Fairy x Adventure

by Magnafeana

In a new era after the Alvarez War, Lucy, Natsu, and the rest of Fairy Tail not only face new challenges but watch as their kids go on new journeys, learn new powers, and battle new enemies and old! Join Luna, Nashi, and the upcoming generation of Mages on Fairy Tail and more on their never-ending adventure!

58. Adventure 058

Disclaimer: I do not own Hiro Mashima's Fairy Tail, any work professionally associated with it, nor any references. All original plots and characters are mine.

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In a land far, far away lies the kingdom of Fiore, a small, peaceful nation of 17 million, and a place filled with Magic found in every home, bought and sold in every marketplace. For most, Magic is merely a tool, a mundane part of everyday life. For some, however, Magic is an art, and they've devoted their lives to its practice. These are the wizards. Banded together into magical guilds, they ply their skills in search of fame and fortune. Many such guilds dot the landscape of Fiore. But there is a certain guild in a certain town that soars high above the rest, one from which countless legends have been born. A guild that will no doubt continue to create legends well into the future. Its name...is Fairy Tail.

---

PREVIOUSLY, on Fairy Adventure: looks like everyone got filled in that Gary and Skade have been arrested from the morning news—but Mirella is here to say she's going to be Skade's attorney against Bellum. So that's what she meant by taking care of everything. Meanwhile, Nashi finally got to wake up while in the hospital, but even with her awake, it looks like she's not out of the woods yet. And neither is Býleistr for that matter. Gale was so close to confessing to Luna, but once again, it's a confession gone wrong. Oh, Gale. Sometimes, you just have to kiss the girl to tell her how you feel. Jaxton and Tesla might have come to an understanding in the morning, but a visit to a café to meet a mysterious woman turns their day sour. In Bellum, Hendrika helped choose the legal team against Skade—with a little help from her new, um, friend. Mary Jane finally got discharged and was all set to relax when she found Igneel's good-bye letter and his scarf left behind for her. Geez! Can't any of these people catch a break around here with their feelings?

"Don't worry, Gary. I won't hurt you. See, I have to return you to those stuffy goody-goodies upstairs. My time at the Bureau was fun, but I have to stay true to Zeref's purpose. But we're going to have a lot of fun before you leave me. Just for the Hell of it."

You know, there's a saying that goes "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift, which is why we call it the present". But right now, all I'm seeing is everyone's history coming up into the present and that's certainly not a present I'd want to open up…

---

("All rise.")

HEEL-CLICK. HEEL-CLICK. HEEL-CLICK.

Ponytail swinging, leveled pumps strut down the corridor with a sense of purpose. The marble floors had been stained every so often with the crest of the Magic Council while the walls carried famous works of art and flags of countries housed in Ishgar. Guards were on stand-by and distanced ever so many yards from each other. You could see the holsters of the weapons, but they carried relatively blank expressions, though a few eyes wandered as she walked down the hall with her briefcase.

(The arraignment court had been nothing too big or too special. It was a close-quarters court with no windows and minimal seating for anyone else to sit through. No press was allowed in the arraignment court. It had been pretty much cleared out except for the plaintiff and the defendant and the legal counsels. Dressed in their disguises, Mirella and adult-Talia sat and paid little attention to the suave Selan man in his pinstripe suit nor the thick earthy man beside him with his cheesy bowtie.

"Miss Wilson," the district judge began, "your client is here because a grand jury has returned an indictment, which was filed against your client on December XX of XX, which charges your client with the following…")

Lazy foots step trailed behind calculated ones. No smirk, but those dark eyes were enflamed as they watched her ass bounce with each stride she took. She could feel that nauseating lingering look and coolly quipped, "Can I help you with something, Mister Broussard, or is my ass helping you already?"

Chinlien Broussard was a debonair Selan man with an ego larger than life and shoes more expensive than most people's rent. He chortled to himself as he overtook her space so they were side-by-side. "Now, now, Miss Wilson, no need for such a dirty mouth in the courthouse," he simpered in perfect Minstrish.

⌜BELLISH DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND EQUALITY

Name: Chinlien Broussard

Age: 32

Occupation: Assistant Attorney General – Criminal Division

Likes: candles Dislikes: physical puzzles

Special Note: Chinlien might be a cutthroat lawyer with attitude, but Chinlien isn't so confident when he has to figure out a Rubix cube!⌟

"It's a shame you got botched with this case," Chinlien went onto say. "Public defenders always get the shit cases. Don't worry, though. I'll make sure this case is as painless as possible. And maybe afterwards you and I could go out for some drinks?"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Now, Defense Counsel, have you had the opportunity to review the indictment that has been filed against your client with it?"

She was at the podium and nodded. "I have, Your Honor."

"Do you express any concerns your client did not understand the charges against it?"

"I do not, Your Honor."

"Have you advised your client of its rights, Miss?"

"Yes, Your Honor."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"I think it's illegal for me to sink down to your level," she said, bored. "I'm sure you can share top-shelf drinks with your co-counsel while my co-counsel and I get started on filing for requests of production and our depositions."

Chinlien let out a laugh. "You're really taking this seriously, aren't you?" They came to a stop at the elevator and he was in no hurry. "We both know I'll cooperate any way you need me to, but there's no point in you going to all this hassle, Miss Wilson. You're just a public defender. I know you're just doing your job. But we both know your client might get off with a life sentence for the damage it did."

Knuckles turned white. "So you're the grand jury now?"

Chinlien arched an eyebrow before hanging his head. "Oh, don't tell me… You really think you're making a difference with this thing's case, don't you?" He sighed. "Look, you and I both know your client's best chance at getting out of this without the death penalty is accepting the plea bargain. I'd encourage it to go for it, if I were you. I've received word His Majesty himself will be satisfied with a life sentence and a few billions in restitutions."

Lips twitched into a grin. "Now I know you're a funny man."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Defense Counsel, are you ready to plead on behalf of your client?"

"I am, Your Honor."

"And how does your client plead, Miss Wilson, to count one of the indictment—guilty or not guilty?"

"He pleads 'not guilty', Your Honor."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

DING!

The elevator parted its doors.

"You see, Mister Broussard, I'm not a naïve public defender with limited resources nor out of my element," she put it lightly. "I'm an attorney handpicked by both the UN and the Magic Council straight from their own Ministry of Justice. You would know that if you read my file. Oh, but I've read yours. A criminal barrister with a track record of taking on clients innocent or guilty. Their actual crime doesn't matter to you. As long as you're their attorney, you'll do whatever it takes to get your share of the money." She stepped onto the elevator.

Chinlien did not seem offended at her spiel. He only smirked. "Glad to see you've read up about me. But if you know my track record, you know this case is as good as mine." He put a hand on the elevator door. "Handpicked or not, your client was already exposed to the world as a terrorist."

"And I'll be suing for defamation." A button to the lobby was pressed. "Besides, the jury won't be allowed to use anything outside what we bring to the table. Or do you not know how law actually works, Mister Broussard, considering you don't use law to get your psychopathic serial killer clients into rehab and out of prison?"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The judge looked over her own notes. "Counsel, have you read over all documents regarding undocumented magical creatures?"

Chinlien nodded, jaw taut. "I have, Your Honor."

"Do you agree with the Magic Council's position on the question of bail or detention of the creature in which we have detained said creature pretrial."

"I agree with the position, Your Honor, on account that, firstly, the creature is an undocumented magical creature with no ties to Bellum nor any country accredited to the United Nations nor under Magic Council control and, until the full panel outlining the direct blood relations of this creature, it must remain within Magic Council custody. Secondly, the charges brought to light would entail a guideline of a life sentence."

The judge looked over at her. "Defense Counsel, do you agree to the position?"

"I do, Your Honor."

Back to Chinlien, the judge questioned, "Counsel, is the creature considered a danger to the community?"

"Yes, Your Honor," Chinlien confirmed. "We would consider him a danger to the world as well based on the nature of his charges; however, I would like to reserve the right for further explanation of my implication in front of the grand jury."

The judge lifted her chin. "I will allow it."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Chinlien felt that, but he only showed it by tightening his grip on the elevator door. "If you have a problem with me, get me disbarred. But I've won my trials. My record shows that. Your superiors gave you a case and knew you'd have a snowballs chance of winning against me. We're facing a multi-trillion lawsuit. You really think you'll find any witnesses that will side with your little terrorist?"

She looked at him with those cold eyes. "You certainly have in the past." She jammed a finger onto the ⟪ Door Close ⟫ button. "So I think I'll be just fine."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Now, Defense and Counsel, we have a form that we ask lawyers and the defendant to sign with respect to a speedy trial calculation in the interest of justice," the judge explained. "Do you have the form, Miss Matherlee?"

The courtroom deputy—a mini thing with a gap in her teeth—produced the paperwork and nodded. "I do, Your Honor."

"Excellent." The judge looked at her and Chinlien. "This will be marked as Court's Exhibit three for identification. We ask that Prosecution and Defense Counsel sign it and the Defense Counsel will sign for the creature on its behalf, if it is acceptable. At this time, we will set a new status conference date before we sign it. What date would Defense like to have?"

She did not break a sweat. "I request a week from today."

That might not have moved adult-Talia nor Chinlien, but the judge was sure surprised. "Defense, would it not make sense to get past the year end and push it into early January?" She laughed and shrugged. "I mean, I'm here and the courthouse is my life, but I'm sure you both have much better things to do. And it might be best to push it to early January given the nature of this case." She lifted her hands. "But, the decision is really up to the two of you."

"I accept the date requested, Your Honor," Chinlien spoke. "My co-counsel and I have no issue." He offered a pretty grin. "Like you, we have no lives outside the court."

The judge chuckled, shaking her head. "All right. Are there any dates next week in specific or shall I choose for you?"

"Any day next week is fine, Your Honor," she said.

"I second," Chinlien echoed.

"Miss Matherlee?" the judge called. "What is our availability?"

Miss Matherlee recited, "We're open Monday, December XX through the end of the week, judge."

The judge sat on this information. "Defense, you wanted next week. Which day would you prefer?"

"That Monday will be fine, Your Honor."

The judge sat forward and looked between both lawyers. "Just to be clear here, to the two of you. This conference will have me encourage you to settle this out of court. Should you both not concede, your case will be moved before a grand jury and I will no longer be your judge. You will answer to the Lord Chief Justice of the Ishgaran Magic Court."

"We understand the terms, Your Honor," Chinlien said. "And I accept next Monday as the status conference."

The judge nodded. "All right. We will set this conference for Monday at, say, ten in the morning?"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Chinlien looked like he wanted to get angry, but he was smart. Instead, he gave a lopsided grin and nodded. "Can't wait to see what you bring to the conference. But I'll tell you again, Miss Wilson. You might want to settle this out of court. Because once we're there, I control every aspect of it—including you."

"Then, it's a good thing I'm not a submissive." Her eyes flared for a moment. "See you on Monday." And the elevator doors rapidly closed, forcing Chinlien to stumble back. She took a breath as the elevator let her know she would be going down to the lobby. He's the exact type of person that makes me miss being a psychopathic murderer for Bael, she sneered. But he has a point. Once we're in the court room, it's a matter of control. I have no idea which twelve jurors he'll choose. But as long as I can take control, it shouldn't matter. Bael was a sick son of a bitch. But he did teach me how to get away with murder. This human thinks exactly like him. So if I'm to beat him—

DING!

The elevator doors opened and she walked out.

—I'm going to need to think how Bael would think too.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Ah utsukushii sekai

Utsukushii mirai

Utsukushii kehai no suru sono saki wa

Subarashii sedai

Subarashii kitai

Subarashii sekai

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Nashi did not mind sitting out on the intense meeting Honey and Justin were having with the event planner and his team. The venue was a medium-sized ballroom completed with a stage and bar and even a dance floor. Nashi kept to herself on her chair with her Compact as she leafed mercilessly through news articles, but nothing of interest caught to her. It's been a week, she lamented, and I haven't heard anything. Once Skade was taken into custody, that was that. It's like the news just dropped the story.

She skipped past an article on the Alvarez Empire and decided to scroll through Twit instead when a text dropped in.

⌜MESSAGES

Mama

Remember to be home by three. Love you⌟

Nashi sighed and text a quick confirmation. I can't believe they found a therapist who could see me so quickly. Ever since I was discharged last Wednesday, everything just seems so surreal to me, she supposed as she tried to go back to Twit. Her eyes widened for a moment when she accidentally got to Instagraph and the photo post she had pulled ] contained a grinning Igneel from a week and a half ago as he promoted the Grand Winter Games. It's also been almost a week since we learned Igneel left.

"What do you mean he's gone?"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Nashi was upright in her rehabilitation suite in the hospital and exchanged all the gaudy medical equipment for a simple IV and heart monitor with occasional dosage of anti-nausea and pain medications. Býleistr had taken to his Cat Form given how cramped the room was and sat at the window and stared, a very catlike thing to do. A tear-stricken Luna and a furious Luke had come to visit her as Luna squeezed tight to the Poko plushy with a death grip and Luke had a taped-back-together letter in his hands.

"He left." Luke said such words with such coldness. "And Mom and Dad knew he was leaving."

Nashi refused to believe this. "No. There's no way Mama and Papa would sign off on him leaving," she swore. "He can't just up and leave without saying good-bye. He would never do that!"

"But he did." Luke looked at the letter like he wanted to destroy it again. "He left. He left us. And the only reason I even found out was Lu."

Nashi swung her head to her little sister and grief stabbed her seeing how wrecked Luna looked. "Lu?" she called, timbre gentle. "Come here, Lu."

Luna did not even hesitate as she flew over to Nashi's hospital bed and unceremoniously cried into Nashi's gown. "He's gone," she sobbed. "He left a-a-and he didn't even say good-bye! Why would…?" She hiccuped. "Why would he go? Where did he go?"

Nashi rubbed Luna's back. "I don't know, Lu," she said sadly. "I don't know where that idiot went. But we're going to find him."

"No, we're not."

Nashi frowned up at Luke. "Luke, it's easy. We can just ask Genius to track his Com or his bank records or something—"

"You think I didn't already ask that?" Tone lethal. Ready to give into shouting. But quiet for now. "I asked Genius. I begged Master. But then I found these things." He pulled out Igneel's Compact and wallet and Nashi's eyes rounded. "The only thing he took with him is his MagID and I know he would've dropped it for a fake. And you can bet his bank account is either drained or he's using the jewel he saved up. He doesn't want to be found. And he had help to do it."

Nashi's bottom lip trembled, but she did not cry. She scowled over at Býleistr. "You told me Igneel came to visit me," she accused. "No wonder you were being vague. You knew and you didn't even have the guts to tell me."

"We didn't want to trigger you," Býleistr said without looking at her. "You were already under severe mental stress. You still are—"

"That wasn't your decision to make—!" Nashi held back from shouting even further. She held back from all the ugly things she wanted to say. "So the asshat up and leaves just like that?"

Luke added, "It doesn't end there. Apparently, Master issued a statement on Sunday that he resigned from Fairy Tail. Only reason we didn't hear about it was because we were too busy to check guild news and the whole process was so quiet and clean, probably nobody noticed it unless they were digging for it." He clenched his jaw.

Nashi thought about this. 'But why would he leave? What motive would he have to leave us like this with no warning? I know him. He would've stayed with me being hospitalized. So this couldn't have been him just leaving randomly.' Her eyes went to Luke as he barely kept hold of himself. But that tingling feeling hit her again. That same feeling she got when everyone around her spoke in half-truths. "Luke, why aren't you telling us everything you know?" she demanded to know.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Luke deflected.

There was that feeling again. "Luke, stop lying," Nashi barked. "What's going on? Why did Igneel leave like this? You know more than you're telling me."

"I said I don't know!" Luke bellowed. For just that split moment, blood-red drowned his eyes, but he pushed it back and stormed out of the room.

Nashi wanted to scowl and yell for him to come back when Luna sniffled and left Nashi's hold to murmur, "He's just upset right now. Please don't fight." She bit her lip. "But I might know why Igneel left… I just don't know if it's true or not."

"What is it?" Nashi asked.

Luna hugged her Poko plushie. "While you were out of town, Igneel had some problems with his Magic," she confessed haltingly. "You haven't seen the west side, yet, but Igneel started a fire."

Nashi's eyebrows slammed together. 'Oh god. He's going back to arson?'

Luna must have understood the look on Nashi's face and quickly put, "Not like he wanted to or anything like that! He was just…out of control, I guess. The Fire and Rescue Squads, the Guard, the AMU—they all came to help evacuate people and tried to arrest Igneel and take him down."

'This doesn't make sense,' Nashi thought. 'If so much artillery was brought in, Igneel wouldn't just leave. He'd be in jail. Even if he did leave to escape the law, he wouldn't be so obvious about leaving.' "This doesn't make any sense," she told Luna. "Did he leave to skip out on being arrested? I haven't seen anything in the news about the fire here or anything."

Luna shrugged helplessly. "I don't know much more than you," she reminded. A pause. "But, well, I do know this. In some way, it was Mary Jane who calmed him down and put out the fire."

"'Mary Jane'?" Nashi repeated. "How do you know that?"

"Well, Luke was the one who predicted it," Luna answered. "But I can just feel she did something. It's weird, I know, but it's my gut feeling. Just like in Margaret Town. I don't understand it, really, but maybe Mary Jane and Igneel have a stronger friendship than I thought."

Nashi thought back to all the times Igneel and Mary Jane were together. The times she used to try and get him arrested for breaking and entering into her home. The time in Margaret when she held his scarf and did not blame him one bit for his outburst. But her memories trekked even further into the past to a young Igneel blushing as Nashi teased him about the mysterious girl who had an effect on him. 'Could she be…?' She shook her head. 'No. Igneel said she's gone. But still. It's not adding up why Igneel would leave.' She asked Luna, "Do you think Mary Jane might know more? She has been hanging out with Igneel a lot more this past month."

"I don't know," Luna said, unsure. "To be honest, I saw her a little on Monday night when Peter and Bleu were leaving. She looked really sad and didn't say much like she had been crying."

Nashi felt the sensation again. "Lu, what aren't you telling me?"

Luna swallowed and sunk her chin into her plushie. "Well, I… I've been having these visions," she confessed, "about possibilities in the future. I haven't really told anyone since I'm getting used to these powers myself. Gale's the only other person who knows. Well, outside of Kyler and Mirella—"

"Wait. You know Kyler and Mir—? We'll get back to that later," Nashi decided, "and we're definitely going to talk later that you have Time Magic which is super cool but also super worrisome. What sort of visions have you been having? Were they about Igneel?"

"I think so. Maybe. Yes?" Luna sighed. "I kept having visions of him destroying Magnolia. Then, I had a vision about him leaving. And I think I had a vision about a letter he left for Mary Jane. But I was told all my future visions are just possibilities of the future, so I didn't want to believe he would actually go. I kept saying they were just dreams and didn't mean anything." Her mouth sunk into her plushie as her eyes watered. "But I should've said something. We could've stopped him. We could've done something and I—…! I just let him leave!"

Nashi brought Luna back into her arms. "You didn't do anything wrong, Lu," she shushed. "Igneel would have left even if we tried to stop him." 'But now it makes me wonder about Mary Jane. He didn't leave us much as his good-bye, but to leave Mary Jane a letter? That means something. I don't know what, but it does. I need to find her and talk to her. I know she won't have the answers I'm looking for, but if Igneel's really gone and there's no way to find him…' She hugged Luna as she felt her tears slipping. 'Then, I'll do my best to protect Mary Jane until he comes back home so he can protect her himself.'

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Nashi set her Compact on her lap as her eyes went distant and the world around her went shapeless and colorless. After that day, once I was discharged, I found out Igneel left me his black bracelet and a sketchbook. He left Luna the Poko plushie she has now. I'm not sure what he left Luke. Once Býleistr and I made our contract, I could see through his memories the good-bye Igneel told me while I was in a coma. I didn't even cry. Maybe I'm still processing everything; I don't know. Luna's been trying so hard to be upbeat. She's been doing everything she can to bring a smile to my face and I always feel bad she feels like she needs to take care of me. Luke hasn't really been seen much.

°•°•°•°

Gritted teeth.

Head in hands, Luke sat lurched over his desk with nothing to show for it. "Why? Why did you have to go?" He ripped off his glasses and let his hands dig into his hair. You idiot. You promised me. And now you're gone.

°•°•°•°

After he left my hospital room, Nashi continued, he stayed in his room. I could see his soul even clearer now with my new powers. It looked so…black and red. He was so angry and confused and grieving. I know my parents are sad, but it's like they understood why he had to go. I wish I could.

Nashi let her hands intertwine. I feel so in the dark about everything these days, she concluded. It's been days and I just feel like I'm drifting by. They told me I'm dissociating or whatever, some sort of psych thing, and this therapist Kyler compelled them to recommend is supposed to help, but… I don't know if I want that. It just means I'm going to cry. I don't want to cry. I just want to sleep. I just want Gary. I want my brother back. But it's like the harder I try, the worse everything gets. I could've killed Luna. I nearly died. I just… Her eyes began to close. I just want to sleep. And forget everything exists.

A thread of sympathy wafted through her. I'm here if you need me, Princess, Býleistr told her. I can come to you anytime you need me.

Nashi rubbed her eyes. No, it's fine. How's Mary Jane looking?

Not that great, Býleistr said, and she could feel his grimace. It's been hard watching her with her damn neighbor's dog barking at me, but I found a good spot. She leaves for Myosotis Island to visit her sister this afternoon, but she hasn't really been sleeping or eating. The boyfriend of hers comes by to visit and she only perks up a little with him and only eats with him, but when she's alone, she just lays in bed with Igneel's scarf and that necklace of hers.

Now Nashi felt sympathy. Maybe she could not feel for herself, but she could feel a little for others. I see. I'll come visit her again. I know she has an aversion to therapy, but maybe Mara could try with her again? I don't know. I don't want her to go through this alone.

She grieves just like a mate would, Býleistr rumbled for what had been the tenth time. You sure—?

I'm positive, Nashi thought with tired certainty. Igneel's never dated or had a girlfriend. Plus, we kinda only just found out about being half-Demon. No mates or wives or girlfriends or boyfriends or husbands or spouses or partners.

But she must've felt something for him if she's grieving this much, Býleistr reasoned. I can feel it and smell it on her. Yeah, she's his friend, but her grief feels more than that.

Nashi blinked down at her lap. I know. I feel that too. I saw it in her soul when I went to see her, she admitted. Just keeping watching her until Icarus takes the next shift, please? I should be home soon.

Take it easy, Princess. I'm just a thought away.

I know. I will. Thank you, kitty. Nashi looked up just in time to see Justin coming over to her and did not have the heart to smile. "Everything go okay?"

Justin let out a big old exhale and his extra-high-extra-long braided ponytail was strung along his shoulder. "It's going," he supposed. "It's just difficult. We're planning the party as an in-between since everyone's guilds and their mother is throwing a Christmas party and everything, but this is going to be a slut show and Honey's bringing in some houses." He shrugged. "So hopefully this little ball is off without a hitch. I invited some of the cousins to come because Esme is extra as shit. No kiddies under the age of seventeen allowed. Let's just hope us doing it at a hotel makes everyone responsible."

"It's good to hear everything's going to plan," Nashi praised. She was able to muster up a vacant smile this time. "I can't wait for the party this weekend. It'll be nice to see everyone."

Justin frowned and crouched before her. "Hun, don't push yourself before you're ready," he murmured. "You've been through a lot."

You have no idea. Nashi only shrugged. "I'm fine, JJ, really. Thanks for letting me come with you today, by the way. Home was just getting a little much, y'know?"

Justin nodded. "It's no trouble." He brushed back her hair. "Just know I'm here for you. We all are. In any way you need us to be."

"I know, JJ." But for this, you can't be there for me. "Thanks." She got up and stretched, letting out a blank chuckle when Justin looked like he was ready to catch her. "JJ, I'm fine. I'm all healed. Granny plus Magic, remember? Nothing to worry about."

Justin sighed. "Right." He held out her hand and she took it. "Come on, my sweet girl. Honey and I have to check in with the caterers for a final taste test and you could use some meat on your bones."

Honey came to join them. His theme seemed to be Big A with his high ponytail, glittery eyeshadow, long pink sweat dress with puffy white shawl wrap, and platforms. "Girl's gonna look thicka than a snicka after all our taste testing," he teased. He popped on his shades. "JJ, am I meeting your darling man meat at the party?"

