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!

107. Adventure 107

Disclaimer: I do not own Hiro Mashima's Fairy Tail, any work professionally associated with it, nor any pop culture or classical 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.

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PREVIOUSLY, on Fairy Adventure: Silver and Ena's rift goes wider with Silver's trauma surfacing and Ena's fears taking hold of her dreams. Býleistr explains to Nashi his tragic tale of losing someone he cared for and being a "quitter" behind the reason for his ongoing feud with Loke, but there's still Loke's side of the story we have yet to hear. Gajeel, Panther Lily, Gale, and Galileo are about to embark on a stakeout in the Mikage Forest, but with the mysterious Thirteen's appearance and Gajeel's evasiveness, something isn't adding up here. Ena met the Marquis—Denver Gosling—and their game of chess turns into a game of secrets, like how close Ena's father Jellal was to Denver and a mysterious man of scarlet hair who knew she was the true inheritor of Soledia. Dante's interview with Asuna and Oswald takes a turn for the worst when his ethics against using his Enchanting for the military rears its head given Asuna and Oswald's past and his teacher's retirement stemming from her creations falling into the wrong hands. Gary's trip to meet Yuka face-to-face turns into a warning about a future where it'll come down to him or Invel. With a pep talk from Odette and encouragement from her mother, Ena is ready to give Silver the space he needs, but something strange went down in Atticus' greenhouse with his latest visitor.

'Atticus isn't working for the Holy Eye. Or he is and he's a vigilante. But something tells me Atticus isn't. Who is he?'

More mysteries to solve and mysterious to find. And Luna, I think we all know you wouldn't have minded Gale being your pillow.

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KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK.

Ena opened one of the doors to see Richard on the other side, spine straight. He bowed his head to her.

"Good evening, My Lady," he greeted. "The young lord has made us aware your attendant is unavailable and would like to off you a few stylists and assistants to aid in your preparation for the reception ball as consolation and as a gift."

Ena's stomach soured. So he… He really is staying away from him. A deep inhale through her nose. That's fine. I upset him. He needs space away from me. I should respect that. She aimed Richard a poised smile. "I accept this gift, Richard. Thank you."

"Of course, My Lady." Richard leaned down and murmured, "And worry not about your attendant, My Lady. I have also brought word he will be in attendance at the reception ball."

Surprise captured Ena. "Really?"

"Yes." Richard's soft regard made him sincere. "The young lord said you will see your attendant there." He nudged Ena's chin. "Might I suggest you show them that brilliant smile and keep your head high. There is no telling what unsavory guests will be there to attempt to knock you off your guard. And while we all know you are quite the fierce young lady, know that we will be there to defend you—especially the young lord."

Ena's smile turned genuine. "Thank you, Richard."

"Of course, My Lady. I've been with the household through at least three generations now. I've seen many things. And you have that same fire in you as the late-Marchioness," Richard told her. "Don't let those you know are the enemy win. And when in doubt…you always have your swords." He winked at her before standing up straight. "Your stylists and assistants, My Lady."

Ena peeked out of the room to see a gaggle of women with bags and cases, all dressed in a professional black and navy. They bowed and greeted, "Good evening, My Lady."

"Good evening." Ena opened the door. "Please come on in." As the group strode in, Ena turned to Richard with a raised eyebrow. "Why does this gift not feel last minute?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, My Lady." The twinkle in Richard's eyes told otherwise as he came in. "As the young lord will be greeting the guests, he has tasked me to retrieve you and escort you to the reception ball. There, you will be independently announced and may do as you please. As of now, there is the cocktail hour before the formal introductions of Ladies Sylvie and Odette, then Lord Nora, then Lord Atticus, the Fioren Primate, then the Marquis and the Marchioness.

"Routinely, the reception ball will conduct with an opening speech from the Marquis and words from the Fioren Primate," Richard continued as the ladies shuffled to Ena's room, already setting up. "After that, the first dance is conducted. It will be expected for the Gosling family to join first."

Ena remembered Atticus' wish and asked, "Does Lord Atticus have a date?"

"No." Richard's eyes darkened. "But Lord Atticus does not participate in many functions. If he does, he normally dances with Lady Sylvie for the first dance. Her debutante ball will be this summer during social season, so it's natural for her older brother to accompany her. Lord Nora will ask you for your hand for the first dance, then Lady Odette will choose her partner. From there, it will descend from hierarchy: the dukes, earls, viscounts, barons, and then the knights and everyone else."

Ena thanked one of the assistants who came to her with herbal tea and let her know her bath would be ready shortly alongside snacks. As she raised her teacup to her lips, she asked Richard, "Will there be additional speeches or any meetings I should have notice of?" A sip. "Any additional guests with grand entrances?"

"Good questions." Approval stirred in Richard's eyes. "No additional speeches, but the Marquis has permitted a small audience with the Duke of Aronia tonight. As for any late guests, your guess would be as good as mine. But I can assure you there are no planned grand entrances. More than likely, any additional guests would hope to slip in undetected in efforts to keep attention off themselves."

Ena hummed. I thought so. If this Holy Mother isn't listed to be in formal attendance, she'll more than likely keep herself on the floor. I'm sure this was a ruse to try and make me unaware of her. Let me relax so she can approach me. "I understand. Thank you, Richard."

Richard nodded and followed one of the assistants came to bustle Ena to her room. He waited to speak when Ena was put behind a room divider. "As for the menu, all items have been labeled due to multiple dietary restrictions. The Marchioness made sure there were bountiful non-pig options and has brought in three cakes for the dessert menu—one of them double chocolate fudge with a vanilla cream filling."

"No doubt she found out about my favorite." Ena came out in a fine robe with her tea.

Richard slightly tilted his head. "The Marchioness has been subtle in her own research and left it up to the young lord to master your likes and dislikes. She provided it is natural for a gentleman interested in a lady to make himself familiar with her quirks and favorites."

In other words, she's hoping whatever Nora learns about me, he'll pass to her. Nothing unusual. Ena lifted her chin. "And the closing ceremony?"

"The Marquis will give a closing speech to wish the contenders luck, followed by the Holy Knights, and the Fioren Primate will close with a light speech. From there, Lord Nora will ask for your hand so he may escort you to your chambers."

Ena nodded. "Understood. Thank you, Richard."

"Of course, My Lady." Richard bowed. "One of the assistants will ring me once you're finished. I will take my leave now."

Ena did not watch Richard leave since one of the assistants came to guide her to her bath. She could tell this bath would be an exfoliating and hydrating bath to make her skin clean as a whistle and soft to the wandering eye. She let the assistants clamp her hair, take off her robe, and help her into the salt bath. This part—the soaking and scrubbing—was not unfamiliar or painful.

So… I'll need to identify the Holy Mother and speak to her before she can speak to me, Ena determined as the assistants got to work. The pictures on the LacriNet of the Holy Mother always have her face blurred. She's not too big on press. But I'd like to hear her offer to me and how much she, too, is investing into my relationship with Nora. Which brings me to Atticus.

The memory of Father Johannes coming into the greenhouse with Atticus inside clung to her.

Ena's eyes narrowed in thought. I need to figure out what his motive is. He's an unknown. Could it be possible he sent those two men in the attempt on my life and Nora's? Had Nora been attacked more than me and I was nothing more than a casualty, it would make sense for him to knock out his competition to become Marquis. However, I was the target. So why would he try to have me killed or kidnapped? What does he want?

"Miss Layla Heart." A wide smile. "She was absolutely charming and the dress you made for her was outstanding."

His whole flower analogy… He compared L to a night-blooming cereus, something to be caged and coveted. But L gave the story she was an ordinary student at Saint Layla's and even has a fraudulent file people can look at, thanks to Genius. Ena's face hardened. Does he have an interest in her? If so, why? And why kill me if I was his only way to be introduced to her? Too much about him makes no sense.

The tension faded with a forced sigh. I can't get myself worked up. I need to be calm for tonight. Richard said Silver would be attending. He may not want to approach me, but I'll relax seeing he's okay.

She closed her eyes as the assistants nudged her this way and that to scrub the exfoliator. I don't want to be the reason for his tears. And I can wait until he's ready to be near me again. After all…I'm the fool still waiting for her father.

"You never know. He might be like your father and made up a fake lady interest." Her mother's jests came back. "Or maybe he's leading your astray and the lady he's smitten with is you."

A light smile touched Ena's lips. He might be foolish, but I doubt he's foolish enough to do something like that. A gentle sigh. I can't be what anyone would want, anyway. Why bother pretending otherwise?

Teary mayan blues stained in anguish. "I see you!"

Soft blues like the lazy waves. "I need you."

A bright smile. "You're beautiful, mistress!"

"Mistress…" Serious blues filled with affection. "Ena."

Another longer sigh. You fool. You really need to start saving such words for the person you truly care for. No need to waste them on someone like me. She sank into the bathtub. Someone who's too scared of her own heart.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Itsu datte kimi no sono-te wa

Itsu demo sekai o kae reru yo

Tsudzukete ku koto yamecha dame datte

Kon'na mon janaidaro? Susume!

•

Mukuwarenai sono doryoku wa

`kabe' o `tobira' ni kaerukara

Kowagarazu ni sa~a nokku shite

It will be OK

Let's go sonosakihe

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Savant Hall had become a hub of activity. The grayed clouds had cleared up for a starry evening. Balls often started later at night when dinners were had so the guests could feast on hors d'oeuvres. A mixture of Middle Era and Current Era transportation had come. A few of the dukes and earls invited had come in horse-drawn carriages while others had brought their dates in fancier cars, where waiting valets could come around to help them out and park their cars.

No media had been allowed into the estate, but that did not mean photographers and hopeful journalists did not loiter outside. Formal invitations with a magical seal had to be presented to the guards on duty for both the attendant and their date for granted access to prevent any press from slinking in.

The guests came through the entrance and waited in line to greet the Marquis and his family. Denver had dressed in the regal colors of Larkspur with its royal violet alongside his honorary broach from the Order of the Fioren Empire and his cane dressed up for the evening. Irina had matched him in a royal violet ball gown with a cape and lace appliques. The order to go was to shake Denver's hand with a bow should you wear pants or curtesy before him if you were wearing a dress. To Irina, the same.

Shockingly, Atticus was in attendance in his gray and violet noble attire. As he was of mature age, he was to be greeted with a bow and a handshake or a curtsy.

Odette was next and looked like a divine lady, but she was different from her family. Because she had her debutante ball, she was an eligible young lady open to courtship and flirtation (no matter how much Denver and Atticus were unhappy). A deep pink suited her peplum tulle dress with a low yet modest cut, sleeveless. Her glasses came off for contacts and her hair waved down to show her availability, with a matching dreamy pink fan for her to hide her smiles and laughter. She received bows and curtsies.

Nora was next in line. A recognized and equal heir to Atticus but still younger than Odette, he had a steep violet and black for his formal attire with an off-the-shoulder cape. He received bows and handshakes or curtsies.

Sylvie (in her light ash blue renaissance ball gown) had a practiced smile, and bows and curtsies were a greeting. The light ash blue signified she was not ready for social season and was open to friendship, but the talk of courtship would have to wait until she could wear shades and tints of red. Blue was innocence and one that would be protected.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Savant Hall

Larkspur County

Fiore, Ishgar

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

As the next guests came, Sylvie sighed and muttered, "When will the Duke be here?"

Nora's lips twitched as he murmured, "You know, he could have a date."

"He wouldn't!" Sylvie looked comically defensive. "Take that back! I'm going to ask him for my first dance!"

"Not on your life, little sister," Atticus said cheerily. "You'll be dancing with me, remember? You will have until the summer before courtship."

Sylvie pouted. "Which is so not fair. Nora doesn't have to do that stupid ball and you didn't, and you two get to do whatever because you're both men, but Odette and I have to wait to date for some stupid ball?" She looked angrily at her father and sniffed, "Daddy, this is unfair to women—!"

There was a collective groan as Irina muttered warningly to her husband, "Here we go again."

Denver cleared his throat before Sylvie's feminist manifesto could start. "Sylvie, my darling, I know it isn't fair, but I promise we can discuss tomorrow over your favorite dessert, and I promise we can go out tomorrow to buy you those new shoes you keep telling me about."

"Really?" A bright shiny aura came off Sylvie as she beamed. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Denver breathed a quiet sigh of relief and looked like he needed to take out his handkerchief to blot his forehead while Odette smiled over at Sylvie and teased her, "Don't make too much trouble tonight. We've been planning your debutante ball with Miss Strauss, the event planner, remember? I thought you were excited about your big dance with Father?"

"I am," Sylvie defended with a sheepish look. "It'd just be nice to be like you, so the knights here know I'm available. You're going to have all those gorgeous knights drooling over you and asking Daddy for your hand. So unfair."

Odette quietly blushed. "It's not as grand as you make it out to be."

"And she won't be getting married until three decades from now," Denver muttered under his breath.

"What was that, Father?" Atticus loudly asked with his bright beam, making Denver sweat. "I don't think Odette heard you about her marriage age restrictions."

Denver was saved as the next guests came up for their formal greeting.

Nora stood at attention with an animated Sylvie tittering about her new shoes and the Duke of Aronia. Insofar, we've only been greeting guests. I haven't seen Father Johannes or Cinders or Mauve anywhere. His eyes slightly narrowed. That's not to say they aren't here. But they do make their entrances later and have been on the grounds. I'm sure Father Johannes is in the church of the estate to pray. But the Holy Mother…

He bowed and shook hands, rumbling his greeting. I need to keep an eye on Mother Clarion. I managed to smuggle Tristan into the ball so he could watch out while I'm not there. But still…

"She's beautiful."

Nora blinked to see the lady guest was officially star-struck at a sight behind him. What? He looked behind him. Those grayed yellows sparkled. Wow… She's…gorgeous… A nudge brought Nora's attention to a smiling Odette.

"The quicker we greet, the quicker we're inside," Odette whispered to him. "And the quicker you can tell her what you're thinking." Her wink made him blush, but he paid attention to the formal meet and greet.

Still, his mind went back to Ena, and he could not help his smile. She truly knows how to wear the color scarlet.

°•°•°•°

The reception ball had filled with the knights and those on recommendation alongside other guests who came to provide support, connections, and backings. It was common at knightly reception balls to present the colors of your home alongside any badges or broaches you received for your service or ranking.

Skirts swept, and pleasant smiles and introductions exchanged with one another. The state ball had such royal magnitude with polished checkered floors and beautiful carvings and artistry fed into the roof. The empire chandelier with its two smaller companions offered a comforting glow. One wall had glass doors with guards stationed to lead to one of the courtyards lit with floating lights while the other wall had a few pairs of doors to lead to a side hall where guests could rest and use the loo.

A condescended orchestra had its own circular pit in the center of the ballroom with a glass barrier and enough room for those who played multiple instruments to station them. The Giltenan waltz played soothed the angriest of souls. The hors d'oeuvre station and bar were close at hand, unconventional, but they were trying to move into modern times. Still, waitstaff moved with champagne flutes and hors d'oeuvres with face masks and decked in pure black.

The announcer stood with his cane as the grand doors opened. Richard came to him and whispered something for the announcer to nod and cry out to the audience: "Presenting to the ball, daughter of Dame Erza Fernandes, Lady Ena Fernandes—guest of Savant Hall and Mage of Fairy Tail!"

"Dame Erza" caught many ears, but to hear about the official guest of the estate turned heads. Eyes went to the door to take in the newest arrival to the reception ball and a few positive and inquisitive whispers danced around where a loud murmur went, "Beautiful…"

The shoulder-less long-sleeve ball gown drenched in scarlet looked bold and brazen yet cherished. The addition of glittering rubies placed along the lace appliques made the skirt of the ball gown look seductively flames. Scarlet locks had been intricately braided into a low bun with a Zhōnguánese hair clip of a red and gold butterfly slipped in. And her blood-red fan with black and gold paint folded to show her face.

Ena looked into the ballroom, determined and unafraid. All right. I've made my entrance. I've made a scene. Now, let's see who approaches who first. The father? Her eyes trailed through each person. Or the mother.

And out of her line of sight, thin lips smiled.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure 107

•

Enter the Reception Ball

•

入力！レセプションボールが始まります！

•

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The forest had nary a sun beam or tree leaf with that damp earth smell aftertaste pungent. The branches twisted and gnarled in obligatory contortions to survive in such a climate. The creatures residing in such a forest had to adapt to a lack of sunlight and unethical power buzzing in the air, which turned them into peculiar little things. Some had adopted bioluminescent and looked like devolved bacteria with fully developed minds, while others retained shadowy forms with glowing eyes and soft feet. The above-ground roots made it impossible for tracks to be carved and the consistent gray skies did not provide much guidance if someone wanted to try and chart the area.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is the Mikage Forest, located in north of the central mountains of Crocus and near Malba City. The glowing bacteria you see might look spiritual or look like bacteria, but researchers call them Ethites and are unable to study them closer due to their elusive nature. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The truck could only take the team of four so far before they had to walk. It had taken quite some time to secure all their equipment in place but having their night vision in addition to the goggles Genius had lent them for thermal signatures helped an awful lot to secure their motion sensors, miniature cameras, monster detectors, and their audio recorders.

