the one for the job. She nuzzled her head into her muscular stomach, and enjoyed the warm return hug and happy head pat. After they broke apart, Jack beamed. "Oh, I've been meaning to tell you! You were really, really fun to watch! A pretty amazon fighter!"
"Awww, thanks, Jackie!" the supervisor smiled back. "I've got a long way to go, but I'm loving my progress. Maybe I'll be an honorary amazon someday."
That would be something. Then Jack could say she has an amazon for a friend too! So many happy possibilities ahead!
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Every moment spent with her newfound family was bliss, but she had a long task ahead of her. A bunch of her friends and sister were on a last minute, morning supply sortie for some festival supplies, so it was a good time to do so. Plus, it was a ritual she couldn't delay longer than once a week. That would be mean!
Sitting in her room alone, she hummed along to Elizabeth's cover songs which played on a nearby ladybug CD player. She paused as she placed a white, furry tiger down behind her. "I hope Mommy and sis and Goddessmother are having fun. What do you think, Penny?"
In front of her, the shared closet was open, and an avalanche of warm, furry animals cascaded from its gaping maw. A rainbow of bears, zebras, giraffes, monkeys, and more filled the army's ranks. Whether gift or personally obtained, each one was a wonderful memory and a piece of her favorite hobby: Stuffed animal collecting.
Scattered around her, lint brushes and a tiny, gentle vacuum cleaner rested as her chosen blades. She plucked a puffy hippopotamus from the pile, then grabbed one of the lint rollers. She spun it with the same ease as her blades, but rolled it with the gentlest precision against its soft behind. She smiled, "Now your butt is clean, Mister Sal! The others will be happy you won't be stinky!"
As she quickly cleaned up the hippo, her favorite teddy bear, Penny, lay nestled in her crossed legs. It was the only cleaned stuffed animal separate from a growing, carefully placed pile behind her, but that didn't mean she didn't love the rest. She loved all of them, and made sure to show each and every one they were appreciated! Once she rolled the lint off the hippo's nose, Jack grasped the hippo into a warm hug.
"All better! You had your bath, now you can join your family!" Jack happily turned around to place the hippo, but she didn't just lop it onto the pile. She glanced around, spotted an orange rhino, and quickly placed it beside it. "There! Now you and Harry can play again! I'll try to get Nicholas to join you soon!"
It was difficult remembering classroom stuff. Mathematics and Science always went over her head, but Uncle Hector and Amakusa always helped make it easier; Achilles was trying his best there too. However, when it came to knowing the names of all her stuffed animals and their origin stories, she never failed. She couldn't.
Each and every one represented a forgotten voice in her mind, whether they had a name or not.
It'd been subconscious at first, and it grew more difficult to name them as time went on. There were so many stuffed animals, but she loved all of them. They were warm and fuzzy, and they made her feel even warmer and fuzzier! Though not all were given, she considered every one a gift she welcomed into her life. She took care of them, and made sure to play with all of them fairly. Yedda helped too, since she really really liked playing with her collection whenever she came over!
As she picked up her newest one, a gray tiger sharp with googly eyes, she recalled its origin. It had been an outing following around Gabrielle, Fergus, and Cu. The saber had bought it for her at a stall when he saw her eyeing it, saying it was kind of like her: Childishly cute, but had lots of pointy bits to poke anyone who threatened her. She'd thanked him with a hug, as she did nearly everyone who bought her a gift.
"Your turn, Fin! You're used to baths, so this will be quicky quick!"
Though it can be seen as one, cleaning her ever growing army of fluffy happiness would never be a chore.
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Her checklist was scratched off quickly. Her order was placed. Every stuffed animal she'd collected thus far was thoroughly cleaned. That left only one chore on her list, but it wasn't really a chore. It was just a tiny task, and it was something she wanted to handle so her loving, pretty mother wouldn't be bothered with more work; Labor of love or not, she wanted her mother to enjoy second of her free time too!
Quietly, she walked into the Arcade and glanced around. Mephistopheles and Nobunaga were off by a pair of computers talking about something with some space game on one of the monitors. Someone was asleep on a couch, out of view, with a bag of potato chip propped up like a periscope. By the snores, it was probably Iskandar, and she giggled imagining the bag of Doritos was like a horse's feeding bag. Finally, her eyes landed on the couple she was looking for at a distant couch.
She quietly scurried over, but a floating lilac blur caught her attention as it raced to her. "Hey, Jackie!"
"Good morning, Rena!" Jack greeted chipperly as the metal ball careened into her chest. She hugged the robot happily, laughed as its eyes bounced with joy, then nuzzled her cheek against its cold chassis; It was cool, but Rena was always so warm and cute. She quickly rounded the couch as the colorful sci-fi looking game was paused. "I'm sowwy. Am I bothering you two?"
"Not at all," came Tyler's usual, lazy reply. He looked even more laidback in just jeans and a cardinal red shirt. It had MIT on it, and though she didn't know what it stood for, she really liked the cartoon beaver on it. With her back against his arm, and head leaned into his, Serenity had gently lowered her sketchbook into her lap. Her bare legs lounged on the couch, and the large white sweater probably covered a pair of unseen hot pants underneath; By its size, she clearly borrowed it from Tyler.
"Aw, you're alone?" Serenity asked quietly, but Jack shrugged contently as she rocked back and forth on her tippy toes. "Looking for playmates?"
"That would be fun, but I don't want to interrupt your love time!" Jack answered, making the two chuckle. She released Rena, swung her pack over her shoulder, and quickly opened it up. "Um… I had a pwoblem with my Nintendo… Is it okay if I ask what's wrong?"
"Troubleshooting? Fire away," Tyler answered calmly as Jack smiled gleefully. She quickly fished out her Nintendo 3DS, which was plastered with lots of animal stickers.
Rena hovered close and fiddled with its eye shutters as Jack flipped the device open. She tried pressing the power button again, but got no response. She made a tiny, disappointed noise, but then glanced to the engineer hopefully. He can be goofy, really funny, and often ridiculous, but he was still super smart. Especially when it came to his beloved hobby. "I put my Nintendo to sleep but it won't turn back on."
"Oh. That? I had that problem with mine too." Tyler's reassuring smile resparked the hope in her eyes as he gently took it from her. He placed it on his lap, reached over to the couch's side table, and plucked one of the many charging cables sprouting from a hole. He connected the handheld, then propped it gently onto the couch's arm. "They can get a bit finnicky at low battery. If you put it to sleep with too low a charge, sometimes they like napping more than Hector. Just keep it plugged in when you're not using it and you'll never worry again."
Serenity giggled, but Jack only stared hopefully at her device like it would jump up to hug her. After a few moments of waiting, Tyler pressed the power button, and her smile flashed brightly like the screen. She cheered, and quickly went in for a hug. It was difficult to get Tyler, so she chose to wrap her arms around both of the laughing pair. "Thank you, thank you! I thought I broke it!"
"No problem, Jackie. And don't fret, these things are pretty tough. Just don't put it in the laundry bin." Jack broke the hug after Serenity lovingly rubbed her head… but then dove back in to hug Serenity. The other assassin giggled, and Jack enjoyed the very comfy and generous embrace; If there was anyone who appreciated the fuzzy comfort of a hug like she did, it was Serenity.
Tyler glanced at the opened game menu, blinked, then levelled a playful, warning stare at Jack. "Woah now. This is dangerous ground you're walking on, Jackie. Many souls have been lost to this series."