Justin laughed. "Maybe. He has some stuff going on with work, but he wants to come and see me walk a category."

"Well, he better come," Honey decided. "If he's your boyfriend, he needs approval from ya mother." His assistant scurried over with a Diet Bepsi and straw and Honey took to it, showing off his acrylic nails.

"Of course, Mother," Justin agreed.

Nashi blinked as she watched Justin a little closer. Is it me or does it seem like when Honey brought up Ace, Justin got…tense? But he was fine talking about Ace with Ellie, Liv, and I. She frowned. I wonder what's going on there? Maybe he thinks Honey wouldn't like him. But…why? She suppressed a sigh as Justin and Honey brought her outside where Honey's driver awaited them. I'll ask him about it later. For now, just keep faking it till I make it.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure 058

Proposition

公平な取引は誰にでも平等でなければなりません。 他人のためにできることはしなければなりませんが、自分のためにできることは自分でしなければなりません！

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The conference was held inside the district judge's suite within the Ishgaran Magic Council Courthouse. It was nothing too impressive, filled with framed degrees and law texts and a few personal items among other things. Chinlien and Miss Wilson took their seats before the judge with their co-counsel choosing to stand beside them. Lists had been exchanged and shared and papers had been signed off with forms going straight off to evidence. The judge leaned forward and looked between both counsels with one of those looks. "Now, this is the part where I try to convince you to settle this out of court, Miss Wilson. Is this something you've discussed with your client?"

"Your Honor," Chinlien cut in, "we have notified Miss Wilson several times of the plea bargain we offered, but—"

"But they all result in my client admitting to guilt with lack of evidence and a life sentence in a foreign country that has it out for anything Magic-related," Miss Wilson interrupted, tone impatient. "Your Honor, the plea bargains presented to my client were a mockery and you know it. They want my client to pay trillions of reparations when my client has no bank records let alone any assets the government can procure as collateral."

Chinlien conceded a bit. "And that's why we presented you other deals your client could possibly take—"

"And again, Your Honor, all these deals involved my client admitting guilt with a lack of evidence," Miss Wilson snapped. "My client deserves due process before a grand jury and I am going to again request for this to be move to a public trial."

"You can, but it'll just give your client a death sentence," Chinlien said calmly as he straightened his tie. "If you checked the list we gave you from our discovery, we have testimonies, statements, and even footage to back up our claims your client should be named an enemy of the state."

Miss Wilson arched an eyebrow at Chinlien. "So you're saying my client deserves to be killed?"

The judge sighed. "No, Miss Wilson, Mister Broussard is not saying that nor should he be implying it." A warning thrown towards Chinlien. "Now, Miss Wilson, the one piece of evidence you have yet to present is the full blood panel you requested upon the Magic Council securing your client in detention. Without us being able to identify the creature today, I'll have to reject your request for a public trial and will agree with Mister Broussard to continue on with another conference." She snapped her fingers. "Miss Matherlee? Can you give me some dates to work with?"

Miss Matherlee tapped onto the calendar on her tablet. "We could find time in January, Your Honor."

"Now, Miss Wilson," the judge said, "what would be a day in January you would like for our next conference?"

Miss Wilson gritted her teeth when a knock came on the door. The judge inclined their chin. "You may enter."

A hefty lab assistant came into the room with a sealed envelope. "Your Honor, pardon the intrusion, but, um, we have the results from the blood panel ordered." He handed the envelope off to the judge. "My supervisor made sure to include the initial report and both extensive reports. The cover page has the summary of the results and there's also a list of specialists recommended for more information."

The judge looked at the envelope. "Thank you. You may go."

The lab assistant bowed out with a nervous look around the room.

The judge looked over at both barristers. "Well, then. I guess these results will get you that public trial you wanted so desperately," she supposed as she opened the envelope.

"Your Honor, would you mind reading the results aloud?" Miss Wilson requested.

The judge looked over at her as she pulled out the cover page. "But of course." Her eyes grazed over the information. "Well now… It looks like the creature has been identified as a…"—her eyes widened—"a Devil?"

Chinlien abruptly stood. "Your Honor, the results have to be wrong," he urged. "That thing can't be a Devil—!"

"Why?" Miss Wilson crossed her arms like she won the battle. "Because Devils are a rarity across the planet after being relentlessly hunted down? Or because they are not known to be a volatile species unless provoked? And, by the way, I don't think Devils these days are capable of mass genocide and nationwide destruction."

Chinlien snarled at her. "You knew the results," he accused. "You tampered with them—!"

"Mister Broussard, sit down or I will have you removed from this office by force," the judge threatened. When Chinlien seated himself, the judge turned to Miss Wilson. "But I will say I'm a little surprised you know so much about such a rare creature, Miss Wilson. Then again, it makes sense why you were handpicked to be your client's representative." Her eyes darted back to Chinlien. "If you read anything on Miss Wilson's file, you would have realized Miss Wilson has a background in magizoology and caligology and imprecatiology which makes her a perfect candidate to represent her client. An impressive background if I do say so myself."

Chinlien locked his jaw. "Very."

"Well." The judge put the papers back into the folder and passed it off to Miss Matherlee. "Miss Matherlee, please list this as evidence and get another form for our Defense and Prosecution to sign off on. I want physical and virtual copies made for their disposal. And Miss Wilson?" She smiled at the barrister. "You've just won yourself a public trial. I'll put you in touch with Ocrevus's secretary—"

"No need. I already have the information on hand." Miss Wilson looked over at Chinlien. "And he assured me if I wanted to move to a public trial, all I had to do is give him at least a week's notice. Congratulations, Mister Broussard. You get to see a naïve defender in court." She leaned in to whisper in his ear, "And let me warn you now. You might control the court room, but I control you." With a flourish, she signed the papers a hesitant Miss Matherlee set before her and rose from her chair. "Thank you for your time, Your Honor."

The judge shook her hand. "Good luck, Miss Wilson. But somehow, I don't think you'll need it."

Miss Wilson smirked. "Not one bit." She whirled around and left the office with her co-counsel in tow. That went quicker than I thought. Did you see the list of witnesses he brought up? Was he hiding anything?

Not that I'm aware of, Talia responded. He seemed genuinely angry and, once a human is angry, they're thoughts are see-through. But still, we have yet to receive the final copy of evidence and have up to the trial. I wouldn't put it past the bastard to try and claim he meant to give us a list when we were otherwise indisposed. Idiot.

Talia, never thought you'd use such language, Mirella teased. Not with an Angel for a father.

You've influenced me more than you know.

Miss Wilson snickered as Mirella thought, Influence or not, we still have a lot of work to do. How are we doing on the immunity deal?

Rough draft is completed. We'll have it ready by the time you call her.

Perfect. Miss Wilson reached within her jacket and took out her Compact. Well then. I best be giving her lawyer and my baby daddy a call.

---

Perhaps Mary Jane had overpacked, but so be it. She had her hand luggage, her cabin bag, and then her big hold suitcase filled to the brim. But it was not like she was proud of it. It was not like she could feel excited. She sat huddled in bed with Igneel's scarf in her hands and her Compact. She went through all the photos Igneel dropped to her over the years. Photos of when she was pissed off and tried to attack him. Photos of him and her trying to mimic a popular dance challenge.

Her lips twitched down.

She exited her Compact and sunk her chin into the scarf. Her eyes went to Igneel's letter. She had folded it back into the letter and had not touched it since. So it sat collecting dust. It sat as a reminder.

He's…not coming back, is he? Mary Jane caved and laid on her side. All this time… All this time I was so worried. I could feel it. Something was wrong with him. But I ignored it. I ignored him. I was being selfish. She felt for her charm as she reminisced Igneel walking away from her. I knew he wasn't feeling well. I knew it. But I didn't listen. I focused on myself and what I wanted.

She gritted her teeth.

I haven't changed at all, she regarded, bitter. I'm just as much of a selfish bitch as I was before. Her hands clutched the scarf even tighter. He's my best friend and I treated him like he was an accessory. I didn't take his feelings seriously. I should've listened. I should've seen the signs. And now he's gone. She aimed her eyes to the scarf. I shouldn't be allowed to keep this. Her hand tightened on her charm. Or this. But why didn't they take it from me?

"Mary Jane, those are yours."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The focus blinked up. Nashi stood on the porch with Býleistr in his Cat Form as he groomed himself. Luna had come along as well with Icarus in his Dog Form and he sat obediently. "I don't understand," Mary Jane said, perplexed. "These aren't mine." She tried again to hand off the scarf neatly folded with her necklace and acorn button charm atop. "These belong to you. These were Igneel's. I have no right to keep them. Not after…" The focus dropped. "Not after I failed as his friend." The focus shut and turned dark. "Please, just take them," she begged. "I'm sure he made a mistake. He wanted his family to have him—not a selfish bitch like me."

A sigh. "Mary Jane, I need you to open your eyes and listen to me closely, okay?"

The focus opened to see Nashi had bent a little bit and put a hand on her shoulder. "Okay?"

Nashi hummed. "Do you remember what I told you back in Margaret Town?"

The focus blinked. "Wait… What are you talking about?"

Nashi smiled and booped her nose. "I told you it wasn't your fault when it came to Igneel's weird behavior," she reminded. "It wasn't your fault then and it isn't your fault now. Who knows why Igneel does what he does? It's a mystery. But I'm telling you again. Feel blessed he left you his scarf. He treasured that thing with his life. Which means he trusts you above any of us to guard his treasure until he comes home. And he will come home." Her knuckles tensed as she growled with a menacing smirk, "Because that rat bastard deserves a kick in the balls for insulting my vegan ice cream and leaving home like this. The jackass. I'll kill him when he gets home."

Luna sweatdropped. "Um… Maybe that's not the most encouraging thing to say?" When Nashi froze and sweated bullets, Luna approached Mary Jane. "But Nashi's right. You should keep those. The necklace was a gift from Igneel and you shouldn't just return a gift. And his scarf…" She giggled softly. "We all know Igneel really thought highly of you. You're all he could talk about when it wasn't training or manga or comics. He trusted you with his scarf. So take good care of it and you can give it back to him in person when he gets back."

"But… What if he never comes back?"

Both sisters were thrown for a loop when the focus condemned her to look at the scarf clutched in her hands. "What if he's gone for good?" Mary Jane whispered. "What if I never see him again?"

Two beats.

"We'll see him again."

The focus looked up at a calm Luna who stared into the sky like it held answers. "Trust me, Mary Jane. We might not know when, but we will see him again. After all"—she turned to give a smile—"even Peter Pan can't resist seeing his Wendy, right?"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK!

Laxus cracked open the door. "Butterfly? You finished packing?" He opened the door a little further to see Mary Jane on the bed and her bags packed with her neck pillow and blanket ready to go. He stepped into the room and went over to the bed to sit on the edge. "Butterfly, you've been staying in your room for days," he said softly. "You haven't really been talking or eating. We're worried about you."

Mary Jane slowly rose to sit up. "I'm fine," she murmured. "Really. I'm just tired."

Laxus did not believe that. "Well, tired or not, I, uh…" Clearing his throat, he started again. "Your mom and I talked it over a few days ago when that boy came by—"

"Peter, Daddy," Mary Jane corrected with no emotion. "His name is Peter."

"Right. Him. The boy." Laxus tried again, "He'll be coming to take you to the Sky Port and take you to your gate. Your moth—I mean, we decided it's fair for him to do so. We'll follow along with Lance to give you a send-off at the port."

Mary Jane listlessly looked out the window. "No need. Peter and I will be fine on our own."

"And I understand that," Laxus strained to say, "but we'll still send you off at the port." When Mary Jane said nothing more, Laxus leaned forward, a pensive expression on his face. I wish I had more to say, but Mira and I can't get through to her. No matter what we say or try, she's been so…empty. His hands tied together. How can I get through to her? I feel like I've failed as her father. Just like with Veronika.

"Daddy?"

Laxus tensed. "Yes, Butterfly?"

"Am I…a bad person?"

Eyes wide, Laxus turned to face his daughter. "Why would you ever say that?" he questioned.

Mary Jane drew her knees up to her chest. "Because I'm angry he left me all alone," she breathed sparingly. "Does that make me a bad person?"

"Butterfly, no." Laxus sat closer to her and wanted to touch her, comfort her, but he held himself back. "It doesn't make you a bad person when you feel betrayed and abandoned," he told her. "Butterfly, I know he wouldn't have left if he didn't have a choice. He just…wasn't okay mentally."

Mary Jane sunk deeper into herself. "And I didn't notice." The words trickled out swollen with guilt. "He was hurting, but I never noticed."

Laxus set his hand atop Mary Jane's head. "It's hard to notice when the person is good at hiding their feelings," he soothed. "It was hard for you to see he was hurting because he didn't want you to see it. He didn't want to share his pain with you. He kept it inside. That's not your fault, Butterfly. That's not even his fault. No one's to blame."

"I know, but…" Mary Jane lifted her head so her sad scarlet-cerulean clashed with Laxus' gray greens. "I don't know. I just feel selfish. I wish he had stayed, but I know he had to go. And I shouldn't be making this about me. It's about him and how he feels."

"You're allowed to be upset your best friend is gone," Laxus assured. "You're allowed to be angry or sad. But I won't allow you to keep being this way for too long. We both know Igneel wouldn't want you to be upset for too long over him."

Mary Jane closed her eyes as she remembered the letter. No. He wants me to journey and go on adventures. He wants me to live my life the way I want it. But the way I wanted it, the adventures I wanted to go on? They were all with you, Igneel. So what am I to do now?

Laxus could sense Mary Jane was thinking too deeply and suggested, "Come downstairs with me. Your mom should be finishing up lunch for you."

Mary Jane tossed him a weak smile. "I'll be down in a minute, Daddy."

Laxus nodded and left the bed. With one more backwards glance to Mary Jane, he slipped from her room and shut the door. Mary Jane let her smile fall, her face fall—everything fall—as she slung Igneel's scarf around her and inhaled the burning smell imprinted into it. She could have sworn in that moment, Igneel surrounded her like he was hugging her from behind. She closed her eyes and basked in the residual warmth. "I want to ask you what to do, but you're not here," she whispered. "So what should I do, Igneel? We were in this together, but you're gone."

"You're my best friend," the phantom of Igneel spoke into her ear, "and no matter where we are, we'll always be in this together. I might not be there, but just look at the second star to the right and know I'm looking at it too."

"No matter where we are, huh?" Mary Jane took a breath through her nose to control how much she wanted to give into her anguish. "But you were supposed to help me relearn Magic. You."

"I already wrote Luke a letter with the lesson plan I wanted to start to help you relearn Magic," the phantom of Igneel reminded her. "If you want, he can teach you. He's a way better teacher than me anyways."

Mary Jane's lips dipped into a broken smile. "But it was supposed to be you. You were supposed to teach me." She knuckled away a tear. "Look at me, being selfish again. You're hurting and I'm thinking about myself. That's not fair to you."

"I'm not worth your tears," the phantom of Igneel whispered. "You shouldn't waste a second on someone like me who wrote a goodbye letter because they were too much of a coward to say goodbye in person. I'm a monster. I'm not a person you should be friends with."

"But you're not a coward," Mary Jane replied. "You're so brave and so strong. You're the strongest person I know. I don't care if you think you're a coward or a monster. You're not. You're the opposite. You're my friend, Igneel. You'll always be my friend." Her hand moved to cover the phantom of Igneel's hand. "So tell me. You're my best friend. What should I do without you?"

"Take care of yourself, MJ, and everyone else," the phantom of Igneel murmured. "Smile and laugh. Have fun. Never stop wondering what's out there. Never stop dreaming. Because to live your life the way you want is an awfully big adventure."

Mary Jane sniffed, but her smile was larger as she leaned into the smoldering embrace. "You make it sound so easy, you moron," she ribbed with such a fondness in her words. "Okay, fine. I won't stop dreaming. I'll keep going on adventures. Because when you come home, we'll have so much to talk about, right? Peter Pan?"

The phantom of Igneel chuckled. "You've always been my Wendy. But even Wendy needs to grow up."

"Mmm-mmm. You're wrong about that." Mary Jane opened her eyes and even though they shined with tears and dribbled down her cheeks, she smiled. "I'll grow up. But you'll grow up too. And we'll still be friends and go to Neverland together. Even though we're apart, we're in this awfully big adventure together."

The phantom of Igneel grinned. "Take care of yourself, MJ." His lips drew close to her cheek. "Love, Igneel."

A half-cry half-laugh escaped Mary Jane. "I love you too, Igneel," she confessed. "So, please, take care of yourself. And come back home soon." And as she buried herself in the scarf and let out her tears, she would always remember she could not stop smiling.

---

"Why are you sighing?"

Luna did not realize she was and looked over at Bleu with a half-hearted smile. "H-Huh? Oh, u-um, I'm sorry. I didn't realize I was doing that a lot. I'll stop now." She turned back to look out the window of the Lacrima Car as her smile dropped and her retained sadness pressed upon her eyes.

Bleu wanted to say something, but he kept his eyes forward. Her energy feels so gloomy. It hurts. He looked in the rearview mirror was he witnessed Carlisle and Ena chat animatedly over patterns and Ena's concept art for what she wanted Luna to wear. I invited Carlisle and Ena out with Treasure and I since I thought it could help her smile a little. Ever since around a week ago, she's been in such a funk. Even her smiles are fake. I just wish I could help her more. I feel so useless.

Bleu pulled into the parking lot and even for a Monday, it was still busy, considering now that exams were officially over and done with and Christmas was just around the corner. Sure, snow had fallen and the temperature had dropped, but none of that mattered considering the gigantic bubble surrounding the location. People dressed in the nines with looks from eras of all different kinds paraded about with their shopping bags and assistants as they flew from store to store. Two women held hands as one woman dressed in gradient short-sleeve mini qipao with her parasol and the other had an oversized jacket with the sleeves bunched up close to her elbows with a creamy turtle neck and high-rise pants. A man strut his way in his black fur coat and high heels with his pants and camisole atop his black shirt from the luxury designer brand Grazio.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is The Shoppes at Celosia Circle, best known for being a luxury fashion mall. What's fascinating about Celosia Circle is that to allow people to model and show off their works of art, the entire mall is contained underneath a Lacrima-powered shield to keep the temperatures dry and mild. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Bleu parked and Carlisle and Ena sprung from the car, enamored. "Wow…!" Ena gasped. "This is amazing! I've always wanted to come here!"

"Why didn't you?" Carlisle wondered.

Ena shrugged. "I never found the time and my friends aren't as into fashion as I am, so I didn't want to go alone." She salivated at all the luxury designer stores she saw. "But now that I'm here, I'm going to put our time here to good use and get some inspiration for the FT Christmas party, the Yule cotillion, the other holiday parties, Honey's ball..."

Carlisle laughed. "Damn, your guild must be busy this season, huh?"

"A little," Ena supposed. "It's not too big a deal since all the events have their own crew to help out. Our guild is too busy to handle all the prep work November through February. Once the GWGs end, all the guilds of the league have a holiday party with the awards ceremony. We work with some organizations in Magnolia and neighboring cities for some holiday events, but my mom closes the guild on Christmas Eve, Christmas, halfway through the day after Christmas."

Carlisle shook his head. "Jesus, that still sounds swamped to me. And I thought my moms had busy schedules with their work on Broadway." He held out his arm and she looped hers around it. "But at least you have an excuse to wear something cute. And you better bring you're A-game to the New Year's Eve party."

"I will," Ena giggled. "Don't worry. Coming here is just for some last-minute inspiration. I feel like Lu's look for the Yule cotillion especially is missing something. I'm sure I'll find that something here." She glanced back to see Bleu and Luna slowly trailing after them as Luna strained her smile and she frowned. Oh, Lu. I wish I had the power to cheer you up. Her gaze went forward. I wish I had the power to cheer both of us up. Huh? She fished around in her purse for her Compact and pulled it out to see a message from.

TICK!

Carlisle observed Ena and the red tick mark against her skull. "Everything okay?"

Ena glared at the message.

⌜MESSAGES

LOVESICK IDIOT

You busy? Or are you still hiding like the coward you are?⌟

"Yeah. Everything's fine," Ena assured through gritted teeth as she typed back a fierce message:

« I'm not hiding. We're not friends. I don't owe you anything. But I'm not hiding. Lu and I are out today »

Silver did not waste his time and typed back quickly:

« Will you tell her? »

Ena paused. Will I?

But she decided to type back:

« No. »

Silver sent a one-word response:

« OK »

Ena put her Compact back in her purse and shot Carlisle a smile of assurance. "Sorry. Just an idiot I know," she said like it explained anything. But it did not. And she hated the guilt she felt. Now's not the right time tell her. I'll tell her eventually. I promise.

Luna kept her head in the hood of festive cape and her hands locked themselves together before her. "Thanks for taking us here," she told Bleu. "I've never been here before, but my sister's friend Ellie told me the restaurants here are to die for! I can't wait to eat!" If I have an appetite anymore… "I know they have some high end meta stores." She clapped her hands together. "I'm really hoping to get another mini-backpack. I keep leaning towards getting Nicky and Nina-nyan backpack or maybe I…" She faltered when she saw how Bleu seemed to be ignoring her as he faced front. "I, oh, um, never mind."

I wonder why he's upset. Maybe...he isn't feeling well. Or maybe exams didn't go okay for him?

"Treasure?"

"I-I, um, yes?" Luna stammered as she looked at Bleu. "What is it?"

"Are you…happy right now?"

Luna blinked then gave a weak smile. "Well, of course! Why wouldn't I be?"

Bleu looked down at her and tugged her to a stop before they could cross the street and into the bubble that contained The Shoppes. Ena noticed and stopped, but Carlisle only shook his head and guided her forward. Bleu silently thanked his cousin to look down at Luna with her pink-stained cheeks from the cold and those eyes of hers. "Because I know you aren't," he murmured. "I've been looking at you this whole time, Treasure, not through you. I know you're sad."

Luna's face fell and her eyes dropped to her shoes. "It's nothing," she tried to dismiss. "I've just been tired lately. I'm sure I'll bounce back—"

"Peter told me Igneel left."

Luna's head snapped up. "What? But how did he—?"

"Mary Jane." Bleu smoothened his hands down her arms and to her hands. "He was with her the day she found out he left."

Luna deflated. "I'm sorry I didn't say anything."

But Blue refused to let her eyes stray from his. "Don't be sorry. I knew you were upset. I wanted to wait for you to tell me. But I hate seeing you force yourself to be happy."

"What else am I supposed to do?"

Bleu looked taken back.

Luna lowered her lashes. "Yeah, I cried," she admitted, "but I can't keep crying. Nashi needs me. Luke needs me. Crying and being sad won't help them. And Mary Jane… She needs me too."

"Treasure, let's get something straight," Bleu said firmly. "It's noble for you to want to put their feelings first. But you doing that is hurting your own feelings. I understand not wanting to be sad all the time. Faking it a little bit just to keep moving. But you don't need to try so hard forcing yourself to be happy."

Luna tore herself out of Bleu's grip. "So then what am I supposed to do?" she shouted, fury rising. "Igneel's gone, Luke won't even speak to anyone, Nashi is so empty, Mary Jane's barely eats—! I can't just be sad when I could help them!"

DRIP.

"Oh, Treasure."

DROP.

Warmth surrounded her.

Bleu embraced her from behind with a chin dropped on her shoulder as she could not stop her flood of tears. "Sometimes, crying with them helps them," he murmured. "And yeah, sometimes it helps being the person they can depend on for strength. But you need to help yourself in the process too. Don't force anything. Let it come naturally to you. And I'll be right here if you need me."

Luna rubbed away her tears with a vengeance as she huffed and sniffed. "Why are you being so nice to me?" she choked. "You should be annoyed."

Bleu shook his head against her. "Because before my feelings for you, you're still a person who deserves to feel what you want. You've been through a lot. So have the people around you. If you feel like you need to stay strong for them, okay. But please don't feel you need to do the same for me." He tightened his hold. "I'm here and I promise I'll listen."

Luna sniffled and brushed away her tears to twist around and hug him back, cheek pressed to his chest. "Thank you," she murmured. "Thanks for being here."

"I'm your friend before anything else, Treasure," Bleu told her. "Remember that."

Luna pulled away to give him a watery smile and he wiped her cheeks with his thumbs. "I will. I promise. I'm sorry I didn't say anything to you and worried you."

Bleu shook his head. "I want you to trust me, but I don't want to push you."

