Author's notes: Just a heads up before we go any further, this is not a slow-burn romance. Firstly, because those require patience and a lot more worldbuilding than I'm willing to go through. Secondly...those types of stories are only realistic under certain conditions. Let's face it, most people don't do the 'friends' to lovers thing. More often than not (in my experience), boy meets girl (and vice versa), boy asks girl on a date and they go from there. That isn't to say that Allen and Lucinda aren't hesitant about the whole thing, though.

Telepathic communication looks like 'this'.

Kindred Spirits (Part Two)

"Lena…lee…?" Stunned, Allen stared at Lucinda for several seconds before looking away.

Lucinda sighed as Allen's chaos began to seep into her protective light bubble, furthering her exhaustion.

She stood and reached over to take his tray table, setting it on the dresser before crossing to the bed and sitting beside him.

Chase would have an aneurysm if he knew his baby cousin was giving a complete stranger – a very fit and handsome young man – this kind of attention. He'd never been secretive about voicing his concerns that Lucinda let her empathy rule her judgement far too often, and that while it was an admirable way of thinking, he was sure there would be a time when her intuition would lead her down a dark, possibly even dangerous path. To hear him say it, Emily was proof she'd already begun that journey, and he never missed a chance to tell her 'I told you so', despite his adoration for the little girl.

Lucinda pondered this briefly, the irritation of their last argument echoing sharply in her mind.

Pushing Chase's judgment and harsh words aside, she returned her attention Allen. "We don't have to do this right now, you know. I can send them away until tomorrow if you're not up for it."

Allen shook his head. "No, I'm fine, really."

"Are you sure?"

Allen nodded, though still unsure whether the dead really were capable of advanced communication, and moving freely between this world and the next – whatever and wherever that was, if it even existed at all.

Luci settled back against the free pillow and inhaled deeply, momentarily closing her eyes. "Alright…"

She opened her eyes and her gaze automatically drifted to the space just inside the doorway. "Miss Lena has two older males with her – one is older than the other and…" She turned her attention back to Allen. "The one who is talking to me now definitely has a direct connection to you, but he doesn't want to show me his face." She paused. "I'll be honest with you, that by itself makes me uneasy."

She sighed and continued. "He's showing me a lot of colors for some reason, but they don't seem to be coming together to form a picture of any kind…"

Her brows knit. Why is that…?

Instead of receiving an answer, a different image formed in her mind. Blinking, she fixed Allen with a perplexed expression. "You…used to be a red-head?"

Rubbing the back of his head, Allen laughed nervously. "Yes, well… It's all a bit complicated…"

Her curiosity was intense, but she pushed it aside and resumed her mediation. "I get that he was a people person…and I see that he…both of you…were often surrounded by a lot of people."

Reserving explanations for later, Allen simply nodded this time, though he was certain that he felt a comforting and familiar presence that didn't seem to be there a few minutes ago.

Her voice lowered and she shook her head as she seemed to address dead air. "Ah, no need, but thank you."

Noting her change in tone, Allen tilted his head in curiosity. "What was that about?"

She shrugged. "He's explaining why he didn't want to show me his face."

"And?"

Her entire body tensed, and the soft light in her eyes turned cold. "He thought I might confuse him with the bastard who almost kidnapped Emi."

Suddenly, a wall of confusion hit Allen, and he gasped. "…What?"

She waved a hand dismissively. "That's not important right now."

As quickly as it had faded, the smile returned to her sapphire-colored eyes. "He says he's very proud of you, Allen…and that he knows you were confused when he said that he loved you, but he wants you to know that he meant it, despite everything that happened that night."

It was all Allen could do to keep himself together, much less speak coherently at this point. "Mm-Mana…?"

An expression of understanding spread across her face, and she laughed softly. "He says that you're his favorite child."

Absentmindedly, Allen wiped away the sudden, blinding flood of tears before breaking into a strangled laugh. "That's easily the stupidest thing he's ever said."

Luci smiled and handed him a tissue. "Seems like you two were quite the pair."

Somehow, Allen managed to calm himself enough to speak. "Th-Thank you. " He nodded. "We had a lot of fun together." For a moment, he was thoughtful. "In a way, I suppose you could say that he saved me…"

"He says all he's ever wanted is for you to be happy."

Lucinda's gaze drifted back to the doorway and she nodded. "Yes, of course."

Before heading into the shadows, the clown chuckled. 'He's still not quite sure what to make of you and your little demon whisperer.'

'I'm well aware.'

As the dead manreachedtheendofhishost'simaginaryhallway, hewinked. 'Look sharp little lady!'

Lucinda gasped, narrowly catching a red, rubber ball before it hit her.

For a few seconds, she stared at it. Even now, Spirit abilities never ceased to amaze her.

She turned to a wide-eyed and very speechless Allen, handing him the trinket. Obviously, he had seen it materialize out of thin air just as she had.

:::

Several quiet moments later, Allen found himself twisting a few threads of Mister Jellybeans' multicolored mane around his fingers, while holding the phantom rubber ball securely in the other.

He set the unicorn down and let his now-free right hand find hers. "This is difficult for you, isn't it?" While it was true they barely knew each other, Allen could tell that her energy was quickly waning.

Lucinda took in a slow breath to keep herself from yet again blushing like a love-struck schoolgirl. Some would say it irrational, or even irresponsible, but she couldn't help but like Allen much more than she should, already.

Unfortunately, the reality was that he was nursing a very deep, and still open emotional wound, one that could easily take quite some to heal, even after he'd been given the permission he needed to begin healing.

Lucinda smiled appreciatively. "I've been a medium my whole life. I'm used to it."

He held the ball into the light, studying it. "But this…" He turned to her, curious. "Do these things happen often?"

She closed her eyes, taking advantage of the brief respite. "It's a little more common with child spirits, to be honest."

Allen chuckled softly at the irony. Mana always did have an eccentric sense of humor.

There came a few more quiet moments before a dark-blue orb appeared in the room.

Lucinda acknowledged him, and held up her index finger, asking him to wait a few minutes longer.

He manifested into his human form and did as she asked, leaning against the doorframe. The blue-eyed German's one wish was to ease the young exorcist's mind, and then be on his way back home.

Lenalee, however, was a different story. There were still things left unsaid between herself and Allen, and she wasn't about to pass up the opportunity to finally speak her mind. One thing she was fairly certain of, he wasn't going to like what she had to say when it came to a certain, difficult subject.

My numbers were off concerning the hurricane. The estimated death toll was between six and twelve thousand, not at least. Also, I know it's a little strange that Allen is half-skeptical of Lucinda's abilities, but I just can't stop thinking that circus folk, and less-than-honest "spiritualists" back then were notoriously shady.

Again, sorry about the short chapter. If you can spare a minute, please let me know what you think!

Happy Holidays, and please stay tuned! ;D