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!

113. Adventure 113

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: Jasmine's not as safe in the hospital as she thinks with possible new enemies leaping for the chance to worship her God Slayer twins or do the opposite. The guys entered a beach volleyball tournament with a change of plans—Justin and Gary are a team! And if that wasn't awkward enough, looks like there's a shady guy trying to pull something with Gary. Jasmine meets Lamia Scale's resident Healer Lupita and also her twins! Well, the soul projections of her twins. And they already show their mother how much they love her. Gary and Justin's game ramps up to the finals and the win against a few familiar faces with a soaring hat trick. But victory means nothing when the one you love isn't happy. But don't worry. Our Devil is here to take care of his Angel.

'I'll always wait…because it's you, Angel.'

Talk about some cuteness! Speaking of cuteness, I'm sorry, but Wendel and Jemaine really are adorable.

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Chibi-Nashi appears with a grin and a wave. "Hi, everyone! Ready for more Fairy Adventure? To keep your eyes safe, make sure you read with at least one light on in a low setting! Here is an update time zone table!"

Abbreviations – Time Zone Name • — • — •— • — Location • — Offset

MCDT • — • — Melandian Central Daylight Time – Melandia • — • UTC +7

CST • — • — • – Cipangu Standard Time • — • — • — Cipangu • — • – UTC +5

SST • — • — • – Sīchóu Standard Time • — • — • — Zhōnguá • — • – UTC +3

CIT • — • — • – Central Ishgaran Time • — • — • — Bellum • — • – UTC +2

CMT • — • — • – Charring Mean Time • — • — • — Minstrel • — • – UTC +1

FST • — • – Fiore Standard Time • — • — • — • Fiore • — • — • – UTC - 0:00

ACT • — • — Arcticados Central Time • — • — • – Arcticados • — • — UTC – 1

CAST • — • — • — • — Caracole-Alicanto Standard Time – Fiore • — • UTC – 1

ADT • — • — • – Alvarez Daylight Time • — • — • – Alvarez • — • — UTC - 2

AT • — • — • – Amazone Time • — • — • — • — • — Valchestria • — UTC - 4

EST • — • — • – Eastern Standard Time • — • — • – Meidiland • — • UTC - 6

She winks. "And see you at the end of the episode!"

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A cute cluster of booths and Beaux-arts and Deco homes and businesses served as a prospering village. It was a local town in contrast to a tourist city, which meant there were fewer novelties and more authenticity. The locals painted every shade, from pale and peachy to a charcoal brown. A dialect of Cráole served well here and accented Minstrish passed about. The day was getting started, and it was prime time to buy groceries before the spring breakers found this place of peace.

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« This is Seoane Village, a small settlement so close to where Gary's Caracole residence is that many who live in his community can walk down the village or bike. »

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Ellie and Ines took the plunge to explore the innocent village and scope out the beautiful mosaic fountains. Maybe they did look like tourists as Ines took pictures of Ellie posing with some of the artwork, but the locals welcomed them warmly with offers to sample some of their cuisines. Most were amazed when Ellie could create a bouquet of native flora.

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Seoane Village

Caracole Island

Fiore, Ishgar

9:48 AM CAST

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• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

After thanking a star mango vendor, Ellie rejoined Ines to walk the path and leaned her head on her shoulder. Something about being in this small piece of paradise with someone you loved added a value you could not put into words. A smile lit her face when Ines dropped a kiss on her hair.

"C'est chouette. This is nice," Ellie sighed. "No clients screaming at us or having to wake up early. I mean, except you still wake up early and leave me alone."

Ines chuckle. "I didn't yesterday. And morning workouts give me enough energy to wake you up." A grin could not be helped when a crown of peonies sprouted around Ellie's head. "Aw, Daisy…!"

"Not a word." Ellie shook off her flowers with a pout. "I feel spoiled being on vacation like I'll never want to go back to work." She sweatdropped. Though Mister Sequen was more than happy to approve my time off…

• — • — •

"You're going on spring break? Say no more, Miss Strauss, say no more!" Warrod looked right as rain in his greenhouse as he tended to all his plants with that goofy grin of his. "I was a spry sapling like you once! I know how all those vacations go!"

"S-S-Sir!" Ellie stammered, and she could see flowers blooming around her to match her embarrassment. "It's not like that—!"

