Disclaimer: I think I only put this up because it feels weird if I don't.

"So you're not clairvoyant? Just a Star Child?" Carly chuckles at herself. "Well, you know, not just…but you get what I mean."

"I do. And yes but also no. I think clairvoyance is apart of the Star Child full package."

"Right and, specifically, what is a Star Child again?"

This is the second time we're going over this, which on one hand could mean Carly's reporter tendencies are trying to get the facts pin-straight, and on the other could mean she's forcing herself to believe me. If the latter was true, I couldn't even blame her. I wouldn't believe it myself if I didn't have a front row seat to it all.

Plus, Carly did ask for clarification and I want to deliver on the promise I made to give it to her. Her reaction to it was never assured as positive. Either way, I'd take it.

After what happened with the boys, I'm thinking a straightforward approach might be best from now on. Things seem to turn out better when I trudge through the truth instead of hide behind lies.

"Apparently both a human and a duel spirit."

"Which was told to you by…?"

"Ancient Fairy Dragon." I scoff a bit after admitting it.

Carly stops pacing to grin at me. "Meaning you can definitely see spirits. But that's stating the obvious since you summoned Kuribon from a duel card, right?" I nod. "How did that go again?"

"I just held the card and concentrated. The rest was," I raise my hands and wiggle my fingers, "magic."

She gives me a look that shows a wink of belief so I return it with a deadpanned stare. "Oh," she laughs, "you were joking. I get it now."

"Sorry to burst your bubble."

Carly shakes her head. "Still, all this is far from normal. So while the whole "spirit summoning" thing isn't magic, that's not to say that you aren't magical. You and the Signers and possibly even Annie are creatures beyond modern science and reason. That, to me, equals magic."

I smile along with her, illustrating my likeness for her light humor instead of the thoughts perturbing my head.

Creature. There wasn't anything explicitly wrong about it, and maybe that's why it bothers me like it does. Not a human or a spirit, it's less definable than those. Something that doesn't quite have a category of its own. Something to stay cautious of because no one knows what category it can fall into.

Friend or enemy. Good or bad. Creature is none of those an, simultaneously, all of them. It's like a piece of chocolate; they all look the same on the outside but you don't know what's in it until you take a bite.

"Speaking of which, does she have any blackouts or visions?"

Cutting off my mindless laughter, I tilt my head and ask, "Who?"

"Annie."

"Not that I'm aware of, but it could be anyone's call at this point. It's a safe bet she's more than just your average house pet, however I don't want to put so much faith in her as to claim she knows all the secrets about my mark."

Carly finally rests in a chair across from me. "I thought that was Zephyrus."

"Both, I guess. Annie knows things but she's stuck in cat form and can't tell me anything. Whereas Zephyrus can tell me everything, but I have no idea how to get to him. Same goes for Ancient Fairy Dragon."

"Wait, wait, wait. I thought you already spoke to Ancient Fairy Dragon."

"I did, but it was kind of like the times I've met Zephyrus. Both of them talk like they're giving me riddles." Then I add more to myself than to her, "Must be a spirit thing."

"Hmm. I wonder if all spirits are clairvoyant, " Carly comments.

I shrug, "Maybe. Or maybe it's a Star Child perk. I'm not that curious, to be honest."

"Sure you are," Carly affirms, strangely defensive. "Aren't you the one who told me just some days ago that you wouldn't be able to sleep until you figure out what you are? Well, now we know! You haven't changed your mind, you're just…"

Just because she doesn't finish the sentence doesn't mean the obvious end to it goes unheard.

"Sorry, I didn't mean for it to sound that way."

My stare hovers over the table. "It's not like you're wrong." Carly attempts to utter an excuse and I only shake my head, then lift my eyes to her face. "You aren't."

I know it and now Carly knows it, if she didn't before. "Let's take it slow", I told the guys. What I really meant was, "Let's act natural". Which would be fine if the obvious problem with "acting natural" wasn't that it always comes at a time when you're the most unlike yourself.

"You look better than when I last saw you," she changes the subject, forced delight shimmering in her blue eyes.

"I've been sleeping," I chuckle. "Like you said, it's been doing me good."

"Reporter knows best."

"I thought it was Mother."

"Potato, potahto."

I roll my eyes. "What else has the all-knowing reporter got for me today?"

"Weeeeeeeell." She stands and pulls a deck out from behind her back. "I could read your fortune!"

"Can I take a pass? I don't really believe in that stuff."

"Oh, come on! It'll be fun, I do it all the time."

I glance at the microwave's clock and rise from my chair, "Maybe some other time. I gotta get back to Martha's to help with dinner."

Carly's quick acceptance doesn't hide her dismay. But what is there for me to do other than smile as she escorts me to the door?

"Before you go," she says, pausing my movement for the doorknob, "has Ushio found anything out about that Yliaster group?"

"Jack told you about that, huh?" She nods. "I don't know. If he has, he hasn't mentioned it."

"Maybe he'll want some help, then."

"Carly, don't," I say immediately. Her expression bears incredulity. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"A little snooping and sneaking never hurt anyone. Trust me, I've done worse."