While still holding the small assassin, Serenity peered over, blinked, then giggled. Rena floated overheard trying to interpret the screen. The Hassan smiled cheerily to Jack. "It looks cute like you. What is it about?"
"Animal Crossing is about sucking your time away as you try to repay debt to the racoon mafia." Serenity eyed her boyfriend, but his serious expression quickly caved at her suspicious look. He turned to Jack for support. "Tell her I'm right! I'm not making it up!"
"You pay back money you owe but it's really about making friends doing favors and decorating your house!" Jack exclaimed happily. "Paula found out about it because it lets you settle land... I think? That's what she said but she just cut all her town's trees."
"I can see that," Tyler snickered, but shook his head. "Oh man… Just don't make your parents worry being glued to the screens. I'll probably lose my head for introducing you to video games."
"They're good girls. I'm sure they'll be just fine," Serenity countered as Jack hopped out of her arms. She glanced back to her drawing, and Jack took a first glimpse. It was some sort of abstract flower, but Jack knew it would turn out pretty. All her paintings and drawings did. "Anything else you need, Jackie?"
"That's it. Thank you again!" she cheered happily as Tyler shut the system off properly, then handed it back to her. "I'll keep it charged. Thank you!"
"Anytime! Oh, and before I forget, we're playing some Nintendo party games tomorrow," Tyler quickly added. "Family friendly and all. If you or your little friends are interested, Kintoki is always up for more challengers!"
"Mmmm…" she began with a finger to her lip. Those were always fun. "Maybe. But I'll tell them!"
Her interests were almost always with the current day, but it never hurt to collect future options!
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The water glistened under the afternoon sun as Jack gently bobbed on the crystal-clear sea. Her small yellow inner tube had a small duck head, which she currently used as a comfy back support. The frills on her black bikini blew gently with a tiny gust, but she hummed in delight. As she wiped the tiny crumbs off her belly, she happily munched on the last bite of her tiny sandwich. In eager preparation for more sugary festival treats, Jack only had light snacks for lunch.
"There's a fishy eyeing my snack!" "Maybe it just wants to play?"
Jack turned to the nearby commotion, then awkwardly paddled over with the tips of her fingers. After some annoying effort, she managed to regroup with the rest of the innertube flock and the lead white swan boat. Jeanne happily smiled to Jack as she lounged on the boat with the last of their snacks. Her white sweater formed a comfy pillow on the seat, and her own black bikini was a bit wet from some earlier splashing.
Bobbing nearby, Janna and Paul were leaning over the sides of their duck floats to peer at a school of red squirrel fish staring up at them with their bug-like eyes. The school scattered for a brief moment as Janna squirmed to adjust her white one piece, then reached out to hold Paul's hand again. The fish returned, but seemed most interested in Paul. Jack hummed, "Maybe they like your clothes?"
"You think?" Paul asked as she glanced at her plaid rash guard with matching bikini bottoms. As if to confirm, she slowly swept one of her sleeved arms across the surface. The fish seemed to follow it curiously. Paul giggled, "Maybe they're hungry? Auntie Jeanne? Do we have any leftover bread?"
"Mmm, I don't think so, but let me check…" the older saint offered as she reached for the cooler in the adjacent seat. "There's some broccoli I was snacking on."
A moment later, she gently tossed a chunk of the vegetable to them. Janna caught in her free hand, and let Paul tear a piece. After Jack adjusted her position, swam closer, and grasped her friend's tube like an anchor, Janna let her take a piece too. The second Paul tossed a tiny morsel in, the water erupted into small chaos. Janna flinched but laughed. "I think they like it! Maybe they know it has great nutrants."
"Nutrients, dear," Jeanne corrected with a small smile, but Janna pouted at her mistake. It quickly disappeared as Jack tore a tiny piece and threw it in too. The fish went wild to try and grab it. "Hm… I wonder if they think it's bread."
"They just think it's yummy!" Jack giggled as she threw more bits. The little water show was a nice discovery; Yet another to her list of great discoveries. The broccoli sure wasn't. Her mother and sister could try all they want, she'd never come to like broccoli… especially when she could have candy instead.
After they fed all their broccoli, the fish stared at them in anticipation. Before Jack could ask for more, they suddenly darted away, making the three girls moan in disappointment. Jeanne giggled, but then stared down into the water. There were lots of fish by the colorful corals meters below, but nothing seemed as interested as the squirrel fish. But Jack's hope grew like Jeanne's sunny smile. "I guess my friend spooked them."
"Friend?" Jack's question was quickly answered when a large blur shot beneath them. The girls glanced around in confusion, but it quickly came back. With a gentle splash, the gray blur surfaced by the swan boat, and the happy clicks of one of Chaldea's resident dolphins echoed through the air. Already, Jack's eyes glittered like freshly falling snow on Christmas Eve as she eagerly patted the sides of her innertube. "Dolphin!"
Jeanne leaned over the side of her boat and reached out gently. The dolphin swam a bit closer, clicked happily, and let her pet it. Though she smiled blissfully, she sighed. "Christy! Came to say hi?"
It clicked in greeting, then gently pushed itself a bit higher to kiss Jeanne on the cheek. The saint laughed, but Jack joined her friends in staring with envy. Jeanne saw their hopeful stares, but beamed. "Are you ready, Christy? Can you greet the girls hello like I taught you?"
"Do we get smoochies too!?" Janna called out, and was answered by the dolphin vanishing under the surface for a moment. Jack gasped in awe as it surfaced before her, clicked happily, and stared. Jack blinked, then flinched in surprise as the dolphin quickly scooched in to kiss her cheek. Giggling profusely, she placed a hand over the wet mark on her cheek, and beamed happily to Jeanne.
"Are you teaching them a lot of things?" the assassin asked as Janna giggled in anticipation for her little kiss. Her gleeful squeal soon followed.
"It's taking a bit, but the sisters are really smart," Jeanne smiled as she gently slid into the water. As the dolphin moved to give Paul her kiss, the ruler surfaced and swung her hair back perfectly. She resembled a mermaid, but she was always so pretty and friendly. And she only got happier after Janna arrived!
She had so many caretakers and chaperones, but Jeanne was still one of Jack's favorites. Her mother and Jeanne didn't like talking about that moment from the past war, but truthfully, Jack held it close to heart. Two souls, in their own way, wished to save the many. That was why Jack was so adamant her mother and Jeanne made amends, even if she had to push both of them to do so herself. They both meant well, and she held them in her heart because of it.
As she became a sort of dolphin trainer, Jeanne's spot just grew a bit bigger, because dolphins were fun, fun, fun! 'But mother is still the bestest~!'
Jack clapped as the dolphin swam back to Jeanne. She reached out, and the dolphin closed its eyes as she petted it gently. "Helena says they're strong, so I'm trying to see if they can do some really fun tricks someday. I'll be sure to show you girls!"
"Can she do any others?" Paul asked, but Jeanne shook her head.
"She's still mastering a flip jump. Maybe one day she'll-" Jeanne reeled back in surprise as the dolphin dove into the water before her. It dove deep, picked up speed, and in one giant loop rocketed to the surface. It flew over Jeanne, flipped, and dove back into the ocean at her other side. The children quickly clapped and cheered as the clicking animal resurfaced and waved its flippers. Jeanne quickly swam over and hugged it.