"Oh-ho, and Miss Sharabi is taking time off too, if I recall correctly," Warrod remembered cheerily. "I'm all right with her stealing my philodendron from time to time since she rose to the occasion and lilacs you a lot!"

A bundle of flowers blossomed as Warrod cackle at his own puns while Ellie was trying not to die on the inside. "Sir!"

• — • — •

He doesn't understand being subtle, does he? Ellie muttered. Sometimes, I wonder how Mister Sequen's assistant handles him. A large bulletin board with flyers tacked looked uninteresting to most, but the flare of pink gave Ellie enough pause. What's this?

Ines frowned as Ellie relinquished her to trot off. "Ellie?"

"Hold on." Ellie came up to the bulletin board and searched before she gasped. "Mon Dieu! Look at this!"

Ines strode over for her brow to furrow over what Ellie gestured at. "Is that…?"

"Yeah." Ellie could not lessen her initial shock. What is this doing here?

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

kazoekire nai hodo no omoi wo

itsu made mo okuri tsuzuke te kun da zutto zutto sen mo

•

kurikaeshi gokoro ni chikau yo

te wo nigiri zutto soba ni iru n da soshite kesshite hanasa nai yo

— • — • — • —

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The day had warmed into the 30s already, and spring breakers and locals took the time to embrace it. The beaches slowly swarmed with goers ready for fun in the sun. A tour boat for the Gran Alicanto Islands loaded with tourists, rangers, and a few vendors. Hang gliding might be a popular affair, but windsurfing took to a whole new level when you could surf legitimate winds with a trusted Magician and a Sky Mage supervising from their perch.

Nashi forewent dressing up when all she needed was a crop top, ratty pajama shorts, and slides. Her book was nothing too heavy—it was an extra credit book for her Josean class and, to be honest, she did not need the credit—but reading it proved a challenge, all things considered.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

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Case de Gary

Caracole Island

Fiore, Ishgar

10:16 AM CAST

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It was hard to read with distractions—anyone could agree with that claim. Which meant Nashi was no saint or nun when her stare diverged from the hangul to flicker over to the lawn.

Tai chi was a martial art, but it was "meditation in motion", gentle movements that spiritually resonated with your body, mind, and soul. For after all, while the soul required a physical body and mind, to connect all three was of your spirit's duty. And Nashi could not help but gaze as Jaxton and Gary practiced as noble art in-synch as though they had done this over and over again.

It felt surreal watching them move. There was no master and student between them, neither lead and the other followed. They pushed and pulled, tui and la. No words passed between them, only silence and controlled breaths.

The door opened behind Nashi, but she kept her eyes on Gary and Jaxton. Tesla came outside to join her, barefoot and breakfast. Settling on the lounge chair, she took an eyeful of her boyfriend and softened.

"It's been a while since I've seen him do tai chi," Tesla remarked as she set down her tea. She indulged in her croissant with star mango jam slathered on. "I never thought he stopped, but I haven't seen him do it."

Nashi asked, "You two don't do it together?"

"No. While it'd be cute, tai chi is his time." Tesla sipped her tea with a thoughtful look overcoming her as she gazed at Jaxton. "Reading up about tai chi and how it helps with mental health… I knew this was his way to have his own catharsis." It could have ended on a touching note until she chirped, "Like how pole dancing was mine."

A laugh snuck up on Nashi. "What?"

Tesla hinted a smile and knew Jaxton's lips twitched in the distance. "It's true," she chuckled. The amusement faded. "I know it's weird to say that, but it is true." Another bite of her croissant and a thorough chew. "So"—she swallowed her mouthful—"my mom is so fresh. Like, she could've made me do ballet or something—y'know, something without stigma—but I thought pole dancers were awesome and she shelled out whatever money she had to for my lessons."

"That's awesome," Nashi praised.

"It was," Tesla agreed. "I loved it and still love it. The instructors are wonderful and my class is very diverse. It's not a 'sex class'—it's an art, a sport, and a journey. But when I first started, they warned us something I don't think anyone considered." Her smile fell. "They said being that sort of vulnerable… A lot of their students ended up remembering traumatic events. The classes I went to offered free mental health services to help with it. It didn't matter which gender you were—a lot of my classmates would find themselves breaking down when we moved into a new position."