"Did you hear what you just said? None of us know who these people are or what they're capable of—they made their own member disappear. Out of sight and off police records. What if you stumble onto something you can't back out of?"

Carly frowns and I can tell I've hit a tender spot. "You say that like I'm not already involved," she mumbles.

I sigh, "You know that's not what I mean. I know you want to help, but I just think that this is something you should leave to Trudge. To the police."

"I guess I understand. It's not like Jack hasn't told me this repeatedly already." Her frown doesn't let up, and the longer I stare at her the more she looks akin to a kicked puppy. "So what else is there for me to do? Research ancient civilizations or maybe those white spirits?"

"No," I sigh. "I'll tell you what I told the guys, Carly: we have time to be prepared, so let's not rush it."

She pauses, allows it to sink, and speaks up afterward. "That's doing nothing when something is supposed to be done. What if we're prepared too late?"

"That thing—that bad thing that I keep saying is going to happen hasn't happened yet, so it's fine."

"How do you know that?"

"I'd have had a dream or vision or blackout by now if it had and I've been blank for days." My next words come out whinier than I intend for them to, "Can't you just go about your normal routine until then?"

"Yes, because you're asking me to. But, Maria, if I'm doing nothing and the guys are doing nothing and Trudge is coming up empty-handed, then who's going to be ready?"

I look away from her worried gaze and at the door. I want to bolt for it but that plan is built on irrationality. 1) there's something curious about running from friends unless you're playing tag and 2) I'd have an asthma attack before I could make it down the street.

"What are you trying to say?"

"You, if not anyone else, has to be prepared. Do something, Maria, anything. Waiting around like this is the same as pretending things haven't changed when you know they have."

"I hope you hooligans have been keeping this place together while we've been gone," comes a voice soon after the door's bell rings.

The four of us straighten up. Right at the café's entrance stands Zora's menacing stature, along with Nayla, who's affability causes an unappealing contrast. Realizing that her smile is gestured toward me, I quit gaping and return it.

"Glad you're back," groans one of the brothers.

The other agrees, "We missed you so much."

Zora looks like she has half the mind slap them both upside the head, but settles for the evil eye. The duo make a break for the back of the kitchen.

"At least it's still standing," I hear her grumble as she guides Nayla to a nearby booth and sits her down. "That alone is more than expected."

"Now, now Zora. Don't be so harsh. You and I both know the café was in good hands while we were away."

One of Chiyo's eyebrows quirks up. "Where was that, by the way?"

"How do you think that's any of your business?" Zora shoos Chiyo from the cash register and takes her place counting its contents.

"Geez, just asking a question," Chiyo mumbles, finding new residency in the booth I'm cleaning. She takes out her phone and as she's swiping the password she says, "And before you yell at me, I'm on break. We're still allowed those right?"

"Make it quick. You all know the morning's our busiest shift."

"Yeah," Chiyo whispers to me, "this place is jam-packed with all of four customers today."

I grin as I shift my cleaning supplies to another booth, however my interests lie on Nayla rather than scouring the tables bacteria-free. I'm truly happy to see her again, especially since the last time we met she made it sound like it would be the last.

"Hi, Nayla."

"Hello, dear. C'mon now," she pats the opposite side of the table, "pop a squat."

Doing as told, I realize that I haven't prepared anything to say other than a greeting. There are the questions that that I had speculated while she's been away, but those shouldn't be the first thing I say to her.

"How are you? Feels like years since we've last seen each other!"

"Same old, same old. Not much has changed for me. Anyway, I should be asking you that."

Nayla agrees with a nod. "It's certainly time I give you an explanation. You see, I'm not in as tip-top shape as I used to be, these gams of mine especially." I spare a look at her cane propped up against the booth's side. "There's even been talk of a wheelchair."

"Oh. I-I'm sorry—"

"Ah-ah. No apologies out of you. This is life taking it's course." Nayla smiles, "I like to think of it as an achievement that I've lived long enough for my body to start running downhill. Not everyone gets to do so."

In the space of time that follows, it seems both our thoughts stray on people who fit that description. Mine on Mom, hers on…well, I'm not going to ask. But I do wonder. I mean, I don't know much about Nayla aside from trivial observations I've made. And in the times where it seemed like I was digging deeper, I ended up getting nowhere.

"Anyhow, seeing as I'm doing better, I've persuaded Zora to allow you to visit me again. If that's still what you'd like to do."

"Of course, yeah. When should I drop by?"

"You have a key, don't you?" I nod. "Come whenever you like."

"Jack's in the hospital?" My grip on the telephone stiffens. "Should I go get Martha?"

"Yeah. No!" Carly takes a sharp breath, one I assume is meant to calm herself down. "Yes, he's kind of in the hospital. No, don't call Martha. It's not bad enough for her to worry about."

"Wait, is he in the hospital or not, Carly?"

"He was in the hospital. Now, not so much."

"Oh, good," I smile, "so he was released already?" Her pause from the across the line cuts my smile short. "Please tell me he was released."