"Christy! You did it!" Jeanne cheered, then gently leaned in and kissed the dolphin's forehead. It clapped and clicked happily as the saint beamed like a proud mother. "You just want to show up Sydney, don't you?"
Jack could float here all day watching the dolphin, but her instincts screamed to play with it. She wanted to hug it and get more kisses! Maybe she could ride it? The voices in her mind screamed with hysterical delight, and she found herself already paddling closer to the- "Jackie? Janna? Paula? Where are you girls?"
"They're with me at the resort," Jeanne's telepathic voice called back. Apparently it was a wide link. "Looking to join us, Gudao?"
Gudao's chuckle over the line was warm. "I could use a dip today, but I just thought the girls would want to know… they may have a new friend coming home."
Jeanne's eyes widened in surprise, but the three girls were already cheering in anticipation and wonder. The saint giggled, "You've got them riled now."
"It may be an hour, but here's hoping it works out well! I really don't want to see Illya and Kuro's faces if it fails. Wish Annie good luck!"
"New friend! New friend!" "I wonder if it's the first boy?" "Nah, it's definitely a girl! It's always a girl!"
As Jeanne giggled, Jack only sank further into an uncommon, but wonderful warmth: Getting a new playmate!
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"Yedda! Hassan masks aren't spooky anymore!" "You sure you don't want to rest?" "Aww, I think it's cute. It's devotion!"
Emotional was an understatement. When they first found her in the singularity, it was supposedly a tearful reunion. When they brought their new friend home, the Einzbern sisters fell into happy tears again. The supply run was a bit more taxing than any of the sortieing members expected, but the results were enough to grant a second wind. The festival would only stoke it into an inferno.
"That's too much icing!" "Can you get the orange dye?" "Sprinkles pwease!"
The chaos of the singularity has given way to a fuzzier kind. Salon de Marie's kitchen was chalk-full of activity, but it was graced with the joy of reunion. Across its many new preparation tables and counters, festival foods were scattered to make room for a new, spontaneous enterprise. Cupcakes by the dozens were being prepared in record time, and Chaldea's group of children aided the war effort.
Changed back into her clothes for the day, Jack had also donned a clean white apron like the others. A tray of newly baked chocolate cupcakes sat before her, ready for her special treatment. Beside the assassin, her best friend was already half way done with her current tray. Yedda flinched as the near-empty tube splattered some frosting, then glanced at her teal sundress to check for damage. She sighed with relief, but when Jack giggled, so did she.
"Yedda, there's some on your cheek. Excuse me, Jackie," Kiyohime noted over the vibrant commotion. While being careful about the sleeve of her teal, satin wrap dress, she reached across Jack's vision to wipe the small drop from the young Hassan's face. As she slowly pulled it back, Jack leaned forward to lick the frosting off of the berserker's finger as it passed. The berserker paused, blinked, but then giggled with the other two girls. "Oh, you~!"
Jack only fell further into her giggle fit as Kiyohime gently wrapped her arms around the offender to deliver her punishment: tickles. She squirmed in the berserker's hold, but she didn't try to break free. It only made the young maiden smile warmer, even after she stopped her attack. "You just wanted a tickle hug, didn't you?"
"How's it going over here~?" Tamamo cheerily chimed as she leaned in between Jack and Yedda. The two children glanced to each other, smiled, and without a single word initiated their assassination. They quickly reached up and rubbed Tamamo's ears, making her blush as pink as her cardigan and quickly squirm. Jack and Yedda giggled, while Kiyohime hid her laughter with her hand. She took a step back, pouted playfully, and planted her hands akimbo on her white strapless dress. "That was mean!"
"You loved it!" Jack cried out happily as she squeezed the tube and painted vanilla frosting onto the cupcake. "We're doing fiiiine, Auntie Tamamo~!"
"I suppose I can forgive you for that one…" she sighed playfully. Jack enjoyed the loving head pat she gave to her and Yedda, then concentrated on her work again. Yedda was making Hassan masks with the frosting, but Jack was going to outdo her best friend! She was going to make the cutest ghosts, and maybe some Pacman ones too! "If you want the orange frosting, be sure to ask! Kuro's hogging them, but I can probably steal one~…"
Tamamo then took a step over to Kiyohime and paused. Jack glanced up to see the mirth in Tamamo's eyes that was shared in her dear friend's orbs. There was even the pure glint of content satisfaction in the berserker's eyes, one which Jack hadn't seen for quite a while. She quietly enjoyed Tamamo lean in and hug her friend warmly. Kiyohime returned it, but the fox caster sighed blissfully. "That's the look I've been waiting to see… You think you found it?"
"I think I have…" Kiyohime smiled back, and the two shared one of the warmest giggles Jack's heard from the two. "I won't rush, but… Mmm~... I've deleted the apps. Wish me luck?"
"I don't think you need any~…" Tamamo winked, then glanced to Jackie. She hid her giggle behind her hand and pointed to her. "Um, Jackie? Your frosting is…"
"That's not a ghost…" Yedda smiled beside her, and Jack finally stared to realize she'd emptied an entire tube onto a single cupcake. She could only blink in surprise at the giant stack, but Kiyohime beamed reassuringly before her disappointment could rise; She sure was in a really, really happy mood recently!
"How about you make a spooky ghost house or tower? You're very precise," the berserker offered as she began gently smoothing the tops into roofs. At that mention, Jack's eyes lit up like the sprinkles Kiyohime gently pushed over to her. "Use your imagination! It'll be a challenge, right?"
"Okay~!" Resisting the urge to just devour the sugary treat instead, which was her original plan, she began planning what she could do… while playfully sucking out the last of the delicious frosting from the tube. "Num num num~…"
As she did, a laughter from further away stole her focus. She glanced to the thieves, but smiled warmly. Past Boudica and Parvati who helped Janna, Nursery Rhyme, and Paul, Emiya stood proudly with crossed arms behind his three helpers. His new chef uniform sparkled with the prestigious new shoulder cords, but they couldn't rival his or the girls' mirth.
With all the touring, introductions, and more, it was a miracle Kuro and Illya found the time to slip into casual clothes. Kuro had a bit more splatters on her pink tank top and jean shorts since her apron was more form fitting. Illya's white t-shirt and banana yellow skirt was near splatter free by comparison. But that wasn't mostly because the newly arrived pseudo-servant had taken most of the splash damage from Kuro's reckless decorating.
Yet, she still had the tiniest, yet most brilliantly heartfelt smile despite being bombarded by so much splatter. Her amber eyes shimmered with the same appreciation, like rediscovering El Dorado. She'd been able to wear a white flower dress and purple cardigan from Illya's wardrobe; The Einzbern mother loved buying them clothes. It came in handy today since their new friend didn't have to wear that schoolgirl uniform she arrived in.
Emiya reached over with a napkin to help clean off some of the splatter in her otherwise pristine, black hair. "Kuro get you into a lost of messes like this?"
"No. She usually just lets us do all the work, Onii-chan." Illya's answer made Kuro stick her tongue out to her sister, but the two wound up giggling. Their dear friend between them smiled just a little bit more as Illya beamed at her. "But Miyu was always the best at making treats!"