"I do trust you." Luna meant that. "And I should've told you I was upset. I'll try harder to tell you in the future."

"And so will I," Bleu promised in reply. "Now are you actually up to shopping? I mean I did bring my wallet with me…"

Luna laughed and, for once in this past week, it was not forced. The hurt was there, but it lightened just a little bit. "As rich as you are, I'm not here for your money." She took his hand and led him closer to the The Shoppes.

"No? Then is it my hotness?" Bleu joked as they crossed the street.

"Ha!" Luna skipped a little. "Nope! Not that either."

Bleu mock-pouted. "I'm stumped. Why are you with me?"

Luna stopped him right before the barrier with a sweet smile. "Because I like you for you."

"God, you're adorable," Bleu sighed as Luna gigged. He dipped down to kiss her. "And I like you for you too."

She hummed. "Well, you're about to like me a lot less in a minute."

Bleu scrunched his nose. "What do you—? Shit, wait!" he called when Luna sprinted into the barrier.

Luna was taken aback as she made it past the entryway. Stores were lined up and stacked atop each other for at least four floors. All over were people sauntering down in high street fashion and even authentic cosplay to normal clothing, she had to admit she was grateful Ena had put her in this bell-sleeved hanfu shirt and mini A-line skirt with some white stockings and flats (and her floral purse was a great touch). Now she did not feel out of place with the Grazio and Dulce & Cabana and Bartier and Chantel everywhere. She could make out Carlisle and Ena near a fountain as they spoke to a beautifully tall person in a psychedelic pantsuit and their hair half platinum blonde and half black.

"Wow…" Luna did a slow twirl. So many people with so many fashion choices. "I should've gone here to holiday shop if I wasn't poor."

"Lucky that you have a rich almost-boyfriend." Bleu came to her side and slipped his hand in hers. When Luna half-pouted half-scowled at him, he laughed. "At least let me buy you one thing here?"

"Bleu…"

"One thing?" Bleu pleaded. "I'll even stick to a price range and everything. Let me spoil you a teensy bit."

Luna laughed, incredulous. "But we're doing Christmas gifts, aren't we? And besides, I bet even the cheapest thing here is a grand or three grand!"

"And I personally make more than that," Bleu assured her.

Luna cocked an eyebrow. "You mean your dad does?"

"Nope. I do." Bleu explained, "My father is all for work ethic. I had to earn my money fair through work and any investments I made."

Luna's eyes rounded. "Oh, wow. How much money do you make?"

Bleu grimaced. "At first? Not so much. My father might be rich, but he does parenting by the book and, once I could work, he made sure I got started. My job is basically in the, um, research and development field and I make good money. But it was really my investments that carried me to where I am now. I have to say my father isn't too pleased. He wanted me to be a prosecutor like he was, but I managed to get him on board just being in research." He lifted a finger to his lips. "But what I research is hush-hush."

Luna grinned. "You can't even tell me? I'm so offended."

Bleu nudged her into a stroll. "Sorry, but them's the rules. But what I can do is spoil the cutest girl ever, if she lets me."

Luna stuck her tongue out. "I'll think about it," she conceded.

Bleu shook his head. "Gosh, aren't you high maintenance?" he teased. "Fighting your sugar daddy on spoiling you, insisting on paying for things on your own—how ever will we keep this relationship alive?"

Luna giggled and explained, "Look, I do appreciate it. But I want us to be a little equal." Her humor faded. "I don't want to be like those people who take their boyfriends for granted."

"You won't." Bleu nuzzled her cheek. "Just keep being yourself and you'll be fine."

Luna snuggled him back. "Mmm. Okay."

"Social distancing!"

Bleu looked disgruntled and Luna was surprised when Carlisle and Ena pulled them apart. Carlisle laughed at Bleu's murderous expression. "What…? Six feet apart, Blue Period."

Bleu wrestled Carlisle off him. "Stop watching those pandemic videos," he grunted.

Carlisle gasped. "Excuse me, sir, but World War V is the best virus series ever and I will die on that hill."

Ena side-hugged Luna and Luna did the same. "You okay?" Ena whispered.

"Better," Luna confirmed. "How about you? You've been avoiding the guild hall a lot lately." When Ena frowned, Luna sheepishly explained, "Yeah, I know I haven't been there often, but Silver told me you haven't been going—"

Ena grabbed Luna by the shoulders with a passion and hissed, "Did he say anything else?"

"U-Uh…" Luna plucked Ena's hands from her with a weirded-out look. "No…? Was he supposed to?"

"No!" Ena cleared her throat and smoothed down her hair. "I mean… No. I guess not. Sorry. That lovesick idiot just puts me on edge."

"I don't see why," Luna admitted. "I mean, yeah, you guys fight like cats and dogs, but lately, he's been asking some questions about you."

Ena blinked. "'Questions'?"

"Yeah. Just some stuff about what meals are for which mood and stuff and your favorite shows and stuff," Luna fessed up as she tried to decipher Ena's expression. "Which is totally weird considering you both don't like each other, right?"

Ena waved off the concern. "I'm sure it's nothing. Not like I've seen him that much anyways."

Luna hummed, suspicious, until an idea came to mind. "You know Bleu invited you to the New Year's Eve party too, right? But you don't have a date."

"Because I don't need a da—"

"You should ask Silver."

"What!"

Luna tried to read through Ena's fury, but she could not see anything else. E really isn't happy him. But Silver's been asking more and more questions about her. And he hasn't really brought Paige up too much. Maybe I was just imagining it. She leaned her head on Ena's shoulder. "Sorry, E, that was a horrible joke. My bad."

"Yes, it was a bad joke," Ena said stiffly. "I wouldn't be caught dead with him in public or otherwise, the idiot." She ended up smiling and bumped Luna. "Enough about him. C'mon. I want some more inspiration for the finishing touch on your Yule cotillion dress and your New Year's Eve look. And, speaking of which"—she lowered her voice—"did you invite Bleu to the Yule cotillion?"

Luna glanced over to see Bleu looking like he wanted to deck Carlisle as Carlisle relentlessly teased him. "No," she whispered, "because my papa doesn't even know him and you know how he feels about dating." She pouted. "But I really want to take him and dance."

Ena patted Luna's head. "There, there. You have plenty of time to hang out with your boyfriend and dance with him." She tugged Luna forward as she moved with purpose. "But not if your outfits aren't finished, so let's move."

And so they were off.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Lan la lan lan lan lan la la

Lan la lan lan la la

Lan la lan lan lan lan la la

Oh yeah!

I wanna be with you!

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Ena seemed to know her way around when it came to sales associates and the right questions to ask where as Luna was out of her element. So she aimlessly walked around until she saw a pair of slides in such. Ritzy store. Coming closer, she was unimpressed at such black soles with a band of pink and the logo of the brand. She went to check the price—

—and Ena later found Luna passed out in Bleu's arms as she mumbled with money signs rushing through her eyes.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Kanjiteru unmei no Gimmick

Kimi no egao It's just magic

Hora atta shunkan

Viva! Saikou ni nareru… Ooh

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Luna nodded her head along as Ena whipped out tablet and displayed it to one of the associates as well as her conundrum which the sales associate took with great sympathy. Luna looked over to see Bleu was being polite towards associates who seemed to recognize him while Carlisle was excited the handbag he wanted to his mama was in another collar. Bored, she let her eyes drift out the window.

And reflected in her eyes were the shining words:

AKIBA

And joy sparkled in her eyes.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Ijippari mo uso mitai ni

Watashi ga watashi de irareru no

Only one no ibasho

Yappa Really really like you

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Luna moved about Akiba with renewed purpose. A counterculture chain store full of pop culture, but it was on a different level than Boxed Bento or Hot Take or even Samson's. This was no run-of-the-mill retail chain. Instead, Akiba housed clothing and bags and wallets that would carry signatures of those who acted or voiced or drew or wrote the characters and crafted through partnerships with luxury brands. It was located on the second floor and was nowhere as big as the main store, but it was such a sight in its own right and Luna was just as thrilled. She was comically crying happy tears as she saw a section dedicated to Magia.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Tsugi kara tsugi e yume wo katatte

Risou no sekai ni chikazukitai yo

Tokimeki ga tomaranai

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Luna longed to touch the Nicky-nyan and Nina-nyan backpack as they danced with rainbow flags. It was a mini PDP enchanted so the chibi-cats, one with their bow and the other one with a bowtie, danced from side-to-side with their rainbow flags. Just before she could get her hands on it, a sales associate surprised her on either side and encouraged her choice. One plucked the bag to give to her to examine and Luna eagerly took and studied it. She turned it on the back when she saw the price tag.

Her eyes bulged as she screamed and both associates were startled.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

I feel happy happy happy (U U U)

Aete yokatta (Yay!)

Donna toki demo (Donna toki demo)

Nani ga okite mo (Oh oh)

I wanna be with you

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Bleu, Carlisle, and Ena had made it to Akiba with Carlisle and Ena in a deep discussion on either what type of material the clutch should be for the gown Ena had finished for Luna with Carlisle having several bags in his hands and Bleu had only two in his own. Even Ena had gotten a bag. Bleu saw Luna come out with a gloomy aura and attended to her when she burst in her fat humorous tears about how expensive everything in Akiba was and how she had wanted the mini backpack, but now she could not, given how her money had dwindled due to her own holiday spending on gifts. She begged Ena for money, but her best friend merely patted her head and reminded her about the dresses she designed for her.

Bleu looked inside Akiba with a frown on his face. An idea came to mind and he looked over at Carlisle with raised eyebrows.

Carlisle grinned.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Happy happy happy (U U U)

Souzou dekiru

Egaita mirai wo (egaita mirai wo)

Hikiyoserareru (Oh oh)

Dakara Be with you

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Luna dragged her feet as Ena and Carlisle led her around to the next subset of stores, moping. But when she noticed Bleu was no longer traveling with them, Carlisle quickly intervened and pushed Luna towards the food court with the promise to buy her anything on any menu. Luna lamented, too sad to eat, while Carlisle laughed it off. Ena paused for a moment and glanced back with her brow furrowed.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Itsumo Good time bad time

Share shite Midnight

Onnaji kimochi de Up and d-down down

Yorokobi wa (TWICE) kanashimi wa (HALF)

Wakachiatte kou yo Go

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Luna's eyes were sparkling when she saw the smorgasbord before her. They had come to fine dining establishment with no issues getting a half-booth half-table. From brûlée to scallops, Carlisle had ordered whatever Luna, Ena, and himself desired and assured money was no issue. Luna thanked him mercilessly for the meal that looked too good to eat, but at Carlisle's insistence, she swallowed and picked up her cutlery. She went for the grilled quail first, sawed off a small chunk, and put it in her mouth.

And she could have sworn she exploded from the flavor.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Dokidoki suru koto

Yamerarenai kara ne

Saa Come on, come on, leggo, leggo

Futari nara Alright

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

As Luna ate her food slow to savor the divine flavor and cried happy tears and Carlisle indulged her with some stories about his ballerina mother and how she would be the Sugar Plum Fairy in the production, Ena leafed through her designs and added notes where they need be. A text message rolled down her notifications on her L-Pad and she narrowed her eyes at the message.

⌜MESSAGES

AINE FERNANDES

Mom said you were out, but since she's busy, want to go out to celebrate the end of our semester?⌟

Another notification dropped in.

⌜MESSAGES

MYSTOGAN FERNANDES

Have you heard from Aine? She's not taking my calls.⌟

Ena refused to falter. She deleted both messages and went back to working on her designs.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Ya na koto atte ochikomu hi mo

Kimi no kotoba ni genki wo moratte

Saikidou You are my power

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Luna had cleaned off every plate without a lick of shame and even had the room for dessert. A satisfied blush dusted her cheeks with a preening aura flowering about her and she put a hand on her stomach. Ena was half eating her cheesecake as she seemed unhappy with a change she made. The waitress came over to drop off the tab with a smile. Luna absently grabbed it and looked at the lengthy receipt until she went to the bottom to see the amount at the bottom:

TOTAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49780.00

Luna near-fainted.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

I'll be happy happy happy (U U U)

Shinjiteiru yo (Yay!)

Nan nensaki mo (nan nensaki mo)

Nan juu nensaki mo (Oh oh)

I wanna be with you

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Carlisle, Ena, and Luna left the restaurant with Luna relying heavily on Carlisle for support. "The food was so yummy but so expensive," she groaned. "Carlisle, how can you afford that much? And are you sure I can't pay you back? I could've covered the tip or something."

Carlisle snickered. "No way, Luna. Money was no object for today, okay? Just accept all the delicious food you snacked on as my gift to you, yeah?"

"I think I want to marry you," Luna said dreamily as she snuggled against Carlisle.

Ena snorted with a grin. "L, you'll marry anyone as long as they feed you good food," she jested.

Luna quickly cuddled into Ena's side. "E, I'd marry you for your fashion sense alone," she promised. "Without you, I'd be walking around here with one thick sock, one ankle sock, and wearing blue and purple."

"I do save you from disasters," Ena supposed good-humoredly. "Good thing we'll be married. You'll be my personal mannequin till death do we part."

"Why is everyone trying to marry my date?"

Luna perked when Bleu came jogging towards them. "Hey! Where'd you disappear to?" she wanted to know. "I kept asking Carlisle, but he just said you stepped out to take a Com-call."

Bleu reached her and dropped a kiss on her lips. "Something like that. Why? Miss me?"

"Nope!" Luna snuck back to put her chin on Ena's shoulder. "I already have a wife now, so I don't need you in my life anymore. E's going to nurture me and love me and cuddle with me and take care of me from now on," she declared while Ena shook her head.

"Bleu, maybe you should have her." Ena nudged her best friend closer to him. "She has an appetite my budget cannot afford unless I use a different fabric broker and that's not happening. Sorry, L. You'll have to stick to men."

"We've all been there," Carlisle regarded in mock sadness.

Luna beamed up at Bleu. "Hear that? I'm stuck with you now."

"I know. I'm glad all this goodness has been reduced to a consolation prize," Bleu joshed. "But sorry I left without saying anything. Just had to take care of something."

"Everything okay?" Luna asked.

Bleu smiled as his hand cupped her cheek and he gave her a longer kiss. "Mmmm. Everything's perfect."

Carlisle made a moue. "Ugh. I hate cuffing season," he huffed. "Everyone's making out and doing cutesy couples hashtag-five-ever bullshit and I'm here single as fuck." He took out his Compact. "I need to match someone on Gindr to mooch off this season." He eyed Ena up and down. "Unless…?"

Ena held up a hand. "Not looking."

Carlisle shrugged. "Well, I asked."

"Didn't you hook up with that guy at the party you skipped in on?" Bleu questioned. "I thought you liked him?"

As Carlisle launched into his recapture of that night, Luna glanced over at Ena before she took out her Compact, upper teeth sinking into her lower lip. Unlocking it, she found Silver's contact and hammered out a quick message.

«I have a crazy idea involving E. You in? »

Silver did not even hesitate:

« What do you need me to do? »

---

Olivia always liked visiting the Guild Contractor. They had an office at the guild, but they preferred to work from home. They did not live in Magnolia considering they were not just a contractor for Fairy Tail and they handled the accounts for a few other guilds, but they lived a good thirty-five to forty minutes away in a nice house with its own giant terrarium. The inside of the house was spacious and filled unapologetically with bohemian chic and perhaps for some, it was deemed chaotic, but Olivia found solace in it.

She sat in the office house in a hanging terrarium room with a solid bridge to connect it to the second floor. Snow had not touched the terrarium and it felt warm and comforting.

CLICK-CLICK.

"Okay, Miss Redfox," came drone, "I have faxed out the termination clauses, your apology, and potential reassignments." They huffed from their nose, not disturbing their nose ring, before looking at Olivia with no smile. "Goodness. You Fairy Tail Mages are dropping like flies."

⌜LAUGHTER CONTRACTING, LLC

Name: Lane Laughter

Age: 41

Occupation: Guild Contractor

Likes: The Legacy of Lady She Dislikes: dolls

Special Note: Lane might not look like they're all that fun, but Lane used to be a house mother for the House of Monroe! Even though they are a former Mother, two of their children live with them as one attends college and the other continues their career in modeling! ⌟

Olivia smiled. "It's not like we mean to," she jested. "It just sorta…happens, I guess."

Lane sighed and kicked back in their chair. "Well, at least you're giving a two weeks' notice," they supposed. "Lately, seems like everyone isn't so keen to be doing that, but it is what it is. I can't stop any of you from going where you need to go and neither can your Master. I just can't guarantee your Settlers will be here if you come back."

"I know, I know," Olivia assured. "And if I do come back to Fairy Tail, I'll have to build my client base again. You've said it all before. I'm starting to think you don't want me to leave."

Lane snorted. "Well, it's one less Mage to contract for." A flat joke. "But…"—they reached over to pluck something to input into the folder they had made for Olivia—"I'll put my business card in here just in case. While some contractors like to manage only guilds, either legal or independent, I still work with independent Mages. So if you don't want to join Fairy Tail, but you're looking for work, you just call me and let me know. Or if you're trying to get your own little guild off the ground, call me still. I've got a friend in marketing that can help you out." They closed the folder and passed it towards Olivia. "There. You should have your copy of your resignation, the notice, your closed account, and my card. No penalty since you gave enough notice."

Olivia took the folder. "Thanks, Lane. Sorry you had to go through all the trouble and close to the holidays."

Lane shrugged. "Don't worry about it," they dismissed. "I'd work through the holidays, but Saint and Milan are dead set on forcing me out to Honey's event to see their old brothers and sisters." A smile tinged their face. "Honestly, it'd be nice to see how the House is doing. Dominique gives me regular updates when she can. I've been told the House of Torriente is their biggest competitor."

"You should come," Olivia encouraged. "I'm still in town and I'll be going. Justin's going to be there too with his boyfriend."

"Miss Fortune." Lane shook their head in faint amusement. "I'll give you the same answer as I gave Saint, Milan, and Honey—I'll think about it." They tipped their head. "By the way, have you gotten into contact with Gary Fullbuster from your guild? I've been trying to let him know one of his Settlers is moving, but they want to continue under his tutelage virtually. I've told Master Erza, but I can't get to Gary directly."

Olivia frowned. "I haven't seen him since a week or so ago," she confessed. "You should try Nashi Dragneel. They're normally together."

"Oh." Lane took interest in this. "I heard through those fun little drama blogs Milan brings up Gary and Nashi are dating, but I thought it was just rumored. I like that Nashi. She's spunky and fresh."

Olivia shook her head. "They're not dating; they're just close. If anyone would know where he is, it'd be Nashi. But last I heard, he took a little retreat or something. I'm not sure." She moved to stand. "But if I see him, I'll let him know you're trying to reach him."

"Thanks." Lane stood with her and guided her out of the terrarium across the bridge and onto the solid second floor. Walking towards the staircase, they asked quietly, "How is Nashi? I got the call from her parents any requests for her were to be put on hold until further notice. She was in the hospital?"

Olivia grimaced. "She's okay…or at least I'd like to say that. She's been pretty quiet lately. I'm not sure what happened on that job she took in Erika, but it definitely left her, Aine, and Lance sore." She turned to Lane. "Where did the request come from?"

"I can't say," Lane said with a twinge of apology. "Confidentiality agreement."

Olivia and Lane walked down the steps to the first floor. "I understand," Olivia murmured. "Well, if I somehow miss you at Honey's event, then have a happy holiday, Lane, and thank you for everything."

"You as well, Olivia. I hope everything goes amazing on your endeavor," Lane wished as they strolled towards the door. Lane stopped at the sitting room and called, "Are you ready to come back?"

"Yeah, I'm ready."

Olivia did a double-take when she saw Ghost drifting out of the sitting room. "Last minute request?" Olivia guessed.

Ghost shook his head. "No. I, um… I'm taking a little bit of a leave of absence from the guild," he confessed, "so I'm trying to make sure all my subscriptions are sorted out before I leave."

"Oh." This was news to Olivia. "Well, then, good for you. When are you leaving? Are you making an announcement?"

Ghost swallowed. "No, no announcement. Once I have all my stuff figured out, I'll be leaving. Sorry."

"No, don't be sorry," Olivia waved off. "Do what you have to do regardless of what anyone tells you. If you feel like leaving the guild for a while is going to help you, then do it."

Ghost managed a small smile. "Thanks, Olivia." He nodded at her folder. "What about you?"

"I'm leaving," Olivia said, a tad sheepishly. "I'll be making the announcement at Honey's party, but I've already started packing. I'm going back to the Wu Xing. Just feels like it's the place for me to be, you know?"

"I get it." Ghost gave her a bigger smile and came over to hug her. Becoming solid for a large part of his body was difficult, but for a friend, he did not mind. "Good luck with everything, Olivia, if I don't see you before I leave. I hope everything works out for you."

"You too." Olivia released Ghost and with a nod from Lane, she left the house and towards her motorcycle. She took out her Compact just in time to see a call coming in from her twin and answered it. "Hey, I'm finished up with Lane and heading home. Do not touch my drum set."

Galileo chuckled. "I wasn't planning on it anyways and what an awfully rude tone to take with someone whose helping you pack all your shit."

Olivia mounted her pick and stuck her folder in her saddlebag. "When you suck it up to go to Doctor Stein's for your winter bionics, then I'll treat you nicer, you wuss." She put on her helmet and tapped a button to hear the call within it. Compact hooked up to her motorcycle, she started the engine and kicked off down the long driveway. "But what did you call for?"

"I was gonna ask if we could meet somewhere other than home?"

Olivia began to barrel down the street. "I'm not going to a bar, Leo."

"Not a bar. Just somewhere else with food 'cause I'm hungry as shit and Mom and Dad are getting a little…too cozy for my taste, if you catch my drift. I mean I'm down going to Casetta del'paradiso, honestly. I'm in the mood for Stellian food and they have your steak there too, you westerner."

Olivia grinned beneath her helmet. "Sure, a nice and juicy rare steak sounds good to me."

"Ugh, you're so gross. How are we related? I actually agree with Angel-baby on this. Seeing your own food bleed isn't exactly a pretty sight."

"Shut up. You still eat meat and she still eats fish so I don't want to hear it," Olivia retorted not unkindly. She pulled to a stoplight and typed in the address. "I should be there in forty. If you get there before me, get a booth please."

"Of course, Your Highness. Whatever you demand."

"Smartass." Olivia ended the call just as the light turned green and took off.

°•°•°•°

The restaurant might have been something those in junior high school considered a fancy place to eat, but in reality, you could come in your joggers and jersey and still be greeted with warm smiles. From the hardwood floors that have stood against time to the washed over half-brick walls and the other half sandstone littered in black and white pictures and artwork on the wall. Traditional Stellian music played in the background. A few junior high students had come out in their fanciest wear now that their semester was over and they wanted to commemorate. A double-date was going on with a few college-bound young adults. An extended family had tables pushed together with the littlest relative in a high chair and adverse to eating the pureed food their father provided for them.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is Casetta del'paradiso, a family-style Stellian restaurant home to Ishgar, but the owners are looking to expand to the west. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Olivia sifted through the throng to see Galileo was munching on some bread and butter while on his Compact at a half-circle booth. She slid into it and hit her twin. "Hey." Her eyes dropped to his Compact and narrowed. "Uh… What are you doing?"

"First of all, ow," Galileo grumbled as he rubbed his shoulder. "That wasn't my metal shoulder, you bitch." He took up his Compact again. "Secondly, it's nothing. I'm just bored is all."

Olivia arched an eyebrow. "Bored enough to look into universities? I'm surprised at you." The waiter came over and Olivia ordered a water and a whiskey smash. "No offense, Leo, but we already have our bachelor's. Are you looking to do your master's or something?"

Galileo stopped his search on his Compact. "I don't know," he murmured, defeated. "I just… I need something to take my mind off everything. It's been nice coming home and everything and seeing Mom and Dad, but…"

"Now that Nashi and Gary are fucking, you want something for yourself?"

Galileo whipped his head with red bursting on his cheeks at a nonchalant Olivia. "Livy! Y-Y-Y-You can't just say stuff like that!"

"Why not?" Olivia asked. "It's the truth, isn't it?"

Galileo's breath hitched and he thumbed a lock of hair. "I mean… Well…" A self-deprecating smile appeared on his lips. "It's not all that. I mean, I am happy for Nashi and Gary. As much as Nashi tries to deny it, I can see she's starting to return Gary's feelings. Maybe not as strong, but she'll get there. I'm sure of it."