The group reconvened in their base within the forest. A fire could not be started since this was a recon assignment and hunting was off-limits in a place where even the creatures were rarely studied, but their bellies were full, and shifts were taken to monitor the channels and screens for a scrap of news with the four of them cloaked in black.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Mikage Forest

Mikage

Fiore, Ishgar

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Gale and Gajeel had gone for a sweep while Galileo and Panther Lily stayed behind. Father and son moved with quiet grace through the branches with their noses up and masks and hoods up.

Gale looked around through the darkness with sharp vision. I've never been to this forest before, but it has the same darkness the Boundary Forest did except…less. I feel uncomfortable and couldn't eat all my food, but it's not like I really have to throw up like I did in the Boundary Forest.

They continued their scouring as Gajeel touched his air piece and puffed, "Anything?"

"Negative," Panther Lily rumbled.

Gajeel stopped him and Gale on a branch, cursing. "Damn. Think they got suspicious?"

"We alerted the MC camp stationed here to continue patrols and we have our covers about a Ministry of Magical Creatures assignment locked down," Panther Lily reminded. "They shouldn't be suspicious. We just need patience."

Gale snorted. "And you think that's our strong suit?"

"It better be," Panther Lily threatened.

"Easy, Lily, we're behaving," Gajeel drawled, sarcastic. A beat. "I still think we should try for the church."

Gale's brow furrowed. A church?

"We destroyed it, Gajeel," Panther Lily pointed out.

"Yeah, we destroyed a lot of things, Lily," Gajeel replied with a slight edge. "And look how that shit turned out."

Silence.

"Be careful," Panther Lily resigned.

"Will do." Gajeel took his hand off his earpiece and looked over his shoulder to his son. "Keep up." And he was off.

Gale muttered, "You keep up, Old Man." But he followed anyway and kept his eyes pinned to his father's back. Silence wafted between them, but it crackled with tension. He's been on edge since we got close to this place. What's his problem? And why would a church be here?

Gajeel and Gale kept up their maneuvering until Gajeel stopped them and held up a signal to be still and wait. Then the next signal he would return. As he jumped forward, Gale squatted down and kept his balance. And it still doesn't answer why he'd talk to Thirteen. Hell, I still don't get why Thirteen would even be in Fairy Tail.

This 'Thirteen', Sycaña prompted. Is he not a Wizard?

He is. Gale scratched his jaw. I don't know. He's just…different, I guess. Sometimes, members don't want a whole ass party to announce their arrival to the guild and we respect that. And sometimes, it takes new members some time to crack out of their shell. But Thirteen barely comes to the guild. To be honest, I don't think I've ever seen him take an assignment before. He shrugged. I know he does things for Master, but still… The guy is a mystery and one I've never seen speak to my dad.

Sycaña hummed. And this 'Vinyl'… Is she his mate?

Gale chuckled. Nah. She actually ran away from home like Aunt Lucy did. But she has a very obvious thing for Thirteen. I don't think I've seen Thirteen respond. Orochi said he's heard Thirteen mutter how a young girl like her shouldn't be interested in half a corpse. But she's pretty relentless.

As is another I know…

Hey, I'm doing better, Gale thought in his defense.

Sycaña rumbled her laughter. Aye, that you are, little gem. You are learning how to properly court. I'm proud of you. You will make a fine male yet for the little moon.

The Wild puffed its chest, pleased its mother was impressed it was a good male. Geez, Sycaña, embarrass me more, why don't you? Gale muttered with slightly heated cheeks.

Gajeel came back, and Gale straightened. Once his father signaled, Gale came forward through the branches. He followed his father up until Gajeel dropped down into a clear section, and Gale followed. But what he saw puzzled him. What the…?

An abandoned church stood in the clearing with clear signs of deterioration and black branches and black thorny vines swallowing the exterior. Ethites floated about in their unusual bacterial forms, but it bothered neither Redfox.

This… This is a church? A church has been inside the Mikage Forest this entire time? Gale wondered. He caught his father's sharp gesture. Better get to work. He got out his pouch with his excess supplies and took the left while Gajeel took the right. They planted more motion sensors, Ether scanners, audio recorders, and checked the feedback, and small cameras before they met up again in front of the doors of the church.

Gajeel signaled as he pulled a gun from his holster, and Gale readied his twin daggers. Ears pricked, Gale came in close. He parted the doors open and took a deep smell, eyes probing through the crack. He wedged the door open further with his gun ready, but he signaled for Gale to come in.

Gale shadowed, muscles coiled. He came into the empty church with bunched confusion and the readiness to fight—

"Clear."

Gale sheathed his daggers to take a look around. The stone carried on inside with the broken-down remains of tapestries on the walls alongside a few skeletal remains and some Ethites who floated by. "Whoa… What is this place?"

"This was where an Avatar branch once stood."

Gale looked at his father in disbelief. "I know they based their operation in the Mikage Forest, but I didn't think they'd do it in a church." He looked around and took a long stare at the skeletons. "I'm guessing these bones, though, aren't from Avatar?"

"No." Gajeel had put away his gun. "Probably from homeless people who thought living out here was secure housing and ended up dying." He yanked down his face mask to scent the air. Rubies darkened.

Gale pulled down his mask to sniff, though he grimaced. "Yeah. Gotta say the smell of piss ain't my thing."

"And old blood and sweat," Gajeel listed gruffly. "Looks like the tips were true. Mikage has had some visitors." He scoped the area. "The question is why? Avatar disbanded. I saw to those arrests myself." He muttered quieter and with frustration, "So why the fuck would they come here?"

Gale focused on his father's words. "'They'?"

Gajeel tensed. "Yeah. They." And he walked away.

Gale huffed and stayed where he was. "Y'know, shitty old man, you're not makin' a lick of sense," he called out. "But you're good at keeping a bunch of bullshit secrets."

Gajeel paused. Then, he growled in warning, "You wanna say that again, Pipsqueak?"

The threat was there, but Gale pushed it aside to challenge, "You've been tense ever since you told us about this mission and we could smell it even more the closer we got here. And you know Thirteen. News to me."

"I didn't think I need my kids to keep up with my staggering list of friends," Gajeel snapped back.

"Is this where you're going to tell me I'm the kid and you're the parent, so I should shut up?" Gale fired back. "No. I become a Slayer and you still won't tell me the truth when it came to Emma and him. And now this? We're on a job if that hasn't sunk in. Any information for the group would be appreciated, Old Man. I'm not just going to sit here and be a brain-dead soldier for you to command. I'm not part of your little resource room group. I'm a Mage too, not just your kid."

Gajeel growled. "Just because you're a Mage and a Slayer means jackshit," he bit. "Watch your mouth, Pipsqueak. This isn't about your quest to know everything. We have a job to do. Be ready for that."

"Oh, here we fucking go with the 'ready' bullshit," Gale snarled. The Wild flexed its claws, ready for a fight long overdue with its sire. "Don't you have anything else to say? Maybe, hmm, I don't know, any actual answers—"

"I told you I wanted you ready for them." Gajeel whipped around. Hard ruby glared into hard ruby. Both Wilds snarling, challenging, a sire against his rebellious drake. "And from where I'm standing, you're not ready."

"Then please, O Wise One, give me your sixteen-hundred-point exam so I can ace it and we can move on," Gale retorted as his eyes glared a declaration of challenge. "When the fuck am I supposed to be 'ready'? What, when I'm all chummy and mentally stable? What more do you want from me? I go to therapy, I train, I treat Blondie with respect, I do what you ask me—"

"I'm not about to stand here and listen to you whine." Gajeel shook his head. "We have a job to do, Pipsqueak. We'll talk later." He turned away—

A furious snarl.

Rubies gleamed as Gale showed his teeth and snapped, "I'm not done—!"

A thundering roar.

Gale froze when Gajeel flashed forward to tower over him with that wild ruby glare feral and dominant with his gloved hand on Gale's jaws with enough force to show him who was in control.

"You want to throw your weight around as a Dragon, Pipsqueak? Fine." A sotto voce warning. "I'll show you the same effort Metalicanna gave me. Don't fucking show me those teeth until you can back it up. That's enough." When Gale tried to shove him away, Gajeel snarled and stared him down to show him a father's love. "I said enough." He held Gale there before he let his son go.

Gale rubbed his jaw with an angry glare thrown at his father, but his eyes went to the side. The Wild stirred, but it knew its place.

Gajeel crossed his arms over his chest as he observed his son. "Damn." He shook his head. "You're the same bastard I was when I was your age."

"Doubt it," Gale muttered as he soothed his jaw. There would be no bruises, but the ache would remind him of his father's love against his challenge. The Wild retreated to lick its wounds, angry and shamed it lost. "I'm a lot better looking than your ugly face."

Gajeel barked a laugh. "Yeah. Same bastard." Rubies swept around. "Come on. Let's bug the rest of the building and sniff out what we can." He walked and could hear Gale catch up with him. The building was only made of stone, but it did have a few hallways.

Gale scrunched up his nose when he saw more skeletal remains with abandoned bottles of beers, needles, and a few puddles of piss. Vines crawled within the hallway with tree roots and branches spilling in from the walls. Avatar used to be here… The cult that talked about all that purification with that Black Wizard.

"Gray was an Avatar member."

Gale turned to his father, dumbfounded. "Uncle Gray?"

"Mmm." Gajeel stopped to set up a motion sensor, and Gale took that as his prompt to set up the audio-video and the Ether scanner. "Your mom infiltrated with the lackeys as a spy, but your uncle got in good with the inner circle with some help with Master." He paused and grinned. "Still tried to arrest his ass."

Gale sweatdropped. I'm amazed how you had any lawful authority once upon a time.

Gajeel finished up and straightened. "Thing is, this wasn't the only Avatar base. There were multiple bases." He waited for Gale's nod he was finished, and they kept walking. "When their little purification plan was stopped, we arrested all we could, but with so many in mass, some got away. We might've found a bunch of their bases, but it doesn't count for their HQ. Some sort of Curse killed them off from revealing the location."

Gale blinked, sickened and impressed. "That's actually genius."

Gajeel snorted. "It is. It was a pain in our asses, but it was pretty smart. We tried looking into their minds, but it would trigger something to kill them. Whoever was the leader of Avatar made damn sure if his followers defected, they'd drink the Kool-Aid." He ducked under a branch. "To this day, finding that cult leader was put on ice. We couldn't kill anyone else, and Occults and Curse Consultants might be able to confirm the Killing Curse and its triggers, but it's rare to find a Breaker."

"Breaker?"

"A Curse Breaker," Gajeel explained. "Sometimes, Occults and Curse Consultants would break minor Curses and shit, but a Killing Curse? Forget it."

Gale hummed. "I see… So you still don't know anything about the Avatar HQ? If it's still operating or anything?"

"No." Frustration seeped into Gajeel's tone. "My money says Avatar is dead and gone. But that doesn't mean that cult hasn't shifted from one god to another." He stood before a stairwell drenched pure darkness that would lead underground. He took the first two steps, and Gale came in behind.

Gale mulled on his father's words. "You think those who remained in Avatar switched out for something else to believe in?"

"Probably." Gajeel huffed. "Zeref might be alive and well in Alvarez and publicly dead, but the world is changing and so are the faces of the same darkness Zeref came from."

Gale picked up on the insinuation and paused. "Hold on. You sayin' that whoever remained defected to being Warlocks and meeting Demons?"

"It's a hunch." Gajeel's shoulders tensed. "A good hunch."

Gale kept climbing down the stairwell. It would make sense. Considering all our bad luck, it looks like Demons are going to be our big bads with Warlocks as our horsemen. But for the cult leader to have gone that far to protect their identity and the location… Zeref's worshippers killed defectors, sure, but… I don't know.

Gajeel and Gale got to an underground hallway and decided this was the spot to mount the sensors before they could proceed. They picked the left and started there.

"I know you want answers."

Gale looked up at his father to see him walking at his side.

"You're frustrated. I get it." Gajeel sent his son a lopsided smirk. "You really are like me, mini-me."

Gale huffed. "Like I'd want to be you, Old Man."

"You're right. I want you to be better."

No words could pass Gale at how dead serious his father sounded and the firm frown on his face.

"I did a lot shit I had to do to survive when I was a kid." No bullshit. Flat facts and unashamed truths. "I wasn't all…there. And Juvia…" He sighed, shaking his head. "Damn Rain Woman… I owe her a lot more than I could ever repay here." Rubies softened with brotherly affection. "Guess friendships transcend generations, considering you and Lady J."

Gale snorted. "Don't compare us to you guys."

"Yeah, yeah…" Gajeel ruffled Gale's hood and cackled when Gale smacked his hand away, scowling. "Yeah, you got the same look in your eye Metalicanna would call me out on. He'd always tell me I had such a vile look in my eyes." His smirk broadened. "Fucking asshole. He was a shit dad."

"Wow. Runs in the family," Gale snarked.

Gajeel raised a pierced eyebrow. "You just watch if you ever have a kid and have to put up with a mini version of you. You'll be exactly like me and your granddad and feel like you're losing scales arguing with the kid who claims he knows everything."

Gale opened his mouth to argue, but he growled when he felt cheated. If he argued, he would be making his father's point. Instead, he morosely muttered, "I never said I know everything."

Gajeel chortled before stressed exhaled. "Not sure what that old snake would've thought of the shit I did when I came through the gate," he said. "When we met again, we didn't have the time to catch up." A flicker of grief went through that sanguine regard. "Yeah, I'd like to say I did what I did to survive, but… I made a lot of mistakes—mistakes I ain't lettin' a pipsqueak like you make."

Gale rolled his eyes. "If you're about to give me a drug lecture again with one of your fun stories that you always say"—he deepened his voice and mocked—"'don't tell your mom this, but—'"—he went back to normal—"please spare me. I get it. Drinking and drugs are bad."

"Yeah, they are. Don't get roped into the same bullshit I did." Two beats. "But there were mistakes I made that had me before the ten members of the Magic Council."

Gajeel looked at his father, wide-eyed. "What the fuck?" he blurted. "Dad… What the Hell?" He blinked, still trapped in incredulity. "You can't get pissed at me anymore if I smoke now."

"Yeah, I can." Gajeel gave his son a hard look. "I don't want to smell that shit on you."

"You did it—"

"And you won't," Gajeel gnashed. "End of discussion, Pipsqueak."

Gale countered—

"It'd break your mom's heart."

Gale wrestled with himself before he sneered, "That was a dirty trick, Old Man."

"You don't want me to play dirty, Pipsqueak," Gajeel said darkly. "The second I start playing dirty, I start using my connections to make sure I know what the Hell you're doing at parties or with Squirt."

Gale gulped. "Understood, sir." I should be calling him Colonel instead of Old Man.

Before they turned down another haul, they set up more sensors. Gajeel murmured, "You already have a good head on your shoulders. But I'm a hard-ass to you because I don't want you to do the same stupid shit I did."

Gale tentatively asked, "What exactly made you go to Magic Court?"

Gajeel finished installing the tech. "Things I never should've involved myself in." His hands clenched into fists. "And things I'm making sure never come for you or any of you kids."

"Is…that why Thirteen came over?"

Gajeel sighed and rubbed his jaw. "Yeah." And he kept walking.

Gale caught up with him, unsure what to say next. He ended up murmuring, "I told this to Uncle Lily and I'll tell this to you, shitty old man. You told of us you made mistakes. We get it. But, well…" His ears burned a little. "You might be shitty…but you're still a pretty cool dad when you wanna be. Even if you made those mistakes…they led you to being you and, y'know… I think you're…you know, so…" He awkwardly coughed. "Yeah. It's whatever."

Gajeel threw back his head and laughed.

"Hey!" A red-faced Gale scowled up at his father, mortified and angry. "Don't fucking laugh at me, you shitty—!" He paused when a hand was on his head.

"Thanks, Pipsqueak." Gajeel's lips quirked and his timbre softened to a rich warmth. "I know we might piss each other off, but I'm proud at you. You're learning from your mistakes quicker than I ever did. Took Juvia, Makarov, and your mom to set me on the right path. Hell, Fullbuster and Salamander were on my ass too. I never wanted you to have the life I have. And I'm happy you're doing better than I could imagine."

Gale blinked, a bit awed. Dad… But his embarrassment made him shove Gajeel's hand off him, cheeks flaming, and he grumbled, "Whatever." He added smartly, "You're damn right I'm doing better. I have a better track record with women. I don't have to knock someone up to lock them down."

"Shortstack was in love with me way before that," Gajeel defended, proud. "She fell in love with me when she first heard me sing."

Gale snorted. "That's not how she tells it."

Gajeel scowled. "The Hell? That's how it happened!"

"Not what she said," Gale drawled.

"That is how it happened—"

"You really want to tell Mom she's wrong?" Gale mocked a pout and put a hand over his heart. "It'd break her poor heart if you told her she was wrong, Old Man."

Gajeel growled when Gale gave him that same shit-eating grin before he laughed. "Goddammit. You really are like me."