"You made good ones too, Illya…" the girl quietly mumbled, then returned to her work. Even Jack stared as intently at Emiya, since her cupcake decorations alone were looking like they belonged in a store display. Every movement of her hands with just the frosting tube seemed even more precise than hers-
"Uh… Jackie?" Oh no. She'd been staring so long, she'd forgotten what she was doing with her free hand. She was a bit afraid to look at what she did to her frosting now. But she wasn't disappointed. She could only smile happily in eager anticipation and growing warmth.
Her friends had found their long-lost companion, which meant tonight and every day after would be even warmer and fuzzier for many!
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The cupcakes were ready, but would be saved for after the festival's event. Jack usually hated waiting, but there was just so much to do! Her friends were still getting cleaned up, but always energetic, she'd raced off to the festival first. The stall rotations shifted, but she ensured she was the first in line to secure the freshest ice cream from the dessert stall.
With her mouth buried in the deliciously soft swirls of berry twists, Jack walked down the mostly sparse boardwalk. With every glance, she took notes of what was open and what looked the most interesting. She wasn't her friends' leader; Illya was. Even counting Yedda, Jack was just their best scout… Not to mention the most restless and playful.
'Goldfish stall is open again… Would Miyu like that?' she pondered as her taste buds relished another delicious lick. She couldn't wait to eat the chocolate cone, but a familiar torch of hair popped up in her peripherals.
Her current task was put on hold as she raced past servants, employees, and robots to reach her target. She nearly bumped into Astolfo as he ran by with Flat and Meunière. As she came up to the boardwalk bench, she didn't catapult herself onto her victim; She'd spill her yummy ice cream. Instead, she quickly plopped herself onto the bench next to Amakusa and grinned. "Hiiiiiii~!"
"Afternoon, Jackie. All alone?" One of her favorite caretakers smiled down on her, and she nodded calmly while burying her mouth back in her ice cream. "Enjoying a treat, I see."
"Mmmm." After a careful nod, she glanced past the ruler in a black tropical shirt and khakis. Jack might have interrupted something when she noticed Semiramis sat beside him. She seemed glued to her own little book as she sat very close to him in a black evening dress. Then again, she never did pay any of the kids much attention. They shared a quick glance, but Semiramis quickly went back to reading.
Jack popped the delicious treat from her mouth, leaving splatters of ice cream on her lips and cheeks. "You should get some. It's yummy!"
"I've been thinking about it the past few days… I suppose a small treat wouldn't hurt, would it?" he pondered calmly, then glanced over. He gently placed a hand on her lap to get her attention, and she turned quietly. "Want me to get you one too?"
Semiramis eyed her expensive dress, seemingly debated for a split second, then offered a tiny smile and nod. "Sure. I'll accompany you."
Amakusa turned back to Jack curiously, and the small assassin saw his own mind pondering about leaving her; He was always so attentive and caring. Jack wasn't sure why Jeanne had been wary about him at first. Was there something she didn't know from the other kind saint? …She didn't care. He was nice to her, and that's all that mattered for the many voices.
As his gaze shifted between the two, he finally offered an apologetic smile to his girlfriend. "I'll get it for us so you don't have to lift a finger. Mind watching Jackie for a moment?"
"Hm…" Semiramis seemed to contemplate, but Amakusa already got up from the bench and placed his book beside her. He glanced to Jack, and she caught the small glint in his eye. It was a devious glint she'd seen many times when they made secret fun plans and surprises. All it took was a simple telepathic phrase to know his hopeful intentions.
"Play nicely." He smiled to her, and then to Semiramis. Jack hid her knowing smirk behind her ice cream as the older assassin stared at the ruler. "I'll be quick. I promise, or you can take my head."
Semiramis blinked, then smiled gently. "…I'll think of a better punishment if you do."
After a fun headpat for the child, he quickly walked off. The dessert stall wasn't too far away, so he wouldn't take long at all. But it was more than enough time for Jack to commence her operation. She hummed happily while licking her ice cream. "I won't let you down!"
"I know you won't," he chuckled back mentally. She began immediately to prove it. She scooched herself over enough to catch Semiramis' attention. The collected-looking queen glanced over, and paused as she saw Jack staring at her happily while eating her ice cream. She took the cone away for a moment and smiled brightly. "Hiiiii~!"
She made a simple nod. "You're quite happy today, aren't you?"
"Mmmmm~!" Jack squirmed happily in her seat, closed her eyes, and buried her face back into the cone. Semiramis glanced over to notice there was a bit more of a mess on her cheek and lips. She stared for a moment, looked away, but was drawn back when Jack made more sounds. "Num num num num~…"
The ancient queen looked back to her book again, and Jack popped an eye open just enough to see. Her face was more focused. Her brows were a tad more scrunched. Her grip on her book was ever so slightly harder. Yup, she was trying to ignore her. But no one ignored the cute and lovable Jackie for long!
It was simply Semiramis' turn in the reticles.
Amakusa had been a bit disappointed she wasn't opening herself up to many others or living more casually. A few made it through the ice, but though he knew she was cautious, careful, and keeping her image tall and powerful, the saint expressed how much he wanted her to relax too. To feel at ease and just a bit more honest with her real feelings.
…And that's where Jack came in. So maybe the former mother would finally be a bit more honest around the children. No one was expecting her to turn into 'Aunt Boudica,' but the carefully upheld, and sometimes stiff, prominence was a big no no. She cheered happily again, "Num num num~!"
Semiramis glanced again, this time with a small, almost forced frown. Jack only happily squirmed in her seat as she slowly devoured her treat. "Mmmmm~…"
"Hasn't Atalanta taught you manners?" That wasn't the reply she was hoping for as she opened her eyes to stare at the older assassin. "Can you please eat without making so much noise? Or making such a mess?"
'Trying to be difficult, huh? Time to change tactics.' Jack hid her inner smile behind a small pout and sad smile. "Sowwy…"
She quickly faced forward again, but kept her small pout as she sadly licked at her ice cream. She made sure to do nothing about the growing mess on her lips and cheeks; Eye contact was completely avoided. But she knew Semiramis was still making glances. She could feel it, and did all she could to hide her smirk.
A moment passed. Jack whimpered and still sadly ate her ice cream, but she noticed Semiramis had glanced around almost erratically. Suddenly, she'd quickly scooched over and commanded. "Face me."
A bit confused, Jack held her small frown and did as ordered. She quickly found herself scrunching her eyes as Semiramis reached over with a suddenly drawn handkerchief. It was swift, but she'd gently wiped the mess off her cheeks and lips, all while glancing around cautiously; None nearby were paying attention to them. Her paranoia almost made Jack giggle, but Semiramis' soft, yet commanding voice filled her with curious wonder. "Please be more careful."
"Sowwy…" Jack moaned lightly, but the woman had already quickly folded her handkerchief and scooched back away. It was the briefest of moments, but it was the first time Jack had seen the ancient poisoner's voice so… parental. Maybe Amakusa was right, and she did still hold some of her brief time as a mother close at heart.
Either way, Jack sure wanted to see more of it! She quickly began licking her ice cream, but a bit cleaner this time. "Thank you, Auntie Semi~!"
"Auntie what!?" She nearly yelped it. Semiramis flinched and glanced at her in incredulous surprise. A moment later, she'd looked around with concern, then quickly buried herself back in her book. Though there was no blush, there was clear embarrassment in her furrowed expression. Maybe it would be more of a smile someday.
"Nice one, Jackie." The little assassin giggled and practically felt Amakusa's mental headpat. He had definitely seen that fuzzy sight!