"Oh, wow." Astonishment hit Nash. "I didn't know…"

"No one did," Tesla sighed. "We all shrugged off the warning until more and more of us were hit with memories."

Nashi studied Tesla's profile and asked with care, "And did you…?"

Tesla continued to watch her boyfriend, but she murmured, "I broke down. Something about what we were doing triggered me hard. I was rushed to the ED and my friend Dante came for me." Her shoulders dropped. "It was a hard day. I didn't think something like pole dancing would make me freak. But those instructors were amazing people and warned us off the bat. I mean, providing us with mental health services? And the fact that both of them were licensed in psychological care? Amazing."

"It is," agreed Nashi, quiet. She broached, "But then you went back?"

"Yeah." Tesla held up a finger to take a few swallows of tea. "Maybe I was a glutton for punishment or something—I don't know—but I loved pole dancing, even after I got pink-slipped in a child's psych unit. Yeah, sometimes my trauma would catch up to me, but at the same time…it felt like I could work through it. Even now, I see my therapist, but I still pole dance. It's not for everyone, but it helps." Steely grays sparkled watching Jaxton. "And I think Jang-ta feels the same way about tai chi."

Nashi observed Gary in fondness. I see…

Tesla added impishly, "Too bad he can't work a pole, though. He might be a tough guy, but I live for videos of soldiers getting their ass beat on a pole by legit pole dancers. Let the record show I would win every time if both Jang-ta and I mounted a pole."

Nashi laughed. "I'll keep that in mind."

She shifted in her seat and kept track of Gary's movements. There's still so much about him I never knew. His art was his therapy, but…was this it too? She mentally sighed and her lashes lowered. He's worked so hard on himself. Her hands clenched. And I'm about to—

It hit her hard.

Winter spasmed, drowning, sinking, alone.

Tesla caught Nashi when she lurched forward and frost puffed from her mouth. "Nashi?" she fretted. "Hey, what's wrong? Are you okay—?"

"Nnngh!"

Both women turned back to the grass. Gary had halted in gentle movements as something trying pressed upon his face and marred his features. Maybe it was a migraine, or so it could be perceived as with the way he shook his head, shoulders hunched. Jaxton stopped as well, but he did not foolishly touch the agitated Gary. He stood by, watching, waiting, supporting in silence.

Nashi wheezed as frost tumbled from her mouth and winter flailed, overwhelmed and panicked. Gary! She churned summer to quell the alarming chill and bathed him with her soothes and comfort—

But that was the wrong thing to do when Gary jerked his head to look at her.

Stunned hickory collided with teary ceruleans.

Gary gave her his back, and that was when Jaxton closed in. He sat Gary down, not unkindly, before sitting crisscrossed and putting a hand on Gary's head. Whatever he said, it was too low for anyone else but Gary to hear, and it did not help that Gary's shoulders were shaking.

What broke Nashi further was when her summer tried once more to calm his winter's pain, she felt a wall of ice block her senses when any deeper emotions. An iced shell. A wall.

Winter rejected summer.

Nashi parted her lips, but she could not speak. Gary… What happened? The rejection stung and worry filled her, but she forced herself to abandon them. I need to keep calm. Something is bothering him. I can't panic right now.

"We should give them a minute," whispered Tesla, concern torn for both Gary and for a pale Nashi. "How about some breakfast, yeah?" When Nashi faintly nodded, Tesla helped her up. "Come on. Upsy-daisy, lady. One foot in front of the other." She guided Nashi back towards the doors, but she could not help but risk a backward glance.

Gary's shaken intensified, but Jaxton did not care. He pulled Gary down onto his shoulder and held him steady, his mouth moving in what could be perceived as soothes. But those dark eyes shed for attentive yellow-ambers.

Tesla sighed and opened the door for her and Nashi to get back into the house. Jang-ta… You do care about him.

The two trailed into the kitchen with forks scratching plates as the others, awake for the day, gobbled down breakfast. Ace busied himself stuffing a backpack with snacks, but he lent an ear to the excitement Ellie gave as she poured into a speech.

Ellie caught Tesla and Nashi's arrival and beamed, bouncing over to them. "Guys, you'll never guess what Ines and I found this morning!" She waved a poster before them. "It's a play about Fairy Tail! N'est-ce pas incroyable?" Her smile faltered taking in Nashi's face. "Nashi?"