"So what's the problem?" Olivia accepted the drinks and asked for another moment as she folded open her menu. "Or is the moral ambiguity of you fucking your friend's love interest that has you in a funk?"

Galileo waved his hands around rapidly. "Geez, Livy, have some more tact than that!" He paused and struggled with his words. "No, it's not that! Well, not just that! It's just—! I mean—!" Taking a breath, he gathered his thoughts. "Things aren't really changing for me, but it seems like it's changing for everyone else. I want to have that sort of change. I want to have that sort of goal again." He laughed to himself with no real humor. "You're gonna think it's stupid, but even after we became S-Class, I still felt a little on the empty side. I want to have something to look forward to."

Silence stewed between the Iron Twins. The waiter came back and Olivia went for her rib-eye while Galileo had his pasta order ready. Once the waiter had left with the menus in tow, Olivia turned to her brother. "I can't tell you what your purpose in life is. I could offer you to come with me to Wu Xing, but I know that wouldn't help anything. Do you want to know why?" She did not wait for Galileo to respond. "Because I don't think you're looking for a goal, Leo. You don't look listless. You look guilty."

Hazelnut widened.

"Wh…? Galileo worked his jaw. "What?"

Olivia did not back down. "Ever since you and Nashi broke it off, you've looked guilty. You feel guilty. I get it. But the only way for you to stop feeling guilty is—"

"I know." Galileo cut her off right there. "Olivia, I know."

"Then, the answer is obvious," Olivia put. "Maybe it's not something you can do now, but something you need to do soon. Things aren't exactly in a good spot right now with Gary…indisposed and Nashi's not in a great place either."

"Yeah…" Galileo looked at his cutlery. "I know she's not doing that well. I wish there was more that I could do to help her."

Olivia touched Galileo's shoulder. "She's a survivor," she said softly, but the words were loaded in meaning. "She'll make it through this. We just need to give her some space."

Galileo sighed and his eyes did another absent scan of the restaurant. "Yeah. I just—!" His eyes widened and he ducked underneath the table.

Olivia blinked. "Galileo?" she slowly called. "You do realize your underneath a table right?"

But he did not care as he hid beneath the cloth and lifted just enough so Olivia could see his eyes. "Stop looking down here," he hissed. "Just act – normal. I don't want—!"

"Livy?"

Olivia perked at her name (and she ignored the way Galileo dropped the cloth and retreated beneath the table) to see Rika headed over to her with a wide smile. "Rika," she greeted warmly. "Hi. How are you?"

"I'm good! I came here with some of my friends from university, but, uh…" Rika noted the emptiness of the booth. "But are you with someone or is tonight a treat-yourself night?"

"Oh, I came with my brother," Olivia explained with a kick underneath the table (and Galileo's hiss of pain), "but he's pretty much a coward when it comes to crowds and girls, so he's hiding somewhere. I'll probably just ditch him."

Rika sweatdropped as she let out a nervous giggle. "Right… Well, you're more than welcome to come join my table if you want. I mean both you and your brother, whenever he's in the talking mood," she offered. "It'd be nice to catch up. My friends would love to meet the Iron Maiden of Fairy Tail after all."

Olivia grinned. "I'm okay, but thanks for the offer." Something occurred to her. "Actually, I'm not sure what you're doing this weekend, but you know Justin Justine and Honey? Miss Fortune and Mystique? They're having this whole holiday event thing this weekend if you want to come."

"That sounds fun! Count me in!" Rika decided. "Just text me the address, time, dress code, and anything I can bring, and I'll be there."

"Cool."

"I'd better get back to my table, but like I said, we always have room for more." Rika waved. "I'll talk to you later! Sorry, just want to say hi. See ya!"

"Bye, Rika." Olivia watched Rika sit back with her table before she ducked down and lifted the tablecloth. Galileo sat crouched, biting his nails, and Olivia merely raised an eyebrow. "Are you done hiding yet?"

"Is she gone?" Galileo asked.

Olivia sighed. "Yeah. She's gone." As Galileo scrambled to get from under the table and sit on the booth seat, Olivia shook her head. "Geez. I don't get what Rika could ever do to you that makes you want to hide from her. I know for a not-so-fun-fact you have no issue with women." She shivered in disgust.

Galileo did not answer as he craned his head to catch a glimpse of Rika laughing alongside her friend and them giving into a toast. No. It's what I did to her that makes me unable to face her.

---

Miles' house was in New Azalea City, just a sub-district of it. It was not as driven with high-rise apartments as the mainland, but it did provide terraced houses, duplexes, and smaller twin homes with works of art everywhere. Miles lived with his parents and his siblings in a duplex that was always filled with music and spices in the air. Holiday decorations littered the entire street and, since the street was had cars parked on either side and was not that busy, the neighborhood kids took to the street to play a pick-up Spiritless hockey game with their rollerblades and trash cans used to define the net. An elderly couple walked their two corgis along the street while a group of carols from the Glee Club of the nearest high school went door to door to sing their songs.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is Brooks County, the art and culture district of New Azalea City. The reason it is known for its art and culture is mainly, Brooks County used to have many immigrants from other countries stay within the district and it houses both the Contemporary Museum of Art and the Metropolitan Art Museum alongside many art galleries and even has a "art-ket" open every other weekday and every Saturday where indie artists sell their works. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Miles had everyone outside in the courtyard they had. It was nothing more really than a patio, a patch of grass, and a little shed in the corner, but at least it was something. The snow had been cleared into the grass and a bonfire was going even with it being broad daylight outside. No one minded Tesla sat on Jaxton's lap in her cow Sherpa hoodie blanket as she smacked Cane away when he lifted the mistletoe over the pair of them with a half-hearted effort to kiss her. Amber had noticed Dash and Julia sat close together, so she sat next to Dash in an effort to gain his attention even though he paid little to no mind to her. Katherine had her legs on Miles' lap as she laughed with Julia over Miles and his cousins recreating a dougie challenge. Dante and Gale were the more silent ones of the group, but for Dante, that was normal. He did not drink and kept the firing going. His silence was more tolerable, comfortable even. But Gale was normally joshing along with Dash and Cane and Jaxton, so it was odd with him quiet and moody.

But then again, that was a little normal too.

Amber clapped her hands for attention. "So, I'm all for a party, but are you sure we can do it here?"

Miles nodded as he stroked Katherine's legs. "Yeah. My parents are out and my siblings don't really care since they'd be inviting some of their friends too." He pointed at Cane. "Just no more stealing the good shit, you booze thief. Mama found out I was watering down her top-shelf whiskey and threw hands at me. I am not taking the heat for you again."

"Not like your mom's going to do anything to me. She loves me," Cane teased.

Kat shivered. "How do women find you charming?"

"Same way you think Miles is charming, Kitty-Kat." Cane flicked his tongue. "Strong as fuck tongue game."

Everyone booed and groaned at him while Cane laughed and Julia announced, "You're disgusting and I hope to god your dick falls off."

Cane blew her a kiss. "As long as it falls off after you get a taste, Juju-bear."

Julia made the disgust on her face known while Dash chortled, "Dude, I don't think anyone wants to suck your dick considering your latest reviewer told me you taste like left out beer. And that's not a compliment."

Cane stuck up his middle finger when everyone howled and hooted. "Fuck off. She's just pissed she tasted like battery acid," he retorted. "Jesus, I'm trying to be a gentleman and go down on you and you're gonna taste like that? Really?"

Tesla set down her hot tea and cuddled into Jaxton. "Honestly, some girls really be tastin' crusty."

"And how would you know?" Dante asked with a slight smirk.

"Give us those wet and juicy details," Cane insisted.

Tesla rolled her eyes as everyone begged to know and she planted a big kiss on Jaxton's cheek. "Only my man will know, babes, not sorry." She smiled when Jaxton turned his head to dip her into a deeper kiss while everyone else cackled and resigned themselves with that.

Kat played with the straw in her eggnog. "Speaking of tasting people, Prince, how'd it go with the twink?"

Dante was beside himself in mirth as he glanced down at his Compact. "It went well."

"Boo…! Unacceptable," Cane declared. "We need more than that, Prince." He nudged Dante. "Was he good? He suck your dick? Did you guys…?" He made a motion of making a fist and slowly inserting a finger between his fist. He sniggered when Dante shoved him. "What?" With a flourish, cards appeared in his hand. "I mean I could always do a tarot reading and tell everyone anyways."

"You guys are the worst," Dante muttered, but he smiled while he said it. "We didn't fuck. Just sixty-nined, okay?" When everyone howled and gave their ow-ow to the information, Dante waved a hand. "But, I'm pretty sure I'm not seeing him again. It was a house party hook-up," he chuckled when everyone booed. "We sucked each other's cocks, we came, he left without giving me his number. End of story."

Amber sat forward with a finger raised. "Hold on a sec. Gale." She turned to the mopey Earth Dragon Slayer. "Didn't he come with you?"

Gale tipped back his head for another swallow of beer. "He did, but I don't know the guy that well. We just shared a Ryde to get to the house."

"Well, damn." Amber shrugged. "Sorry, Prince."

"It's fine," Dante waved away. "Not like I expected it to be anything else." He held up his Compact to show Gindr up. "And when you have this, you can find anything anyways."

"I wish they had a Gindr for girls," Amber muttered, but she paused when Katherine shot her a dry look. "What?"

"You are such a dumb bitch," Kat muttered. "Back to the party…" She glared at Miles. "Tell me why we're inviting your ex who clearly hates me again?"

Miles laughed as he brought Kat's hand to his lips and kissed her palm. "Cassie doesn't 'hate' you, for the last time," he assured, exasperated. "She can just be a little abrasive at times—"

"Ah-ah," Tesla negated, shaking her head. "Miles, no juegues esa mierda con tu novia. Tu exnovia es jodida amiga del Satán ahora cuando se trata Kat."

"No digo chorradas ella. Jesus Christ. Conoce a Cassie. Puede estar tensa a veces," Miles lamented in good-humor. As Tesla shook her head, Miles told Kat in Fioren-Minstrish, "And besides, Cassie is dating someone, remember? Doesn't that make her less of a threat to you?"

Kat stood up, incensed. "Why the Hell is she a threat to me?" she snapped. "She's your ex and you clearly value her over me."

Miles groaned as he tried to hold Kat in place. "Minina, that is not what I'm saying," he tried to soothe. "I'm just saying Cassie has her flaws and she's just jealous. That's it. She comes off a little too strongly and it causes her to be misunderstood, but—"

"You know what? I don't need to hear you try and make me sympathize with your ex." Kat raised her hands as she marched into the house. "I'm done. See you guys later. And don't follow me, Miles."

Miles moaned as he ignored her command and trailed after her. "Minina, por favor, c'mon now, don't go!" he called as he shut the door behind him when he went inside.

Cane threw a toothpick into the flames. "You know they're just gonna fuck, right?"

"Like always," Julia grumbled. "Kat always gets skittish on the holidays when Cassie starts to get all in her feelings about missing Miles and playing the friend card, date or no date. But you know Miles."

"He always sees the good in someone," Tesla sighed. "Boy's too damn sensitive. If Jaxton was still hanging around his ex—and I mean no offense to you, darling—I would drop his ass." She smiled sweetly at her boyfriend. "Again, no offense."

Jaxton looked amused. "None taken. Not like I have any exes for you to compete with."

Tesla frowned. "But I thought you said you had a…" She scowled when Jaxton snickered and whacked him upside the head. "Asshole! What is wrong with you?"

"I never said I had an ex," Jaxton told her, eyes shining in merriment. "I just said my mother had some suggestions on women I could date, but I never did. You had it in your mind I had an ex-girlfriend and you got jealous and then you got a little carried away…"

Tesla wanted to thank her lucky stars her skin was too dark for a blush. "I let you do…"—her eyes flicked around to see Dash, Cane, and Dante's interested stares—"that to me because I thought, well…" She groaned into her sleeve-covered hands."Ugh. You're such a jiàn nǚ rén."

Jaxton chuckled and leaned his forehead against her temple. "But you looked beautiful," he murmured into her skin. "The sounds you made and the way you moved… Tài měile." He kissed her jaw and smiled when Tesla groaned again in her despair.

"No, no, in Minstrish, please," Cane begged. "What did she do? What sounds did she make?"

"It was anal, wasn't it?" Dash guessed. "It was totally anal."

Julia slapped Dash's chest. "Stop being crude," she scolded to both boys. She eyed Tesla. "But if it was butt stuff, honey, I want to know how your Selan man felt there. I am impressed. I'm too scared to let that particular cherry be popped."

"It's not that bad," Amber boasted. She fluttered a hand up Dash's arm. "Right, Dash?"

Cane coughed while Dash colored and chanced a look at Julia who was unfazed at the whole thing. "Uh… Depends on the person," Dash supposed.

"Well, you were perfect," Amber purred. "Not too many guys can do it right."

Gale shoved himself to his feet. "Need to piss," he muttered gruffly as he unapologetically crossed the patio and went into the house. He stripped himself off his boots, but his ears twitched and he cringed. "Damn. Miles does have good tongue game." He went down the hall and went into the bathroom. He straddled the counter with his hands and looked at the moody expression on his face. "Sycaña, why the Hell can't I get drunk anymore again?"

You have a Dragon's metabolism, Sycaña answered. Higher lifeforms consume more than lower lifeforms like mortals. The Fire Dragon King could most definitely out drink you, but you have surpassed your mortal drinking limit now.

Gale ran a hand down his face. Great. Just what I wanted when I'm feeling angsty. Can't drink myself to death. He stripped off his gloves, turned to the toilet, and made quick work of relieving himself. Any other fun surprises that should be coming up?

Nothing out of the ordinary, Sycaña supposed. You'll grow taller. Most likely to your sire's height, if not a little taller than him. Your senses will sharpen. You'll go through a molt, though I'm unsure how it will be affected since you have skin. My own drakes had issues with lust. Unmated males like yourself go through a frenzy. But since you've—

"Don't remind me." Gale flushed the toilet and put down the seat.

I'm just explained as best I can, Little Gem, Sycaña put gently, I'm unsure how you will be affected. I have not seen any cases like yours, so I am unsure how you will be during this time.

Gale washed his hands. Not exactly assuring. He scrubbed his hands as he muttered, "This sucks. So I get to hear Miles making Kitty's kitty squirt and now I'm going to possibly be a sex-maniac. Wonderful. Like my life doesn't have enough shit in it. I miss the days when a protagonist's only problem was saving the world or his arc was just romantic tension."

KNOCK-KNOCK!

"Someone's in here," Gale absently called as he turned off the sink. He rung as much water as he could off his hands when the door creaked open and clicked shut. Sighing, Gale reached over for the hand towel. "The Hell do you want, Amber?" He turned to look at her as she smiled at him innocently. "And cut the shit. I don't need to smell you to know you're up to something."

Amber shrugged. "Oh, it's nothing." She took a step towards him. "Just heard something fascinating. You know, the whole Luna's with someone else thing?"

"Okay? So?" Gale raised an eyebrow. "What does that have to do with why you're in my personal space?"

Amber smiled with teeth teasing her bottom lip. "It's just weird, you know. You've always been off-limits since you and Luna were a whole thing and everything. And with you being Julia's best friend and everything, there wasn't much I could do before. But since she's fucking Dash—"

"I'm gonna stop you right there," Gale halted her. "Listen, whatever you have going on with Dash is none of my business. I'm not going to take part in your little vengeance-jealousy whatever. You and Dash were fuck buddies and now you aren't. Pretty much end of story and has zero to deal with me." He ignored the way Amber's face scrunched in ire as he put the towel back on the hook. "Now, if you could excuse me…" He tried to move past her to get his gloves, but Amber placed herself against his chest and Gale raised his hands high in the air to avoid touching her. "What are you doing?" he asked, tone flat.

"It's not like I'm doing anything you wouldn't want me to do," Amber told him, voice low. "I mean, didn't you sleep with some random slut at that party?"

Gale's eyes narrowed. "How the Hell do you know about that?" he snarled.

Amber smirked as she drew a single finger down his chest. "I know you were pretty broken up about it," she told him. "Got all sad you lost your virginity to some girl while you were crossed instead of losing it on a special day to a special girl."

Gale bared his teeth. "Virginity's a concept, not a physical state." A cruel smirk overtook him. "But considering you like to fake being a virgin to up your body count, I guess you'd know all about that, wouldn't you?" His smirk broadened when Amber looked stunned. "Yeah. Think I don't know your rep? I don't fuck with you, but Dash used to fuck you. You think either one of us believed you when you said you were a virgin. Darlin'," he tapped his nose, "nose doesn't lie. You can't physically lose your virginity in the normal sense, but you can lose that purity smell. And you lost that a while ago."

Amber growled. "God, no wonder Luna doesn't want you," she snapped. She raised her hand to slap him. "You're such an asshole!"

Gale grabbed her wrist to stop her, but when Amber twisted and flexed her hand and, on instinct, his other hand came up to stop her hand—

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The focus was wet with tears and was staring at the strong back of someone as they were being forced out. "But why?" Amber desperately wanted to know as she hiccuped. "You always love it when I surprise you—!"

"I don't love it!" The person turned to reveal an agitated Dash was the one pulling her. "Amber, I told you I can't do this with you anymore. What part of 'no' don't you understand?"

"But that kiss—!"

"Meant – nothing," Dash tried to get through to her through gritted teeth. "And it was just a kiss. A mistake of a kiss, but it was a kiss. How are you hanging onto that?"

The focus blinked down. "Because… Because I love—!"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Gale ripped away from Amber with his mind foggy from the memory. She stumbled back and ended up falling against the wall while Gale made a grab for his gloves and tumbled out of the bathroom. He shut the door behind him and did not need his sensitive hearing to tell Amber had worked herself up to sobs. He slipped on his gloves and sniffed. "You gonna go in there"—he looked up—"Dash?"

Dash had his hands in his pockets as he stared passed Gale and at the bathroom door. "And if I do?"

Gale shrugged. "I've got no horse in this race," he muttered as he straightened himself out. He was about to pass Dash, but he patted his shoulder and could not resist saying, "But with Lady J, I've got the damn winning horse. You go in there. You comfort Amber and take her home. Feel some sort of sick obligation towards her. But stop messing around with Lady J."

"She's tougher than you think," Dash warned.

"I know." Gale looked over at his friend. "She's not the one I'm worried about here." He released Dash. "Do what you feel you have to do, man, and Lady J will do what she has to do. For her, it's pretty black and white when it comes to you. You really want me to believe you can say the same?"

Dash locked his jaw.

Gale closed his eyes. "Well, you better make it be." He walked towards the door. "Because she'll keep you where you are unless you tell her...and keep dicking around like this." He toed on his boots and went back outside. As he stepped onto the patio, he announced, "Well, shit-for-brains, you were right." He took Dash's seat and reached over into the cooler to bring out a canned gin cocktail. He passed it to Julia and rubbed her back before laying an arm over the back of her chair. "Kat's going to come down her smelling like sex because—oh wait—she and Miles are make-up fucking."

"Knew it!" Cane and Dante shared a high-five. "Bet the little asshole is totally using orgasms to get her to agree with him."

"My girl is better than that," Tesla credited proudly. "My money is on Kat holding out on Miles and dick-teasing him. Any self-respecting woman not taken seriously would do the same." She patted her boyfriend's cheek lovingly. "Isn't that right, cutie?"

Dante grinned. "Jax?"

Jaxton shifted Tesla on his lap. "She tries, but she has less control than me some of the time," he confessed.

"Pfft!" Tesla snorted. "Oh, yeah, says the one that had to do me in dressing because that's sexy. Really shows your self-control when you're doing your little finger and tongue thing all because I looked smokin' in the dress I was trying on."

Gale had brought out another beer and took a few sips. "Hey, Jax, did she use the 'can you help zip this up for me' trick?" He cackled when Jaxton shot him a look. "Bru-u-u-uh…! That is like the oldest 'touch me there' trick in the book!" He tipped his bottle in Tesla's direction. "Mamacita's got game."

"Sis, please." Tesla rubbed her cheek against a put-out Jaxton's. "Mama's always had game, okay? Not my fault his little thing is immune to my chocolate feminine whiles. Oh, bitch, shush, I know it ain't little," she calmed when Jaxton glared at her.

"Like, I kinda want to know what the finger and tongue thing is," Cane murmured, "but I also want Gale to overhear Kat and Miles having sex and give us the highlights."

Tesla made a sour face. "Chile, ya nasty," she told him. "What is up with you? Is Candy Cane thirsty?"

"Yes," Cane muttered. "Master has me go on all these errands, so I've gotten nothing in weeks." He pouted at Tesla. "You said you wanted a threesome, right?"

Now the revulsion was on Tesla's face. "Yeah, but not with you. When I said I wanted a threesome, I meant with Jaxton and a dominatrix, not with your crusty ass." She pinned her eyes on Jaxton and smiled all pretty like. "Which reminds me, about my Kwanzaa gift—"

"Dude." Gale swallowed his next gulp of beer. "You cannot use Kwanzaa as an excuse to have a threesome for a holiday gift."

Tesla scowled. "Well, why not?" she asked hotly. "Kwanzaa is all about the whole 'unity' and 'purpose' and 'creative' principle whatevers. We can get creative in our purpose in life by unifying myself, Jaxton, and a toxically controlling queen of a woman."

"I told you I'd think about it," Jaxton grunted. "Stop bringing it up." He looked away. "Nǐ ràng wǒ jìdù…"

Tesla mock-pouted as she pinched his cheek. "Oh, stop it, you big baby," she cooed. "No need to worry about losing me to anyone. My heart, soul, and body are yours until your parents make you settle down with a nice Zhōnguánese girl."

"If I was your boyfriend, I'd let you have threesomes," Cane offered.

Tesla shot him down. "No."

"Aw, but could you just think about it? I mean we've danced together before and had pretty good chemistry, right?"

"You're white. I'm good."

"Jax is white."

"Yes, but he's foreign vanilla. You're domestic vanilla. That makes it worse."

As Tesla continued to reject Cane's pleas, Gale dipped his head down and murmured, "You feelin' okay?"

"Yeah." Julia took a sip of her drink. "He made his choice and we weren't anything to begin with."

Gale glanced at Julia. "Want me to fuck him up?" He smiled when Julia laughed.

"Nah. Iris needs him too much." Julia leaned her head on his shoulder. "Can we go home? I'm not feeling too up to being around people."

"Sure thing, Lady J." He patted her head before they both got their feet. As Julia cleaned up their mess, Gale told the group, "Lady J and I are hittin' the road. So we'll see you guys tomorrow."

"No…!" Tesla abandoned Jaxton (who subtly covered the front of his pants) to glomp Julia into a hug. "Girl, don't leave me with all this testosterone," she pleaded. In a whisper, she added, "Also I'm totally drunk enough where if Cane asks me again, I would do a threesome with him and Jax. Do not let me do this! Please stay here and keep me sane."

Julia cackled. "Tes, you are definitely going to be okay," she assured. "I promise you, Jax would never let that happen, drunk or sober." She noticed Jaxton's heated stare glued to Tesla's rear even as Gale made his rounds to say good-bye to him. "And, um," she whispered this into Tesla's ear, "pretty sure your man's thinkin' about butt stuff with you, so he's definitely not in the sharing mood."

"Oh, Hell to nah," Tesla muttered. "Anal is not cute and needs prep and I had a milkshake today."

Julia shook her head in amusement. "How are you doing, by the way, with the whole living arrangement?"

Tesla groaned and rolled her eyes. "I'd be fine if Jax wasn't so damn clingy," she groused. "He's not like psycho 'where were you at seven-fifty-six' or anything, but it's just annoying. I can handle myself. Not like my dad's getting out of jail today or tomorrow." Her hands rubbed her stomach like a muscle memory spurred her and she hugged herself. "Really, I'm okay. Everyone just needs to stop hovering over me."

"We're not hovering," Julia soothed. "We're simply worried about one of our best friends. You have the sassiest, dirtiest, more linguistic mouth I know and I'm happy you're using it now." Her eyes fell. "But when Kat and I stayed the night, we could hear you crying and saying things in your sleep. We thought about calling Jax, but we knew how you felt about that. We just want to make sure you at least are getting enough sleep when you can." She bumped Tesla's shoulder. "We both know you sleep better with your man there after you two do your kinky stuff for hours on end." She avoided Tesla's swat. "I'm just saying," she laughed. "Maybe it's worth you staying over at Jax's when that man is released."