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While her friends were trying out the little water gun game next door, Jack was busy petting a furry white dog that happily licked her face. "Good puppy! Very fwuffy puppy!"
Though she'd rather be playing with her friends, and getting to know the new one, she had her entry to submit to another stall. Helena was supposed to be coming back to collect more lottery tickets, but the wait wasn't so bad. Especially with Gugalanna, Cavall, and Babe to play with! The little blue ox and the heavenly bull were play fighting on the desk, but the rescued dog was happy to stay in Jack's arms, just as he had during the Shinjuku singularity. Artesia didn't even seem to mind as she talked with others at Beowulf's next-door basketball stall.
"I don't have treats… Sowwy…" The puppy still licked her face anyway, making her cheer. Every moment among the animals of Chaldea was just another reminder of a new warmth she desired. It was safe to say the many voices in her mind grew greedy with every granted gift, but they were always for the same reason. A pet was another type of love she wanted to have someday, though playing with others' helped the super long wait.
The festival merely brought a new opportunity to possibly get one, and she definitely wasn't going to say no. She eyed the tabletop advertisement showing the wide assortment of familiar-like critters Helena had been able to craft with her incredible abilities. She'd decided against a pet shop, but appeased many with this rare lottery instead. There would be only three winners, but each could choose a reasonable pet of their choosing.
Apparently the 'reasonable' part was added because Angra put 'head crab' on his ticket entry… What was a head crab?
"Oh, hi Jackie! I didn't keep you waiting, did I?" While happily petting the dog, Jack turned towards Helena. A flying Colonel Olcott greeted her first, but then the skilled caster was right on its tail. She folded her arms calmly across her purple halter-topped dress and smiled warmly. "I hope I didn't keep you from your friends."
Her group cheered, making Jack smiled. "It's okay~! This lottery is really really important!"
"And popular too. You've got a lot of competition, but maybe fortune will favor you," Helena winked, then quickly scooched along the side of the booth to grab her forms. "Have you been doing all your readings Jaguarman has assigned?"
Jack smiled sheepishly, and Helena laughed. "Reading is good for you, Jackie. You'll learn a lot, and it can open up your imagination too. There's a lot of fun hidden in words."
"But I like cartoons better," she countered happily, then gave her the small sheet of paper and the ticket. Helena blinked at it curiously, but Jack only twisted from side to side on her tippy toes and beamed. "I was descriptive! I have pictures too!"
"…So I see. What an interesting choice," Helena smiled, then laughed. "Quite cute. As expected of you."
It took a while to think about, but of all the pets, she came to an easy conclusion. The other options were all tempting, but this one would be such a wonderful pet! It'd be a friend she could hold in her arms happily and play with in case everyone else was away. She'd be responsible for its well being and happiness, but those wouldn't even be chores.
Jack would happily and carefully take care of a pet, just like so many always do for her!
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No one really asked where Chaldea got the mini ferris wheel that looked like a rainbow pinwheel. Some say it was a secret order placed with the Vigil. Others think the pirates snuck it home as a surprise treat. No one owned up to it. No one cared either, especially not the children.
The sun set beautifully on he horizon with so many yellow clouds, but Jack was far more concerned trying to make the car swing more. Next to her, Nursery Rhyme held onto her seat with one hand and kept her frilly white dress secure with the other. She pouted at her sister. "Jackie! This isn't funny! What if it breaks!?"
"I asked Tesla and he said it was okay~!" Her cheery answer only made Nursery Rhyme groan more. On her other side, Yedda was laughing happily as she simply held onto Jack's hand. "Oh come on, Alice! Yedda likes it! It's fun! Like a swing!"
"It's supposed to be enjoyable and relaxing!"
"You're such a spoil sport! Have some fun!" She giggled, especially on seeing some on the ground taking photos. She wanted one for her own little album! By the cries of delight from behind them, Jack was only further enticed. "Hear that? Even Illya, Kuro, and Miyu are doing it! So I'm right~! Right, Yedda?"
"Can I just watch the sunset from up here!? It's really pretty!" Nursery Rhyme sighed in annoyance, but after another moment, Jack stopped swinging the colorful bench. The caster blinked, then looked at Jack as she kicked her feet playfully with her best friend. The caster blinked. "…Bored already?"
"Nah~! I didn't know you wanted to enjoy the view, so there you go!" Nursery Rhyme smiled at her sister, then turned to the distant, disappearing orb of red. In truth, Jack never grew tired of the view either. Even as a wraith on the crowded streets of London, she'd never glimpsed a sunset. It was a commodity here, but Jack would never take a beautiful scene like this for granted.
And as much as she wanted to make more fun moments, there was nothing more beautiful than helping others she loved be happy too.
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Twilight reigned over the festival, and though the boardwalk was less crowded because of the event, the girls were still enjoying themselves. They had a new friend to feel welcome, after all! And it certainly looked like Miyu was doing just that… From what Jack could tell of the often quiet and reserved girl, at least. She still kept a little distant from the rest of them, but it was just the first day. So it was okay!
As Jack munched happily on cotton candy, she watched Kuro and Illya pull Miyu to another stall while holding her hands. It was the goldfish catch stall Jack scouted earlier, but they were quietly discussing if they wanted to do it. Miyu stared at a Chibi Nobu as it walked across the stall's top to greet her cheerfully. It waved with its stubby arms, "Nobuuuu~!"
"It looks friendly, Miyu," the girl's teal mystic code offered as it floated above her. Its red sister nodded happily beside her. Janna and Nursery Rhyme were already talking to Okita about how it worked, but Jack wasn't too interested. You couldn't play with a goldfish without risking it dying. She didn't want to do something sad. They were cute though.
That's when she noticed a couple she thought should've been preparing for the day's event. She quietly walked up to Anton and Frankenstein, who quietly talked as they glanced to the goldfish catch. Her white strapless gown matched Anton's white suit, so they were certainly ready for the ball. The berserker smiled to her as she drew near. "Hi, Jackie. Not catching a goldfish?"
"Maybe later. Isn't the dance soon?"
"We've got feasible time. Nothing to worry about," Anton reassured as he shared a smile with his fiancé. Yet her attention quickly shifted at the approach of a battle-clad but dapper old man.
"Still running around and not tuckered out? Children… Always so full of energy."
Jackie smiled and waved. "Hiiiii, Paaaaawps!"
Though she was happy to see the ever-scheming archer, who'd kept her company on several occasions, the couple looked far warier. Frankenstin in particular eyed Moriarty carefully, but he met her stare with a simple nod in their direction. "Good evening to you too. Oh, no need to look at me so suspiciously. I assure you, I'm not planning anything devious… Not that you'd know if I was."
His playful words only unsettled the pair more as they glanced at each other. Jack still considered him harmless. To reassure them he could be nice too, she smiled up at them. "He likes being called pops! Call him that! No one called pops could do more mean things!"
"That didn't stop him the other time…" Frankenstein mumbled quietly, though in truth, it did. Gabrielle had grown some sort of sway by the end of it, or enough to make him hold back. Hopeful for the fun and funny grandpa, Jack munched on her cotton candy with a smile as the berserker eyed him again. "…You haven't done anything yet, but I'm not sure..."
"It's only appropriate. That man's not exactly the trustworthy type." Jack glanced over to a booth across the boardwalk to see a refined black suit with a sharper stare. Holmes stared back across the way while smoking on his pipe, but his eyes remained locked on Moriarty. "One needs to be careful around that one. Even the smallest uttering could be the first unknowing step down the path he's planned for you."