°•°•°•°

They continued their exploration of the underbelly of the church with the occasional stop to install the sensors, test them, and cloak them before moving on. Some of the rooms had been grotesque rooms that the deceased homeless had taken up. Although, it was clear kids from Malba would come by on a dare with some of the fast-food trash they saw and used condoms (which disgusted Gale down to his core and he vowed to never do that). Dirt and bugs and vines covered other rooms to make it apparent no one would have come inside.

An entryway drew in father and son, but they cringe smelling blood, urine, and the musk of heady sex. Coming inside, it looked like someone had desecrated a stone altar with that etched-in doctrine destroyed. But both saw how blood had been used to draw a circle with meticulous symbols within the center and seven waxed candles and four elemental offerings.

"Sheep's blood," Gajeel named as he took out the camera Genius had parted with them.

"A demonic summoning." Gale crouched down for a deeper smell. "About a week or so ago, something happened here." If Luke or Uncle Natsu were here, maybe they'd sense the lingering Curse.

Sycaña told him, You might be able to feel if a Curse was used by touching one of the branches. If it's sick, you'll know that a Curse latched onto it.

Gale paused. Is that safe?

As long as you don't linger. You lingered in the Boundary Forest which caused you to get sick.

Got it. Gale found a branch and took off his glove. Well, let's see. A deep breath, eyes closed, and he laid his palm down on the branch. He could feel his power react as it dug into the branch to feel its energy. A wave of nausea came through him when darkness tickled his power in the hopes of finding different prey to disease.

That's a Curse, Gale rasped. Time to… The wind was taken from his sails when he felt the branch drag him under. A new film of darkness layered over his eyes only for a scraggly light to pierce and guide him. Panic welled up inside him when he could not force himself away from this connection. What the Hell? Sycaña!

Hold on, little gem, Sycaña bellowed. Hold on!

Gale cringed as the guiding light overwhelmed him and prepared to feel that burning sensation, but it burned for a second as he bypassed the wall of light for something else. A vision encroached on him and confused him as he saw more stone. Whoa… Where am I? The past? But… Something doesn't feel right.

The room he had clear sight of looked to be a prison with strong bars and torture devices covered in dust. Blue flames lit up the entire cellar as footsteps pounded down the steps. Two cloaked figures came dragged an unconscious woman with beautiful olive skin and contrasting white locks. But for all her beauty, bruises marred her flesh and the scraps on her body could barely cover the important bits. What mattered were the sealstone cuffs on her wrists and ankles and the sealstone collar on her neck complete with a leash.

Whoa… Who is she?

The hooded figures piled the unconscious woman behind bars, one smart enough to make sure they chained her ankles to the ground. Like she was a common animal, she had a bowl of dirty water should she wake up. But as the hooded figures locked the woman behind bars and left, Gale could see her bloodied nose, curled lashes, and white lips.

Huh… So is this the—?

He could not think when a burning light flashed him. It churned him through, but he remembered this sensation of being thrown. I'm being thrown through time! The nausea crept up on him, egging him to wretch, but the light abandoned him for a moment's time for him to see the woman again in the darkened cellar, abandoned, unconscious, with a bit of blood dripping down her leg—

Gale gasped when his eyes shot open and could not hold it when he turned to the wall and wretched.

"Gale!" Gajeel charged over to rub his son's back, worried. "You okay, Pipsqueak? What happened?"

Gale spat and hacked before he belched. "Ugh, my stomach…" He shook his head. "I think I used my Hindsight…but then I think I saw the present." He slipped his glove back on. "I think… I think I saw something that happened before, but…" When Gale stood, Gajeel let him lean against him when he staggered.

"Slow down, Pipsqueak," Gajeel calmed. "Keep workin' yourself up and you'll vomit again."

Gale tried to shake off the queasiness. "Never mind that. I think someone's in here."

"What?"

"I think I saw someone in here, but they're no conscious," Gale explained. "They were in some sort of prison—a cellar. They were chained and behind bars. I think they're in danger."

Gajeel's jaw set as scenarios went through his mind. "All right. Come on. Let's find them."

It took them a while to go through the maze of a basement. Doors and corridors led to nothing Gale had described. More broken glass and dust and dirt and skeletons. But neither wanted to stop the search. Gajeel had trust in his son, and Gale had trust in his vision. They kept up their wild search with their noses to the ground and their ears pricked. After stumbling down another set of steps, two entryways remained. With a nod, they split up and went to search ahead—

"Dad!"

Gajeel came barreling in, teeth bared. "What—?" But he stopped when he realized what Gale was looking at. The dusty knives and saws and tweezers and chains did not bother him nor the other skeletons chained behind bars. He crept up to Gale to look down upon an unconscious woman barely breathing with a gauntness on her face and blood on her leg.

Gale controlled his horror for bewilderment. "Who is she?"

Gajeel crouched before the bars to take in this woman's features. "Someone I thought was in asylum." He scrubbed his face. "Shit. Fullbuster is about to lose his damn mind."

He sighed and looked back at the woman and her curled lashes and that white cowlick. The Hell were you doing in a place like this, Briar.

---

The ball atmosphere was alive with conversation, drinks, and good food. As more and more had the pleasure of being announced into the ball, introductions were swiftly made in the hopes to secure backing for future projects and other affairs.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Western Ballroom

Savant Hall

Larkspur County

Fiore, Ishgar

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Ena did not mind when a few souls braved over with smiles and air kisses and handshakes with the common Ena, darling, it's good to see you—have you met my son. Her rehearsed smiles and fed praise tailored to the unique individual served her well when her mind had a bog of distractions. She kept herself immersed in networking as she sowed the seeds for her explanation with gentleman's promises and wifely words exchanged for investment and further professional conversation and the hopes for a spot as one of her Settlers.

But as she kept talking and nibbling and drinking behind her fan, a cursory eye was on the floor for other guests. So far, so good. I haven't sensed much magical potential. I'm sure Mother Clarion has gone to lengths to conceal her Magic from me. A hunter using camouflage to sneak up on their prey. Hmph.

"And that darling Saint Layla's student—how truly remarkable! And you know her, Ena?"

Ena snapped back to the conversation with a few nobles who had come to this soiree to curry favor with the presiding Dukes and the Marquis. She smiled with ease and smoothly supplied, "Why, yes. Misses Heartfilia-Dragneel introduced me to the kind Miss Layla as the perfect model for the Yule Cotillion with her background in ballroom dancing and her upbringing. She's a doll."

"My word, she was stunning on the floor," one of the noblewomen complimented. "Her and Her Majesty with those beautiful changing dresses…! Oh, Ena, we all could not take our eyes off your little prima ballerina!"

"I know my little Rupert couldn't," another noblewoman tittered with her fan snapping shut. "Ena, did you know my Rupert took the Erigeron rowing team to nationals? And he's quite the refined dancer."

Another noblewoman quickly and haughtily inserted, "Well my Dane is a nationally-ranked equestrian. And every young lady would enjoy being swept off her feet and onto a white horse." She looked at Ena eagerly. "I've heard the ladies of Saint Layla's are such beauties. I'm sure Miss Layla would appreciate a strapping young gentleman—"

"My Liam is a much more cultured gentleman," another noble lady sniffed, waving her champagne flute. "He's quite the literature buff—after me, of course—and he made it clear should Miss Layla desire it, she may use his grandfather's telescope to see the stars."

"Oh, please, Margaret, Liam isn't anything special," one of the ladies huffed. "Dane is twice the gentleman Liam is and would be a much better suitor for a lady from the prestigious Saint Layla's—!"

Ena tried to hide her simper as the verbal sparring struck up amongst the ladies. I should've known L would still be quite the talk. Thankfully, the mask hide her true identity. But it's no secret students from Saint Layla's come out to be successful, driven, and elegant—all thanks to Aunt Lucy. I could probably intervene, but this is better than them asking about me. Sorry, L.

(On the couch, cuddled up with Icarus, Luna sneezed.)

Ena stiffened when she felt a brush against her, but a servant had come with suited in all black with a tray of tarts and a polite smile. "Evening. Would you ladies care for a fruit tart?"

Ena blinked when the servant gave her a devilish grin, and through that mask, she could see those stunning green eyes. Tristan?

The ladies plucked their helpings, still bickering about the accomplishments of their sons, but Ena waited it out. Tristan plucked a tart to give to her and purred, "This is for you, My Lady. I hope you enjoy it."

Ena palmed the tart and could feel a folded scrap of paper slip with it. She politely smiled. "Thank you."

Tristan bowed and moved on.

Ena shot her smile to the women and pardoned, "Would you excuse me, ladies? It would seem I need to powder my nose before the formal entrance of the Marquis and his family." With perfunctory promises to circle back, she gracefully bowed out. She set her flute onto a servant wandering with an empty tray and nibbled on her tart while keeping the paper weighted underneath.

So that's how Nora snuck Tristan in. She whipped out her fan to hide her smile. I grow more impressed with him…and perhaps more intrigued. She shifted up her wrist and pretend to bring up her free hand to brush her face when it pulled the paper under the thumb holding her fan. She spread the paper with one eye on it and another eye on her surroundings.

The paper read:

Sun and moon. Scarlet. Sylvie. Solstice.

Dark chocolates narrowed. Sun and moon. Scarlet. Meaning my swords and myself. Sylvie. Solstice. She spoke the other day about her debutante ball. Solstice. It would make sense it would be on the summer solstice.

She crinkled the paper beneath her thumb. Tossing a dashing smile to the guards, one opened the door to the side hall where very few had come out for quick conversation. Everyone wanted to be in the room where it happened before the formal introductions.

Ena pretended to busy herself in front of one of the vanity mirrors in the hall. This must be the information Nora said Tristan had about my swords. It's still curious he was sent away so suddenly and placed in confinement. But I'm sure that's something they'll tell me later. Fixed her hair when the doors opened and, to her surprise, a dashing young man came through the door. Is that the Duke of Aronia?

The young man was quite the looker as he dressed in a combination of viking black with a sharp red and berry blue, his symbol from his dukedom (the chokeberry in their red, white, and blue colors) pinned on. With olive skin and his slicked-back midnight hair, those shamrock greens stood out, a bit tired and over with tonight. He sighed as he steadied himself.

"Good evening, Your Grace."

The Duke of Aronia looked to see Ena curtsying to him and offered an obligatory smile. "Good evening, My Lady."

⌜ARONIA DUKEDOM

Name: Alexandreux Caliban

Age: 20

Ability: Expert Potioneer

Occupation: Duke of Aronia

Likes: hand-drawn animation Dislikes: cherries

Special Note: Alexandreux is the youngest duke of Fiore and a strong supporter of potion-making becoming doctored in medicinal practices! ⌟

Ena rose with a glance to the doors then to him. "Do you fare well, Your Grace?"

"All's well, My Lady, but thank you for your concern," Alexandreux assured, though his smile was a tad strained. He nodded at her. "You certainly made an impression on the court tonight, My Lady. But I would expect nothing less from the daughter of Dame Erza."

Ena dipped her fan down enough to show her smile. "Do I look like my mother that much?"

Alexandreux chuckled. "I don't think anyone could forget her scarlet mane. Red hair isn't too common in Fiore and both of you have a lovely shade of it. As does your dress; it compliments you. But I guess I should expect nothing less from a famed designer."

"I'm nothing special," Ena humbly refuted. "Nothing in comparison to you, Your Grace. Your research into merging pharmaceutical drugs and potions to help combat against Alzheimer's is revolutionary. And your movement to decriminalize psychotic potions to help aid in psychiatric and psychotherapeutic advancement is truly progressive for the Current Era." Her eyes softened. "As someone who has friends who struggle with their mental health and has her own struggles…thank you, Your Grace."

At first, Alexandreux looked ready to give her a readied phrase of gratitude and humility, but her last words spoke to him. His smile turned genuine with a glint of sadness in those shamrock greens. "There's no need to thank me. Mental unrest is everywhere and isn't spoken about enough. But, unfortunately, with the rise of anti-Magic sympathizers and unfair systems that lead to drug abuse, too many people overlook the value potions can have."

"The medical community devalues potions due to their cost, if I'm not mistaken," Ena brought up. "Not only the cost, but they slander potions due to the Enhancer and Limiter potions and other magical drugs and their potency, let alone ease of addiction. I don't envy your struggle. Deep research into potions must be difficult since most potion journals were lost in the Middle Era."

Alexandreux nodded. "I'm hoping to meet an Apothecary who has more access than I to many of the medicinal potions used in Zhōnguá that could help in my debate." He laughed. "Though she's considering living in Pergrande with her fiancé. She's a pharmacist, but considering she has the knowledge of science and Magic, she'd be a vital asset to the movement."

Ena smiled. "I wish you well in recruiting her."

"Thank you." Alexandreux eyed Ena in a new light. "For one so young, you're very astute in politics."

"And I mean no offense when I say this, Your Grace, but for one so young…"—Ena's eyes flashed—"you're very single for a duke."

Alexandreux gave pause before he sheepishly chuckled. "I suppose I deserved that," he figured. "I didn't mean to call out your age." Those shamrock greens flickered. "I was younger than Nora when I became the Duke. I understand the premise of learning how to have the thought process of an adult when you're barely of age yourself."

Ena could not help but feel sympathy and offered, "Perhaps I'm out of line for saying this when so much time has passed, but… I offer my condolences to you, Your Grace. My mother told me the Duchess was a revolutionary with potions."

"She was." Acceptance and a tinge of nostalgia lay in Alexandreux's voice. "Thank you for your condolences, My Lady." He tilted his head, curious. "The Marquis told me about your stay in the hall. Have you enjoyed your stay thus far?"

"Certainly," Ena replied. "Everything has been to perfection and I have no complaints." Except for me feeling like I'm a chess piece on a chessboard. "Lord Nora has treated me with utmost respect and care, and I enjoyed getting to know Ladies Sylvie and Odette. They have a way about them being so entertaining."

"Yes. Lady Odette." A soft sort of look took over Alexandreux's face.

Ena blinked and observed Alexandreux. He has that same look on his face as Odette. It resonated. Oh. I see now.

She casually mentioned, "Lady Odette is such a wonderful young woman. I don't understand how she hasn't had many offers for courtship. She's clearly bright and beautiful. Wouldn't you agree, Your Grace?"

"She certainly is." Alexandreux blinked away the twinkles of admiration in his eyes and cleared his throat. "I'm sure she will find a suitor worthy of her when the time is right," he professionally inputted. He straightened his cuffs. "I should continue socializing before the introductions." Though his face clearly said he was uncomfortable with such a plan. "Please enjoy the reception ball, My Lady." He snuck her an unreadable look. "All eyes will be on you and Lord Nora for your first and your last, My Lady. Just something to remember." With a bow, he slipped away.

Ena snapped her fan shut with a toying smile. Well now. I think Sylvie's going to be awfully disappointed the Duke has a thing for Odette. Her smile fell for an undaunted frown. But his warning… I guess we're playing by Middle Era ball etiquette. The lady in a lord's arm for both the first and last dance will be the one he's interested in and probably will court. Meaning if I conclude tonight's ball with Nora, I'm sure Irina and the Holy Eye will be pressing for more.

She bit on her gloved thumbnail as she thought. With the right plan, we could use this to our benefit. But the question is, would Nora accept my help? He's adamant to do this alone, and I'd rather forgo tricking him until it's too late for him to back down. But I still don't know who tried to poison me and kidnap me. And there has to be a reason the Holy Eye needs Enchanters and would go this far to set up a meeting between myself and the Holy Mother.

Dark chocolates darkened. I wish there was a clear path. If Silver were here—

Her thoughts stopped.

Her shoulders slumped. Only…he isn't here. He needs time away from me. A small sigh. With L, I never had to worry about things like this. We don't get into too many arguments. But all this with Silver… It's different. She gripped her fan. I don't know if I like this type of different. She shook her head. Never mind that. Out of sight, out of mind. I have to keep moving.

She moved to the doors, but it startled her when the door opened and missed her by a hair. She muttered her excuses, ready for more conversation and mingling, and never noticed the gentleman she passed watched her blend into the crowd. He waited a moment before he ducked into the hallway and, in the right light, you could see the glint of a ring on his gloved finger.

---

With the day winding down, the town had fewer and fewer cars raising by. The gas station was busy enough as everyone wanted to top off their tanks before snuggling into beds and the bars had adults looking for a good time. A couple of students went down to the railroad tracks where Ringo, the famed black cat, meowed for some food. But in one household, plates were washed as dessert had come out in spades with wine and ice cream.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Princeton-O'Neill Household

Jonquille Town

Fiore, Ishgar

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Carlisle loved his vanilla ice cream paired with vodka and fruit juice as he sat at the dinner table and licked the sweet and creamy goodness off his lips. "Thanks, Miss Minh, for overruling Prince and letting me have dessert!"

"Of course, Carlisle!" Minh beamed as she ate her own chocolate ice cream with cabernet sauvignon. "I can't believe my son refused such an adorable face! And after all the trouble he went through to propose to you, you'd think he'd have better manners." She scolded her son, "Dante, I thought we raised you to take care of your partner, not deprive them."

Dante looked ready for a heavier drink as he ate some of Carlisle's ice cream. "I didn't propose," he firmly reminded. "And I am not depriving him. He has a diet he has to follow."