"No." Tesla was already shaking her head. "I told you. I'm not moving in with anyone. You know how I feel about roommates and relationship roommates especially."

"All right." Julia stepped off. "Just a suggestion." Mischief danced in her eyes. "Hey, Jax? I think Tipsy Tesla is out to play since she told me she's feeling some things." She skittered away when Tesla went to smack her. "Whoops! Secret's out!"

"You bitch," Tesla cursed with no ire. She shook her head at Gale who came up to say his farewell. "Your sister-from-another-mister over there? Needs to get bitch-slapped."

"You think I don't know that?" Gale joked. "Trust me when I say she has good intentions. Execution could needs work, but she means well." He hugged Tesla. "C'mere, Mamacita." He patted her back. "No estés triste. Se calculará."

Tesla hummed. "But it won't," she breathed into his jacket. "I feel so lost sometimes."

"You're gonna feel that," Gale said. "You'll feel lost and hopeless and like life will get worse." He pulled away, but he kept her close. "I won't bullshit you. Yeah, you've got Jax and friends here, but at the end of the day, you're the person who has to convince yourself life does get better." He rubbed his neck. "Sorry if my advice sucks."

Tesla sniffed and shot him a feeble smile. "That's probably the best advice I've gotten," she confessed. "I'm sorry to hear about you and Luna."

"Seems like everyone knows," Gale muttered, though he grinned when Tesla giggled.

"Considering you were acting like a PMSing teen girl…."

"Yeah, yeah, my mood hasn't been exactly the best," Gale supposed. "But even if I'm not all fun and games, I'm still here for you, Mamacita." He waggled his eyebrows. "And I have canines. Just sayin'." He flashed his pearly whites for her.

Tesla burst into a fit of liberating laughter. "Dios mío, save the fangs for someone else." She looked over Gale's shoulder to Jaxton. "I'm happy with my man, thank you. He's sweet, smart, stable, and he eats pussy like a king. And I'm queen, so I deserve that shit."

"Yes, ma'am," Gale chuckled. "Now go kiss him before he starts getting riled up. A drunk Jaxton is a jealous Jaxton. Healthy jealous, but still, a jealous bitch. And I, for one, am already scarred from seeing him eat you out on the hood of his car in a bar parking lot." He shook his head. "Damn. Keep that kinky shit in your sex dungeon."

Tesla patted his cheek. "Don't knock it till you try it," she chirped. "I think you'd make an amazing Dom in the future. Probably a Daddy Dom."

Gale scrunched his nose and shoved her away. "All right, you're grossin' me out. Go give him a lap dance or something." Tesla floated back over to Jaxton after blowing Gale a kiss, though Jaxton quickly settled her on his lap. Gale shook his head as Julia came over to him. "You'd think Jaxton would be the last person to get all greedy." He eyed Cane who also seemed to be eyeing Tesla. She was more than aware of the lust behind his stare and shied away her eyes to take a large gulp of her drink while Jaxton placed a possessive kiss on her neck. "Cane's really that horny, ain't he?"

"Well, Tes is tipsy enough she'd be up to it," Julia mentioned when she saw Cane shifted and chewed on his thumbnail as he ogled Tesla up and down. "Jax just doesn't share." She got on her tiptoes to utter into Gale's ear. "How much you want to bet Cane and Tes had sex before she met Jax?"

"I'm betting he definitely got addicted to her taste in the back of some club," Gale bargained. He held out his hand and Julia shook it. "But you've got yourself a deal, Fullbuster." He slipped off his glove. "And just for the record, this is a total abuse of my awesome power and we take this to our graves."

"For sure," Julia agreed with a bob of her head. "Now, go figure out their sex history."

Gale wandered behind the large patio chair Jaxton and Tesla occupied. Between Miles and Kat's moans hitting his ear and the thick lust in the air, Gale wanted to be anywhere else but here, but a bet was a bet. He deftly ignored the way Jaxton was seducing his girlfriend his native tongue as his naked hand reached to barely graze Tesla's neck—

Tesla shivered and tilted her head up to see Gale staring at her with horror in his gaze. She frowned and poked the corner of his lips. "You okay there, darling?"

Gale blinked. "Yeah," he panted. "Yeah, sorry, I…" He did not finish as he put on his glove and gave a jerky nod to Julia to follow him. "See you guys later. We're out." Without anything further, he sped to get inside the house. He knew Julia followed him (and he ignored Dash comforting a sniveling Amber), but he did not stop as he plucked his keys from the kitchen counter and kept up his fast stride.

"Gale, slow down!" Julia stopped at the stairs and shouted, "I know you guys are banging, but Gale and I are outtie! Peace! Use condoms!" She heard Miles come up for air as he grunted a farewell before a strung-out moan floated down to the first floor. She caught Gale barreling out the front door and struggled to keep up. "Hey! Gale!" She burst out the front door as Gale went down the sidewalk towards the Lacrima Car his mother let him take for the evening.

Gale stopped at the passenger side and tossed Julia the keys. "You drive," he said shakily. "I need to process."

Julia hurried over to the driver's side and unlocked the car. She and Gale piled in, but as she buckled herself in, Gale stood stock-still. "Okay, what happened?" Julia wanted to know. "What's going on? I get seeing Cane in any sort of sexual setting is gross and weird, but you're taking this to a new—"

"Lady J, shut up for a second."

Julia scowled. "Don't tell me to 'shut up'; that's rude—!"

"Julia!" Gale touched his temples with his brow furrowed.

She dropped her frown in exchange for exasperated perplexity. "Gale, talk to me. What's going on? What did you see?"

Gale caught up with his thoughts after a few seconds. "When you told me about your little Magic Hunter whatever clusterfuck, you told me there's only one Magic Hunter on Earth Land who didn't need the surgery like you had. You said she is the only born Magic Hunter in existence, right? Your contact?"

"Yeah. Z," Julia affirmed. "Quick, buckle up, so I can drive." Gale did so while Julia started the ignition with a push of a button. As she checked the mirrors and pulled off from the curve, she asked Gale, "Why so interested in Magic Hunters? I already told you I'm not doing the second surgery, so you don't have to worry about—"

"This 'Z'… Is she this really good-looking black woman?"

Julia slow glanced over at Gale. "Um… How do you know that?" It clicked. "No. There's no way. Why on Earth Land would Tesla—?"

It all hit her.

"One of your friends is in danger."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The focus stared into the distance of the street as the voicemail played in her ear. "It took some time, but I was finally able to track down another Magic Hunter exactly like me. She just…doesn't know it yet. But with her help, I promise you, we can become a strong enough force to take down those hunting dogs…and protect your brother."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Gale." Voice deadly calm. "You cannot be serious."

Gale put his head in his hands. "I wouldn't lie about something like this, Lady J." He rubbed his eyes. "But I saw it with my own eyes. I saw it in Tesla's past."

Her knuckles whitened against the steering wheel. "No wonder Tes has been having more nightmares lately. I knew that biological sperm-donor of hers did unspeakable things to her, but…" She just wanted to hit something now. "Dammit. If she really is the other Magic Hunter born with her powers… Gale, Tesla isn't just in danger from that despicable man. The other Magic Hunters. They'll find her. We can't let that happen. I know what these guys are like. They wanted me because of what I can do, but a natural born Magic Hunter? She won't be able to put herself back together afterward."

"I know, I know!" Gale pulled his head up with a deep inhale. "We can't tell Jax."

Julia whipped her head towards him. "What!"

"Not yet," Gale amended. "We need to do some digging of our own. You need to talk to that 'Z' person. Seeing her and seeing Tesla, it makes sense they're blood-related. We need to find out more about her blood father—Tesla's father that is. The news didn't cover he was a Magic Hunter. At least, none of the news stories we know of."

"And then what?" Julia demanded to know. "What, we twiddled our thumbs and straight-up lie to Jax? We should at least tell Tesla—"

Gale shook his head. "No. We can't tell Tesla when we can't even explain to her how we found out. Or, at least, I can't." He swiveled his gaze towards Julia. "But you can as a Hunter."

"Why did I have a feeling you'd say that?" Julia wondered, dry. "We're going to need a better plan than me laying it down flat that I'm a Magic Hunter or she's going to flip."

Gale shut his eyes. "Yeah, I know, I know." He laid back in the seat. "Let me think about it, okay?" When Julia said nothing, he opened an eye to observe her for a spare moment. "Are you sure you're okay with whatever's going on with Dash and Amber?"

"Gale, I'm still not quite over my rejection," Julia said tightly. "I'm vulnerable, but I'm not so vulnerable to think Dash and I had something else other than sex going on. He and Amber have always been toxic to each other. But that doesn't concern me." She turned on the blinker to turn right. "Seriously, Gale. Don't even worry about it. Let them do whatever unhealthy fuck-buddy thing they need to do. I'll keep on moving."

Gale sighed and shut his eyes. You say that…but I can smell you lying.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Cade came down the hall in simple sweats and socks and sandals with a few items in a basket. For this, he did not need Llamrei to be at his side and his trusty skateboard stayed in his apartment. He came up to the door and knocked thrice before waiting. He could hear T'oree's trill before the door opened. T'oree had her mane of red hair up in a high ponytail and with her solar powers keeping her plenty warm during the winter, she wore a crop top and a pair of panties (she was still gaining the sense of "public decency" on Earth Land). She perked when she saw Cade and ignored his blush. "Lord Cadorius! It is always the treat to see you!" She floated to the side. "Do come into the household!"

"Thanks, Tor," Cade appreciated and he came inside. "I, um, brought a few things Dazzler might like."

"Oh! How wonderful of you!" T'oree faltered and landed back on two feet. "Though your offerings may be in vain, I'm afraid. Lady Dazzler has otherwise been preoccupied for the better portion of this weekend."

Cade arched an eyebrow. "Preoccupied, how? I haven't seen her come by the guild or take any missions—"

CREEEEEEEEEEAK…

Dazzler emerged into the living room with a tall, lanky man in tow with his jacket thrown over his shoulder and a satisfied smirk about him. He dipped his head to kiss behind Dazzler's ear while she smiled and giggled when he whispered dirty things. Though, her smile cursed into a scowl the moment she saw a dumbfounded Cade in the living. "I don't have the time nor energy to deal with your dumb ass," she muttered. Aiming a beam at T'oree, she said, "I am going to say good-bye to Josiah. Be back in a few."

"Of course, Lady Dazzler." T'oree waved at Josiah. "Fare thee well, Lord Josiah. Please come visit our humble home again."

Josiah did not care who was in the room when he squeezed Dazzler's butt and gave her a once-over. "I'll try to."

"C'mon. I'll walk you down." Dazzler guided Josiah to the entryway without so much as a sniff in Cade's direction.

The second the door closed, Cade whipped around to glare at T'oree. "The Hell was that? She's been busy with booty calls? Seriously?"

T'oree did not understand the venom in his voice. "Why, yes. Lady Dazzler has taken home a few chamber-partners. She has been most courteous in installing what she calls a 'Mute Spell' so I do not hear the noises of their union," she explained like she was talking about a bird she saw outside a window. "I do not understand her reasons for being shy. On Vanhalla, while unions were few and far between, it is customary for family members to rejoice when a partner reaches their first orgasm. It is a sign the union will continue to go steadfast."

Cade's cheeks flushed as he set the basket on the coffee table. "Where I'm from, that's called a 'dick move'," he muttered. "Why has she been hooking up with all those guys?"

"It is not my place to assume," T'oree said simply as she sifted through the basket. "Lady Dazzler has had a lot on her mind since her return from her job in an unknown location. I advise her when I can, but I believe it is best she choose her own path. And if lovemaking with multiple chamber mates aids in her discovery, then I encourage it most enthusiastically."

"No!" Cade coughed. "I mean… Maybe we shouldn't encourage her to have 'unions' with a lot of guys? That's not exactly a, err, healthy way to deal with problems and figure things out. That leads to more problems than solutions."

T'oree blinked. "Really?" She shrugged. "One of my captains would seek companionship when he was most frustrated. Though, on The Real Housewives, Housewife Imperia was known to seek male companionship as a means to repress negative emotions and replace them with temporary romantic feelings and lust." She froze. "Do you think that is what Lady Dazzler is trying to accomplish?" she worried.

Cade was still trying to process that doozy of a sentence. "You got all of that from The Real Housewives?"

"Oh, three goddesses," T'oree cursed. "I should have addressed this behavior with Lady Dazzler sooner. I do not wish for her to suppress her emotions. She must allow her emotions to flow out and face them, so she becomes a much stronger person and goes onto the right path." In her fretting, she began to float and pace to and fro. "Oh, Lord Cadorius, what shall we do? I have encouraged this behavior and now—!"

Cade sighed. "Tor, why don't you let me handle this—?"

"I'm back!"

Cade tried to tell T'oree, "Okay, so, let me—"

"Lady Dazzler, we must exchange words," T'oree huffed, crossing her arms. "Please convene in the living room for the talk."

Cade facepalmed. This isn't going to go well…

Dazzler padded into the living room, though she slowed to a stop when she saw T'oree's expression. "What's wrong, T?" she wanted to know. "Did the douchebag do something to hurt you? I told you he's a bad influence—"

"Nay, Lady Dazzler, Lord Cadorius has not caused me the strife." T'oree jabbed a finger at her roommate. "The one who is causing me the strife is you."

Dazzler was taken back. "Me?"

"Aye. You." T'oree grabbed Dazzler by the shoulders. "You have been using your chamber mates as temporary fixes to much more serious emotions, Lady Dazzler, and that is unacceptable. I cannot permit you to continue to do such a thing to your person any longer."

"What? Why?" Dazzler questioned. "T, you were the one who even picked out a guy I slept with! Why are you so suddenly…?" Her eyes darted over to an anxious Cade and glowered. "You…"

Cade backed away when Dazzler charged for him. "Hold on a second, I didn't say anything!" he tried to defend himself.

"You asshole!" Dazzler hissed as she pointed an accusing finger at Cade. "The Hell did you say to T to make her think that? So now not only do you insult me because I'm a Magician but now you're thinking I'm whoring myself out because I'm emotionally unstable?"

T'oree gasped. "Oh, no, Lady Dazzler, Lord Cadorius would never say that!" she assured. Cade was vigorously nodding in agreement until T'oree mentioned, "Lord Cadorius simply brought it to my attention that your behavior is deemed 'unhealthy' per terran customs and we must actively discourage you from your continuous joinings with multiple partners."

Murder was in Dazzler's eyes.

"Wait! No! That's not what I said!" Cade backtracked. "I mean I said something like that, but I didn't mean it like that—!"

Dazzler grabbed the collar of his sweatshirt. "Listen here, you freak of nature." She shoved him to sit on the recliner and trapped him with a leg up on the armchair and a hand on the back of the recliner. "What I do and who I fuck are both my businesses. Not yours or anyone else's. And for T'oree's peace of mind, I'll say this once. I don't fuck people because I'm depressed and need a coping mechanism. I fuck them because I'm sexually frustrated and need some dick."

Cade mumbled sourly, "Well, that was TMI—" He swallowed his words when Dazzler slapped a hand on his mouth.

"So take your opinions on my emotional state and shove them up your ass," Dazzler hissed. "I don't need your judgment. You've done enough of that already." She pushed herself off him to march to her room and only when Cade heard her door slam close did he breathe a little easier and sag in the recliner.

T'oree looked down the hallway in concern. "Perhaps I should speak to Lady Dazzler," she mused aloud, though uncertain. "Her anger is as palpable as a goddess' rage. I do not wish her to stew in such hostility for much longer."

"I'll do it."

T'oree's eyes darted to Cade as he stood up and adjusted his sweatshirt. "I am unsure that is that wisest course of action, Lord Cadorius. Lady Dazzler's ire is more directed to you than to me. I should speak to her."

"Tor." Cade stepped up to the alien princess with a lopsided grin. "Let me do this, okay? It's because she's pissed at me that I should clear things up. It'll be fine, I promise. After all, I have you to back me up if Dazzler decides to zap me off the ledge of the building." Internally, Cade was a nervous wreck. But she would do that. Hell, she has done that to me. This chick is fricken psycho with me.

"Lord Cadorius?" T'oree said softly. "Please be careful with Lady Dazzler's feelings. I am unsure as to what emotions she is suppressing if she is suppressing any. But she has not been the same since her return from her job in an unknown location. I suppose I have not been a good the best friend for allowing her to bury her emotions so deeply and allow it to be replaced with lust."

"That's not it at all, Tor," Cade soothed in a hurry. "It's nothing like that. You've been an amazing best friend to Dazzler; I promise you. She's just gone through a lot. And when someone's gone through a lot, sometimes it's hard for them to even open up to their best friend. Some people keep it inside or some find it easier to talk to strangers."

T'oree thought on that. "Do you think Lady Dazzler has opened herself up and let herself be vulnerable to her bedmates?"

Cade's eye twitched. So many jokes I could make that are very much not appropriate for this. "Uh, I think she just kept it sexual with them, Tor."

"I see." T'oree glanced again to the hallway. "I permit you to speak with Lady Dazzler on the condition you attempt to have her open herself to you."

Oh god, this is killing me! Cade smiled tentatively. "I'll do my best." With a swallow, he moved down the hallway and to Dazzler's room. He knocked on the door and called, "Lafayette? I come in peace?"

Silence.

Cade's shoulder sagged. "Dazzler," he murmured. "Dazzler, I'm here to apologize."

Silence.

Then….

CREEEEEEEEEEAK…

The door had clicked open, but Cade had to nudge. "Dazzler?" He pushed the door open. "Dazz… Woah…" His jaw dropped when he saw a dimly lit hallway clothed in half-timber framing and portraits great and small. Gas lamps lit the hallway, but their flames did little. The floor creaked underneath Cade's first step, but what had startled him the most were the shadows that seemed to be flapping from above. "Um… Dazzler?"

SLAM!

Cade jumped and saw the door had closed on him, but it was not the same bedroom door he had seen. This door was more grandiose and had a twin. I feel a lot more blessed I watched Scooby-Doo. This came straight out of it. He could hear a fire roaring in the distance and saw a large open where the dancing flames played. He crept towards the entrance. A great room had been presented to him filled top to bottom with books and artifacts. But Dazzler had made herself at home on the large grandfather chair while a black tomcat settled on a pillow beside her, lapping away at some well-deserved cream.

"Dazzler?" Cade did a slow spin and mouthed his awe of it all. "Uh… Was your room always this…big?"

Dazzler snorted as she shook her rock glass that had a whiskey mixture on ice in it. "You really are a dumb ass." She took a swig.

"Well, instead of insulting, you could tell me why I'm suddenly in this knock-off haunted house," Cade snapped.

Dazzler finished off her drink and let go of the glass for it to float over to the cart. The decanter poured her more while she said boredly, "This is my suicidal daddy's mansion. Did I not mention that before?"

"Your dad's…" Cade blinked. "You used to live here?"

Dazzler pushed herself to her feet as her rock glass came back to her, filled. "You're observant." She crouched to scratch the tomcat's fur for just a moment. "But, yes, this is where I used to live." She glanced around. "Not a bad place. But it has a bad habit of reflecting my mood."

"And you're feeling dark and depressed?" Cade guessed. "Is that why you've been having all those guys over? N-Not that I'm judging or anything," he quickly put. "Please don't teleport me off a roof or something!"

The tomcat blinked up at Dazzler who grinned. "Yeah, I did, Gladstone I don't regret it."

Gladstone looked over at Cade—

—and Cade shouted when the cat turned into a flurry of shadows. "What the—?"

"He comes from Arthurian blood," Gladstone noted. "Impressive. I've met some who may wield one the weapons of the knights, but I have never seen one who can wield the weapons of every knight and the king with the Magic of Merlin." He moved closer to Cade, uncaring how weirded out he was by all of this. "He comes from your planet?"

"Nope." Dazzler tucked in a few more swallows. "He's from Earth. I just don't know which Earth, but he's from there."

"South Korea, ac-ac-actually," Cade amended. "What…are you?"

Gladstone did not answer as he reverted back to a cat and trotted away like he had not spoken a word.

"He's a familiar," Dazzler explained, nodding towards where Gladstone disappeared to. "He's not evil or anything. He's just a Spirit who is bound to the Enchanted Estate and to the owner of it. He takes a different form with each owner. For my dad, Gladstone was a macaw and came with him every show." She shrugged. "Magic."

Cade agreed. "Magic. Sounds a lot like from the Teenage Witch Sabrina series back home." He observed Dazzler get close to the fireplace and stare at the photos on the fireplace shelf. He moved to join her to see Dazzler was staring in particular at picture of her, a black-hair man, and a black-haired woman. The woman was especially stunning with those silver eyes, a solid silver streak in her hair, and a choker was tattooed on her neck. "Is that—?"

"My parents." Dazzler finished off her glass and let it float away from her. "You know the story well enough." She spared him not glance as her fingers danced over the picture frame.

Cade frowned. "I do." Instead of staring at the picture, he took to staring at Dazzler instead. "And I know you well enough to know when something's wrong."

"Yeah…" Dazzler scoffed. "Sure you do."

Cade rubbed his neck. "I did," he corrected. "I did know you."

"You didn't know me." Dazzler turned away from the pictures to settle back into her chair. "You knew my body, which I regret, but you didn't know me, le Fay. And let's keep it that way, yeah? Is that why you followed me in here?" She tossed him a smirk as she made a show of crossing her legs and toying with the edge of her shirt. "Aw. Does little 'Lord Cadorius' want a taste again?"

Cade looked away and covered his mouth, but it was not enough. The flames showed the pink on his cheeks. "Dazzler, knock it off," he grunted. "I came to apologize."

"Oh, really?" Dazzler was slow to rise and deliberately hugged her hips, up her sides, and cupped her breasts, all while watching in amusement how Cade followed the movement. "You came, did you?"

Cade swallowed and forced his eyes to the side. "Double D, this isn't funny," he snapped, albeit without any heat to it. "I wanted to apologize for being a dick. There was no reason for me to judge you for who you are or what you do. I'm sorry I made you feel like you were something no woman is a-a-and…" He froze when silky hands slid up his chest. "Dazzler—"

"What?" Silver eyes flicked down before clashing with his own stare, lips curved upwards. "I can see what you really came here for and it wasn't to deliver a half-assed apology."

Cade shivered when he felt Dazzler stroke the back of his neck. "I didn't come here for that," he weakly defended.

"You didn't? That's funny." Dazzler ran her nose up his chin until she had to tilt her head back. Her lips could only meet his chin without her normal heels, but it did not matter. "Why else would you be discouraging me from letting out all my frustrations on other guys? Don't tell me you're jealous?"

"Yes." Cade shut his eyes. "No. I'm not jealous."

"Really?" Dazzler chuckled. "Could've fooled me."

But Cade smelled it. He smelt the liquor-infused with her breath and grabbed her hands. "Dazzler—Mmmph!" He pulled away with the taste of whiskey and something else fresh on his lips. "Goddammit, Sparky, you're fucking drunk," he growled. "You smell like a bar. Were you this out of it when you had that dick over?"

But Dazzler vaguely smiled. "You haven't called me that in some time."

Cade wanted to snap at her, but now was not the time for it. "You're such a mess." He ducked down to sweep her off her feet and into a bridal carry. "Come on. I'm taking you to a bed for you to sleep this off."

She laughed then belched. "A bed, huh? I knew you just wanted to fuck me."

"For you to sleep in," Cade hissed, pissed. "I don't touch drunk or tipsy women. Hell, Gary would have my ass if he knew I touched you even if you were sober since you hate my guts." He moved out of the great room and down the hall.

"I don't hate you."

Cade looked down. Dazzler had sobered herself even if he could still smell the leftover liquor. Softly, she breathed, "I just hate what you remind me of."

For that, Cade gave a long exhale through his nose. So…that's why. He made it to the door. "Can you take us back to your room?"

Dazzler nodded against him and snapped her fingers. When the door opened automatically, Cade stepped through to Dazzler's regular bedroom in the apartment she and T'oree shared. He deposited her on top of her comforter as the door closed behind them and made sure she was comfortable. "There. I'll get you some water and some medicine for you to take." When Dazzler did not respond, he picked himself up and left her room. Venturing out into the living room, he was still within his thoughts when T'oree rushed over to him.

"Did you speak with Lady Dazzler?" T'oree wanted to know. "Is she okay? Will she continue to seek chamber mates?"

Cade rubbed his forehead. "I don't know, Tor." A truthful answer. A tired answer. "But she needs to sleep for now. Can I have a glass of water for her and look through your medicine cabinet?"