"Hmph… I thank you for the compliment, but does such a rhetorical statement need to be said?" Moriarty smirked lightly, but then turned back to stare with growing confusion.
Frankenstein made a tiny little pout as she thought which made Moriarty raise an eyebrow. It was followed by a cute noise of more thought. "Mmm… Maybe he can be trusted. Gaby trusts you. And you seem truly kind to Gabby… If you can really be nice, then I wouldn't mind giving you a chance, Papa."
Jack and Anton blinked as Frankenstein realized what she said. She quickly blushed at her mistake, glanced to her fiancé, then quickly stuttered. "Ah! Opps, I m-meant-"
"Did you just… call me Papa…?" Moriarty's outright stunned expression brought the other three to a halt. Jack had never seen him so floored. He was totally speechless. There wasn't even a blink as he gawked at Frankenstein, who blushed lightly and covered her hands with her mouth. The silence grew thick, but suddenly Moriarty's knees wobbled. "…Papa… This innocent girl… called me…?"
Now Jack was giggling happily as Moriarty practically stumbled over to a nearby, empty booth and used a post to stabilize himself. He stared incredulously at the ground and clutched at his heart, then glanced slowly back to Frankenstein. She looked very confused and uncertain. As she fiddled with her fingers awkwardly and glanced to her fiancé for support, Moriarty stared while… out of breath? Even Holmes stared in scrutinizing confusion.
"Make way, coming through!" Nightingale's battle attire was a blur as she quickly shot beside the archer. He stared up at her, but the growing look of fear in his eyes made Jack giggle. Nightingale was far from jokes. "Clutching the Heart. Labored breathing. Old Age and unsteady footing. I'm going to need you to take a seat. You may be experiencing heart complications and I will do everything in my power to alleviate them."
Moriarty blanched. "Wait! That's not-!"
"I said, you need to take a seat." Nightingale's eyes were a very dangerous red. "Or I'll make you."
Jack was quickly considering helping the poor archer, especially when some of her friends came over to stare at the sudden commotion. But she didn't need to. Critically grave situation or not, Jack knew enough of Moriarty. He was unbelievably super smart, and his speed at crafting plans could outrun Achilles. That's why she understood when she saw him glance to the kids, then to Holmes, and then seriously back to Nightingale: He had a card to play.
"I'm perfectly fine, Nightingale! I was just trying to calm down my anger at Holmes after he so carelessly dared to smoke those drugs of his in front of the children!"
Now Nightingale's eyes had turned on Holmes. The detective gawked in surprise, but he still held his pipe in hand that Nightingale eyed viciously. The weight of her gaze could crush a stack of diamonds. "Holmes! What have I told you about substance abuse!? You understand the long term health issues that could compound from even the smallest dosage!"
"W-Wait a second!" That was all Holmes got to say before Nightingale was dashing towards him. He quickly ducked under her grasp for his pipe, but she growled in response. He back pedaled quickly, nearly tripped, then ran from the enticed berserker. "It's a trick! Moriarty was certainly manipulating you! Can't you see!?"
"All I see is that pipe I told you to stop smoking! What illegal narcotics have you got in there this time!?"
Jack and the others were now laughing loudly as Moriarty quickly scampered away before the nurse could turn back on him. His smirk to Holmes was returned by a scowl, but the archer's expression quickly deflated into a curious stare towards Frankenstein before he disappeared into Club Cove. Jack saw it, but didn't think too much of it. She was far too busy laughing at the funny evil grandpa's quick thinking.
Today was already becoming one of the best days she's had in Chaldea, and there was still a bit more of the night to go!
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An hour later, the boardwalk festival was mostly deserted once the usual dinner time had passed. Jack didn't mind, because today's event was for any interested adults; She and her sister still wanted to come take a peek. So they did, even if they looked far under-dressed at Salon de Marie.
The matron hardly minded. Marie happily held the children in her motherly embrace, even if it wrinkled her very frilly and fancy, red French ballgown. "You two have fun tonight~?"
Her flowing hair, which smelled like the long lavender fields of her country, tickled Jack's nose and made her grin. "The festival is the best! But we wanted to come see Mommy looking pretty!"
"Oh, her dress is wonderful~! Magnifique! A wonderful compliment for such a strong woman!" Marie happily agreed as she broke her hug to lead them to the ballroom floor. There were so many robots with top hats and bowties floating about offering caviar. They were matched by dozens of servants, all dressed in the fanciest clothes they had. Many were either couples or royalty, but Jack could hardly tell the difference with how amazing everyone looked.
She felt bad for ignoring Marie's chatter, but Jack's eyes bounced from sight to sight. The Valkyrie trio passed by in matching white off-shoulder dresses with golden sashes, and made a beeline towards a happily talking Arthur and Brynhildr. Mata Hari and Arash joined them, but Jack had already gazed to an embarrassed Kintoki trying to calm down Raikou in the distance; She clearly didn't approve of choosing Shuten instead of her.
Even the most prideful spirits were enjoying themselves. While Enkidu and Ereshkigal played with a few sphinx kittens by the piano, Gilgamesh, Ozymandias, and Iskandar were having a very lively chat. They paid her no heed, but Jack couldn't help but stare a moment longer at the trio. The two very prideful kings had matching golden tuxedos that glittered like the archer's offered goblets. Iskandar only wore a plain black one, but it looked like it was about to burst at the seams. Jack laughed at the sight before she heard familiar yelling.
"Of all people, why is he late? He should know better!" "Calm down, sis! He'll be here!"
It was hard to miss the growing commotion as Jack's eyes landed on Janna and Joan. Many were giving them room, but some looked on with humored little smiles. It was hard not to; Even Marie released Jack's hand to stifle her smile. Jack didn't, nor did her sister.
Janna had changed into a white strapless dress, likely at Jeanne's encouragement. She had her hands akimbo as she pouted towards the middle child of the saint family… whose only mar on her figure was an annoyed scowl. A lacy black off-shoulder dress that exposed some of her sides. Frills in all the right spots. Then there was that daring side slit to her form-hugging gown that showed her stockings. Even Jack could say Joan was really, really eye catching.
"It's going to be fun! Just be patient!" Janna encouraged, but it did nothing to ease Joan's scowl. She scoffed. "Why are you always so grumpy!? Can't you just relax for once? This is supposed to be a happy ball for adults to have fun!"
Joan's glare barely lightened, but she huffed as she adjusted the pink flower in her hair. "Every week, the same thing from you… Don't you get it? Malice and hatred are a part of my soul whether I like it or not! I'm just being honest! I can't just flip it off like a light switch!"
At that point, Janna quietly turned towards the two giggling sisters and the accompanying queen with the driest look anyone had ever seen from her. Joan only kept ranting, even as Janna glanced back, then behind her, then once more on her sister. "I'm not here to enjoy myself anyway. Just to prove Jeanne wrong! That I can dance better than she ever could! Don't get the wrong idea and think that-!"
"Confuted!" In one swift motion, Janna has shoved her sister backward. If the avenger's dress' skirt had been any longer, her heels may have ripped them in her scramble to right herself. She started tumbling anyway, and with a growing scowl, turned around to stop her fall. Except someone else did while Janna giggled. "You're welcome~!"