A booming laugh. "Like a strapping young man like him needs to be on a diet!" The man gave a devilish grin and looked like a future version of Dante with a massive physique that strained against his shirt, dirty green eyes that spelled his mirth, but he had reddish-brunette hair. "Look at your fiancé, Five, and tell me he needs to be on a diet!"

⌜JONQUILLE TOWN

Name: Bachram D. O'Neill

Age: 41

Occupation: Stunt Coordinator

Likes: chocolate Dislikes: chocolate-haters

Special Note: Bachram's name actually means "loud" or "boisterous" which fits his personality to a tee! ⌟

Carlisle blinked. "How come you call him 'Five', sir? I've been meaning to ask."

Dante looked drained. "Wait—"

"Because he's the fifth Bachram Dante in my bloodline!" Bachram declared with pride.

Carlisle gaped and swung his stare onto Dante. "Your first name is 'Bachram'."

"Not anymore," Dante explained with a stern look at his father. "My middle name was Dante Vân Si, but I legally changed my name to 'Dante' the second I could."

"I was so heartbroken!" Bachram cried. "My own son doesn't even want the family name! Five generations, Five, and you ended it! Ashamed of your own bloodline!"

Minh bubbled with laughter as she patted her husband's arm. "I remember when we had to take Dante to the bureau once he could change his name. We had a huge argument about it in the lobby too! Don't you remember, darling Tarzan?"

"How could I forget, my beautiful blossom?" Bachram cooed. "Didn't I look so cool telling off that worker when he tried interrupting us?"

Minh giggled like a schoolgirl. "You looked the coolest, sweetie!"

Dante's eyebrow twitched when he felt burned by the aura of love wrapped around his parents. How was I born into this family? He felt Carlisle grab his head and sweatdropped when he saw how his boyfriend had admiration in his eyes as the love aura affected him. We need to leave before he gets ideas.

Minh turned to Carlisle and told him, "Don't mind, Dante, honey. With your good looks, I'm sure you'll shake him down sooner or later." She grinned at her husband. "Just like I did to my Tarzan."

"That you did, my beautiful blossom," Bachram agreed, kissing her forehead. "Take a lesson, Five. Don't fight it when it comes to your person. It's the best thing that can happen to you."

"Yeah, Dad." Dante's eyes softened on a blushing Carlisle. "I know."

"Good!" Bachram beamed. "Then, since Carlisle is practically family, he should come to our family reunion!"

Carlisle perked, but Dante did not look amused. "No."

"I want to go!" Carlisle inserted. "It sounds like a lot of fun! I'd love to meet more family!"

"No, you don't," Dante insisted. "Carlisle, you don't understand my family. And I haven't even told them…" His eyes narrowed upon seeing his parents' guilty grins. "Are you serious?"

"You can't expect me to keep your engagement a secret from my sisters," Minh complained. "Or the Astronomy Club."

"Or my coworkers," Bachram inputted, guilty as charged. "Or the guys at the gym."

"Oh, and the mailman says congratulations—"

"Mẹ. Dad." Dante took a deep and steady breath. "Please tell me you said I'm in a relationship and not – engaged."

Silence.

Dante stood up. "I'm leaving."

"No!" Minh comically threw herself at her son and latched onto his arm. "We're sorry! We just got so excited when you told us about the rings! We won't do it again!"

"That's what you said last time," Dante growled. "And last time, the entire neighborhood threw Tesla and Jaxton a party after their third date."

"But you said they were officially in a relationship," Bachram whined. "How could we not celebrate? Tesla is like a daughter to us. And they had a lot of fun at the party." He turned to his life. "Don't we still have the scrapbook?"

Minh gasped, excited. "We do! I'll just go get it and—!"

"No!" Dante stopped his parents. "No scrapbooks!" His eyebrow twitched when both his parents gave him sorrowful looks and he sat down, defeated. "Baby, do you want to see the scrapbooks?"

Carlisle beamed. "Sure!"

Minh clapped. "Oooh, this will be so much fun! I think I have the home video too!" She bounced off in search of them.

Dante pointed at his father. "No parties for my relationship." He groaned under the sheepish look his father told him and resigned to his fate. "When is it?"

"Well, we spoke with Adrienne and thought to combine it with her get-together," Bachram told his son, merry. He looked at Carlisle. "You'll love the party, Carlisle. Five told us you're a dancer and Adrienne's parties always have dancing."

Carlisle's smile widened. "Tesla let me know. I'm excited!" He shot Dante a sly look. "I've been told Prince is a pretty good dancer, but he has yet to show me his moves. I feel like I should be offended."

Bachram chuckled. "Five's always been a good dancer. He gets that from me. But he always refused to dance at any gatherings or anything. Even at his middle school plays, he never danced. And even when we got to dance for the father-son day for boy scouts, he refused. My one and only son, ashamed of his dad!"

Dante felt a headache coming on. "I wasn't ashamed," he tried to explain. "I just don't like being in public—"

"Did you know he used to pretend to not know us?" Bachram told an amused Carlisle. "When he was little and we'd come pick him up from school, he'd pretend not to hear us! Can you believe that! Ashamed of us!"

"I think he's ashamed of me too sometimes, sir," Carlisle sympathized, smirking at Dante's dark look.

"Enough 'sir'," Bachram admonished. "You're family, Carlisle. You can call me 'Dad' just like Tesla does. Jaxton's so cruel and just calls me 'Mister O'Neill'." He dramatically pouted. "What am I, a stranger to him? You'd think we'd be closer to that, but even he's ashamed of me."

(Jaxton paused as he worked in his office, about to sneeze, but it passed.)

Carlisle felt warmed. "Thank you…Dad." A foreign world that felt natural and emotional to say.

Bachram smiled, pleased. "Now, Carlisle, I have to know since I hate using strong language around my beautiful blossom." He pointed at Dante and asked Carlisle, "He wasn't acting like a fuckboy towards you, right? This isn't just sex?"

Dante sat back in his seat and rubbed his face while Carlisle did not know whether to choke or laugh, so he split the difference and did both. "Uh…" He floundered for a response when it hit him. He dramatically recounted, "Oh, you wouldn't believe it! Prince tried to woo me into his bed, but I had to resist him."

Dante shot Carlisle a dark look again. "What."

"He came onto me so suddenly," Carlisle theatrically told with Bachram hanging onto every word and Dante looking like he wanted to strangle his boyfriend or spank him. "He was a pure brute to me. The nerve! I couldn't believe the audacity of this barbarian! But then, he got down on his knees and begged for me to give him a chance—"

"I begged, did I?"

Carlisle nervously laughed when he felt Dante's hand grip his thigh. "W-Well… Maybe not exactly begged for me to give him a chance," he quickly amended. "I tried to put up a fight, but he manhandled me, and now he put a ring on my finger."

Bachram boomed with laughter again. "That's our Five!" he cheered. "Minh was an absolute Devil back in the day! She cornered me and staked her claim right then and there!"

Carlisle's eyebrows shot up as he took in Bachram's massive size. She cornered you?

"I found them!" Minh cheered in declaration as she came back to the table with a scrapbook and a DVD. "What did I miss?"

"I was telling Carlisle how you cornered me, my beautiful blossom," Bachram informed.

Minh chortled as she sat down. "My Tarzan might look like a beast, but he was so skittish when we first met," she told Carlisle with a flirty look at her husband. "I finally had to chase him and cage him against his car for him to go out with me." She and Bachram shared a sweet kiss. "I'm sure Dante told you about my family's faith in Giat Hai."

Carlisle softened. "Yeah, he did." He threaded his fingers with Dante's and smiled, bashful, when Dante kissed his knuckles. "It's a beautiful religion."

Bachram and Minh shared a satisfied look before they leaned in with knowing smiles. Minh looked between the two before she settled her gaze on her son. "I take it you can feel him?"

Before Dante could answer, Carlisle hesitantly replied, "Ac-Actually…we can feel each other."

This surprised Dante's parents. "You can feel each other?" But they softened at Carlisle's pinked cheeks and lowered lashes when Dante kissed his cheek. Both exchanged affectionate and awed looks.

"I wanted to tell you," Dante told his parents, enamored with Carlisle's flush. "But I guess now is as good of a time as any."

"I figured you could with the way you looked at him," Minh murmured. She and Bachram clasped hands as she said, "Your relationship must be something special in Giat Hai's eyes."

"He's certainly special," Dante rumbled.

Carlisle looked at Dante before shyly looking away. "Don't say things like that so suddenly, you evil prince," he mumbled. "I don't know what to say back."

"You? Speechless?" Dante's lips twitched. "Giat Hai really does answer my prayers." He chuckled when Carlisle sniffed and turned away from him and both missed when Minh and Bachram had a conversation with their eyes.

Minh got up and cleared her throat. "Dante, could you help me move a few boxes? I wanted to transition a few of my scrapbooks downstairs to the library and your father said he doesn't mind doing dishes."

"I could help with dishes," Carlisle offered.

"Perfect!" Minh cheered. "Dante, come on! Those boxes won't move themselves!" And she padded away.

Dante gave a haggard sigh and leaned his forehead to Carlisle's temple. "We can run when you say so," he muttered. "But if you impede our escape, I'm carrying you to the truck."

Carlisle tittered and leaned against him. "Go be a big, strong prince and help your mom. I'll be a good housewife and do dishes." He grinned when Dante barely restrained his groan and pecked his lips. "Go. And besides, your dad's freaking hot." He yipped when Dante pinched him. "Rude!"

"Don't make me jealous of my own dad." Dante reluctantly pulled away before he seared his father with a look. "Don't scare him away."

Bachram looked as innocent as a lamb. "Me? How could my one and only son be so callous and think I'd drive away his fiancé?"

"I…!" Dante restrained himself and warned, "I'll be back." He rubbed Carlisle's jaw before he took off after his mother.

Carlisle finished the last of his ice cream and got up, eager to get started. "I'm great at scrubbing if you want to dry—"

"Carlisle."

Curious sea-greens freckled with violet connected with serious dirty jades.

"I know Minh got to talk to you, but if it's okay, I'd like to talk to you," Bachram said, "and without Five around." A bit of humor broke into his somber stare. "He's a bit protective of you, and I think he'd forbid me from saying much. He's a bit embarrassed by me."

"Um, sure!" Carlisle sat back down, partly nervous and partly inquisitive. "Please, ask me anything you'd like! I'm an open book!" Well, this version of me is an open book at least…

Bachram pushed aside his ice cream to lean forward with his elbows on the table and his hands clasped. Dirty jades sifted through Carlisle's face for a moment. "The way Dante lives… Are you okay with it?"

Carlisle's eyes widened in surprise.

"Dante's always been a thinker and a tinker," Bachram explained. "He's loved to fix things and expand things since he was a child. It's why when he told us about his apprenticeship to become an Enchanter, we weren't surprised that was his goal."

Carlisle remembered Luna's wheezing cry, "Teacher. Gone. T-T-Teacher…"

He asked Bachram, "Did you ever meet Dante's mentor?"

"No, we didn't. We knew Dante's mentor had been a famed woman who went into retirement, but that's all." Bachram's brow furrowed. "To be honest, we were shocked how short Dante's program was as an apprentice. It had taken him an entire summer for him to become an Enchanter. We were so proud of him, but we were so worried."

Carlisle could not believe it. It took him one summer to become an Enchanter? But…even in older times, it could take a decade for Enchanter to hone their craft. He really is a child prodigy.

"But it's his life, and as long as he was happy, we were too," Bachram continued. His eyes flicked down. "But…we knew he wasn't happy. We knew he had relationships, and how much he loved his exes. And the fight we had before he left home…" He sighed and shook his head. "I thought we had lost our son. We were shattered he had been feeling so abandoned and unloved for so long."

"It's not because of either of you," Carlisle gently put, eyes on his bowl. "I can tell he feels incredible love from the both of you. But having that alternate connection…the alternate love… I can understand why it drove him to that." I can't be hypocritical. Not when my own frustrations led me to Hunter…

Bachram hummed, observing Carlisle. "You've experienced that sort of heartbreak." A statement rather than a question.

"I have." Carlisle took a deep breath. "To be honest, Dante handled it better than me. I ran away from home and met my ex-partner. It was unhealthy. I see that now. I didn't love myself when I was alone or with my ex the way I love myself now and love the way I am with Dante." He shifted. "I know Dante is different. He's different from people I've dated. He likes the quiet. He's focused on his studies. He doesn't care to party. He likes to be productive."

Those unique eyes glimmered with unadulterated love. "But he enjoys the little things. He doesn't like to flaunt. He prefers intimate and quieter dates than grand romantic gestures. Me having dinner ready for him when he comes home or just us calling during lunch means the world to him. He doesn't want fame. He could easily get it due to his teacher, but he chose to focus on his education. He likes to be challenged but in the right way. He's secretly sentimental and has one of the biggest hearts a person could have.

"To answer your question, I don't mind how Dante lives. In fact"—Carlisle smiled—"I love it. I love how dedicated he is and how he appreciates the small stuff. I love everything about him. I can just hope he feels the same and is okay how I live too."

Bachram looked at him for a few moments before a large smile split onto his face. "The first time Dante spoke about you, I knew we'd like you," he said. "I'd never heard Five so nervous. You're the first person he's brought home."

"I am?"

Bachram nodded. "We always wanted to meet Dante's exes, but he'd make up excuses. But Minh and I are happy the first boyfriend we meet of us is his future husband." He chuckled when Carlisle blushed. "No need to be shy, Carlisle. I know Five keeps insisting those rings on your fingers are promise rings, but I can bet you he's too chickenshit to put a diamond on you. He's like me. I was worried Minh would run when I was already thinking about marrying her, but she pulled a fast one and proposed to me."

Carlisle laughed behind a hand. "It was fate. Giat Hai's never wrong, according to Dante."

"And that's how I know you both will have a long relationship," Bachram softly told him. "Giat Hai doesn't just connect two people. You both have something special. And I think we all hope to see how your relationship blossoms."

Carlisle looked down, embarrassed and delighted he won approval. "Thank you, sir." He laughed when Bachram pouted. "Thank you, Dad."

"You'll be family soon enough, Carlisle. My bet is Five won't last enough two years until he gets down on one knee," Bachram betted almost like he was boasting. "And another year until he's hoping you two can have kids."

Carlisle choked.

Minh and Dante came back with Dante looking suspiciously between his father and his boyfriend. "What happened?"

"Just talking about children, Five," Bachram explained gaily while Carlisle hid his burning face and Minh sat beside her husband. "I hope you keep up the tradition with naming your first son 'Bachram Dante'. It's tradition!"

Sighing, Dante sat down to move a red-faced Carlisle into his chest. "Dad, please don't scare him away. He's delicate."

"'Delicate'?" Carlisle glared up at Dante, affronted. "I'm not delicate!" He smacked Dante's chest and tried in vain to push him away when Dante nuzzled his cheek. "No, get away from me, you brute! You insulted me!"

Dante rumbled a laugh. "I love you, baby."

"Argh!" Carlisle huffed, but he stopped struggling. "You…! You don't play fair! Evil prince." He let Dante smooch his cheek and mumbled, "I'll get you back one day." He whined when Dante laughed. "Stop it…!"

"You're adorable when you think you can win against me," Dante said with a grin.

Minh watched her son's content expression as he teased his boyfriend. He was happy with Tesla and about his mentor… But to see him like this… She felt her eyes cloud as she smiled. Mẹ would be so happy to see this. She told me my child would be Giat Hai's favorite, but to hear their connection goes both ways… Their relationship is truly special. A kernel of worry burrowed within her. But Mẹ told me that while being Giat Hai's favorite brings such happiness…

Carlisle relented to Dante's goading and permitted a chaste kiss.

…it can also bring such great sorrow.

---

Cocktail hour was divine with all guests present and accounted for. A "runner" had snuck into the room to speak with the event manager who coordinated in her earpiece with the crew hired for the event. The runner went to the conductor as he led them through an operetta, and the conductor nodded with big eyes flashed to his musicians. The servants had retreated to start collecting the pre-selected champagne that would be distributed to the guests for the toast.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Savant Hall

Larkspur County

Fiore, Ishgar

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Ena kept her fan up as she exchanged pleasantries when the lights dimmed and conversation exchanged for silent anticipation. Servants parted through the people with polite murmurs to nudge people to the sides of the room.

Ena looked to the grandeur entryway. It's time.

A grand light flooded the door as the announcer tapped his cane and cried, "Presenting to the court, Lady Sylvie Gosling of Larkspur and Lord Nora Gosling of Larkspur."

Applause quietly rang out as Sylvie smiled and curtsied while Nora bowed. With his arm, Nora escorted his sister down the aisle.

The announcer continued: "Presenting to the court, Lady Odette of Larkspur and Lord Atticus of Larkspur."

More applause came for the elder siblings as Odette curtsied with her eyes shying from Alexandreux's ardent gaze and Atticus bowed. He offered his arm to his sister and escorted her down the aisle.

The announcer decreed: "Presenting to the court, Knight-Commander of the Order of the Blossoming Flower, Mauve Herrington and Knight-Captain of the Order of the Blossoming Flower, Cinders."

Mauve had come in a lilac evening gown with her gentle smile and her arm wrapped around the gruff Cinders, who cleaned up nicely in his suit and matching lilac tie. They offered their greetings to the applause as they made their way down the aisle.