Nashi readied a smile. "A play, huh?" She took hold of the poster for her and Tesla to inspect, but—

Hickories widened. What?

The poster for the play took artistic liberties—whoever had drawn it must have had an inappropriate breast fetish—but it displayed the old Team Natsu in their heroing days with Natsu's grin and fists ablaze, Lucy with her keys, Erza and her swords, Gray and his ice, and the rest of Fairy Tail. But what struck Nashi speechless were the other characters drawn onto the poster. Invel was there with his apathetic frown and lasses, alongside others she failed to recognize. But the main man and woman with their backs together, clasping hands, looked too familiar to stomach.

The woman was none other than Mavis Vermillion.

And the man with his black hair and black and tan robes was…

Tesla peered at the little blurb and read, "It's called 'Fairy Tail and the Heir to the Throne' by playwright…" She squinted. "I'm not pronouncing that. Anyway, it says here the playwright gathered the truth behind the late Emperor of Alvarez, Fairy Tail's involvement with the late Empress, and the truth behind the war." She frowned deeply. But the emperor is Nashi's… Her breathing hitched as her gaze bounced to Nashi. Oh, no.

Justin complained from the island, "Do you really think we should see a play about our parents?"

"It'd be so fun!" Ellie needled. "Come on, a play about our parents? They barely tell us anything outside of some of the cascades folles they've done! This could be our chance to actually know what happened!" She clapped her hands together. "Come on, everyone, what'd you say? Seeing the Caracole Island Players will be amusant!"

Justin arched an eyebrow. "Weren't they the same group who butchered The Phoenix Bride and Master got so pissed she vaulted on stage in a wedding dress? And somehow, that same scenario happened before when she was younger?"

Ellie pouted. "JJ…"

"Don't you pout at me, Ell-bell, that's beneath you," Justin sniffed. "I thought today was our fuck-all day. What happened to that?" He grinned at Ace. "Ace and I were planning to go sightseeing in one of the bigger cities and be one-hundred percent those tourists with matching fanny packs." His grin went to a disgusted scowl. "Since you heathens are having us go through all that…nature in a few days."

Ellie swatted him and declared, "Opération: Faire de l'beuh is off the table now."

"No…!" Justin whined. "You promised you'd keep an open mind about making weed!"

"Come to the play."

Justin narrowed his eyes. "If Nashi wasn't our daughter, I would've left this marriage years ago, you manipulator." But when Ellie did not back down, he huffed. "Fine."

Ace chuckled. "When was I supposed to have a say in this?"

But Justin waved him off. "We're a package deal, and you abused my ass last night."

Ellie turned to Nashi and Tesla expectantly. "And you two?" She implored, "S'il te plaît…!"

Tesla hemmed and hawed, hoping for a sign from a blank Nashi. But with nothing communicated, she resigned herself with a sigh. "Sure."

Ellie hooted before turning to Nashi, hopeful.

Nashi's smile was weak and her heart heavy, but she mustered a cheerful tone. "Yeah! Sounds like fun!" She could not listen to Ellie's cry of delight when her gaze dropped back to the poster.

The heir to the throne… Her heart fell even heavier watching Zeref and Invel. Even on my own vacation—her hands trembled—I can't escape my choices.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure 113

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Caracole Island Players

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カラコールアイランドプレイヤー

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In dedication of 「Avatar: The Last Airbender」 and 「Tales of Fairies」

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GRUUUUUU…

Having a house like Sharon meant upkeep was ridiculous. A professional landscaping team came by intermittently to mow down the grass, but now that spring was upon them, they cared for her spring garden and any additional maintenance needed. Most on the small team knew her likes and dislikes, but it touched her heart they still came to her for approval on little suggestions to make her property enviously blossom.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

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Château Sharon

Gazania Town

Fiore, Ishgar

11:50 AM FST

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• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

It was not that Jasmine wanted to wake up, but her bladder did not care for her sleep schedule. Crusts of sleep in her eyes, mouth like cotton, and a slog rolling through her mind, she hobbled over to the in-unit bathroom and could be embarrassed later with any discharge. Pregnancy might agree with some women who loved the process, but the frequent need to pee coupled with everything else made Jasmine feel like she had a UTI or she was a geriatric patient living in a twenty-five-year-old's body.