"You're welcome!? What do…you…?" Joan quickly lost her voice as some chuckles rose from several onlookers. Joan stared straight into a lavish pink cravat that matched her hair flower. But it was just one accessory complimenting a black, well-fit tuxedo with French golden accents. An accompanying matching coat with tall collars and shoulder curtains flowed down Dantes' back like Joan's well-combed hair did for her. Her face was nearly tickled by a rich white scarf, as matching gloves gently held her sides.
Yet her eyes fell on the regal crimson orbs of her fellow avenger. His hair was even more well kept than ever seen before, and a black tie helped keep his colonial ponytail in perfect order. Joan looked stunned and speechless, while Jack admired from a distance. The King of the Cavern had never looked more noble or stately; This was definitely the true high elegance of the Count of Monte Cristo.
"Are you alright, Joan? Just getting your usual sisterly spat out of the way?" Again, Joan could only stare up at him as she regained her footing. He still held her and smiled like a prince in one of Jack's favorite Disney movies. "You'll have to forgive me. Mozart and Eric offered an enthralling conversation just moments ago. But enough of that... Shall we find a table before the dance contest begins?"
Jack could've sworn there was a bright blush on Joan's cheeks as she was quietly led away by the dashing avenger. Janna had walked over to them and sighed. "My sister… Gosh! She's so difficult! Dantes might as well be a saint."
"Ohhh, a little matchmaker to be~?" Marie giggled as she happily pat Janna on the head. "Well done! Your Auntie Queen approves~!"
While Janna squirmed under the appreciation, Jack spotted their targets. She smiled brightly, and Nursery Rhyme quickly caught on too. The caster held her hands together as she stepped beside her sister. "Mommy is so pretty~!"
Mingling on the dance floor, Atalanta's jade, one-shoulder dress with golden accents shimmered like a beacon. Her hair was meticulously combed, and the golden sash around her waist was tied into a perfect bow at the back. Her smile was radiant like the crystal chandeliers above, but they grew a touch brighter when her partner came back with two ruby wine classes in hand.
Jack's smile turned eager as she examined Achilles' tuxedo. Form-fit and matching Atalanta's for style and color, one would think they were more than just testing the waters; Jack was impatient for it to move further. They looked great together, and the smile he gave her roused a sparkle in her eyes she'd recently grown solely for him.
For once, it was a look Jack wasn't jealous of, but still overwhelmingly excited to spot.
It was another hopeful step to a promised warmth. One that should have cascaded long ago. She wanted to rush them, but the voices in her head argued constantly. It was so close it'd happen naturally. They just needed to be patient, but they didn't want to be! Their mother was about to find a happiness they collectively wished for her to hold. And in turn, they'd soon relish in it too… 'But the wait is still so, so, so, sooooooloooong!'
After she watched Achilles gently take her free hand and lead her further away, a giddy Nursery Rhyme elbowed Jack. "Let's leave Mommy! All is going well!"
Jack's eyes suddenly flashed with recollection. "And it's almost cupcake time! Janna, let's go! Miyu and sugary cupcakes are waiting!"
Marie could only laugh as Jack instantly switched gears, grasped the small saint's hand, and raced off with her sister for their own gathering: Miyu's Welcome Party.
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The Arcade was a lively, despite being mostly empty. There were a few chaperones in the form of some robots, but otherwise, it was just the children. There would be a few games to play after, but the hasty party wasn't going to last long. That was fine, because every day in Chaldea was a party for the children!
Jack devoured two cupcakes before she even took her seat. She still happily munched on a new one as the frosting Hassan Mask was destroyed by her eager bite. Yedda giggled next to her as she munched on her own cupcake. Across from them, Miyu was holding her first one while Kuro and Illyasviel dug into theirs. She looked a bit hesitant, so Jack, with frosting on her upper lip, happily reassured, "I made that one! I hope you like it!"
Miyu glanced to her. She hadn't talked much to the other children when compared to Illyasviel or Kuro. Jack wasn't hurt or anything. She was just a bit reserved, as Kuro said. But if there's anyone who could break the ice beside her sister, it was Jack. "It's nice having more friends around!"
"We just met…" Miyu spoke quietly as she eyed the assassin. "How can you call me your friend already? I don't know you."
"Because Illya and Kuro are your friends, and they're really nice and friendly! So you must be really nice and friendly too deep down," Janna stated matter of factly from a nearby table. "So it's safe to presume you'll be our friend too!"
"That's a strange way to see it…" Miyu pondered quietly, but Jack smiled when she saw Miyu's lips twitch back into a happy curve.
"They'll be here for you, Miyu! Just like we are!" Illya quietly reassured as she reached over to hold her friend's hand. Kuro followed shortly after. Jack smiled brightly as she nodded with Yedda. "The kids here look after each other too. You'll see! Just like I said when we convinced you to come!"
"Yup, all of us! Right, Chacha~?" Kuro's playful eyes turned to the nearby table, where the battle-clad berserker quickly flinched in surprise. Jack noticed she had a look of… fear? Concern? She wasn't too sure since it vanished so quickly, but Chacha had been acting strange the past few days. Especially around Kuro for some reason, but she was also a bit friendlier to them too after Nobunaga convinced her to spend time with them… Jack was confused. What was she worried about?
"…Yea! You should feel privileged Chacha watches over you too!" It didn't quite have the pride of Chacha's usual declaration, but it was followed by plenty of nodding heads.
Jack paid it little heed. She only stared at Miyu, who looked far more comfortable as she smiled across from them, then bit into her first cupcake. Jack wasn't too sure what her life was like before, but she made a new quiet vow. Miyu was another friend, and all of Jack's friends deserved to be happy, happy! So she would be sure to help make new warm memories for both of them to enjoy!
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The sisters' shared room was dark. It'd been quite a long day, and Jack had even forgone a nap or two. Her comfy, warm pajamas only lulled her further to dreamland like a lullaby. All she wanted to do was count fluffy sheep and dream of candyland and fun cartoons… but her sister had other plans after she'd donned her nightgown.
"Jackie! Don't crash just yet!" It was hard not to. All the sugar was finally taking its toll. All the excitement and fun of the welcome party and festival too. Jack just wanted to nap, but Nursery Rhyme was dragging her to their bedroom wall.
With one hand clutching her favorite teddy bear, Jack moaned with barely open eyes. "Aliiiice… I'm tiiiired…"
"But it's bound to happen tonight! They came in together to wish us good night!" Alice pouted as she whispered her interest. "Just a few minutes! It'll be like a Disney scene! We can't see it, but we'll get to hear Mommy's first kiss!"
Jack's fatigued mind considered her words. Hearing mother's first taste of happiness would make her squirm with joy… If she managed not to fall asleep in the next few seconds. Her eyelids felt so, so heavy, and she was nearly dropping Penny. However, her interest won out, partially because Alice gave her no choice.
On the other hand, that would make for a lovely way to top off the spectacular day. There's been so many warm moments to enjoy and lock away in memory, but one more would be extra sprinkles. Especially this one, where their mother would get her first kiss from her prince like one of the many fairy tales. They may have spent a lot of time before, but it was highly doubtful they kissed… or did they? Either way, it was sure to be really, really romantic and lovey dovey!
Though still rather tired, she placed her ear to the wall like Nursery Rhyme. Upon hearing Atalanta's first giggle, she already pictured them talking by the little fire place. Maybe they'd have wine in hand. Maybe Achilles brought roses and chocolate? Letting her imagination run wild, Jack listened carefully.