The announcer went on: "Presenting to the court, Fioren Primate of the Church of the Holy Eye, Father Johannes."

Father Johannes had on his liturgical attire with pallium and chasuble. He smiled with a polite bow to the applause and strode down the aisle alone.

Ena narrowed her eyes.

"And finally, presenting to the court, Marquis Dardanius Gosling of Larkspur and Marchioness Irina Gosling of Larkspur."

Bows and curtsied waved through the audience as Denver and Irina stepped up and the orchestra picked up the volume for the national anthem of Fiore to play as the Marquis and Marchioness stepped down the aisle as a unit. They joined the others as servants scattered to hand out flutes of champagne. When the Marquis had settled on his mark, he turned to the crowd with a smile.

He started, "Good evening, all."

"Good evening," rumbled the audience.

"I thank you all, my distinguished guests, for attending this reception ball to celebrate those brave enough to enter the Hall of Knights to train and test into the Order of the Blossoming Flower and become a Holy Knight," Denver continued. "We have a splendid menu and music selection to make tonight memorable for us."

A pause. "For Fiore, we have a special relationship with knighthood. We take the values and practices of the Old and Middle Era of chivalry and armor and swordsmanship and apply them to our present. Our knights, however, differ from the knights of old. They have learned how to adapt to defend our borders, to protect what must be protected, and save all who deserve salvation. Our knights dual as our soldiers. They are our swords. And they are our shields.

"And since Fiore's inception of the monarchy and honor, the Hall of Knights has served as hallowed ground for those bound to the Chevalier's Creed to ascend into the status of a Holy Knight, a knight who will not only protect your physical and mental liberties and agency but will defend your religious agency as well and they do so around the world."

Denver nodded. "But my words aren't suited to exemplify the Holy Eye's order. At this time, I invite Fioren Primate Father Johannes to speak."

"Thank you, My Lord," Father Johannes appreciated with an easy smile. "Friends—sisters and brothers—I must reiterate the Marquis' gratitude toward your attendance to this reception ball. I cannot thank this blossoming country for allowing Her Majesty and the Holy Eye to become the staunchest of allies. In the past, Fiore served as the groundwork for those with abilities and differences. A 'sanctuary', our country was called. And now, alongside the Holy Eye, we can continue to provide safe passage and safety for those unfortunate in this world.

"Defending freedom is a core value for both Fiore and the Holy Eye," Father Johannes continued. "The cherished symbols of our freedom and friendship are the crocus flowers sent from the monarchy to the Enchant Convent and the Church of the Holy Eye each anniversary date. And these symbols will always be warmly appreciated as they have been for the past almost-thirty years of our relationship.

"The world of today is still filled with the wars from the past. The enemies may change, but the aftermath stays the same. Innocents lose their lives as inequality and perceptions of respect and freedoms become warped and jaded. But as a Holy Knight, you will have the power to defend these innocents from enduring more suffering and trauma. And should you not be a Holy Knight"—his eyes found Ena's—"I'm sure there is still a place for you in our ranks no matter where your previous life led you."

Ena tightened her grip on her fan.

Father Johannes' broadened his smile. "Thousands of people across the sea in every direction in the hopes of asylum-seeking in this great nation or to The Sanctuary. Fioren armed services and the Holy Knights serve together on the mission of freedom where the term 'sanctuary' no longer means one place but one world. They train together. They have shared goals to build a better future together. And in time, they will find the answers to this world together."

He raised his hands. "The Holy Eye is exceptionally pleased to have so many strong men and women to participate in the exams—brothers and sisters who are thinking of a better future for this world we call 'home'. The Holy Eye has been, and will continue to be, enormously appreciative to Fiore for this friendship and partnership."

He looked to the Marquis and Marchioness. "My Lord and My Lady, thank you for your hospitality. We look forward to the monarchy and the Church deepening their friendship in the years to come."

"As do we." Denver received a champagne flute. "A toast!"

Glasses were raised.

"To an era more of friendship," Denver toasted. "To freedom!"

"To freedom!" And sips were taken.

As Father Johannes and the two Holy Knights melted into the crowd, the Gosling family fell into position as the announcer cried, "And now…the first dance of the reception ball will commence between Lord Atticus Gosling of Larkspur and Lady Sylvie Gosling of Larkspur."

Clapping shattered through the hall as Atticus led Sylvie forward with the light on them. They took up their waltz stances as the conductor gave the brass the downbeat before the clarinet did its riff. Once Atticus and Sylvie were ready, the music seeped in, low and foreboding, and Atticus led Sylvie in their practiced dance.

The people observed their dance and let the orchestra sway them with a tale of death and anniversary. It was customary to allow those with the honor of the first dance to take control of the first movement and considered Sylvie's debutante ball was this summer, this was her moment to impress and put ideas of potential matching and courtship and even friendship into the minds of the spectators. For Atticus, it was different. His focus was to make his sister shine, but with his possible inheritance of the Marquis title, more than one set of eyes was on him to appreciate his physique and technique.

Ena slowly moved through the crowd as though not to disturb their trances, but her eyes stayed on Father Johannes. What a speech. Another reminder the Holy Eye is here to stay.

She stopped when she was in a reasonable enough position and applauded with the audience on the first lift of the dance. Words about freedom and friendship. While I can't deny the Holy Eye is altruistic, I can't accept they have no motive. Everyone has a motive, especially an organization as big as the Holy Eye.

"Can I take that, Miss?"

Ena looked over to see Tristan beside her with a tray. "Yes. Thank you." She slid her flute onto the tray.

Tristan bent a little to whisper in her ear, "Wearing red to a reception ball might bring up some talk and some attention, Red."

"Believe me. I want both."

Tristan offered her a perusal of appreciation. "You have my attention."

Ena made sure her fan cloaked her smile.

Tristan took more empty flutes from those around them, but his words floated to Ena, "Nora told me your Labrador got off his leash." Concern etched his features. "Will you be okay?"

Ena knew what Tristan meant. Silver becoming her shadow had worked for everyone's benefit to offset any sort of scheme. But with him gone… "I'm fine." She hoped her eyes conveyed her words as truth. "Right now, nothing else matters."

Tristan held her gaze for a moment. "Okay." Those mischievous greens flicked over for him to grin. "Here comes your knight-in-shining-armor. I'll be around." He slipped away before Ena could get another word in.

She held in her snort. He's certainly a character. But her eyes faced front to catch Nora prowling towards her and dark chocolates locked with grayed yellows. I suppose it's showtime. I'll need to buy L something for her refreshers with the possible waltzes I'd hear tonight. Looks like it'll pay off.

The crowd parted for Nora to get to her. Eyes would imprint this memory to gossip about, so Nora made sure to embellish his performance with his heel-click attention and his bow to Ena. "My Lady?" He offered his hand. "May I ask you for your hand in this dance?"

Hiding her smile meant more to those watching eyes than if she let it be seen. Her fan disappeared from her to return to where she had summoned it, and she made a show of offering her hand to Nora. "Yes, My Lord." She curtsied. "You may."

Nora kissed her knuckles with rings of mirth in his eyes, but he said little else to bring her onto the floor for the second movement. Applause thundered through the hall with a few whispers exchanged. But the pair ignored all else except for each other as they set for the second movement. And with an exaggerated lead into it, Nora led Ena through the chipper movement of life and death.

The steps to the waltz were not that complex, not for a prelude to Sylvie's debut at her ball. But the turns and jump-lifts were necessary to show her progression into the "mature" aspect of society, and Ena kept up. She might not have had a natural grace and eye-catching beauty in her steps as Luna did that earned her excited talk, but she did well for herself.

Her eyes strayed to Irina on occasion. She's watching. Her eyes slid to Father Johannes. As is he. I wonder when the Holy Mother will show up. But her thoughts drifted when she caught Alexandreux crossing the hall. Nora caught her pleased smile with an inquisitive eyebrow raise, but at her subtle head tilt, his own smirk caught his lips.

Alexandreux had made it a point to be the first brave soul to approach Odette. This part was tricky, with all the control being in the hands of the eligible lady. A single lady of her caliber with no recognized interest from another had the power to accept or reject those who wished to claim her first dance. It symbolized whom she thought worthy of her attention and deserved her respect and, by extension, a potential courtship. A lord rejected would turn into gossip. Which meant the approach had to be executed with the knowledge she could accept.

Odette prettily blushed upon Alexandreux's offer of his hand. But he softly smiled when Odette slipped her hand into his. With a kiss to her knuckles, he guided her to the floor for the third movement. Oh, how the crowd was eating this up to speak about the elusive Duke of Aronia finally taking interest in a lady!

Nora withheld his chuckles while Sylvie looked comically devastated her crush had chosen her sister for the first dance. Atticus flicked his eyes to Alexandreux with an upward twist of his lips.

It was charming how nervous Odette was, but Alexandreux eased her into the third movement as the blend of instruments spoke of a dance between the dead and the living with pops from the horns and leads from the strings and upper winds. Her eyes tried to move down, shy, but Alexandreux raised her chin for their eyes to lock as though he hoped she could put her trust in him. Her shoulders relaxed, and she fell into the music with him.

Ena softened. They look good together. She got Nora's simper and gave him an inquisitive look.

Nora jerked his chin.

As Ena was twirled, she caught Denver's expression of an unhappy father seeing his oldest daughter being swept away. As she fell back into Nora, the pair of them shared amused grins.

Tristan watched the dancing with a grin tugging on his lips. Well, I'll be. All those times he claimed he was a shit dancer. You just needed the right person.

A thin-lipped smile. "Might you take this for me, dear?"

Tristan slipped back into his façade with a pleasant smile. "Of course, miss—"

He froze.

A hand befitted with jewel rings flourished the flute onto the tray before it slipped back to cover another hand over a black habit with a white overlay patterned with a golden symbol of two feminine hands.

"My, my…" came a lovely sigh. "Lord Nora certainly has found quite the interesting young lady. A future Holy Knight and the daughter of a dame. Isn't that what you'd young people call 'fate'?"

Tristan swallowed and spoke in a feigned pleasant tone, "I'd like to believe so, ma'am."

A throaty chuckle. "Ah, yes, the young… So full of hope and naivete. Full of potential in so many ways."

Applause and praising murmurs swelled with the music as all the gentlemen lifted their partners in an intimate spin and Ena's hand went up to slide down Nora's cheek as he brought her back down.

"Who knows?" Thin lips broadened the smile to show pearly whites as small glasses glinted. "Perhaps we'll see that potential used the right way—Her way."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Cherrygrove Falls had a pep in its step with the junction coming alive. Tonight had brought about a bit of a festival with banners out and sweater weather in for the evening. Couples and friend groups snapped up benches and the little gazebos to share ice cream and local treats. A family of five chugged along with one in a stroller and messy mouths full of creamy sweets. A couple of motorcyclists from the Iron Magnolia MC had come sweeping in for some beers and indulged curious children to their ink and leather (though it looked like one biker caught the attention of a blushing single mother and her too-curious-for-his-own-good son).

Nevereverland swarmed with more adults than children, and everyone was thankful for the change-up. The drinks were stronger, accents thickened, and innuendos could coast by without the fear of a child finding Snow White a depraved young thing. The aroma of herbs and warmth made you feel right at home, alongside the good conversation and the karaoke they had busted out per request of some group of 20-somethings.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Nevereverland

Cherrygrove Falls

Fiore, Ishgar

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Julia looked out of place, but not in the way you might think. The lively atmosphere carried smiles and echoed laughter, but she bounced her leg and kept checking her Compact like her life depended on it with two drinks ready.

"Do you want some more time waiting for your special someone?" her waitress—Cinderella—asked, concerned and understanding.

Julia gave a fleeting smile. "Yes, please. Sorry. And thank you." When Cinderella left with a wave of her skirt, Julia checked how she looked in her Compact. I'm pretty sure Cindy thinks my date stood me up. Great.

A text dropped from Dash:

« Is she there yet? »

Julia typed back:

« No, not yet. I'm the dumbass who came early though »

« Who knows? She might bail lol »

Dash took a minute to type back.

« I don't think she will. Considering she was the one to ask you, I think she wants this as much as you »

« Though, should I be jealous you're freaking more over your date with her than our date? »

Julia smiled.

« Nah. You're predictable, Speedster, and docile. Tesla's that wild card you get in Uno »

Dash laughed at her message and sent a gif of an actor saying, "It's funny because it's true".

« Are you coming back to mine after your date? »

« Depends. Sorta hoping she lets me come home with her »

« Kinky »

« Pervert »

« Can you blame me? »

« Not really considering the nature of our sleepovers… »

« Wait are you serious? »

Julia smiled, but she refused to reply back.

« Peaches. »

« Peaches don't do this »

« Don't make me imagine such sweet porn-worthy visions »

« Come on give me something here I'm dying to know »

"Julia?"

Her head whipped up to see a hesitant Tesla approach her with a flinching smile, but Julia knew Tesla must have seen her relief and did not care. "Tesla! Hey!"

Tesla slipped into the booth and put her bag beside her. "If I'm late—"

"You aren't," Julia quickly assured. "I was early."

"Oh. Okay."

Before an awkward silence could bloom between them, Cinderella came back over and she, too, looked relieved on Julia's behalf. "I see your special someone came," she teased. She smiled at Tesla. "Welcome to Nevereverland, fair princess. I'm Cinderella, and I'll be taking care of you." She curtsied for effect. "Could I offer you a refreshment?"

"My water's fine, but thank you," Tesla assured.

Cinderella nodded. "I'll give you both a few minutes to look over our menu then." And she fluttered away.

And the silence came back.

Julia took the plunge first as she cleared her throat. "H-How are you?" Seriously? Everything I could say, and I start with that. She tried to correct her conversational error. "How is everything? Work and Jaxton…?"

The mention of her boyfriend made those steely-grays light up. "It's fine. Work is work." Before Julia could feel disappointed, Tesla braved, "I'm actually reducing my hours at the restaurant since I have more music students."

"That's great!" Julia gushed. "I know you love teaching."

"Not enough to major in it," Tesla supposed with her smile turning softer and sincere. "But…yeah. I'll keep my weekend hours, but I have some better music opportunities that pay a lot more for the summer. I'm sad to leave, but I think it's time."

Julia's blues lit up in pride. "I'm happy for you, Tess."

"Thank you."

They shared a look before Tesla looked away with her smile turning bashful. She busied herself with her straw and asked Julia, "How are things with you?"

"Coming and going," Julia replied. After a moment of hesitation, she confessed, "Eiji and I went on a date the other night."

"Oh." Tesla's eyebrows went up.

Julia snickered. "Yeah, it was a surprise to me too. You know I don't do that sort of thing, but…" She shrugged. "I don't know. It was nice, I think. We didn't do anything too out of the ordinary or anything."

"Until you came home and ripped each other's clothes off."

Julia snorted. "If anything, I'm the one commanding him to undress me."

"You Dommes," Tesla muttered.

Julia smirked.

Tesla rolled her eyes, but she could not keep her playful grin.

Cinderella came back, and the pair fell back into their routine: shared appetizers and entrees that they would eventually share. That tension and awkwardcy melted over the familiarity of their decisions, and Tesla's tension slackened for ease.

"How's Gale taking this?" Tesla asked, sipping her water.

"He's more supportive now that he knows Eiji and I aren't just fuck-buddies," Julia admitted. "I was freakin' over the date a little bit, but he told me to go for it, so I'll take that as him giving me and Eiji his blessing." Her smile slipped. "Speaking of Eiji, have you talked to Cane at all?"

Tesla cringed. "A little," she slowly said. "I don't know. It's like a whole game with him. We'll hang out and he's like the Cane I've always known. Then the next day, he's…doing something." Her throat constricted. "And then the next day, he's back to normal and he doesn't even remember."

"Eiji said he's been acting strange too." Julia's brow knitted. It's just like when I saw him hanging out with Cassie or the shit he pulled on Tesla during the party back in December. He's off, but then he's back to normal. "If you're uncomfortable around him—"

"I'm okay," Tesla hurried to say. "When he's normal, I'm fine. It's just…when he's not."

"Well, when he's acting up, don't worry, we have your back," Julia promised her. "I don't know why he starts acting like a dick, but he'll need to stop real quick if he wants us all to stay friends." She saw Tesla shrink and decided to change the subject. "But it's good you and Jaxton are better now. From the pictures you took of Zhōnguá, you guys must've really connected."

Tesla could not help the love in her eyes for Jaxton. "Yeah. You could say that. I learned a lot about him, but it makes me love him more."

"That's good." Blues softened. "You know when I met Jaxton for the first time, I could tell he was already in love with you."

Tesla laughed. "You met him two dates in!"

"Yeah, and it was fairly obvious he was head-over-heels for your ass," Julia chortled. "I mean, sure, you had some admirers, but let's be honest. He looked like the big bad wolf ready to kidnap you."

Tesla snorted into her sip of water. "Oh, yeah. Yeah, he's a big bad wolf all right." She chuckled to Julia's jest and her own.

"Remember when you freaked out when he told you he loved you?" Julia recalled. "You called Dante and me and told us you needed an intervention."