"Yes, of course." T'oree rushed off while Cade trekked to the bathroom and opened the mirror. By the time he found the pill bottle he was looking for, T'oree had returned to him with a glass of ice-cold water. "Here you are, Lord Cadorius. Is Lady Dazzler sick?"

"A little bit," Cade told her. "Don't worry. I'll make sure she takes this and drinks the whole glass before she takes a nap." He went to go back to Dazzler's room when T'oree stopped him.

"Did Lady Dazzler become vulnerable with you?" she wondered.

Cade did not know how to answer that at first. "She told me something I don't think she'd ever tell me if she was sober. So, she was for a little bit."

T'oree nodded. "Thank you, Lord Cadorius."

"For what?"

"For allowing Lady Dazzler to be vulnerable with you." T'oree smiled albeit it was a feeble one. "Perhaps this moment will allow the two of you to grow closer as companions."

Cade smiled back, though he did not believe her words. "Maybe." He opened up Dazzler's door and shut it behind him when he stepped in. Dazzler was in the same position he left her in and he came over to sit on the side of the bed. "Here. Take this and drink the water."

Dazzler wordlessly sat up. She took the pill bottle to open it and shake out two pills before taking the water and guzzling it down. When she was finished, she handed everything back to Cade and laid down again. No thanks. No acknowledgment. Just silence.

Cade twisted the cap back on the pill bottle. "Get some sleep," he murmured. "I'll check on you tomorrow." He waited, maybe even in hope, for Dazzler to reply, but when she still said nothing, with a sigh, he abandoned her to her solitude…

…and did not notice she had bitten her lip hard as tears slipped down her cheeks.

Cade shut the door only to press his forehead against it. So back then. They weren't just words. She meant them. She hates me because of that. He pressed a hand against the door. "I'm sorry…Sparky." And he pushed away from the door to drown himself in his own isolation.

---

The dormitory had expanded over the years. As Fairy Tail accrued more members with nowhere to go, the dormitory had to add more rooms and invested in more property to house any and all who were welcome underneath Fairy Tail's protection. The girls' dormitory was on the full side and would be under reconstruction soon to add additional rooms and expanded the resource room and the kitchen. Miss Pink was bouncing around on her bubble made of pink as she followed after another Mage with the endless knot tattooed onto her forehead. Two of the girls (one had a mohawk of thick braids with smaller braids on the sides with gauges in their ears and the other had black-and-white boxed braids and a nose ring and eyebrow piercing) were in the kitchen as they made some greens, wings, and macaroni and cheese for a late lunch.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is Fairy Hills, the Fairy Tail Girls' Dormitory. The current owner continues to be Chico Hammit, but Aine has taken over more Matron of the Dorm duties passed along down through Master Erza. Fairy Tail does have a boys' dormitory as of late, but it is on the other side of Fairy Tail. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Aine opened the door to her office and turned on the light with Lance behind her. "Sorry, we had to stop here. I'll only be a minute," she promised as she shuffled through her shelves. "I know I forgot some forms I had to fax out…"

"Take your time," Lance assured. He leaned against the entryway. "We still have time to stop by your house, if you want to…" He raised a hand in surrender when Aine shot him a look. "Or not. It's your call to make."

"And I'm rejecting that call," Aine muttered. "That's the first place Oberon would hunt me down and force me to talk to him."

"Well, I think you don't have to worry about him coming by."

"Oh, yeah?" Aine went to her desk and unlocked her DAL. "And why is that?"

Lance stepped further into the office. "He took an S-Class job," he revealed, "and I doubt he'll be back until after Christmas with this one."

Aine slowed in her search for a long sigh. "How does that not surprise me?" She settled back into her chair. "Not like he's been big into holidays after Dad left. So it's fine. And if Mom signed off on it, it means she's pretty tired of his attitude too." Her hand came forth to go through her files. "Honestly, it's a bit of a blessing Oberon isn't around for a lot of the holidays. I'd rather not Ena feel even worse with him ignoring her, especially on Christmas. The bastard barely even recognizes her birthday." She shook her head. "He's beyond help."

Lance sat in the armchair in front of Aine's desk. "Maybe he is," he supposed. "At least, right now, anyway."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Aine sighed as she leafed through her forms.

"That he might not be ready to hear the truth," Lance told her, "and he might not be ready to change his ways. Maybe this is for the best, to let him have his space. I think you all need that sort of space." An alert came in on his compact and he attended to it.

Aine snorted as she found the forms. "I think you're right on that. Let him have his little temper tantrum. He can come back home when he's ready to act like a caring human being." She clicked for the forms to print. As she pushed her chair to goes towards the printer, she caught Lance's look. "Lance? Everything okay?"

"Yeah…" Lance typed a reply then sent it. "Everything's fine." He checked the time. "But we better hurry up. I want to make sure we get to the house with plenty of time to spare. Although…"—he rolled his eyes as he put his Compact on the desk—"you know exactly what my mom is going to hit us with."

"When are you guys tying the knot?" Aine and Lance chorused before they laughed together. As Lance came up to get behind the desk, Aine took the forms fresh from the printer and stacked them neatly. "How many times do we have to tell your mom we're not even thinking of marriage until I'm a nurse?"

Lance draped himself over her and put his chin on her shoulder. "She knows and she supports it. But you know my mom." He frowned. "And I'm pretty sure she's still torn up about not being there when Veronika had her grandchildren and not knowing about Lisa and Ivan until I said something."

"I see." Aine rubbed Lance's jaw. "It can't be easy on her or your dad. First, Nik. Then, Veronika. And they must've felt they were losing Mary Jane too. A lot was riding on you. I've always known that."

Lance hummed. "We've all had a lot on us," he murmured. "Veronika went through a lot. And Nik was just… He had his own opinions about things. They both butted heads with my dad practically every day, whether it was Veronika running off with her ex and staying there for a weekend or Nik starting fights." He smiled, half-bitter half-fond. "Who knows? Maybe Mary Jane will convince Ronnie to come home. And maybe Nik will have some time off from the military. That'll be the day."

"We just need to have hope." Aine kissed the corner of his mouth then the side of his nose. "One day, your family will all be together again. Just like mine. Just keep having that hope."

Lance nuzzled against her before placing a hand on her cheek. "Yeah. Hope." He sealed his mouth over hers for a lingering kiss.

And one the desk, his Compact screen lit up.

⌜MAIL

Levy Redfox

Re: Re: Strange Symbol

Lance,

I'll follow-up with one of the professors I'm in contact with regarding the symbol. But from what I can tell, it seems to be the symbol of…⌟

---

Natsu came downstairs and went into the living room. Only Nashi was there as she mindlessly watched the news while Býleistr in his Cat Form huddled close to her. He purred as she stroked him with absent fingers, but even he looked worried with how bland Nashi's stare was. Natsu came over to turn off the LV, but she still did not look away. Her eyes trained on the LV like there was something to watch.

"Princess," Natsu said softly, "are you almost ready to go?"

Nashi hummed her confirmation, but she did not look his way.

Natsu came over to kneel before his daughter. He tipped her head down to look at him and hated how he knew she was looking through him and not at him. "Nashi, no one can help you but you," he murmured to her. "We can talk all we want and give you advice, but we can't get better for you and we can't speak for you. If you don't want to go to see the therapist, I'm not going to make you. You deserve to choose when you're ready to open up, not us."

"He's right," Býleistr agreed. He stood up to stretch before leaping off her to grow into his Hybrid Form. "Tell us what you want us to do, Princess."

Nashi did not hesitate even if her words came out blank. "I want to go to Gary's."

Natsu blinked in surprise. "Are you sure?"

"I have a spare key," Nashi provided like she was talking about the weather. "I want to go to his home. I need to go there."

Býleistr and Natsu exchanged a look. "I'll take you there," Natsu granted. "We can go right now if you want. Is that what you want?"

Now Nashi paused. She looked at her lap. "I want to go to therapy."

"Are you sure?" Býleistr checked.

Nashi folded her hands together. "Gary would want me to go," she murmured.

Natsu's brow furrowed. "Princess, do this for you," he reminded. "Don't think of what anyone else would want—"

"Papa, I want to go."

Shining hickory connected with onyx.

Natsu smiled for her. "Okay, then. We'll go." He stood up. "I'll let your mom know. Then, we'll get moving." When Nashi nodded, Natsu moved from the living room and down the hall.

Býleistr crouched before Nashi. "Do you want me to be in there with you?" he offered.

Nashi's hands shook. "If… If it's okay… Could you…?"

"Absolutely." Býleistr covered her hands with his large ones. "I'm wherever you need me to be."

"Thank you," Nashi mumbled. "I'm sorry you have such a pathetic owner like me."

Býleistr shushed her. "Don't even say that," he snapped. Reigning in his temper, he took a deep inhale and exhale. "You're beating yourself up over things you can't control. I hope this healer can help you in the ways you need."

Nashi wanted to say something when her Compact lit up on the coffee table by an unknown number. She picked up her Compact and answered the call. "Hello."

"Miss Dragneel?"

And in that second, life came back to hickory eyes and she scrambled to her feet. She clutched her Compact as she breathed, "Mirel—!"

"Miss Dragneel, this is Miss Wilson. I'm from the Ministry of Justice of the Ishgaran Magic Council. I'm calling to present you with a rather unusual proposal. Would you like to hear it?"

Nashi's shoulders tensed and steel entered her stare. "Yes," she responded. "Tell me everything."

°•°•°•°

Lucy was in the mudroom-laundry room as she started a new dryer cycle. Another mudroom was between the garage and the side hall from the living room, but this one was right down the hall from the kitchen. Plue, Lelantos, and Actaeon were entranced at the washer while Lucy began to separate clothing into Luke, Nashi, and Luna's separate bins. She was so engrossed in her work that when she pulled out a t-shirt, she thought nothing of it to put it in Luke's bin. But something struck odd about it and she plucked the t-shirt and got a good look at it.

Chocolate widened then softened.

It was Teen Justice t-shirt.

"Igneel," she whispered. "I hope you're safe. Ack—!" She rattled forward when Natsu laid himself atop her. "Oh, geez, I'm not a heavyweight lifter, y'know," she grumbled as she elbowed her husband. "Honestly, Natsu, keep eating the way you're eating and I swear—"

"It'll get easier."

Lucy paused.

Natsu hugged her. "We just need to take it slow, that's all."

Lucy touched his hands and smiled, even if it was tainted in sadness. "Yeah. One day a time." Her shoulders moved as she inhaled and exhaled. "How's she doing?"

"She wants to go to Gary's place after therapy," Natsu informed. "I can't say 'no' to her, so I'll take her there after her therapy appointment."

Lucy closed her eyes. "I understand. I think it'll be good for her."

"You do? Seriously?"

Lucy hummed. "Mmm. Yeah. When you and Happy left, I went to your house, actually. To see for myself that you guys had gone. But being in your home, surrounded by our memories and your scent… It brought me a sense of comfort."

"You…never told me that," Natsu murmured.

Lucy shook her head. "It wasn't important," she dismissed. "I'm sure Mary Jane will wear Igneel's scarf until he comes home. She doesn't know it yet but wearing his scarf and feeling his residual Magic and warmth will give her a lot of peace. Just like wearing your scarf gives me peace. It's like you're there with me."

Natsu chuckled as he snuggled into her. "You say the weirdest things sometimes, Lucy." He inhaled her scent from her hair. "But sometimes your weird stuff makes sense. Your scent calms me down. It makes me feel like I'm home." He tightened his hold. "Still. I wish my little princess could depend on me instead of him. Weird, right? Parents are supposed to be happy their kids find someone. But I just want her to still be my little princess asking her favorite Dragon for piggyback rides." His eyes closed. "I hate how I can't cheer her up or do anything. I'm useless."

"And it's okay to feel useless," Lucy told him. "We've been through this before. We'll handle this one day at a time as things happen. The most important thing is, at least Nashi wants to get help." She looked up. "I just wish I knew how to reach him." Luke… Please… Just tell us what you're thinking. Don't shut us out for too long.

"I'm ready."

Natsu and Lucy turned to see Nashi standing at the entryway with Býleistr behind her. "Let's get this over with."

°•°•°•°

WOOT-WOOOOOOT…!

Nashi, Natsu, and Býleistr stood in front of what a small ranch-style building with black reflective glass. The building had the name BREKSTA PSYCHOTHERAPY LLC incrusted into the wall. It would seem the parking lot was empty. In fact, it seemed like the entire building was empty.

Natsu sniffed and growled, "I don't like it. This place feels weird. Smells…weird."

"I know what you mean." Býleistr unsheathed and sheathed his claws. "The energy here feels completely weird." He bent forward to tell Nashi, "We don't have to go in, Princess. We can find you another therapist."

"No." Nashi strode towards the building. "This is exactly where I want to be."

Býleistr and Natsu exchanged a look and followed after her as Býleistr shifted into his Cat Form. They made it past the first set of doors, but when they crossed into the lobby reception area, the entire thing was empty. Sure, it was spacious and comfortable with some magazines and a children's play area, but not one patient was in sight. Three sets of sliding windows were available but only one had their light on, even if you could not see who was inside. A bell was there with a sign that read:

RING FOR SERVICE

Nashi stepped up to the counter and rung the bell. It was not long before the window slid open to show a perky forty-something woman in a nice blouse. "Hi. Are you here to see Doctor Orr?"

"Yes." Nashi took out her MagID and insurance cards. "I'm Nashi Dragneel—"

"Oh, yes, I know," the woman assured. "Please, take a seat! Doctor Orr will be with you shortly." And she slid the window shut.

Nashi took a seat and Býleistr hopped up on her lap to join her. Natsu sat beside her with his eyes trained on the window. "I don't like what's going on," he muttered under his breath. "That woman. Her scent was off. It's like…" It's like…she wasn't human. But she's not a Demon. I can sense a Curse on her or any God Power and she's definitely not a new-type Dragon Slayer. And if she's not a Celestial Spirit… The Hell is she?

Býleistr scratched his ear. I don't like this, Princess. This place makes my fur stand on end.

This is where I need to be, Býleistr, Nashi promised.

But something about this place isn't human—

That's the point.

Býleistr looked up at Nashi in disbelief. Princess…

Nashi looked down at her Celestial Spirit and soothed a hand down his head, his back, and all the way to his fluffy tail. Don't worry, Býleistr. I know what I'm doing.

He flicked his tail. Okay…

The door cracked open. "Miss Nashi Dragneel?"

Býleistr leaped off Nashi's lap for her to stand. She turned back to her tense father and murmured, "My session takes an hour."

"I'll be counting the minutes," Natsu grumbled. "Be careful. Scream and I'll come fists blazing."

Nashi nodded. "Come, Býleistr." She stooped down for Býleistr to crawl up to perch on her shoulder and walked towards the door. She opened it to see a regular hallway, but oddly enough, there were no doors. Only works of art that all seemed to center around the themes of dreams and the night. She looked right and left until she saw a beckoning hand down the hall.

"This way, please," came call.

Nashi started down the hall. I know. This place doesn't feel human at all. The energy here… It's something foreign. It sets you on edge because you don't know what it is, but at the same time, you don't feel threatened by it. You just feel it and you don't know what to do. Her eyes glossed over a particular painting and, for a second, she thought she saw it move. But when she stopped, the painting had not moved at all. So, she kept moving. Still. I'll do whatever it takes to get Gary back.

She turned down the hall to see a single doorway that had cracked open and that same hand beckoned her.

"This way."

Nashi strode towards the door. Býleistr chanced a look behind and his eyes widened when he saw the hallway they had just come down was disappearing into darkness. Princess—

It's okay, Býleistr. Nashi reached the door and breathed out through her nose. Let's do this. She opened the door, stepped inside, and closed it.

A smile. "I see you were able to get to my office, Miss Dragneel. I'm very impressed."

Nashi took a look into the office. It had seemed she had landed into a movie theater. In distilled imagery, a film played from first point of view. The scene was a romantic one and showcased Gary on the screen with those blue eyes filled with love and passion as he spoke to her, though the scene had been muted. Býleistr's fur fluffed up as Nashi walked down the movie theater to the only other soul there. But as Nashi approached, Býleistr felt something deep in his bones and his fur flattened. Wait… That energy… I remember it now…

Nashi turned down the aisle and walked until she was right next to them. "Doctor Orr," she greeted, "it's nice to meet you."

"Please. Call me 'George', young miss. Have a seat."

Nashi did with Býleistr on her lap.

"Oh, and, uh… Your Celestial Spirit doesn't need to hide in that little form of theirs," he mentioned. "Please, Spirit Lion, if you'd be so kind…"

Býleistr climbed off Nashi's lap to grow back into his Hybrid Form. He did not try to cram himself into the theater seat and instead stared at the doctor. "I didn't think you existed on a planet like this," Býleistr figured. "I mean it has an Ether Core, but still."

"We exist wherever there are thoughts and dreams," Doctor Orr reminded. "Miss Nashi, my apologies for having to get involved like this. But I am a psychologist with good results in the field. I specialize in trauma, as the hospital clinician let you know. And I am here to help you. After all, how could I ignore a request from Kyler regarding his new little sister?"

Nashi nodded. "Thank you for doing this," she murmured. "I just don't even know where to start."

"Your thoughts and dreams will tell me where you want to start," Doctor Orr told her, "and we will take it from there."

Nashi got a good look at Doctor George Orr. He was not that tall of a man with a bald head, a white thick beard, and closed eyes behind classes. He wore a casual button-down and tie along with slacks and carried with him a paper tablet and pen. He did not seem out of the ordinary in the slightest, but to Nashi, as a ring of magenta lit in her eyes, she could see the extraordinary soul he carried. It was steeped in a psychedelic array of muted blue, lilac, and heavy green that wafted off him. His soul… It's incredible. Aloud, she asked, "I take it 'George Orr' is just an alias?"

Doctor Orr chuckled. "You'd be right. But, in one way or another, we all need names to adapt into mortal society. But when represented in court, my files speak for themselves. So you have nothing to worry about. It's why Kyler asked me for this request. I'm one of the few who openly practice on worlds unbeknownst of The Presence."

Nashi hummed and let the ring of magenta disappear from her eyes. "So how does this work?"

"It's simple," Doctor Orr assured. "Now that you're asleep, we'll begin and your dreams will be the thing that guides us. Are you ready?"

"Yes." Nashi gripped the armrests of her chair. "I'm ready. I'll do anything to make sure Gary and Skade come home."

Doctor Orr lifted his hands. "Then, let us begin." And he clapped.

---

Luke had always defended his room was organized chaos because it was. It was not like he had food stashed in his room or anything like that. Just books, papers, clothes, and perhaps one too many empty energy drink cans from the endless all-nighters. But for once, his room was not a pigsty because of his studying habits. Those books he stacked were everywhere. Clothes had been thrown. His mirror had been cracked from the punch he delivered. His room was no longer organized chaos. It was destroyed.

He had taken to sitting in his desk chair without his glasses and in rumbled pajamas he felt he had not gotten out of within the past few days. The letter Igneel had left him with a lesson plan had been torn apart again against Luke's better judgment and taped back together to sit at his desk. But that was not the only thing Igneel had left him. The thumb drive with Igneel's Magic Circle insignia burned on it was connected to his DAL. That was right. His DAL. His PAL was in his bag, but his twin-monitors and home-desktop Archive Lacrima had taken up space on his desk.

Purple bags beneath his eyes, Luke slumped over to wake his DAL up. The video was already up on one of the screens to show Igneel. Luke pressed ⟪ Play ⟫ and took a sip of the energy drink he had.

The video started with Igneel adjusting the camera with his neat-and-tidy room as a backdrop. "I'm guessing this thing is on," he supposed. "Ugh. This is why I hate recording shit like this. Drives me insane." He settled into his chair and it felt to Luke he was looking directly at him.

"Hey, dude." He cursed. "I mean, this is a dumb as Hell intro to this, but this is the best I can do. Sorry I can't edit this. I'm on a bit of a time crunch," he explained like that wa all he needed to elaborate on. "This should've come to you when I made it to my first stop. I mean, well, my goober and your new DAL." He rubbed his neck, sheepish. "Merry Christmas? I know Ma said after you wrecked your last one she wasn't getting you another one, but I pulled some strings."

Igneel cracked his knuckles. "Anyways, I'm pretty sure you're pissed as shit I left," he deduced, "so I'm not gonna talk about how awesome your new DAL system is. Genius can fill you in and, no, you can't ask Genius where I went. He only arranged for my first stop anyway, but he's been sworn to secrecy. Literally." His chest expanded and contracted with his deep breaths. "So, I'm gone." That much was obvious. "I'm making this just to you, man. Once you take out the goober, the video automatically deletes itself. I put a spell on it so if any other energies outside your own, it won't play."

His eyes dropped to his keyboard. "I don't know how long I'll be gone," he admitted, "but know that I had to go. The signs were all there I had to; we just chose to ignore it." A humorless smile coated his lips. "I know you'll hate me for leaving. I'm sure Nashi is pissed and Luna cried. But, really, there's no need to waste your feelings on me." He sat back and locked his hands behind his head. "But I know that's not gonna happen. I know it was a dick move not to say anything. And it was a dick move to leave while Nashi was in the hospital. I didn't plan to leave while she was hospitalized. So much of me wanted to stay until she woke up. But I made all the arrangements. I had to go."

Igneel looked back at the screen. With a sigh, he leaned forward. "I'm sorry I had to leave," he murmured. "I'm sorry for all the chaos I'm causing you."

Gritted teeth.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be there for everyone when everyone needed me. I'm sorry…I can't keep my promise to you—"

A snarl. "Shut up…!"

Luke forced the video to pause and in his rage, he swiped almost everything off his desk save for the mouse and keyboard and monitors. The energy drink he had in his hand heated with the ire of his Magic and rusted the can into nothing. His hands dug into his scalp and he pushed back his bangs. "You idiot," he sneered. "You think I'm going to accept your little pathetic apology? You abandoned us! You traitor!" Gold swarmed around him, but it tinged with black. He threw himself off his chair. "You traitor!"

CRACK!

His fist had punched his mirror again as snarling pants huffed from his mouth. He did not care about the blood he would get on his knuckles. Those honeyed-amber eyes showed specks of scarlet as they widened, deranged and wild. You left… You left us behind. You left me behind. His fist pressured into the broken mirror. Like always.

His own shadow rippled until a wide smile could be shown. "Poor Luke," it tutted. It ripped itself from the floor to take the physical silhouette of Luke. "Always feeling left behind by the favorite."

"Shut up." Luke stumbled away from his mirror. "I never… He wasn't…"

"But he was." The silhouette crept behind him. That wide smile thirsted itself with strings of saliva and jagged teeth. "He was always the favorite. The one who made your father proud. The one who inherited his Magic. And what were you, little boy? What were you?"

"Stop it!" Luke covered his ears. "This isn't real. You aren't real. We were loved equally. You're just trying to bait me!"

"I'm not here to bait you… Because, you see, Luke, how can I bait you when I am you?"

Honeyed amber widened. "No… No, you're not me. I'm a human."

The silhouette had grown to loom over Luke was shadowed hands and licked its lips. It set his hands on Luke's shoulders with an iron grip. "You are not a human. You are a Demon. No need to lie to yourself, Luke. The Magic you practice…" The hands doubled down on Luke's shoulders and pressed him into its shadows. "All of it was a lie. You just have to remember. But I'll help you."

"No," Luke refused. Tears leaked from his eyes. "No, I'm a human! I'm a human!" But it did not matter how much he wanted to tell himself that. It did not matter how much he wanted to leave. The shadow was sucking him in without his consent.

"Igneel isn't here to save you now." The silhouette dragged Luke even further into itself. "He abandoned you."

"No!" Luke could see him. He could see Igneel walking away from him as his scarf billowed in the wind without so much as a backwards glance. "Igneel, help me!" He jerked, but when he looked down he found the shadows begun to eat away at his sides and stalled his legs. "Igneel!" He felt his entire right eye get consumed into the shadows. He could hear it. He could hear those whispers, those temptations, those giggles. He glanced back to see those hands reach for him. Those hands he loathed. "Igneel! Help me!"

"I'm sorry."

Luke could see Igneel through his tears.

"I can't keep my promise to you."

"No, please, don't go!" Luke tried to grab onto Igneel, but those hands—those hands made of shadows and sin—grabbed onto his arm and a power struggle ensued. "Igneel! You promised me! You promised me!" Black blood spritzed from his mouth as the silhouette chuckled and took more of him.