It did not take her long to do her business and get cleaned up. She opened for a shower to wake herself up since, now that she was awake, it was useless to sleep. But drying herself off gave her pause.

Hey… I don't feel as…tired. Jasmine went to her mirror to check her eyes. I still have dark circles, but it is what it is. Disheartening but an acceptable loss. At least they'll clear up in a week or two if I get decent sleep. She touched her back. And my pain and aches… I don't feel that bad. So this is what the second trimester should feel like?

PUWA…

Blinking her shock, she melted into this sort of giddiness that had to be shared when the souls of her children sprung free with their enchanting green and roguish black-violet. She beamed, "Good morning, Scooby and Shaggy."

Scooby—so-named her gentle-spirited and silly unborn with a green hue—stretched their diamond shape before springing back. Shaggy—the black-violet hue of her other unborn—went straight for her chest.

Warmth.

Jasmine laughed. "So you're going to be a mama's kid, huh?" Her laughter increased when Shaggy abandoned her and acted incensed when their mass of black-violet churned. "I never said that was a bad thing."

It was strange that the projected souls of her children stayed with her as she brushed her teeth and finished her skincare routine, and it was stranger their emotions felt natural to interpret. They both were miffed she shooed them away to go to the bathroom in peace—the only way she understood neither were happy with her decision was when Shaggy darkened and Scooby grew sharper and more defined in their diamond shape—but they forgave quick when she emerged in one of the maternity dresses she brought.

Yes. This was one of the strangest pregnancies she had witnessed, and she prayed this would be the last.

Jasmine took her Compact off the charging pad to see a bombardment of text messages and missed calls from her aunts and uncles and the old lady gang. Her aunt Meadow reminded her the family was headed for Ryuzetsu Land today and implored her to come if she had come home perchance. I told them I'd be working and went no-contact. I know I should tell them, but… Her hand slid onto her stomach. I'm not ready for that.

Scooby surprised her as he made odd shapes and textures with their diamond form as some sort of sign.

Jasmine frowned, not understanding, but it clicked for her a moment later. "Oh, you're concerned?"

Scooby puffed up before springing back into its form.

"I'm okay," Jasmine assured. She set down her Compact to open her hands. Scooby hovered over them. "Mommy's okay. I promise."

She chortled when Shaggy, not to be outdone, vied for a spot on her hands. This is so crazy. These are my twins. They can hear me. We can speak. This world of Magic that I never knew about… It's truly wonderful.

Hunger panged her and her mouth salivated thinking of sweet pickles dipped in mayonnaise. "Mmm… I think it's time for breakfast." She grabbed her Compact, but she told her twins, "Both of you aren't able to follow me, remember? I don't think Aunt Share is ready to meet you just yet."

Both drooped—Shaggy grew more violet than black while Scooby's diamond form looked softer and sadder—but Shaggy faded away first. Scooby, however, stuck around and bobbed over the nightstand.

Jasmine frowned. "What's wrong?" She blinked down to see Scooby hovered over the ladybug keychain she received. "Oh. This?" She took the keychain and an automatic smile adorned her. My very own lucky charm. Pacer and Pearson have such a cute cousin. She smiled at Scooby. "Right. I need to take my new charm with me."

Scooby flexed their shape as though in eager agreement before popping away.

She tittered. "I can't believe this is my life." She thumbed the keychain before slipping that and her Compact into her dress' pockets. Her orthopedic sock-slippers made her feel like a brand-new woman as she left her suite.

It'd be nice to see some of my cousins. Ricky's in Pergrande. Peter will be dropping by home for a little though. She held her stomach with one hand and the railing with the other to descend the staircase. But I think he's excited to see his girlfriend. He got them a hotel room and everything. I just hope they're being safe.

As she got closer to the ground floor, hisses drifted to her ear that made her frown.

"I understand that's how you feel"—it was her aunt Sharon firmly stating this from somewhere on the first floor—"but she is my niece. Her safety comes first before anything, and you—"

"It's not your decision to make," Pacer retorted, his anger clearly the farther Jasmine explored the first floor. "It's her decision—!"