"Yeah because ain't no way someone would tell me they love me," Tesla simpered. "Dante was so sure Jang-ta had said it just so we could fuck around more. I think you were the only level-headed one that night."

Julia grinned. "Yeah. Between your freak-outs and Dante convinced Jaxton was pussy-whipped, you and Jaxton are lucky I was there to sit you down and give you a stern talking-to how Jaxton was the very, very, very tame version of my brother when it came to you."

As they laughed, the appetizers brushed onto the table, and both dug right in.

Tesla had to ask while she chewed, "Is it weird between you and Nashi that she's dating Gary and living with him in a way?"

"Not really." Julia finished her mouthful. "I mean, I saw it coming a mile away with them." A roll of eyes. "But Nashi's in denial about her living with Gary since, to her point, he's up in Arcticados while she stays at his place, but I'm not foreseeing her move out anytime soon."

Tesla could sympathize. "I like having my own space from Jang-ta. I get why she's adamant to be on her own. It's the principle of the thing. Some people can move in with their partner and be happy for life, but as crazy as I am about my Selan king, mama enjoys having her own place."

"I feel like I stay at Eiji's more than I should," Julia confided. "Oh. If my parents ever ask you, I've been bunking with you."

"Sure thing." Tesla cocked her head, curious. "Are you thinking about pulling a Carlisle and becoming a roommate then?"

Julia groaned. "I don't know. This is all so out of my depth. And Eiji and I are nowhere near Dante and Carlisle. I mean, did you see them when we did our cig party? It was like watching a Selan mobster and his princess with the lap-sitting and collar and everything."

Tesla threw back her head to laugh. "I've hated every single man Dante has dated, but I adore Carlisle. And it was so cute at the cig party. Dante could barely take his eyes off him when Carlisle chatted with Miles. I love this side of him."

"Same," Julia agreed. "They're endgame."

"Oh for fucking sure."

Julia finished off half her plate already. "How'd your night out go, by the way?"

"It was fun, but your horny ass guildmates were panting after Diego," Tesla said dryly. "We had fun, though. Justin knows how to party. But our plans got a little hijacked since Ellie got hypnotized with good head and spilled the beans."

Julia's lips twitched. "Let me guess. Three mysterious sugar daddies and one sugar mommy bought and paid for your dinners and tabs?"

"Yeah, but do you see me complaining?"

"No, but you wouldn't have paid shit anyway."

Tesla grinned. "Hell no. I was ready to use my body as a weapon for drinks. They played Thot Shit, and I lost it. That song was made for whining and twerking, and you best believe I did a lot of both and will be doing the same at Caracole."

"God forbid we have a pregnancy scare with you," Julia muttered. "Because somehow I think you and Jaxton won't be civil on your vacation."

Tesla faked a gasp. "We will be civil!" she insisted. "We're always civil—"

"Remember when we went camping?"

Tesla pouted. "Okay, but to be fair, we thought we'd be back a lot sooner. We just got caught up in the moment."

"For an hour?" Julia shook her head in exasperation and amusement. "Thank god Jaxton was smart enough to get a tent that came with a Sound-Proof Charm. I'm surprised we didn't hear you screaming."

A wry smirk wove onto Tesla's lips. "He had a hand over my mouth to keep me quiet."

"Yeah, well…" Julia propped her chin with a hand with a smirk of her own as she made no effort to conceal her lazy onceover. She purred, "You certainly are loud."

Tesla flushed.

The piping hot entrees came in time to swap out with the empty appetizer trays. With a little ditty that was Magia-worthy from Cinderella, she promised to return to check on them. Both took a minute to let their food cool before divulging into their meal.

"Hey." Tesla took a moment to swallow. "Tell Gale Luna if off-limits at the pachanga. I have some cousins I want her to meet now that she's single and everyone could use a Sinnish bae in their lives."

"Please. You just live to see Gale get bothered," Julia teasingly accused.

Tesla did not deny it. "He's been a massive cockblock before. This is some payback. Turnabout is fair play," she reasoned in good humor. "And besides, Nashi gave me the run down how nothing funny needs to be going on."

"Yeah, I know." Julia felt bad for the pair, however. "I understand the circumstances—I really do—and I'm proud of Gale for taking his time getting his house in order, but I can always tell he's been with Luna with how dopey he gets." Her eyes widened. "Oh my god, did I tell you about my brother?"

"Gary?"

"What? No. Silver. The swimmer?"

"Right, that brother. No, what happened?"

Julia looked like she was dying to spill her tale. "He went on a whole ass trip with Ena and Gale told me I guess Silver has some game since he and Ena were cuddling together in bed."

"Aw…!" Tesla pouted and touched her heart. "That's so cute!"

"See, I'm torn," Julia told her. "Because it's pretty cute, but then I remember it's Silver." She forked another morsel but covered her mouth as she grumbled, "I don't know how Ena handles him. He's such a wimp. I don't know who is worse: Gary screaming when there's a butterfly near him or Silver screaming when there's a spider."

Tesla snort-laughed. "They do not do that."

"Yes, they do!" Julia laughingly insisted. "I told you I have freaking pussies for brothers. Silver's scream would wake up the entire house if he saw a spider and he'd claw at me until I took it outside—"

"Aw, is he one of those people that wants you to kill it on sight?"

"Yes." Julia shook his head. "Idiot. And Gary would run away screaming like someone held him at gunpoint if a butterfly was close." She grinned. "Nashi loves hanging out in meadows, so Gary would come home traumatized because he'd stalk her to the meadows in the forest and if he wanted to be near her, he had to be near butterflies."

"Wow." Tesla shook her head in mock pity. "The things we do for love." She sipped her drink, thinking. "Mm. I only met Silver a few times when we went to his meets, but he seems pretty chill."

"He's a pushover," Julia said flatly. "I live with pansies—well, lived considering Gary. I don't understand it. My parents are badasses, but I get stuck with two wusses who cry over rom-coms." Her eye twitched remembering those nights in the basement when she was stuck between both her brothers sniveling and blowing into tissues. Sometimes, they really made it so easy to bully them.

"Uh…" Tesla vividly remembered seeing Gary's wintry demolition in Alvarez and those sharp, glowing eyes of a predator. Somehow, I still find it hard to believe someone of his caliber is a wuss. But then again, Jang-ta freaks out like a little when he—

"Ah…! Dul junge hanaman golla yes or yes!"

Tesla and Julia blinked, startled at the J-Pop interruption, but Tesla went for her bag to pull out her Compact. Grays went from the screen to Julia then to singing Compact and lit-up screen. She explained guiltily, "It's Jang-ta."

"Oh." Julia deflated, but she tried for a weak smile. "I take it he brought you here and wants to see when you need to leave?"

Tesla declined the call, but she held off on reaching out to her boyfriend to sear Julia with a look. "He did bring me here," she conceded. "He… I didn't know how tonight was going to go." She slid her Compact onto the table with a loud exhale. "You spied on my sperm donor." A whisper. A hurt whisper.

Julia set aside her food. The conversation she knew would happen was unraveling, and she had her courage and wits about her for this moment. "I did." A trace of regret, but not for the action—for the consequences.

A raw confusion and pain sawed through steely-grays. "Why?"

Cinderella came back, but she had sensed the tension and slowed down. Her eyes bounced from Julia to Tesla then back to Julia. "Can I get you both anything else?" she asked.

Julia shook her head and said, "No, thank you, but make sure this is all on one bill."

Cinderella slowly nodded. "Of course." And she gracefully bowed out with a concerned glance at Tesla.

Julia sighed and clasped her hands before her. "First of all," she started, tone gravelly, "I need you to know this. Had I known you were related to Zelda and the Cerberus Hunter's daughter, I would have done things differently. But I didn't."

"But you did." Tesla's voice had come out in an inaudible rasp, so she tried again. "You did. At the restaurant, Jules, you knew what was happening." Betrayal splashed on her face with no shame. "How long had you known?"

Guilt crawled over Julia's skin. "Not very long," she carefully worded. "But I did know before you met with Zelda. I knew they were dosing you to keep your powers in check. And I knew the Cerberus Hunter was your sperm donor." She relaxed her shoulders before they tensed up too much. "Zelda asked me to spy on him while he was in prison to monitor his interactions."

"And did you find anything?"

Julia shook her head. "He had a contact that we can't recognize. It was almost as if they had some sort of blur or filter on them to hide them from anyone's sight except for the person they wanted to see them. But other than that, he's been careful to keep his public life separate from his hunter life."

A little exhale. "I see."

Julia let the silence consume her. There's still much about the Cerberus Hunter I'd like to know, starting with his connection to the Doctor and those other gang leaders. I did what Maxim wanted and downloaded the file. Blues hardened. But what I saw… Could I really trust it?

"It hurt."

Julia lifted her gaze, but Tesla was looking at the table with a maelstrom of grief around her.

"There have been so many secrets I have to deal with," Tesla rasped. "And…lies. There are so many mysteries that keep me up at night. I keep telling myself if I act normal, all of it will go away and the more I pretend, the more it becomes real, but it's…" A shaky breath. "It hurts how the people closest to me kept my own life a secret from me."

The guilt gnawed into Julia's heart with shame on her face. But the only words she had prepared was a lame, "I'm sorry."

"But not sorry enough that you won't do it again?"

Julia flinched, but she maintained her silence. I know it isn't fair…but I have to do this. I can take down those Hunters. I can protect people, but I have to do this. It's not like I want to hurt my friends or family, but I… She cut off her thought.

"I considered leaving Jang-ta."

"What?" Julia could not help but blurt. Eyes wide, she stared at Tesla's sad smile. "I mean, I knew you two were having problems, but… You would have left him?"

"Yeah." A quivered word, but no regret was there. "I couldn't control my emotions. I was hit with so much so fast—I couldn't process anything. And what were we going through… I couldn't eat. I couldn't sleep. I… I couldn't…" She curled into herself. "I-I-I couldn't have him touch me. I didn't want him near me. I was…" she worked her mouth until a pathetic laugh exhaled out. "I was a mess. Everything felt like it was a mess."

That rattled Julia more than she could handle as she changed sides to sit with Tesla and rubbed her shoulders. "I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you," she mourned. "I should've been if you were thinking of that. I just…" She swallowed. "I didn't think you wanted to speak to me."

"I didn't." Tesla was honest about that. "I just wanted to keep drinking and pretend everything was fine or sleep or cry." Her eyes stung as her lashes fluttered when Julia rested her forehead against her temple. "I'm still processing. Jang-ta and I worked out enough that I can sleep easier, but he has to talk me down from the ledge every now and then when I start getting anxious."

Three beat pause.

"But I really missed my best friend," Tesla crackled.

Julia sucked in a breath. "Tesla—"

"I hated being like this," Tesla whimpered. "I hated missing you. I couldn't believe you knew about what was happening to me. I-I-I couldn't understand it." The first hot tear slid. "We told each other everything, Julia."

"I know." Julia sniffed. "I know."

"I kept fighting with myself so much about this," Tesla confessed as more tears silently trickled. "I tried to convince myself Zelda tricked you into lying to me. I told myself y-you wouldn't do that to me." She brushed her cheeks and sniffled. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry," Julia hushed her softly.

"I kept getting angry you would hide that from me when you knew what my sperm donor did to me." Tesla tried to control her voice, but her lips quivered and her cry lodged in her throat. "I was so scared. I thought… I th-th-thought you and Zelda and my sperm donor—"

"No. Never." Julia did not mean to be harsh, but she wanted her point made. "Neither one of us would ever work under that son of a bitch."

"I know." Tesla sniffled and grabbed a napkin to wipe her nose. "I know that. I know, I was just…!" She shook her head. "And when I knew that…it felt harder to talk to you. I felt awful I could even think that about you because I thought that about Jang-ta and I freaked out on him and I know that hurt him."

Julia could imagine how shattered even the unreadable Jaxton would have been at such a comparison—an accusation.

"I'm sorry," Tesla choked out. "We should've talked sooner—"

"Yeah, we should have, but not because you were upset with me," Julia cut in. "Zelda might be the only Hunter I can trust, but you are my best friend. And I knew—I knew—how much it would trigger you if you knew you were being dosed because…!" A harsh swallow. "You don't know how much I want to kill that sick son of a bitch for doing all he did to you," she hissed, anguished. "And I'm so sorry you felt you were back in that space."

Tesla sniffled. "I know it was to keep me in control. I know that. And I'm…doing better keeping my powers in control when I spiral. Zelda's been helpful." And Jang-ta, but…that's something I can't speak about. "I'm sorry I was such a shit friend—"

"Tesla, you needing time to process isn't being a 'shit friend'," Julia admonished. "Your sperm donor is out, and you're remembering what he did to you. You have powers now. You have a lot to think about. And I know me showing up at your dinner with Zelda didn't help anything."

Tesla snorted. "That was a disaster."

Julia chuckled with her. "Yeah, it seriously was. And something I told Zelda I refuse to do to you again."

"She apologized." The tears were gone, but the stains would take time to leave. "It took some time until I wanted to see her again, but…she was the only one I could turn to at the time. And now she's…family."

"Not if you don't want her to be," Julia said quickly. "Zelda made it clear to me if you didn't want to get to know her on a family level, she wouldn't pressure you."

Tesla shook her head, but she leaned into Julia. "I always had such a fragile relationship with family and happiness," she confided quietly. "Some people thought it was weird I didn't have two parents, but…I'm happy my mom raised me alone. She showed me what a family meant—a family who loved me the right way. And then I met Dante—I knew what it felt like to have a brother and to love a brother. And then you came along."

Julia snickered. "Yeah. I don't think I could forget meeting you. You were this big ball of sunshine and energy." She thumbed Tesla's arm with a wistful smile. "Dante didn't like me."

"Yeah, well, you didn't hear this from me, but Dante was seriously jelly when you and I got close."

Julia gaped. "No."

"Gospel truth," Tesla confirmed. "We sorted it out quick enough—don't get me wrong—but he had his worries. He doesn't have them now though. Oh, no, when Jang-ta came into the picture—"

"Ha!" Julia cackled. "Dante was a riot when you and Jax were just dating. I've never seen Jax lose his cool, but he got twitchy when Dante started randomly showing up on your hang-outs and sleeping over to deter Jax from de-purifying you."

"You know, it's so sweet Dante was trying to preserve my chastity belt, even though I'd gone through a whole school roster by then," Tesla sighed airily. "Neither one ever fessed up to me how they got along, but, you know…" She made a vague gesture with her hands. "They deny it when I said they screwed, so I'm all out of guesses what made them calm down."

Julia choked into a laugh. "You would go there."

"Hey. My man is a tall drink of mineral water, m'kay?" Tesla defended. "But Dante said Jaxton isn't his type. And now we clearly see why, considering my baby gay was about to take Carlisle in Miles' house the other night. I swear to god, that ass gets on me for my inhibitions, but he clearly can't keep his paws to himself when Carlisle is close."

Julia smiled. "It's nice to see you both happy," she murmured. "It's not like you both weren't happy before the relationship purge or whatever, but, you know…you're happier. They add to what you guys had before. And I love that for you."

"And is good all Speedy making you happier?"

"Maybe." Julia's eyes glinted with wicked mirth. "If he can keep up." When Tesla barked a laugh, Julia pulled away but only just, and somber blues clashed with glimmering grays. "Are we okay?"

"You're my best friend," Tesla told her. "Don't you dare fucking leave me alone to a sausage fest. Even Kat has a dick and it's bigger than Miles', that's for damn sure."

Julia pitched up an eyebrow. "So I'm your pussy pal in the group then? Unlike you, I'm not into being someone's bitch."

Tesla gaped. "Is this…a top ten anime betrayal? You witch ass bitch."

"I'll try my best to rescue you when Jaxton tries to lure such an innocent lamb like you away from the group like the wolf he is"—they shared a laugh, but for completely different reasons—"but hate to break it you, babe. Now that I'm breaking in Eiji to be my bitch and Dante can't get enough of Carlisle that he collared him—"

"And put a ring on it," Tesla piped up.

A wide grin split on Julia's face. "He and I have our hands full with our own leashes. You'll have to be the sacrificial lamb every once and a while." She raised her hands up in a sorry-not-sorry gesture while Tesla pretended to be offended.

"Wow… Being portrayed by my own kind," Tesla sniffed, wiping a fictional tear away. "Oh, the lies! The deception!"

Julia playfully nudged her. "Whatever." She gestured to their plates. "Want me to hunt Cindy down so we can have our leftovers boxed up, we can get some ice cream, and then…?"

"And then…head over to my place for some much-needed girl talk, drinks, and Drag Race," Tesla finished for her.

Delight bloomed upon Julia's face. "Sure. I'd love that."

"Yay! Okay, now scoot because, sis, I gotta pee now."

Julia got up to switch back to her side while Tesla sped-walked to the bathrooms. Heart lighter than air, all that tension and aching and longing were banished for that sisterly bond she had missed. I have my best friend back. Heat backed her eyes. I've missed her so much.

She went to her Compact and punched a message to Dash:

« I'll see you tomorrow. I have a bit more of a tempting off tonight »

She smirked when Dash called her and purred, "Trying to catch us in the act, Speedy?"