"No one's here to save you now…"—the silhouette salivated—"Demon Prince."

"No, please!" Luke begged. But he was too far gone with only his left part of his face and mouth, his left arm, and his right leg free from such a sinking burden. "I'm a human! I'm a human! Igneel!" Luke tried so hard to hold onto the image of his twin brother. "IGNEEL!"

°•°•°•°

Lucy paused in her work in the laundry room. She had finished separating the laundry and was hand-cleaning the more delicate articles of clothing when something in her made her stop. Lelantos and Actaeon got to their paws with low growls in their throat while Plue waddled over to cling to Lucy's leg. She looked up at the ceiling when she noticed goosebumps on her arms. This feeling… This chill… Her eyes narrowed. Luke.

Lucy rushed out from the laundry room with her Celestial Spirit Hounds on her heels and Plue riding atop Lelantos. I should've known not to leave him alone. I thought he was doing fine. He had it under control so long as Igneel—

Chocolate widened.

Lucy fled up the steps two at a time. "Luke!" she shouted. "Luke, are you—?" The second she stepped onto the second floor, it was like her body went into a lock. Tremors raked through her muscles and all Lucy could focus on was the rush of her blood and the pounding of her heart. It's like…there's this force chaining me down. I've never felt such dread. She was only able to go backwards and onto the step before the second level. Those chains that held her down and that dread that weighed on her were gone and she could breathe again. She cupped her hands together and whispered, "Rasalas."

The star itself shined deeply in her hands. Lucy took a deep breath and could feel light bind onto her. She took a step onto the second level…

…and then another one…

…and another one…

…until Lucy was walking down the hall. A whine hit her ears and she aimed a smile back at her twin hounds and Plue who could not venture further. "Don't worry, you guys," she murmured. "I'll be right back." Determined, she set off down the hall, but her steps shifted at a slow pace. Even with Rasalas, I can barely move through this. Luke… Please, just hold on. I'm coming. But as she drew closer to Luke's door, it was like a force was there. Like a snake filled with darkness was trying to coil around her and constrict her to her death. Biting back her pain, Lucy stretched out a trembling hand towards his doorknob.

"Luke?" Lucy called, a tad desperate. "Luke, honey, are you in there?"

No answer.

"Luke?" Lucy tightened her whole on the doorknob. "Luke, please, answer me or I'll have to come in!"

No answer.

Lucy could not take it anymore. "I'm coming in!" she warned. She twisted the knob and pushed open the door…

…and she found Luke sitting quietly at his desk as he typed on a document. She looked around the room, but for once, nothing about his room was out of order or dirty. His books were aligned neatly on the shelves and what was not able to fit into the shelves, he stacked them into orderly piles. His clothes had been put away; his papers had been organized into folders and binders, and even his bed had been made to pristine condition. Lucy could not help but raised her eyebrows at the scene.

"Hi, Mom." Luke did not face her as he continued his fast typing. "What's up?"

"Uh…" Lucy dispelled Rasalas. "Well, I… Well, I guess it's nothing…" She blinked when she saw he had even dusted. "Clean your room, I take it?"

"Yup." Luke kept up his pace. "Thought I needed a change."

"Uh-huh…" Lucy folded her arms. "Well, I, uh, am glad you had a change of heart with your room. But how are you really doing?" Concern couched her words. "You've just been so quiet lately. We've all been so worried since you'd been staying in your room since Igneel—"

"I'm fine, Mom." Luke paused in his typing to turn to Lucy, but with his glasses on and reflecting the glare of his screens, it was difficult to see his eyes. "Really. Just working on some independent winter break study stuff for school. As long as I keep busy, I'll be fine."

Lucy pursed her lips. "I suppose so." She took hold of the doorknob. "Still, it's not healthy to be in your room for too long, young man. Take a shower when you're at a good stopping point. I'll make you a snack, okay?"

His head swiveled back to his screen. "Sure, Mom." His fingers poised over the keyboard. "I'll be down soon."

Lucy hesitated, but she ultimately closed the door and let him go back to his work. Luke's fingers fluttered before he dove back into his work with words rapidly appearing onto the screen. But something was odd about the words he was typing. Because it was the same word over and over again.

EDEN

---

Peter did not know what to expect when he came to the Dreyar Residence, but he certainly did not expect another car nor did he expect Lance to greet him when he came to the door. Lance met him with a kind smile and an offering hand. "You must be Peter, right? I'm Lance, Mary Jane's brother. It's nice to meet you," Lance helloed.

Peter shook his hand with a glimmer of awe in his eyes. "Wow… So you're the Railgun of Fairy Tail. It's so nice to meet you!"

Lance stepped aside to let Peter in. "Come on in," he encouraged. "I didn't think you'd know me. Mary Jane briefly said you used to be Spiritless and so are your parents and they might not have been all that keen with Magic."

Peter kept close to the door even inside and scratched his chin. "Yeah, my mom is more against Magic than my dad," he confided, "but I still had access to YouView. I watched a lot of fights and interviews and stuff with guilds, but Fairy Tail just has something about it. Mary Jane's fights were unbelievable."

Lance was inclined to agree. "She was ruthless in the ring. How she wove her lightning with her Darkness Magic was amazing. She never wanted to train with me, but I wish she did."

Peter frowned. "Why didn't she? Wouldn't you be perfect to train with?"

"Eh, she wasn't all that fond of me back then," Lance confessed, rubbing his neck. "She preferred to train on her own and occasionally take out her frustrations on Igneel or Gale. Now, well…" His eyes went up the staircase. "Hopefully, she still chooses to learn Magic again with Igneel gone." He glanced down at a forlorn Peter. "Thanks for being by her side," he said softly. "I know we don't know each other, but it means a lot to me that you've been coming to the house every day to make sure she eats."

"Oh, really, no need to thank me!" Peter dismissed the praised fervidly. A frown overcame him and he sighed. "I've been a little worried about it too," he admitted, "about her not wanting to learn Magic or stay in the guild because Igneel's gone. I didn't want to bring it up to her since it's not my place, but…"

"I think it is your place," Lance inserted. "It's a tough conversation to have. I wish I could have it with her, but I'm back to walking on eggshells around her. My mom's more focused on making sure Mary Jane gets out of her room and Mary Jane doesn't really talk to our dad as much. But maybe she'll talk to you."

Peter rolled his lips. "I don't know…"

"That's okay. It's not something I want you to force yourself to do," Lance assured. "This trip will be good for her. Maybe Ronnie can help her figure some things out. But can you do me a favor as Mary Jane's older brother?"

"Of course," Peter agreed instantly. "I don't know how well I'll be able to do it, but I'll do my best."

"I want you to protect Mary Jane's heart."

Peter's eyes widened.

"She's strong," Lance followed up. "She's a lot stronger than she's giving herself credit for. But I can tell she's going to be in a rough place. It's not going to be easy on her and it's not going to be easy on you either with you going away to school."

"But… How did you—?"

"My mom." Lance snickered. "She was pretty happy Mary Jane found a person like you and was pretty enthusiastic to talk about it to my girlfriend and I…even if my dad doesn't agree. Don't mind him, by the way. He's just a little bit protective of Mary Jane."

Peter thought of all the times Laxus answered the door and the feeling of an impending storm about to swamp him. Yeah. Every time I came over, he looked like he wanted to strike me down with lightning. To Lance, he promised, "I'll to protect Mary Jane's heart as much as I can. I want to show her that even with me at school, I'm still here for her and I care about her."

"I'm sure she knows. And if she didn't then"—Lance clapped Peter's shoulder (and did not see how comically Peter winced at the force)—"she'll definitely see it when you come to meet the family. Anyone who can survive our family definitely has what it takes to date one of us."

A grin. "Then, thank goodness they like me."

Peter felt the fan in him rise up when Aine draped herself onto Lance and kissed her cheek. "Y-You're Aine Fernandes," he gawked.

Aine smiled down at him. "That's me. It's nice to meet you, Peter." She shook his hand. "Don't listen to any of the horror stories anyone tells you about the Strauss-Dreyar family, okay? They're crazy, but they're a good kind of crazy." She looked at her boyfriend. "An affectionate sort of crazy."

Lance snorted as he ran a hand down her side. "If you survive Pearson and Pacer and Esme's antics, you can survive anything," he advised Peter. He had to chortle at Peter's apprehensive look. "Relax. Mary Jane will make sure to go over the family tree before you come to the lodge."

"Who's coming to the lodge?" Laxus said this as he came down the stairs with a suitcase and a carry-on bag.

Mira followed after him as she carried the personal bag with a somber Mary Jane in tow. "Oh, Peter's coming to the lodge for the family reunion," Mira chirped innocently and Peter wanted to hide with the way Laxus glared at him and lightning reflected in his eyes. "Didn't I tell you that? I could've sworn I did."

"You didn't," Laxus grated. "We don't even have extra space there—"

"Oh, we do. Lisanna checked," Mira put in cheekily. "He'll be staying with Elvin and Ezra since their room has two sets of bunk beds. I already talked to Elvin and Ezra and they don't mind."

"U-Um, I don't have to spend the night," Peter chimed in, though his words got weaker the more Laxus glowered at him. "I could always drive back—"

"Well, that's just ridiculous!" Mira proclaimed. "It's about a two-hour drive to get there and I'm not making you drive back in the dead of the night in winter." She patted Peter's shoulder. "You'll stay the night. I'll speak to your parents so they know too. It's no trouble at all. The whole family is dying to meet you."

"Yeah, so they can interrogate him and he'll run away and I'll never see him again," Mary Jane muttered.

Peter snickered and came closer to Mary Jane. "I don't plan on running away anytime soon," he vowed to her. "Besides"—he lowered his voice to a whisper—"I'm kinda too afraid of your mom to try and run away. I have that feeling she'd tie me down if I looked ready to bolt."

Mary Jane giggled and shyly met his eyes. "Yeah. She has that effect on people."

Laxus coughed loudly and rumbled, "Let's get a move on before we're late." He zeroed in on Peter. "Open your trunk, kid, so I can put Mary Jane's stuff in. We'll follow you to the Sky Port and you can"—he sounded so angry in his next words—"walk my daughter to her gate."

Mira swatted at her husband and teased, "There now. Was that so painful to say?"

"Yes." Laxus lumbered out of the house with the suitcase and carry-on in tow. "Yes, it was. I deserve a damn lap dance for that."

"Oh, god," Lance muttered with Aine laughing and Peter struck with shock as Mary Jane turned red and shouted, "Daddy!"

Mira tittered and followed her husband outside. "Well, with Mary Jane gone, we have a lot of catching up to do!"

"Mother!" Mary Jane snapped as everyone flowed outside. Shaking her head, she grunted, "Why are they like this? Do they not know people can hear them?"

"They know," Lance said much to his chagrin. "They're just old enough where they don't care."

Aine smacked Lance's butt much to his surprise. "Oh, please. You have just as much of a dirty mouth behind your whole 'golden boy' persona as your dad does," she teased him. But she yipped when Lance pinched her back. "And you're just as touchy."

"Get in the car before I scar my little sister on what I want to do to you," Lance commanded. He ruffled Mary Jane's hair as Aine fluttered away. "You see this, Peter? Never let your girlfriend get the upper hand."

Peter chuckled as he leaned over to brush a kiss on Mary Jane's cheek and she hummed at his touch. "I think she already does," he murmured into her skin.

SLAM!

Peter and Mary Jane jumped apart when Laxus slammed the trunk down, eyebrow twitching. "Let's just get going," he growled, "before I change my mind."

When everyone piled into their cars and Peter found directions to the Sky Port, they were off. As they shifted their way out of Magnolia and onto the open road, Peter took the time to notice Mary Jane's look. She had dressed comfortably for the flight. The Fioren Isles lay on the northwestern side of Fiore and would be all-around an hour and a half flight on the Sky Boat. But he noticed the red scarf she had looped around as a faux infinity scarf. Her fingers toyed with her acorn button charm.

Peter focused on the road. She's wearing his scarf. I still can't believe he left it to her. She really must've meant something to him. His hands gripped on the steering wheel. I wish I could've stopped him from leaving. Just to talk to him and understand. Now, it's too late.

"I'm not"—Peter glanced at Mary Jane when she spoke—"gonna give up, you know."

"What do you mean?" Peter asked.

Mary Jane's lips curved into a small smile. "I'm not going to give up," she repeated. "Igneel wouldn't want me to give up. In fact, he would've barged into my room and lectured me if he saw that I did. I know he wouldn't be happy or proud of me if I moped and did nothing. So I'm not going to quit." She held her charm tightly. "I'm going to keep moving forward and keep learning. I'll keep my promise not to quit Fairy Tail." Her hand drifted down to cover his lay on the clutch. "So you don't have to worry about me, okay?"

Peter blinked. Then, he softened and wound their hands together. "I'm going to worry," he murmured, "but I trust you and respect any choice you make for yourself, Sweets. I'll be right there with you." A moment of regret shadowed his face. "I'm just sorry I have to leave you in January."

"It's okay," Mary Jane promised. "We both have things we have to do. And it doesn't matter where we are while we're doing it. We'll still have each other."

Peter smiled back. "Yeah. We'll still have each other." And hopefully…maybe… Maybe today's the day I can do it.

The drive to the Sky Port would have taken thirty minutes, though it was heavier traffic the closer they got to the Sky Port. Mary Jane and Peter had kept a companionable silence between them with their hands intertwined and both in their own little worlds. Though the closer the Sky Port came, the more considerably nervous Peter became. This port looked different than how the Jaborosa-Crocus International Sky Port had been. It was not as big since it was a port predominantly for countryside travel and nothing that expanded to other countries. Still a lot of foot traffic with vacations getting started. Pets were strung along with their traffic cages. A woman kept her daughter on a back-pack leash as they received assistance loading their luggage onto a cart. A bus pulled away from the pick-up lane to take their passengers back to the Lacrima Cars parked a little ways away.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is the Wedelia Sky Port and Train Station. Originally, Wedelia was a famous train station for countryside travel until a decade ago when Sky Ports gained more ground. They kept the train station since it's still popular for citywide travel, but the Sky Port is used more often for long-distance country travel. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Peter had parked in the underground garage for drop-offs and was already taking out Mary Jane's belongings when her family and Aine came over. Mary Jane strapped on her neck pillow and put on her backpack and would have shouldered on her carry-on roller duffel, but Peter had taken it from her and put it atop her suitcase. The group traveled through the bridge to the port and went up to level one. The inside of the port was busy as always. People stood in line to check-in or used the kiosks available. A struggling man offered blueberries to his rambunctious retriever as it near-bit a child in its eagerness to play. A bald young adult thanked their flight assistant as they lowered into a wheelchair and brought their cane onto their lap. A church group of young teenagers looked at their flights in hopes it had not been delayed.

Mary Jane and Peter stepped into line when Lance noticed Aine breathing a little heavier. "I'm going to find Aine a seat," Lance decided, "and some water. We'll catch up before you pass security." And he led her off.

Laxus seemed determined to stick around, but Mira could see Peter was nervously fidgeting. She tugged on Laxus' sleeve. "Come on, Laxus. I'm hungry."

Laxus stood his ground. "Mira, I am not leaving her alo—Ow!"

Mira happily dragged Laxus by his ear towards a mini food stand. "We'll be back, Mary Jane!" she trilled.

"Oh, okay!" Mary Jane called. "See you later!"

Peter watched with wide eyes how easily Mira could drag Laxus away. "Wow. Your mom is something," he said, impressed.

Mary Jane laughed behind her fingers. "Yeah, she has Daddy wrapped around her fingers," she supposed. They moved up the line and Mary Jane blurted, "You know you didn't have to come. I, um, didn't want to make you go out of your way and uncomfortable and I know you're still getting ready for school and everything—"

"Sweets, it's okay." Peter pulled her to his side. "There's nowhere I'd rather be than with you. And, uh, I think I know what school I want to go to."

"Really?" Mary Jane raised her eyebrows. "Which school?"

"Alexandria College," Peter informed. "It has a really good STEMM program, and, well…"

Mary Jane tipped her head, curious. "What is it?"

Peter took a breath. "Actually, it's the place where my parents met."

"Seriously?"

Peter nodded. "Mmm-hmm. My dad told me a little bit about them and that sort of sealed my decision on it, y'know. I got a full ride there with a stipend. Doctor Mothersbaugh thinks it's a great school for me too. He actually oversees some of the professors at the Alkahestry program. He knew a lot about Jean too."

"'Jean'?"

"My mom," Peter explained. "Actually, my dad told me some things about my birth parents. My mom and dad knew them. My mom even went to school with my birth mom and my dad was in the military with my birth dad Alex."

Mary Jane's eyes rounded. "When did you learn about this?" she wondered. "Why didn't you say anything?"

Peter smiled ruefully. "I, uh, didn't want to bother you with it when you were going through your own stuff."

"Peter." Mary Jane turned to face him and placed her hands on his cheeks. "Your parents, your past—they're as important to me as they are to you. I want to hear about these things even if I'm not okay. Because you matter to me. So tell me what's going on? What did you find out?"

Peter nudged her forward to move with the line. "Not that much once my mom came home. But my dad showed me pictures of my parents and let me keep one. Jean was a super-smart Alkahest and studied under Doctor Mothersbaugh and Alex was sort of an illegitimate child and an Alchemist. They met at Alexandria College and, obviously, had me, but that's really all I know about it."

"Do you think going to Alexandria College will help you find out more about them?"

"I don't know," Peter confessed, "but it's a start." His eyes went downcast. "The thing is… Alexandria College is in southern Minstrel."

"O-Oh." Mary Jane's gaze shifted away. "I… I see…" She closed her eyes. "Well, all right then." Eyes open, that scarlet-cerulean stare was full of resolution. "'Kay, if you need to go to Minstrel, then that's what you need to do and I'll support you."

"Sweets—"

Mary Jane shushed him with a finger. "Nope! Not hearing it!" Her gaze softened. "You have to do this. You have to find out more about your family and your powers. I understand that and I won't hold you back from that. We'll make it work. I-I mean…" She faltered and her head dipped down for her locks to threaten in covering her red eye. "Unless, maybe, you think it isn't worth making it work?"

"It is." Peter tucked back Mary Jane's hair behind her ears. "It's worth it. We'll make it work. And we've still got time. I haven't accepted the offer yet, but even when I do, since I'm not taking the entrance exam, they're giving me a little more time before I move in. And I want to spend all I can with you."

Mary Jane colored. "R-Right. Me too. Um, I mean, spend my time with you too."

"Next!"

The pair of them moved to the next station. As Mary Jane brought out her MagID and her boarding pass on her Compact, Peter looked around. He witnessed a couple as they whispered their good-byes to each other with one of them heading off for their winter break. Another couple swung their hands together as they talked animatedly about their vacation together. A pairing welcomed their girlfriend back to Fiore with open arms and sweet kisses. Flustered, Peter stared hard at the ground. Maybe… Maybe I could—

"Peter?"

Startled, Peter looked up to see Mary Jane tugging at her suitcase. "Oh, right! Sorry!" He took off the carry-on for Mary Jane to hold it as he put on the suitcase. Once it was weighed and the attendant checked the tag and Peter was IDed as Mary Jane's gate companion, they were all set to go off to security. Hand-in-hand, Peter and Mary Jane went to find Lance, Aine, Laxus, and Mirajane all sitting on a cushioned semi-circle bench. Lance rubbed Aine's back as she tucked in some jasmine green tea while Mirajane happily munched on Saucijzenbroodjes (sausage rolls) and Laxus grumpily flipped through a magazine. He looked alert when Mary Jane and Peter came over one bag lighter.

"Everything okay?" Laxus checked.

Mary Jane rolled her eyes as she sat beside her father. "Yes, Daddy. Not like we had much to do." She leaned against him though she looked at her mother. "Mom, can I have one?"

"Of course, sweetie." Mira passed over her little tray of sausage rolls to Mary Jane.

Laxus scowled. "You said I wasn't allowed to have one."

"That's because you needed to be punished, dear," Mira said, voice airy and sweet, "for all the whining you were doing."

Lance and Peter sweatdropped. She's so cruel.

Aine finished her drink with a sigh. Lance turned his attention to her and murmured, "You okay? Do you need me to—?"

"I'll be fine," Aine soothed with a smile. "Really. I'm not trying to push myself or anything, I promise." She pecked his lips. "But thanks for worrying. I'll tell you if anything changes." She hummed when Lance pressed a kiss on her temple and turned to Mary Jane. "Hey, Mary Jane? Have you heard from Ena lately? I've been trying to get a hold of her, but I haven't had much luck."

"Ena Fernandes?" Peter stepped into the conversation. "She's actually out with my friend Bleu. She went with him, his cousin, and Luna to some luxury mall or something."

Aine frowned and checked her Compact to see none of her messages had even been read. Is it possible she overheard? she wondered. She hasn't really been home lately. Mom said she's just sporadic with all the events coming up, but it doesn't feel like that.

Peter scanned the flights before looking at the time. "We'd better get through security," he told Mary Jane apologetically. "Even with us having pre-check, it may still take a little while to get through the line and we still have to take the train to your gate."

Mary Jane bit her lip and nodded. "Mmm. I know. You're right." She stood up to look at her parents first. "I guess this is good-bye?"

Mira came over to embrace her daughter. "Only until Saturday," she promised. "Just make sure to call when you can and give Veronika our love. Tell her to come to the reunion with my grandchildren."

"I will, Mom," Mary Jane promised in a laugh. When Mira released her, Laxus stood to sweep Mary Jane into a hug. Mary Jane murmured, "I'll be back home soon, Daddy."

"Just be careful," Laxus told her. "And be safe."

"I will." Mary Jane pulled away from her father to go towards Lance and hug him. "See you soon, Lance."

"Have a safe flight," Lance wished. "I love you, Spitfire."

"Love you too." Mary Jane moved to Aine and surprised her with a hug. "Take care of my brother," she whispered in her ear. "And take care of yourself too."

Aine hugged her back. "I will," she murmured. "Be safe, Mary Jane. I'll see you at the lodge."

Mary Jane pulled away with a nod. Turning to Peter, she beamed at him. "Are you ready?"

Peter shouldered Mary Jane's carry-on. "Yeah." He held out his hand. "Let's go."

The move towards security was slow as Mary Jane waved at her family and Aine. She waved one final time before squaring her shoulders and facing forward. Head down, a curtain of her hair covered her scarlet eye as she bit her bottom lip.

A hand raveled with hers.

Cerulean clashed with understanding gold.

She sniffed and took a deep breath. Standing tall, a smile brightened her face.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Kitto ne kiri ga nai koto

Zenbu kanatta ato mo

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The move through security took a little bit, but Peter and Mary Jane did not need to fill it with words. Instead, Mary Jane rested her head against Peter while he kept an arm wrapped around her shoulder. Her eyes closed, she basked in his warmth while he scrolled through his Compact for mindless stimulation. He leafed through a few notifications about the news, the rebuilding in Bellum, the unrest in Alvarez, the odd influx of power in the Boundary Forest, when a message from Bleu came in and he tapped on it.

His lips froze. Then, he smiled.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Nando mo mata yokubatte

Hitotsu kokai suru nda

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Beyond the metal detectors and baggage checks, Peter and Mary Jane made it to the center of it, a large circle leading to the different terminals of both the train station and the Sky Port. Shops and restaurants were all over the place for people waiting around for their trains and flights. Someone had taken to the grand piano and was playing a ballad from a popular anime opening. Peter and Mary Jane stood before the arrival and departure screens to find her flight and figure out from the map on Peter's Compact to get the train that would take them to the terminal.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Tarinai kino to furi tsumoru omoi

Tsumikasane susumu yo

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The terminal train was simply to get from one terminal another. Just because the port and station were not as large as the international port, it did not mean it still was not a massive place to conquer. Mary Jane and Peter filed onto the terminal train with others. Peter made sure Mary Jane took a seat while he stood beside her, typing on his Compact. Mary Jane leaned against the wall and looked out the window as she thumbed her acorn button and stroked the red scarf. It was like she could feel the memory of Igneel sit beside her on her ride.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Sugoku sukina hito no

Sugoku sukina hito ni

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Mary Jane and Peter came up from the escalator. Peter double-checked for the arrival times as it got closer to her boarding time. He set down the rolling duffel to roll it along at his side while he held Mary Jane's hand and led her down the busy pathway. A businessman dipped into a bar while on a call with his associate. Three children giggled as they rushed down the pathway with their poor older siblings panting after them. Peter deftly moved Mary Jane closer to him to avoid a cart toting a few elders to their gate.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Narete shimatta sonna kiseki sae

Shinji kire tenai bokurano

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The gate came up shortly and seemed to be a full flight. For some, this stop in Wedelia was a layover to get home to the Fioren Isles. For others, they were heading on vacation there. And others would be visiting friends and family. Peter found him and Mary Jane a space on the windowsill and reminded her to keep her Compact charged. As she ruffled for her portable charger, she got a good look of the outside. The airships came in multiple sizes and shapes with their different streaks to represent their different airlines. The Sky Boats were anchored as they floated above the ground. One of them was bobbing down the runway to get started for its takeoff.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Sugoku modokashikute

Sukoshi senobi shita kyo o

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

While Peter was responding to an email from Doctor Mothersbaugh, he started a bit and looked down to see Mary Jane had fallen asleep slumped against him. He smiled to himself and nuzzled his cheek against her hair before returning to reply to Doctor Mothersbaugh.