"If that's what you call sprinting out of his room two minutes after waking up from unconsciousness, then yeah. Sure, he was released."

"But you guys are going to go after him, right?"

"No. No, we're not. Because Yusei said it's fine and this is something Jack needs to do, so we're not. Even though just ten minutes ago—ten minutes—he was unconscious and hurt and lying in a hospital bed, everyone thinks it's perfectly okay for him to run around chasing those D-Wheel thieves like it's no big deal!"

"Carly, you're voice is getting kind of high-pitched. I'm no expert, but that's usually not a sign of keeping composure."

"That's because I'm angry and worried, not to mention scared! All at the same time!" I can practically see her hands waving frantically in the air as she's explaining it to me. "For crying out loud, these guys gave him a concussion—he's out there with a concussion, Maria!"

"Can't blame you for being wound up," I say, stringing the phone cord around my finger. "But look at it this way—he was well enough to run out of the room. That's got to count for something, right?"

"I guess."

"Plus, this is Jack we're talking about. You know, the King. Master of Faster. They've got nothing on him."

"I know, I know," her tone softens. "B-but…ugh…but what if something bad happens to him? Worse than a concussion?"

"Look, I don't want to tell you anything that isn't true. I've been doing that a lot lately and I've got to say it's getting old. Anyway…actually, to be honest I'm not too sure what I should be telling you. You should really make better decisions on who you call to rant to."

She laughs again, and I feel I've done exactly what I'm supposed to do in moments like these. "You're wrong about that. I called exactly the right person. The guys and Ushio are nice but they just aren't you."

"Thanks. I think I'm going to go puke now from how sickeningly sweet that was."

"What are friends for."

—

"Knock, knock," I say. When no one answers, I give the door a slight push. "I'm coming in…and I'm talking to no one."

Merely three steps in the room, my foot lands on something that jabs directly in the middle of my arch. I yelp before dropping the basket on the floor, spilling the all the clothes I had collected on my laundry-bound journey thus far.

"Stupid Lego with your stupid corners and obnoxious yellow color!"

I sit on one of the beds, both hands massaging the pain from my foot. Once it feels capable of walking, I stand and sweep up the pile of clothes I dropped, only to stare at the floor and find that where there isn't a toy of some kind, there's a shirt or socks or underwear.

I try to ignore it, I really do. In the end, I'm just too weak.

"I know I shouldn't be cleaning up your messes for you because it's supposed to teach responsibility, but this is disgusting and I'm going to go crazy if I don't do something about it."

If it's clothes, I put them in the basket or at least in the hamper where they're supposed to be. If it's a toy, I throw it in the giant toy bin in the corner. Something in my peripheral catches my attention as I drop another action figure in. Right on the edge of a dresser lays a deck.

I glance at the door. With the coast clear, I swipe it off the dresser and skim through the cards.

Dragon. Dragon. Dragon. Dragon. Goblins with swords. Skeleton guy with a sword. Oh, a bunny! Nevermind, it has blades for teeth. A goblin zombie. Another dragon.

"Why are all of these so scary? I just want one with a five percent chance at most of chewing off my head when I summon it. Is that too much to ask?"

"Why are you in our room?" asks Kaito, standing by the door with his brothers.

It's anyone's call whether I'll drop what I'm holding when surprised, but fortunately the cards in my hands don't go flying like the basket of clothes did just minutes ago.

"What! I just…uh…laundry. Laundry! I'm doing laundry and was wondering if you had any, but by the looks of your floor I'm betting I could fill the Atlantic with all of these clothes so I'm just going to take a few and go on my merry way."

"Is that my deck?" shouts Haru.

"Maybe. Maybe not." I drop it on the dresser and pick up the basket on my way out. "Bye, nice talking to you all!"

I lean against a wall to catch my breath, and proceed the rest of the way toward the laundry room. Seriously, what was I thinking. Was I really going to summon one of those monsters?

"No. Of course you weren't," I sigh while tossing the clothes in the washer. "Even if you found the cutest, cuddliest monster in the universe you wouldn't try summoning it because you're too afraid. You're too much of a coward to."

I slam down the lid, resting my elbows on it afterward. A trace of fur slithers over my feet which, strangely enough, does little to startle me. Annie sits in place when I look her way, round eyes staring up at me almost expectantly.

I notice the object held between her fangs and bend over to pry it from her. She makes no fuss and hands it over willingly. With just a quick look at the back, I already know what it is. I flip the duel card over.

And there we have it! Hopefully you guys liked it. Apologies for the long wait. Life and school and writer's block can be so annoying.

If you guys are wondering why there's nothing that exciting going on right now it's because I'm trying to match the pace of the show (at least for right now) and I believe this chapter aligns with episode 76 or 77. There's also a lot of Carly in this one, which I hope you guys enjoy as much as I do.

ALSO I don't have a specific card in mind for this upcoming chapter, so if you guys want you can suggest ones in the reviews! Remember, nothing absolutely horrifying. Decapitating level under 5%. Doesn't have to be the cutest thing in the world.

TTFN