"Well, I'd hear her if I did," Dash groused. When Julia laughed, he softened his voice and asked, "But everything went okay?"

"Yeah." Julia smiled to herself. "It did. It went better than okay, actually. I have my best friend back."

"I told you your relationship wasn't dead," Dash murmured. "It just needed some time and space. So enjoy tonight. And if something ends up happening—"

"We still wouldn't tell you, so cut the shit," Julia jested.

Dash cursed. "Dammit. But come on, something had to have happened in the past, right?"

Julia's eyes flickered as she grinned. "Sorry, Speedy, but ladies don't like to kiss and tell."

"So you admit—!"

"Oh, and by the way," Julia spoke over him, "make sure you have those fuzzy handcuffs ready tomorrow since you'll need them."

Silence.

"You drive me crazy, Peaches," Dash rumbled darkly. "Fine. I'll have them waiting."

"Good boy," Julia mock-cooed.

Dash chuckled. "Oh, don't even start." Two beats. "Cane and I are taking Aunt Cana to her favorite vineyard for Parent's Day before we stop by to see Mama and Mister Ross, but before that, you want to take a drive with me to the vineyard?"

"It hasn't even been the standard three days and here you are asking for a second date," Julia teased.

"Was I?" It was clear Dash was amused. "I wasn't going to label it, but if you wanted to, then sure. It can be a second date."

Julia hummed as she dunked her straw. "Behave in those cuffs, and I'll consider it." She glanced over to see Tesla making her way back. "Tesla's coming back. I'll text you later."

"Yeah, sure. Be careful and send me pictures—"

"Pass." Julia ended the call, but it was then she noticed a text message from Jaxton had dropped in.

« Take care of her. »

Julia softened.

« I will. »

Tesla plopped down in her seat. "So boxes then dessert?"

"Yup." Julia locked her Compact, but her eyes caught her lock screen. It had been such a stupid picture, but she loved it enough for it to be her lock screen. She might have picked on her brothers (downright terrorized them on the best of days), but she loved them dearly in this photo. Their time at the beach with Julia taking a selfie as a young Gary grinned and a little Silver was on Gary's back, confused what was happening.

I know it's wrong…but no matter what, I'll take down those Hunters who came for my family. She thumbed her Compact. And Gannon Lynk—the Cerberus Hunter—is the key to them. I started this mission the second I paid for those surgeries. And I won't quit now. But still…

She looked up with remorse in her heart as Tesla had flagged down Cinderella and explained to her their needs. Tesla… I know you hate him for all he's done to you. But… Can you forgive me…

She gripped her Compact as Tesla laughed over what Cinderella had said.

…when I kill your father?

---

The beauty about the operetta Die Fledermaus was the themes people recognized, but it was often the waltz people remembered from Act 2: "Einen Walzer Spielt Uns Auf!". Eighth notes drove the push-and-pull waltz, straining against the metronome at times, in a tempo di valse. The strings drove with their middle to low register when they sprung up into a higher octave just because.

The steps taken were a class one-two-three as you did smoother turns in the circle you and the other couples formed. This waltz needed no change of partners with everyone staying selfishly together for independent spins and subtle breakaways that would pull them back together. That was the power of this waltz.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

West Ballroom

Savant Hall

Larkspur County

Fiore, Ishgar

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

As the strings screeched for their final round, the spins grew in multitude until the final three slower beats held down by the brass pulled everyone into their finishing move. Waltz over, everyone politely clapped for their hard work and clapped to the musicians. A less intense overture had started up.

Nora took pity on Ena and pulled her away from the dance space and into the throng. "You did well, My Lady."

Ena winced. "How many times did I step on your feet?"

"Once." Nora did not hold in his mirth at the memory. "For someone not raised in court, you're familiar with many of the traditional dances." He passed Ena a flute of champagne before getting one for himself from the server.

Ena primly sipped. "You'll have to thank my friend. I'm not that much of a dancer, but she grew up dancing and had to give me a crash course in the possible waltzes and dances that could happen." Her eyes flitted around to see the hungry gazes of those dying to speak to Nora. "Shouldn't we be socializing?"

"It would make more sense for me to escort you outside for fresh air," Nora murmured in her ear. "You're a bit flushed. Allow me to be a gentleman so you can cool down and we can speak without being followed."

Ena whispered, "Could I snag a piece of cake first?"

"You're hindering our escape, My Lady," Nora jested, but he steered her towards the tables. "But your wish will be granted." His voice turned serious as he rumbled, "But we need to talk."

Ena nodded. I know. She tried not to tense. I can feel eyes on us.

"Lady Ena!"

Nora and Ena stopped when Marinette came bounding over with, eager and beyond beautiful in her ash blue evening dress to signify her innocence towards social season and courtship. An embarrassed Beatrice got dragged with her, though as a mature lady in society, she had on a subtle tint of pink on her tulle dress to show her available status to prospective suitors, and her tinted red hair straightened out in reams of layers tonight.

Ena smiled. "Lady Marinette. Lady Beatrice." She curtsied while Nora bowed. "It's wonderful to see you both again."

"You look gorgeous," Nora complimented.

Beatrice shackled him with a smirk. "Please. We all know we're all uncomfortable," she guffawed. "Captain Da Capo had a conniption when Commander Herring suggested she wear a dress. I'm too used to training clothes and the outdoors for something like this."

"You and me both," Nora muttered.

Marinette beamed. "Is Silver here yet?" She peeked around. "He told me he'd be here, but I haven't been able to find him."

Beatrice and Ena looked at Marinette in surprise. "You've been talking to him?"

"Mmm-hmm!" Marinette happily nodded. "We exchanged Com numbers the other day when we showed you around the Hall of Knights, and he promised he'd be here tonight." Her beam slipped for a pout. "I wanted to brag to him how elegant Lady Beatrice looks."

Beatrice flushed, irate and bashful. "You can't just talk about me behind my back like that, idiot," she grumpily scolded.

"I'm happy to compliment you directly, Lady Beatrice!" Steam puffed from Marinette's nose as she salivated and stars lit up her eyes. "I could start right now if you'd prefer. For example, the bust on your dress—!"

Beatrice smacked a hand over Marinette's face as a tick mark battered her temple and a fair bit of red darkened her cheeks. Her eyebrow twitched. "Please excuse her," she gritted. "She's had one too many to drink. I apologize for her misbehavior and"—she coldly glared at Marinette—"will punish her thoroughly."

Nora and Ena sweatdropped when Marinette visibly grew excited at Beatrice's threat. Why does it seem like their definitions of punishment are very different?

Ena came to a realization. "Hold on. Silver said he was coming as a guest?"

Marinette got Beatrice's hand off her, but before Beatrice could move, Marinette wrapped around Beatrice's arm. A steaming red-faced Beatrice buried her head in her hand while Marinette chirped, "Yup! He told me he'd be a guest and not working tonight."

"Huh…" Ena put her fan to her lips. A guest? How would he be a guest when—? It hit her, and she turned to a quiet Nora for answers. Did he—?

"Trissy!"

Beatrice winced and tried to hide her face. "Dammit," she whisper-cursed. "They found me again."

Before Ena could inquire who, their small party had two uninvited additions that focused on Beatrice. Both were tall and fit, but they had their own way about them. The broader one had the same wild green eyes as Beatrice with a pecan-brown to his complexion and deep russet hair, while the leaner gentleman had an Encan tan to him, and his red hai tamed into a court-approved ponytail.

Beatrice glared at the pair of them. "I thought you two would be mingling with the single women in this area." She shooed them. "Go away, both of you."

"Geez, Trissy, are you that embarrassed by us?" the red-headed gentleman teased to show off his boyish grin and surprising canines. He crossed his arms and his bespoke charcoal gray and cream suit crinkled a little at the move. But his movement did show his pendant with a symbol-filled octagram perfected into the medal. "We are your escorts tonight."

⌜THE LEAGUE OF SORCERERS

Name: Octavius Normandy

Age: 19

Magic: Magicianry

Occupation: Institutional Research Specialist

Likes: cotton candy Dislikes: marbles

Special Note: Octavius might be a little pompous and rude, but he has a weakness of cotton candy and a thing for a quiet, little Magician! ⌟

Beatrice hissed at Octavius, "I don't need escorts. I told you that repeatedly when you told me you were coming."

"Ah, come on, Trissy, you know Dad would lose it if you went to a ball without an escort," Octavius reminded with his perpetual grin on his face. "And we're not about to just let any guy dance with you."

"Octavius makes a point," the broader gentleman rumbled with soft greens on Beatrice in his naval mess dress of a deep navy "It's not appropriate for you to wander without an escort."

⌜HER MAJESTY'S ROYAL NAVY

Name: Eros Normandy, LVO

Age: 21

Ability: Expert Weapons Specialist

Occupation: Lieutenant

Likes: debatesDislikes: wet socks

Special Note: Eros is a member of the Order of the Nasturtium, an order known for inducting courageous members of the military! ⌟

Beatrice bristled and swatted at both her older brothers. "It doesn't matter what you think is 'appropriate'. Who cares? Shouldn't you be off trying to harass some poor girl or something since you both are available?"

"I'm in a relationship with my research," Octavius said with pride. His eyes slid over to Odette as she laughed alongside a few other ladies while Alexandreux lingered for a chance to steal her away. "And Dreux seemed to snag Odette the second he could."

"What happened to Circe?" Beatrice questioned. "I thought you invited her?" She smirked. "Oh, right. She probably wrote back to you what she always does."

"Gah!" Octavius dramatically scrubbed his hair. "Rejected! Again! And I know she wants me!" He scowled and theorized, "I know it's those damn cousins of hers that are making her reject me. Trivia and Dazzler never liked me, but I just know Circe has a thing for me!"

Ena blinked, surprised. He knows Dazzler?

Beatrice rolled her eyes before turning to Eros. "And you? Why can't you go off and harass someone else other than me?"

"We're here to escort you," Eros reminded again.

Beatrice groaned. "I hate you both." She crudely gestured to the brothers. "Lady Ena, these two idiots are my older brothers, Octavius and Eros," she introduced, part agitated and part exhausted. "You idiots, this is—"

"Ena Fernandes." Octavius offered a bow and kept up his grin. "Dad told us the Marquis let it slip Dame Erza's daughter would be here tonight, but you really are Ron's little sister."

That took Ena back a second time. "Excuse me?"

"Ah, right. Sorry about that." Octavius lifted his chin. "I mean your brother, Oberon Fernandes. I know he tells everyone to call him 'Mystogan', but he got on my last nerve being in the League with me and being so stuck up, so I call him 'Ron'."

"You know Mystogan?" Ena questioned, incredulous.

Octavius nodded. "Yeah. We both started in the League together as the youngest members, but Ron was pretty standoffish. But since we did a bunch of grunt work, I forced him to talk to me so our menial labor could be a little bit more bearable." He snorted, shaking his head. "Man, he never gets easier to deal with. But I really like his apprentice Luke."

"You like him because he gives you an excuse to slack off your duties and play lacrimagames," Eros muttered.

Octavius could have fallen over, found out, but he quickly defended, "I do my work! At least I'm not a severe workaholic like you, you madman! I heard how you didn't want to give your men any rest when you came home from your trip so you could give your report. If it wasn't for Trissy leaving for the Hall of Knights, you would've worked them to the grave!"

"They would have survived through giving the oral report," Eros huffed, frowning at his brother. "And you also abandoned your duties at the Tower of Learning when you found out Trissy was leaving early for the Hall of Knights."

Marinette echoed, confused, "The Tower of Learning?"

Octavius latched onto that as he snapped. "Right! The Tower of Learning is a place for anyone who is in the League of Sorcerers or at the university there with a bunch of awesome technology and resources that can't leave the tower! And I work there!"

"Woah…!" Marinette sparkled as she admired Octavius. "That's so cool!"

Octavius puffed his chest at the praise—

"But Lady Beatrice is much cooler since she'll be a Holy Knight!" Marinette cheered, snuggling onto Beatrice's arm and making the poor young lady's flush worsen while Octavius was flabbergasted his own sister upstaged him.

He coughed into a fist, recovering from the blow to his ego. "Anyway, where is Ron these days?" he asked Ena. "I haven't seen him since our League meeting back in December. He let Prospero, Voyant, Agatha, Hamsa, and Dreamcatcher that he'd be out on guild leave, but he hasn't come back to the Tower of Learning in months."

"Oh." Ena cleared her throat. "I can't say I've heard from him. He hasn't stepped foot in Magnolia." Dark chocolates fell. And even if he did, he wouldn't speak to me.

Octavius shrugged. "Oh, well. Guild leave isn't something the League can question, anyway." He folded his arms over his chest, thoughtful. "I'll see him when I see him, I guess." He nudged his sister. "Come on, Trissy. You still haven't gone onto the dance floor and you need to before Dad has a heart attack."

Beatrice growled. "Fine." She detangled herself from Marinette but quickly grabbed her hand to drag her away. "Come on, Mari. Let's dance before my father thinks my virtue is on the line."

Marinette looked like she was blessed by the gods. I… I get to dance with Lady Beatrice? A dreamy look settled on her face. Dreams really do come true!

Nora and Ena sweatdropped as they followed Beatrice charging through the crowd with a dying-by-bliss Marinette with her.

"Nora," Eros said as he turned his stare from trailing after his sister back to the young lord of Savant Hall. "Will you be attending the Round Table this quarter? I'd think it's about time you would."

Octavius made a face. "Thank god I don't want the dukedom. Those meetings you guys have to do would drive me crazy."

"You barely got to your own meetings as it is," Eros countered, tone dry.

Nora replied to Eros, "My father would like me to. Atticus advocated for me to start attending as well." But the reminder of the memory disturbed him. I don't understand why Atticus would want me there. It would mean Father would consider me more for the title of Marquis. I still don't understand why Atticus is so supportive of me taking on more duties.

Eros nodded his subtle approval. "It would be good for you to attend. You'll learn much from the Round Tables." Those wild greens darkened. "And I'm sure you'll contribute more than Atticus." He shook his head. "By the way, I ran into your sister."

Nora raised an eyebrow. "Odette?"

Octavius had a toothy grin over Eros' subtle scowl. "No. He means Sylvie. She was spitting fire when we ran into her." He nudged his brother. "She started calling Eros all sorts of names when he told her how unladylike she was being."

"I told her it wouldn't be wise for her to be storming around when she has guests to entertain," Eros grunted, irked. "You'd think a young lady with her ball coming up would want to prove how mature she's become."

"You're just mad she called you 'grandpa' and swore at you again, aren't you?" Octavius ribbed.

Eros' cheek twinged.

Nora could not hold back his chuckle. "Sorry for her. She's upset her crush looks to be interested in Odette. I'm sure she'll come down." He grimaced. "Eventually… Hopefully…"

Ena simpered. "Perhaps we should find her and talk her down from the ledge?"

"My sentiments exactly, My Lady," Nora agreed. "If you will excuse us, gentlemen. But please enjoy the ball."

Octavius muttered, "I would if Circe had come."

With some farewells and bowing, Nora escorted Ena to the table and let his mirth shine in his eyes as Ena tried and failed to show her delight seeing the cake options. As she hemmed and hawed over which cake slice to pick first, he observed her. So far, Father Johannes has been swept up speaking to other nobility and knights. I haven't seen Mother Clarion. But that doesn't mean she won't corner Ena given the chance. He stiffened when someone brushed his back.

A whisper pressed into his ear. "She's coming."

Nora gave a short nod and watched Tristan slip back into the crowd as a server. He lightly touched Ena's back to whisper, "She's on her way. Time to go."

"Thank you." Ena selected two double-fudge cakes for themselves with accepted when Nora had a hand on her back to guide her away. Her eyes slipped left and right. I don't see any sort of religious figure near us, but I can still feel eyes on us.

Nora and Ena reached the other side of the ballroom. With a nod to the guards, Nora escorted Ena to the private courtyard strung with soft lights. The music and conversation dampened for the sharp symphony of the night. A few had braved the outdoors for quieter conversation. A young knight and his girlfriend spoke in heated whispers about her worries for his participation in the exam and his fear he would be given an ultimatum.

A quaint pond filled with well-looked after fish centered the courtyard with a bridge that led to a gazebo primped and prepped to make someone's night at the reception ball a romantic one. With no one inside, it served as the perfect place for them to sit and talk and have a clear view of who would be joining them in the courtyard.

Nora made sure Ena was settled before he took his seat beside her in the gazebo. "Cold?"

"No, I…" Ena quieted when Nora had taken off his jacket to drape it around her shoulders. "You know I could Requip a jacket onto myself."

Nora took his cake and fork with a grin. "You'd rob me of the chance to show you how chivalrous I am. You're a cruel woman, My Lady."

"Yeah." Ena's eyes fell as she remembered those tormented blues. "I suppose I am cruel." She forked some of her cake, but none of her original delight glowed upon her features.

Concern etched into Nora's face before he sighed. "You truly know how to make a man jealous, My Lady."

Confusion doused Ena. "Pardon?"

"Nothing." Nora divvied out a portion of his cake. "I did give Silver an invitation to the reception ball," he confided. "He never requested it. It was my offer, and he accepted."

"Oh." Ena's eyebrows came together. "But… Why offer?"