⌜Thank you, Doc. It'd be an honor to meet Doctor Flamel, especially if he's one of the supervisors. Please let me know what day works for him and you! I look forward to it. ⌟

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Wara i nagara shiawase dato

Ashita wa kitto yoberu yo ni

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Mary Jane woke to Peter nudging him. "Hmmm. What's going on?"

"They're calling for groups to start getting in line since everyone got off the airship already," Peter murmured to her. "C'mon. Let's get in line."

"Okay."

Peter took the carry-on duffel while Mary Jane sorted herself out and the pair of them went to stand with the first group. Mary Jane still leaned on Peter while he swallowed and looked down at her. He rolled around his lips with his brow furrowed. I can do this. It can't be that hard, right? I just need to face her and do it.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Kimi ga kureta kotoba wo

Nando mo kurikaeshite miru

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Group A, please board."

Peter looked more frazzled than ever as Mary Jane moved through the line with him. He kept glancing from her to the people swiping in the passes and showing their ID. I can do this. I just have to go for it. Clearing his throat, he stammered, "Sweets, I… I just wanted to… I, um…"

"Yes?" She looked at him with those wholesome heterochromia eyes. "What is it, Peter?"

Peter could not fight down his blush. "I, um…" His hand clenched into a fist. "It's…nothing."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Kajikamu te no hirani furu

Fuan wo tokasu yo ni

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Boarding pass and ID, please."

Mary Jane offered up Compact as she swiped it to check off her pass and swiped her MagID. When she received the okay, she moved to step forward when she felt a hold on her. She turned back to see Peter was still holding onto her and worry got the best of her. "Peter? Is something the matter?"

Peter locked his jaw. "I, uh…" His hold slipped from her. "No. Nothing's wrong." He looked away from her as he handed off her carry-on to her. "I, um, just wanted to wish you a safe flight. And that I'll miss you."

Mary Jane blinked. Then, a smile touched her lips. "Yeah. I'll miss you too." She took a step closer. "But I want to make sure you don't forget about me."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Chikamichi mo seikai mo nai masshirona mirai wo

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Peter looked up. "What do you—?"

Lips covered his.

Gold eyes widened.

For that crucial moment, time stopped. Nothing mattered. Not the kiosk attendant who smiled at the young couple and proceeded to the next passengers. Not the need Mary Jane needed to get on the Sky Port. None of their worries or cares or anything. For that crucial moment, Mary Jane was kissing Peter.

And in the next crucial moment, she pulled away, her cheeks tinged pink, and her lips curved happily. With an embarrassed duck of her head, she got out a quick farewell and rushed away and down the docking hall to get to her airship.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Kono kokoro de chanto kanjita koto dake

Mejirushi ni susumu yo

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

It took Peter a few moments when everything caught up with him. Red touched his skin as shaky hands covered his lips. Sweets…

"Well?"

Peter looked to see the kiosk agent taking a physical boarding pass and checking it over. "Don't just stand there," she said. She looked over at Peter and gestured the docking hall. "Go on."

Peter blinked. A grin came next. "Thanks, ma'am." And he ran down the dock.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Sugoku sukina hito no

Sugoku tonari ni iru

Kakegae no nai konna kiseki sae

Kidzukenaide ita boku ra no

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Mary Jane had found a seat near the front of the plane and by the window. The airship had three different sections with two rows of two seats towards the edges and the middle had three seats. A few people had trickled in and stowed away their cabin baggage. Mary Jane had gotten into a two-seater row and sat nearest to the window. An attendant helped her with her duffel and she settled into her seat and got out her headphones as she adjusted her neck pillow. She looked out the window once she found a song she wanted and tuned out the rest of the world.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Sugoku arifure tete

Sukoshi taikutsuna kyo mo

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

PANT… PANT… PANT…

He did not care he had to push past passengers. He rushed through the throng and got onto the airship. Moving past attendants and whooshing out his apologies, his eyes searched for Mary Jane. It was then her saw her looking so beautiful with the sun touching her face as she looked out the window and aimlessly thumbed her charm. With renewed purpose, he fought his way to get over to her.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Nidoto konai shiawase dato

Ashita wa motto omoeru ka na

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Mary Jane felt a tap on her shoulder. Her head twisted around to see a panting Peter at her row. She shoved off her headphones and paused her song. "Peter? What are you doing—?"

"You forgot something," Peter breathed as he plopped down in the seat beside her.

Mary Jane mentally did an inventory recount. "No, I…" Her eyes widened. "Oh, no, did I leave behind—?"

Peter smiled as his hands splayed on her cheeks. "This." His mouth dipped down and captured hers.

For a moment, Mary Jane was stunned. But in the next, her eyes closed and her arms came up to wrap around his shoulders. That pain she felt, that hollow feeling, the hurt and despair she carried—the weight was gone with just a kiss. And just as the sun shifted and the world moved, her acorn button winked.

Peter pulled away first to rest her forehead on hers. Their eyes closed and silent breaths in sync, he told her, "When you get back, there's something important I need to ask you."

"Okay," Mary Jane murmured. "I'm sorry I'm keeping you waiting."

"No." Peter pulled back a little more and gold and scarlet-cerulean intimately connected. "You're worth the wait."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Sakura ga saku yo

Minareta itsumo no sakamichi ni

Aa wakare wo

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Thirty minutes later, Peter watched from the gate as the Sky Port went for take-off. He followed it along as it began its slow bob down the runaway until he made it to the observation bay, an ovular room made of windows, and even had a few large binoculars for people to see even farther out. A father held up his young son to the binoculars to see an incoming plane. Two girls held hands as they watched a Sky Boat safely touch down. Peter found a decent spot on the window and, with a hand pressed to the glass, a fond smile wound him as he watched Mary Jane's Sky Boat. See you soon, Mary Jane.

On the Sky Boat, Mary Jane smiled as she looked out the window to see the Sky Boat lift-off and sail into the open sea of clouds and liberation.

Outside, Lance, Aine, Laxus, and Mira crossed the street to the drop-off parking garage. As Lance let an unsteady Aine rely on him, Laxus paused when he and Mira made it to the other side of the street. He watched as the Sky Boat sailed in the area and left behind a stream of clouds. Be safe, Butterfly.

"Laxus?"

He looked down at his wife who put a hand on his cheek. "She'll be fine," Mira assured him. "If anyone can get through to Veronika, it's her."

Laxus sighed and nodded. "Come on." He pressed Mira against her side. "Let's go home."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Naite waratta ano hibi

Nandaka kinou no koto no you

Kono michi wa sou

Mirai e tsuzuku michi

Sonna ki ga shita no

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Elsewhere, Ena, Carlisle, Bleu, and Luna were on the way back to the car with bags loaded and laughter share when Luna felt something within her and stopped. Shielding her eyes, she looked up at the sky and welcomed the cold winter breeze flowing around her. Mary Jane…

The world warped.

The skyline was a treasure chest of stars. The air thick with a dry cold, it took nothing away from how picturesque the moon looked with mountains filled in as a background and holiday lights decking the few cottages and mansions the lived so high up.

Away from the lodge, Peter and Mary Jane stood together on the overhanging deck and shared a blanket and a steaming mug of hot chocolate. But their eyes were not on the night sky. Their eyes were on each other.

"Sweets," Peter murmured, "will you be my girlfriend?"

Mary Jane could not hold back her beam. "Yes." She set down the mug to embrace Peter. "Yes!" And she pulled back to tilt her face—

—and the two of them met in a passionate kiss.

"Treasure?"

Blinking away the vision, Luna looked back to see Bleu had come back for her while Carlisle and Ena stopped a little bit away. Bleu searched her face. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm okay." Luna wrapped her arms around his own and leaned her head on his shoulder. And Mary Jane's going to be okay too.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Reinen yori hayai kaika yosou wo

KIMI wa ureshigatteta

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Olivia and Galileo were headed home on their motorcycles and passed through barren trees with houses a half a mile away from each other in their enormous property. Galileo revved his engine before gunning it even faster with a taunting jerk of the head towards his twin. Olivia was all set to follow him, but something felt different. She kept herself steady as she flipped up her visor and looked up to the sky to see a contrail persisting.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Watashi wa waratte "sou da ne"

Tte itta

Ato sukoshi shitara mou

Koko ni wa modorenai noni

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Nashi was not in her room. Instead, she had come to Gary's condo with his mail and packages in her hands and Býleistr as a Maine Coon beside her. She unlocked the door and went inside. It took a moment for her to gather the courage to push herself inside. Nothing had changed. The entire condo was clean to the core, though dust had settled on the counters and shelves. She went to the open kitchen and when she swept the counter a finger, she could see the dust on her flesh. Býleistr trailed after her each step she took.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Kotoba ja umaku ienai omoi wo

Kimi ni uchiakeru to shitara nante

Tsutaeyou?

Saisho de saigo

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Nashi had made it to Gary's room with shaking hands and tentative steps. His room was just as she remembered. The bed had been neatly made, but a thin layer of dust was everywhere. She made it over to the bed and sat on it. She crumpled and ended up on her side as she curled up on the bed. Býleistr sat on guard at the door to give her the privacy she deserved. A myriad of emotions passed over her as she turned onto her back and spread her hands over the comforter. But something poked her hand that had slid underneath the pillows.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Itsuka issho ni kaetta michi wa

Watashi ni totte tokubetsu na omoide

Wasurenai yo

Sayonara memoriizu

•

Haru ga kitara sorezore no michi wo

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Nashi grabbed onto whatever it was and pulled it out. A picture. It was a picture.

Hickory widened.

The picture was of such an innocent time. It had been taken during the last day of the Festival of Gratitude by the photographer that had tracked them down and had wanted a photo. She remembered Gary's insistence on the photo and the way he had posed them both. Gary had surprised her with a cheek kiss and it showed on her face, but the picture did not capture the initial surprise. It captured the warmth she had felt from such a chaste action and the way her body curved into his.

Tears welled into hickory.

Býleistr transcended to his Hybrid Form to shut the door as Nashi cried. He leaned against the door as grief held a candle within him and he could remember those blood-filled chocolate eyes from his past. Oh, Princess… I wish there was some way I could help you.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Mata aeru hi wo negatte

Sayonara

Chiisaku tsubuyaita

Sora wa ano hi to kawarazu

Aokute dakara chotto naketa

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Underneath the Ishgaran Magic Council Branch…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

A shadow passed through sealstone walls and no doors. Sentries were appointed every so many yards, but once the shadow passed through, their eyes went blank and their bodies went slack. They had become empty vessels waiting for orders to move and stand at attention. The shadow made it to a part of the wall and with a flick of a hand, a sentry stood at attention and marched over the wall. They put a hand to it and a Magic Seal with the Magic Council crest appeared and sank into the wall. The wall wobbled and opened itself up.

The shadow moved inside and the wall closed up.

The shadow sleeked itself into the form of man. He straightened his tie. "Hello…" The focus tilted up.

There hung Skade suspended in mid-air. While sealstone made up the entire block of a prison, Skade's paws had been entrapped in cleansing Magic that scorched his fur. A muzzle strapped his mouth and nose and a collar wrapped around his neck like a noose. He sniffed the air and his eyes cracked open to reveal icy-blue. Those eyes gazed upon the Black Panther Devil his suit and tie, those glazed eyes, and that frown of his.

"…Winter Devil."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Waza to toomawari shita no

Sukoshi demo nagaku KIMI no tonari ni itakute

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Mary Jane felt her eyes fall half-mast. But she could barely take it anymore. Her eyes closed against the listless clouds and tinged sky. Here we go. Onto the next adventure. I hope your adventure is going well…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Watashi wa odokete "machigaeta!"

Tte itta

KIMI wa warau sono kao ga

Mabushikute me wo sorashita

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Somewhere, far away…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

In a forest tethered in a snow and eye, heavy tracks were made against the thick forest flooring. A cloak fluttered in the wind, but they kept persevering against the odds. It did not matter how cold it was nor how thick the winter could be. All they focused on was the need to keep moving.

The wind tickled their ear. "…Igneel…"

They hesitated in their next step before pausing completely. But it was only for a few moments. With a vigor, they kept their climbing up the unforgiving hillside with their guiding stick until they made it to the surface wear trees had regrown, yet they had steered clear what was at the center. A building in tattered ruins lay in the wasteland of snow and fallen debris covered in ice. But the only thing that did not change was the cut off front half of the stone statue of a Dragon with their head tilted up to the sky.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Kotoba ja umaku ienai omoi wo

Mune ni daite kono michi wo aruita

Oboeteru ano toki KIMI wa

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Heavy pants left their mouth until red fire was exhaled to warm their gloved hands. "Finally," came growl. "I've made it. I'm here, at last."

Wild emerald glowed.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Watashi no namae wo yonde kureta

Futari yuugure no kaerimichi de

Wasurenai yo

Sayonara MEMORIIZU

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The stone Dragon's eyes glowed red for a moment before going back to stone.

A smirk full of fang. "So this is it…"

The hood fell off.

Blonde hair tussled in the wind.

"I've found you…"—the gleaming crest of the Fire Dragon burned on his chest—"Magia Dragon."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Deaeta koto

Kansha shiteru

•

Aa yatto ieta

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

---

TO BE CONTINUED…

That was a really sweet ending, but something tells me it's not going to last. At least Skade's going to get a public trial, but what if he's found guilty? What then? To find out, I'm going to watch the next episode of Fairy Adventure! And you should too!

---

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

And somewhere hidden…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The entire hall was carved out of stone. It was an old throne room that was excavated and would be restored to its former glory by the humble workers who clothed themselves in abayas and robes with oxygen masks to ensure they did not inhale any debris. The tapestries had been restored to their formal glory and draped these stone walls once again. The throne would not be complete for weeks more, but it did not matter. The workers were diligent as ever and would complete their work in time.

Heavy boots walked down the aisle while clankier ones followed and a more delicate pair of feet.

BANG-BANG-BANG!

"And you're sure of it?" came drone. "You're absolutely sure? I won't take assumptions or partial truths."

"Affirmative, Sir." A child. A female. "We have visuals. The First Prince is in Giltena. He has abandoned the Second Prince. We confirmed this afternoon the Second Prince made contact with his Curse. As he breathes, it breathes and will corrode any remaining humanity without the First Prince as his tether."

Gloved hands tightened behind a back. "Excellent. I want you to maintain a close watch on the Second Prince," came command. "If he snaps back somehow, it will be near impossible to make him perfect again. Possess that teacher of his again to preoccupy him. Keep him away from the First and Second Princesses. If they touch him for too long and maintain a close distance, our hard work will have been for nothing. I am already upset the First Princess was tainted. I had thought you had that under control, Priest."

"My sincerest apologies, Sir," this "Priest" apologized. "But, even if she has been tainted, she came into contact with her Curse—"

The gloved hands tightened even more as ice infringed upon the material. "But with her being tainted, it will be even more difficult to draw out her Curse." A deep breath. "None the matter. Where you have failed me, Ahriman has proven useful. See to it you do not fail me. You are the replacement for the last Priest who has failed me. I'd rather not kill you and replace you with another."

"Yes, Sir."

The footsteps stopped before the altar. Workers were making strides on polishing the marble for the altar alongside dusting up the carvings into the back wall. Inhale. Exhale with frost sprinkling out of their mouth. "We're almost ready," came whisper. "We will make sure your wish comes true, Your Majesty. We have made sure to guide your blood onto the path you have chosen." Gloves unlocked as arms came forth in worship. "END may have failed, but his children are your future."

BANG-BANG-BANG!

The workers took a step back as boots took unhurried strides up the marble steps and onto the altar to get right into the center of the circled pentacle.

BANG-BANG-BANG!

The carvings on the wall depicted the calm posture of a young man and his soft, blank eyes as he surrounded himself in life and death. But nailed to the stone wall was a glass cage. In chains, a pair of snow-white wings thudded about in fury as though they had a mind of their own and tried hard to escape. The glass was their cage and the chains wrapped around them was their anchor, but they beat hard and furiously and banged against their prison wall in an endless battle to be released.

Something silver was released from a pocket and, in the light, the pentacle glistened on the pocket watch. The gloved hand flicked it open to check the time. "It is almost time," came bone-chilling murmur. "We, the newly chosen apostles, were given the power to absolve this world. And I assure you, Your Majesty, we will bring home your heirs"—a crazed smirk as frost exhaled—"and this world will be reborn in your image."

The chained wings fluttered angrily in response against their gilded cage.

And the pocket watch snapped shut.

---

Chibi-Luna slides into the classroom with binders galore and her fake glasses needing to be adjusted. "Good day, class!" she pants as she rushes to her desk.

The class greets in unison: "Good day, Teacher. What's today's Fairy Lesson?"

"Well, I'm glad you asked!" She goes over to the chalkboard and begins to write. "Today, we're going to talk about the different studies in Magic," she explains as she writes the word MAGIC nice and big at the top of the board. "So, obviously, everyone knows you can go into specialties like magizoology or Magic in health sciences and medicine, but there's a whole world of Magic specialties!" She writes the first word. "There's Magic Engineering, but you're not called an Engineer. You're called an 'Enchanter. Enchanters are more a sub-category to Magicians. You have to possess Magic in order to mold Lacrima or embed Magic into items, but you don't necessarily have to have Magic within you. There's Lacrima-infused gloves Spiritless Enchanters wear to work, so they don't need to possess Magic."

Chibi-Luna begins to write the next word. "Today, you might have heard the word 'caligology', if I'm not mistaken," she says. "Caligology is the study of Dark Magic. Dark Magic is extremely sensitive and can have a lot of possibilities in how it can be used which is why it has its own category in being studied. Not too many Magic types are studied as closely as Dark Magic. And then you heard this word." She writes it on the board:

IMPRECATIOLOGY

Tapping the word with her chalk, Chibi-Luna explains, "Imprecatiology is the study of Curses and Hexes. Some people think this is an outdated subject, but I strongly disagree. Without Imprecatiologists, we wouldn't have a better understanding of Curses and people and creatures who possess them and their limitations as well as their natural state. Same to Hexes. Many people who study this subject research counter-hexes and ways a Curse can be managed." She frowns. "There are experiments out there to manufacture a Curse by hand, but those labs should be shut down. Still, just because a government doesn't support it openly doesn't mean someone else is trying to weaponize it."

Someone raises their hand. "Is that what the Bureau is doing to Gary?"

"Correct," Chibi-Luna answers. "While the Bureau of Magical Development can't be proven to be doing so, it would look like some of their scientists feel Gary and his Devil can not only be weaponized, but they can recreate their very same Curse and implant it into someone else. The reason Devils are so rare is exactly because of that. Many of them were captured to be weaponized and taken through multiple tests and treatments to either transfer their Curse to someone else, merge them with a Spiritless host, or to sample their DNA to recreate the Curse within someone else." She sighs. "Sadly, many innocent lives were lost during such experimentation. But someone will always try to continue the work."

She goes back to spelling out words. "Magibiology is the study of magical life which, in turn, means Mages, Magicians, Alchemists, Alkahests, Wiccans, and what have you. And with that, you'll have magivirology, magipathology, and so on. Basically, the same studies but put into a magical sense." She looks around. "Any questions?"

"What's the study of my darling Angel called?"

"Oh, well, that's easy," Chibi-Luna giggles as she goes to write on the board. "It's…" She does a double-take when she sees Chibi-Gary. "Gary?! You're supposed to be in jail!"

"Fairy Lessons aren't canon with the main plot," Chibi-Gary says perkily. "Besides, my darling Angel ran away from me again and I'm trying to find her. Have you seen her?"

"Uh…" Chibi-Luna points. "You might want to check down the hall."

Chibi-Gary grins. "Thanks, Looney!" And he runs off, calling after Nashi.

Chibi-Luna sweatdrops. "Well, okay." Adjusting her glasses, she addresses the class: "Let's wrap this up before we hear Nashi yelling. Today, we had two insert songs. The first insert song is HAPPY HAPPY by TWICE and the second insert song is called SNOWDROPS by Haruna Luna. Just as a little side note, the board wants to see if there's a member of Fairy Tail people want to question, be it about their parents, their favorite color, or something else. So comment your questions or the name of our second-generation Fairy Tail Mage you want an interview of and we'll see what we can do!

"Next time, on Fairy Adventure: THE POWERS THAT BE!"

---

Voices in Order of Character Appearance

Judge – Cindy Robinson

Miss Wilson/Mirella – Edie Mirman

Chinlien Broussard – Leonard Wu

Miss Matherlee – Martha Harms

Nashi Dragneel – Laura Landa

Luke Dragneel – Alan Lee

Luna Dragneel – Bryn Apprill

Býleistr – Scott Freeman

Justin Justine – Ian Sinclair

Honey Abrokovy – Shea Couleé

Mary Jane Dreyar – Erica Lindbeck

Laxus Dreyar – Patrick Seitz

Igneel Dragneel – Bryce Papenbrook

Lucifer "Bleu" Demiurge – Xander Mobus

Ena Fernandes – Xanthe Huynh

Carlisle Justino – Eric Scott Kimerer

Lane Laughter – Indya Moore

Olivia Redfox – Laura Bailey

Ghost – Stephen Sanders

Galileo Redfox – Josh Grelle

Rika – Sarah Anne Williams

Amber Olietta-Stryker – Mallorie Rodak

Miles Miranda – Zeno Robinson

Cane Alberona-Groh – Clifford Chapin

Katherine "Kat" Knight – Abby Trott

Julia Fullbuster – Michelle Ruff

Eiji "Dash" Ackerman – Leraldo Anzaldua

Tesla Greer/Hylia Lynk – Galena White

Dante O'Neill-Princeton – Adrian Petriw

Gale Redfox – Greg Cipes

Jang-ta "Jaxton" Yang – Eddy Lee

Sycaña – Christen Auten

Zelda Lynk – Gabrielle Union

Cadorius "Cade" le Fay – Ricco Farjado

T'oree Denv'rz – Kimberly Brooks

Dazzler Lafayette – Kristi Rothcock

Gladstone – Ben Diskin

Aine Fernandes – Carrie Keranen

Lance Dreyar – Johnny Young Bosch

Natsu Dragneel – Todd Haberkorn

Lucy Heartfilia-Dragneel – Cherami Leigh

George Orr – Michael Forest

Luke's Shadow – Alan Lee

Peter Shuusei-Thompson – Joe Zieja

Mirajane Dreyar – Monica Rial

• — •

Additional Voices

Opening Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Recap Narrator – Melissa Fahn

Description Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Closing Narrator – Melissa Fahn

---

TRANSLATIONS

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Sinnish → Fioren-Minstrish

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Miles, no juegues esa mierda con tu novia. Tu exnovia es jodida amiga del Satán ahora cuando se trata Kat.

Miles, don't play that bullshit with your girlfriend. Your ex-girlfriend is like Satan's fuck buddy when it comes to Kat.

• — •

No digo chorradas ella. Jesus Christ. Conoce a Cassie. Puede estar tensa a veces.

I'm not bullshitting her. Jesus Christ. You know Cassie. She can be a little tense at times.

• — •

Minina, por favor—

Kitty, please—

• — •

No estés triste. Se calculará.

Don't be sad. It'll work itself out.

• — •

Dios mío

Oh my god

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Zhōnguánese → Fioren-Minstrish

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

jiàn nǚ rén

bitch

• — •

Tài měile.

It was beautiful/gorgeous.

• — •

Nǐ ràng wǒ jìdù…

You're making me jealous…