They had to perk their ears real hard to listen. As one, Nursery Rhyme and Jack both smiled when they heard their mother's giggle. Even if it was a barely audible utterance of Achilles' name, she could feel the warmth from her words. Jack and Nursery Rhyme giggled happily and kept listening. This had to be the kissing moment! It was like a scene from Disney!
While clutching Penny, she tried squeezing herself up against the wall to hear better. Nursery Rhyme was fiddling with her hair to do the same. Their tiny, hopeful smiles were mirrored by childish squirms of giddy enthusiasm. At least until they heard what sounded like a moan.
Quietly, Jack blinked and scrunched her eyebrows towards her sister. Again, there was another moan, then a pause. They blinked again as she picked up Achilles' husky voice. "I'll be gentle. Leave everything to me."
The children froze. Jack wasn't too sure how much time was slipping by as her mind dwelled on those words. It could've been a minute or two, but in that time, the girls' cheeks had grown increasingly pink with revelation. They stared at each other and kept their ears planted to the wall and blinked. Maybe… Maybe it was just their imagination? Then, after a few groans and moans, she heard her mother's voice. "You know I'm no damsel. I won't be taken so easily."
"I like the sound of that, kitten."
Now red as tomatoes, the sputtering girls broke for their beds. Nursery Rhyme was quick to scamper across its surface. She desperately tried to bury herself in her blankets as a whimpering Jack zipped underneath her quilted covers. The mound wormed its way up the bed before reaching the pillow. Beneath, a flushed Jack shook, but then let out a quiet yelp. "Ah…! Penny…!"
She burst from the blanket like a whale leaping from the ocean. As quietly and quickly as she could, the assassins scrambled across their soft floor, grabbed her fallen teddy bear, and raced back to her bed. After leaping on top, she struggled with the blankets. They were all lovely and warm, but she wasn't looking for peasant embraces right now! She grasped them to her body like a cocoon, and collapsed onto her pillow with eyes bolted shut. Both sisters still shivered in their bomb shelters as they tried to block out any possible sound.
Jack's cheeks had never felt so terribly, terribly warm with embarrassment.
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Jack had somehow seen a cute dream even after she forced herself to sleep. She'd still rather not think about the night before as the sun rose in their little Sunscape window. Jack only slowly unraveled herself from her protective bunker of blankets while Nursery Rhyme stirred. Or at least she tried to. She'd wrapped herself so well, she had to start squirming profusely to try and untangle the sheets. But if she'd try to hard, they'd rip, and that would make mother very, very sad.
It took a bit of finesse, but with childish grunts, one hand finally broke free of the cocoon. It patted around her blanket, found a loop, and tugged lightly. Slowly, she opened up like a present, and she gasped with relief. While clutching Penny to her chest, Jack crawled out of its hold as Nursery Rhyme sat up. The caster gently began rubbing her eyes while Jack plopped back onto her bed silently.
The sisters shared a glance to each other. After a small pause, they both blushed, then shook their heads profusely. Nursery Rhyme squirmed. "It's what people in love do. It's natural. W-We just overheard it, that's all."
"Right. It was an accident. We didn't mean to listen to Mommy…" Jack stopped herself, blushed, shook her head again, and buried her face into the back of Penny's head. "She's happy! That's what counts!"
They remained on their beds, forcefully trying to scrub the accidental sounds out of their minds. It was a loud but private moment between lovers. That's all… but with the slow release of her groggy state, the realization slowly came to Jack's mind: They were much farther along than the sisters thought.
While the many voices in her mind raced over mental notes and discussed possibilities, the door to their mother's room gently rattled. Jack and Alice looked over just as it creaked open. Atalanta's ears poked through, then her head. Jack grew fearful she was indecent, but the sight of a green robe with golden apple decorations made her mentally sigh with relief.
Her mind wiped itself upon seeing their mother's warm smile. "Oh good. My girls are already wake. Do you mind if we have a small talk before breakfast?"
Jack's heart began beating faster as Atalanta entered the room, followed closely by Achilles. He only had on a simple white muscle shirt and green sweatpants; So he'd slept over after- 'Nope! Nope! Stop right there, voices!'
"Hey, Jackie. Alice," Achilles greeted as he scratched the back of his head. Atalanta walked over to the beds and gently took a seat by Nursery Rhyme. Jack's heart only beat faster with anticipation as Achilles did the same for her. He'd never done this before, and last night was practically a defining sign as is! Nearly a minute passed before he spoke again at Atalanta's encouraging stare. "I know it must be strange seeing me here this early but… well…"
"Achilles and I had a talk last night." It was more than just a talk for sure, but Jack listened very intently as her mother's smile grew warm. "We've been discussing things for a while, but we've come to an agreement."
"You mean dating?" Nursery Rhyme asked, making Atalanta blink. The archer smiled warmly and gently rubbed the caster's shoulder.
"…Yea. That's the only way to call it, isn't it?" Atalanta mused lightly and beamed to Achilles. "But it's not quite so simple. I have you two. My precious daughters."
"So if I was to continue seeing your mother, there's no way I would even dare thinking about leaving you two out of this discussion," Achilles continued carefully. He glanced to Jack, likely out of concern for how she might feel. He had no idea the eagerness threatening to erupt from her heart as he smiled hesitantly. "You have as much a say on this as your amazing mother… if it's alright for me to be with her. I'd love to be with her, but that's only if-"
"DADDY!" Jack had heard enough. This was all the confirmation she needed to jump at Achilles and embrace him with a long-desired hug. Nursery Rhyme laughed, and Atalanta followed shortly after she blinked in total surprise. Achilles was still frozen with shock as he stared down at Jack, who happily rubbed her head against the newest warmth she hadn't known she needed long before: A father.
Still stumped, Achilles glanced to Nursery Rhyme, who quickly jumped from her own sheets, raced over, and stumbled over his legs to hug him. "We have a Daddy now!"
"Yay! A daddy!" Jack grinned happily.
"My… They've really come to love you, hm~?" Atalanta mused with a warm smile. Achilles' expression finally filled with appreciation and delight as he smiled down at the two cuddling children. He gently, but awkwardly, placed his arms around them for the first time as Atalanta walked over to his free side. She sat down, leaned her head against him, and gently reached around his back to rub Jack's head. "…That talk was faster than I thought. You're going to have your work cut out for you, Achilles."
He paused for a moment, glanced to all of them as they stared back with joy-filled eyes, then smiled confidently. "…I still don't think I'm ready to be a parent, but I'll take that challenge. I won't let any of you down… even if I have to keep embarrassing myself asking the other fathers for help!"
Jack had no worry about that; He was better than he thought. It was really funny when the legendary hero fumbled around and often made mistakes, but he tried his best. With every little lesson, time spent watching over them, and especially their first taste in Shinjuku, he'd more than earned the sisters' trust. From how he treated them and their mother, he was quickly earning their absolute love. He could only get better, and the sisters would ensure that would happen.
But that perfection would come with time. Now? Jack now had a father, who'd care for her, her sister, and her mother. She had a goddess mother. Many aunts and uncles. Countless friends! Not to mention a wonderfully warm home that no womb could ever hope to compete against. All that remained was her new, repetitive, and heartfelt goal, renewed day after day.
To try and reach a new warmth never before felt! And her new father would certainly help with that!