Nora shrugged. "Why not?" he countered.

"Hmph." Ena shook her head. "Why not, indeed?" And she took another bit.

Nora watched her for a few moments before he murmured, mezzo piano, "He'll be here tonight. He told me so himself. I'm sure you'll be able to speak with him then."

"If he wants to speak with me first," Ena sighed as she messed with her cake slice. "I might've been a little too careless with my actions the other day." She paused. "I might've been…wrong."

"Really?" Nora grinned when Ena shot him a death glare.

But she broke it for a sad laugh. "Yes. I suppose there are times—very little times," she emphasized to an amused Nora, "that I can be…misguided about certain things." Another sigh. What was with all her sighing? "Nora?"

"Yes?"

"I'm sure you've had to apologize far more than I have."

"That implies you think my character is severely flawed," Nora said dryly.

Ena flashed him a look.

Nora waved. "Proceed."

"Well…" Ena toyed with her fork. "How do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"You know that."

"Not if you don't tell me."

Ena's flat stare meant I-have-half-a-mind-to-threaten-you.

"Oh, you mean apologize?" Nora chuckled at Ena's narrowed eyes. "It's quite easy, actually, My Lady. You recognize your part to play in wronging the other person and take accountability for their feelings. You admit you were wrong and have a plan to fix the situation."

"And that will guarantee forgiveness?" Ena hoped.

To her disappointment, Nora shook his head. "Not necessarily. The person you apologize to will choose if they forgive you or not. Depending on the infraction and your apology, their choice is valid and should be respected."

Ena deflated. "And if they don't forgive you… Then what?"

"Well." Nora made a heavy exhale. "I accidentally broke Sylvie's doll when we were younger. She swore up and down she'd never forgive me and refused to speak to me for days."

Ena perked, intrigued. "Really? How did you get her to speak to you?"

"I didn't." Nora remembered the time with fondness. "She saw me sneaking in some treats Mother disapproved of and demanded I share as compensation. And we ate in silence. She got up and told me she was still mad at me, but…" His lips curled into a smile. "She told me that I'm her little brother, so it's natural I do stupid things and, as my big sister, she had the task of shaping me up."

Ena set aside her woes for her own admiration for the tale. "That's a nice story."

Nora hummed. "We might not always get along, but I know Sylvie cares about me. She just…has a lot of personality if you haven't noticed." They laughed together before those grayed yellows flashed down to her. "I don't think whatever happened between you and Silver is irredeemable. You can't take back words or actions of the past. You can only make the future better with words and actions."

"But… What if that's not something he wants?" Ena feared. "He might…not want to speak to me or…want me around or…"

Nora snorted, however, and took another bite of his cake. "My Lady, I don't think you will ever have an issue about him abandoning you or pushing you away permanently. He looks at you like you hung the moon and the stars."

Ena disregarded the last sentence, too caught up in her worries. What if that's what he needs? He needs to be away from me. Mother said I have to put his needs above mine, so I just…let him go? Her stomach curled at the mere thought.

"Ena."

Worried dark chocolates connected with soft grayed yellows.

"An argument can be resolved," Nora soothed. "He'll be here for you, My Lady. I promise."

The words washed over Ena and abated the disquiet wormed into her heart. "Thank you, Nora." Onto her next concerns. "It looks like Mother Clarion will do her best to surprise me."

"I noticed." Nora visibly hardened. "This would be her only opportunity to speak to you. And considering she knows you're on your guard, she'll do whatever she can to knock you off it for a moment and exploit it."

"Maybe I should confront her instead—"

But Nora was already shaking his head. "A preemptive strike might work on the battlefield, but that's when the rivalry is public. You have no reason to approach Mother Clarion first. There is no public benefit to you doing so."

"I know." But she could not hold back her frustration. "I don't like being hunted like a deer."

"If it helps, you make a very cute deer."

Ena shot him a surly look that dissolved into titters. "Thank you, I suppose."

"You're welcome, My Fawn Lady," Nora cheekily replied.

Ena's lips twitched. "This has certainly been a trying trip."

Nora sobered at that. "I'm sorry you got involved in my mess."

"Nonsense. We're friends, Nora," she admonished. "It's natural for me to involve myself."

Nora sighed. "The words every man wants to hear from a beautiful lady."

"Pardon?"

"Nothing." Two beats. "I didn't ask for you here for assistance." He wanted to make that clear. "This is my battle to fight. I had only honest intentions to return the sword to her proper master, nothing more."

Ena softened. "I know." She heaved a breath. "But."

"'But'," Nora echoed.

"But whether you realize it or not, we've been connected since you had Soledia in your possession," Ena told him, honest and meaning her words. "You don't how thankful we both are that you did such an honorable thing to return her to her master." She raised a finger when he tried to get a word in. "Most would never risk losing a weapon from The Forge," she reminded him. "But you didn't care that your reputation could suffer a blow."

She set her hand on his. "I understand you have your motives for pursuing Holy Knighthood. And I respect them. But I have my own desire to see what's beyond the curtain too. To know why they're so interested in Enchanters—in me. And I dare say we'd get further in our goals if we worked together than separately."

Nora was still not convinced. "You know what working together implies, My Lady." An almost scold.

"I do." Ena would not shy away.

Nora served her an appraising look. "You're very stubborn."

"A negative trait?"

"I'm not sure." Though Nora's expression indicated he liked her will. "I think we'll need time for a proper discussion."

"That's what I was thinking," Ena agreed. "Sylvie's debutante ball is on the summer solstice, yes? Since I might be otherwise engaged, I was thinking we could meet sometime in April or May."

Nora tilted his head. "I suppose I owe your assistant another call." When Ena hummed into her next bite of cake, he had to chortle a bit. "You certainly do enjoy taking control."

"It's in my blood," Ena quipped. "Call it an inherited gene. And I will not apologize for it."

Nora's eyes glittered as he leaned towards her to murmur, "Who said I didn't like it, My Lady?"

Ena blinked and weakly swallowed her piece of cake when she realized their proximity and a warm flush painted her ears and cheeks. "I…"

THWOP!

Both broke away to see Sylvie making a mad dash for the courtyard with her skirts up, her face a little pink, and an upset expression on her face. Odette rushed after her, panicked, with Alexandreux following, but his concern looked more on Odette.

Odette called, "Sylvie!"

"Leave me alone!" Sylvie went up the bridge and joined Nora and Ena in the gazebo, horribly flushed. She plopped next to Nora and stole his plate of cake and his fork. He was too startled to say much when she shoved her face with cake. Her eyes flickered to Ena, and she grumbled, "Hi, Ena. Enjoying the party? I hope Nora's treating you right."

"Are you okay?" Nora finally found his words.

"Sylvie!"

Sylvie rolled her eyes and turned away when Odette came up to the gazebo. "I'm not talking to you," she bit. "I'm talking to Nora—my actual family."

Odette sighed as she sat beside her sister. "Sylvie…"

"Ignoring you…!" Sylvie sang as she delved into the rest of Nora's cake.

"Sylvie, please don't be like this," Odette asked of her younger sister. "It was a dance, Sylvie, you can't be upset about that."

Sylvie glared at her. "It wasn't just the dance. It was the next dance and the dance after that and you practically being on his arm this entire night when you knew I liked him!"

Ena and Nora exchanged a look and a nod. Time to shut up, sit back, and watch the show.

"Sylvie, neither one of us dictate who the Duke entertains," Odette tried to remind, though she looked a bit flustered at Sylvie's reminders. "And you have to keep in mind the Duke is twenty, Sylvie."

"So now it makes you a better match for him?" Sylvie hissed with her eyes glassy.

"No! I-I-I—!" Odette glanced back to see Alexandreux patiently waiting for her. "I never said I would be a good match for the Duke," she whispered to Sylvie. "It's not our decision on who the Duke chooses, Sylvie. Everyone has that choice to make—!"

"But you're making sure he chooses you!"

"I-I-I'm not doing anything—!"

"Whatever, Odette." Sylvie finished off Nora's cake and shoved the plate and fork back into his hands (and he took it and kept quiet). "Just like perfect Odette to get whatever she wants, right?"

The barb obviously hurt Odette. "Sylvie—!" She groaned when Sylvie got up and stormed off. "Sylvie, please!"

"Whatever!"

Odette rose to her feet, torn between chasing after her furious sister or sinking down in her misery. She hugged herself, shifting on her feet. Sylvie… She jumped when a jacket was placed around her shoulders, only to flush when Alexandreux had joined her. "Y-Your Grace! I-I'm so sorry you've been missing the ball because of me—!"

"It's fine, My Lady," Alexandreux said softly with those shamrock greens in a quiet balm. "I didn't mean to cause strife between the two of you." He paused. "And there's no need for you to be so formal, I promise. You can call me 'Dreux'."

Odette flushed even more, eyes on the ground. "Th-That would be inappropriate, Your Grace," she insisted.

"I don't mind." Soft words behind soft eyes. "Call me what you wish, My Lady." He brushed a stray look behind her ears, catching her eyes when her regard jumped. "Whatever makes you comfortable."

Odette licked her lips in her fit of nerves and her hands went to the cling to his blazer. "Your Grace—"

Polished boots made their way up the bridge. "Sylvie seemed to be in such a rush."

Alexandreux watched as Odette flinched while Nora tensed up. Atticus had come to join them with his smile, though it was tainted when he saw Alexandreux. He stopped shy of the Duke of Aronia and Odette, but he looked at his sister. "Is she going to be okay? I know her temper tantrum takes some time to calm down."

"I better tend to her before she runs into someone and insults them." Odette took off Alexandreux's suit jacket and poured it back into his surprised hands. "Th-Thank you, Your Grace, for the company, but I should be going." She gathered her skirt and rushed away before the Duke could stop her.

Atticus hummed as he watched Alexandreux keep track of every move Odette made. "It was very bold of you to ask my sister for her first dance. And almost selfish of you to barely let any other person dance with her."

Alexandreux squared up against Atticus and his soft and slightly tired nature went for to a stone-cold wall. "Lady Odette has fascinated me with her managing your horses and her advocacy portfolio." Tone monotonous. "Forgive us both for not keeping track of the time. She deserves to entertain others."

"She does." Atticus stepped closer for glittering grayed yellows to stare into cold shamrock greens. "And shouldn't you be entertaining other ladies, Your Grace? From how the gossip tells…you're receiving some pressure to find a wife." He tilted his head. "I hope my dear, sweet sister isn't part of your plot to put gossip to bed."

Alexandreux gave nothing away as he slipped on his suit jacket. "You know as well as I that gossip is something you turn a blind ear to. Or do you keep up with the gossip around your little…greenhouse?"

Atticus' eyes narrowed.

Alexandreux's flicked his eyes to Ena and Nora and the coldness melted for genuine friendliness. "Pardon for the intrusion. I will take my leave first." He bowed and strode away.

Atticus watched the Duke for a moment before turning a sunny beam onto Ena and extending his hand. "I believe you owe me a dance, My Lady. And I intend to collect if you can bear to be away from Nora for a bit."

Ena gave her empty plate and fork to Nora and offered back his suit jacket with an incline of her chin that he understood. "Very well, My Lord." She accepted Atticus' hand. "My next dance is yours."

"Wonderful. I'm looking forward to witnessing your elegance"—Atticus' beam widened, but those grayed yellows gleamed darkly—"my sweet scarlet rose."

---

— • — • — • —

sugu ni aitai noni aenai

kimi ni sotto chikazuite yuku

honto no koto kikutte kowai keredo

tashikame ni yuku yo

•

aitai noni aenai

hibi mo zutto kimi no tame ni waratta no

"arigatou" tte saigo datta tte

kaomisete baby

— • — • — • —

---

Space was pushed back in the ballroom in dedication to one of the classic Giltenan waltz that would be a circle mixer—traditional steps with a consistent change of partners to allow beginners to dance with more advanced performers and advanced performers to add flare to a song as old as time. Exhilaration buzzed through the crowd at the circle mixer waltz upcoming.

Tristan made his way to the crowd until he came upon one lone young gentleman and offered the tray. "Hors d'oeuvre, sir?"

The young gentleman kept his eyes pinned to the doors leading to the courtyard. "No thank you."

Tristan hummed, but he stayed to the shoulder of this young gentleman. He mumbled so no one else would overhear, "You ready?"

One of the sets of doors opened to reveal Atticus guiding Ena on his arm. He stopped every once and a while with his smile to greet the ladies hopeful he would take interest in a daughter of theirs or a lord who was hopeful he was shaking hands with the next Marquis. Ena kept her fan up to hide her mouth and played the part of the perfect lady. But those tells only he knew told him she was tense and itched for her swords.

A gloved hand came up to toy with a ring. Nothing fancy. It was a simple silver band that fit him perfectly with an etched-in internal ring if you looked carefully. But he twisted the ring not out of habit, but as a reminder.

"Yeah." His stare kept on Ena as his ring glinted in the chandelier light. "I'm ready."

---

Voices of Characters in Order of Appearance

— • — • — • —

Richard Caine – Tom Hollander

Ena Fernandes – Xanthe Huynh

Atticus Gosling – Steve Cannon

Erza Fernandes (voice only) – Colleen Clinkenbeard

Silver Fullbuster – Yuri Lowenthal

Sylvie Gosling – Leah Clark

Nora Gosling II – Brad Swaile

Irina Gosling – Pamela Merrick

Dardanius "Denver" Gosling – R. Bruce Elliot

Odette Gosling – Tia Ballard

Gale Redfox – Greg Cipes

Gajeel Redfox – David Wald

Panther Lily (voice only) – Rick Keeling

Sycaña – Christen Auten

Tristan Lauderdale – Chris Burnett

Alexandreux Caliban – Kaiji Tang

Carlisle Justino – Eric Scott Kimerer

Minh Princeton-O'Neill – Erica Harlacher

Dante Princeton-O'Neill – Adrian Petriw

Bachram D. O'Neill – Wally Wingert

Luna Dragneel (voice only) – Brynn Apprill

Father Johannes – Marc Raison

Mother Clarion – Linda Leonard

Julia Fullbuster – Michelle Ruff

Tesla Greer / Hylia Lynk – Galena White

Eiji "Dash" Ackermann (voice only) – Leraldo Andzaldua

Marinette "Mari" Witenagemot – Cassandra Lee Morris

Beatrice Normandy – Faye Mata

Octavius Normandy – Kyle Hebert

Eros Normandy – Travis Willingham

• — • — •

Additional Voices

Opening Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Description Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Closing Narrator – Melissa Fahn

— • — • — • —

⌜OPENING SONG

⟪ HANDS ⟫

BLUE ENCOUNT

Lyrics by

Junichi Tanabe ⌟

•

⌜INSERT SONG 1

⟪ 14 Romances, Op. 34, XIV. Vocalise ⟫

Mariss Jansons & St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra

Composed by

Sergei-Rachmaninoff⌟

•

⌜INSERT SONG 2

⟪ Waves of the Danube Waltz ⟫

Vienna Walzer Orchestra & Sandra Cuturello

Composed by

Iosif Ivanovici⌟

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⌜INSERT SONG 3

⟪ Die Fledermaus – Act 2: Einen Walzer Spielt Uns Auf! ⟫

Composed by

Johann Strauss II⌟

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⌜ENDING SONG

⟪ Long-Distance Train ⟫

Aoi Yamazaki

Lyrics by

Aoi Yamazaki⌟

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Next time, on Fairy Adventure

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Episode 108

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A WORTHY OPPONENT

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DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY, FAIRIES...

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Should I continue to make character profiles and profiles for the new cities I introduce and post them? Would it help you all who read this mess of a story? I catalog everything to help me remember places, locations, powers, and people. If you'd that sort of information, I can post it.

And I'm so excited to show you Luke's (and partially Mystogan's) arc「The League of Sorcerers Arc」with the League and the quirky researchers and professors within (I have thoroughly enjoyed writing about Dreamcatcher, Agatha, Octavius, and Circe and Trivia who are—yes—Dazzler's cousins I mentioned about before albeit very briefly), the Tower of Learning, and peculiar lady monk who has been waiting for Luke, The Remnant—who was briefly mentioned way back. You'll learn more about Mystogan and Aine's secrets too and how The League interconnects with our current and past heroes and villains.

And then Dante's arc which is a very pivotal moment for him, his teacher, Carlisle, the mystery man with vivid cerulean eyes from Luna's horrifying murder scene vision, Muta, and Mystogan's captor Hunter—The Forge Arc.

And the plans I have for some of the Fairy Tail villains like Briar, Mary—so one—I hope you're ready.

What might seem disconnected—it all connects. Vagueness will turn to clarity. I set up a lot of incoming characters and plots and a lot of clues to what will happen. A few misdirects, but not that many. I hope you enjoy this spiderweb of angst, head-fucks, drama, bloodshed, red herrings, big bads, and lore. Because we are just getting started.

(That wasn't a simile. The draft of FA has over 300 episodes prewritten to be looked at and rewritten and that's not even covering the first saga of FA. Knowing that One Piece has 1000 chapters gave me the strength to say this fanfic will never die until I finish figuring out how to perfect the ending—which will be a bittersweet sort of tragic partly HEA.)

End of speech.