"I'm well aware it is," Sharon said scathingly, "but she is stressed enough as it is. I'm not going to watch her move in with someone with clear boundary and anger issues and I won't let that affect her children—"

"They're my children too—!"

"You are a one-night stand—!"

"And I know that, but I know I want to be here for Jasmine and our kids!"

Jasmine found the muffled argument came from the sitting room. The sliding doors were closed, but she hesitated from interrupting as the fighting escalated.

"She doesn't need someone who thinks he can enjoy being a father, but six months after her kids are born, you're out partying and leaving her alone—"

"I wouldn't do that!"

"I don't believe that, and I refuse to let my niece or her kids suffer because of someone like you."

"What the Hell is that supposed to mean, 'someone like me'? You don't know me! You don't even want to know me—!"

Sharon snapped back, "I know enough that Jasmine deserves the world and support, not a man-child who can't even support himself or act decently in a public setting."

"Jasmine?"

She jumped, but her raging heartbeat calmed seeing an empathetic Maddox with her. He guided her away from the sitting room, but the hurled insults and lash-outs burned her ears and made her nauseous.

"How long have they been arguing?" Jasmine asked Maddox. The kitchen was their destination, and Jasmine silently thanked Maddox for not having the stench of bacon grease anywhere (they learned the hard way bacon grease would send her into a retching spiral).

Maddox sighed. "Since earlier this morning." He helped her onto her stool. "Miss Sharon is worried him losing it the other day wasn't a one-time occurrence," he explained, fixing her a plate of breakfast. "She's looking out for you."

"I know. But I also know I'm not a child who can't think for herself or her kids." Jasmine's gaze flickered down to her stomach. "I could've had an abortion, but I didn't. And looking back now…" She thumbed her stomach. "I should've told him when I found out."

"I thought you had?" Maddox slid some plated eggs, tofu bacon, toast, and hash to her.

Jasmine shook her head. "No, I, uh…" A snort to the embarrassing memory. "I mixed up Pacer and Pearson at the time. I hadn't even told Pearson. I was so furious that Pacer forgot we slept together that I couldn't think straight. I didn't even know they were twins."

A ghost of a grin lit up Maddox's face as he brought out a smoothie for her. "At least it makes sense why you're having twins."

"Yeah, but I might've committed manslaughter for triplets," grumbled Jasmine before taking several bites of food.

Maddox chuckled, tail flicking. "Are you happy you told him?"

Jasmine slowed in her chewing and carefully swallowed to ponder how to answer. "I am," she confessed. "I know Pearson could have told me about medical stuff with his family, but… I'm still glad I told Pacer. I wish it had happened earlier. I can see how he's been supportive and helpful…"

Tending to the dishes, Maddox cocked his head to the side. "'But'…?"

She forced a shrug, bent on not blurting a word, but Maddox's soothing silence made her quietly fess up. "I mean… Aunt Share has a point. He's supportive now, but… Is he still going to be that way a year down the line? Would he still want to co-parent or even see the twins? It's not like I'd force him to for their sake."

I've seen what happens when you force someone to parent their kids. I've lived it. Her hold on her fork tightened. No kid deserves to feel like that—like their own parents hate them.

A niggling terror fed into her fear. But what if that's me? What if I end up hating them? What am I supposed to do?

"Jasmine?" Maddox stopped washing to deal her a concerned look. "Are you okay?"

"Yes." A beat. "No, not exactly." Jasmine deflated, abandoning her meal and placing her head in her hands. "I just wish I knew if I was going to be a good parent." Another truth she would die with if anyone else had asked her. "What if…? What if I hate my own kids? Or if I can't connect with them? Or if I start looking for a way to escape?"

Some questions she kept locked inside. What if I have to force myself to be around them? What if I regret this? What if I end up like my parents?

Maddox's tail whipped in contemplation and he pushed up his glasses. "I wish I had the words to say, but I don't," he admitted, honest. "I'm not exactly a parent-person." He looked at the sink. "My parents tried to sell me."

Attention snapped to Maddox for the confession, and Jasmine gasped, "Oh my gods."

"It's not as tragic as you think. It's very common for this to happen to Aberrant children," Maddox assured. Yet such words carried a burden. He went back to the dishes. "Aberrants like me mainly come from Spiritless with recessive genes from ancestors who might've been Wizards. But without an Ether Spirit to latch onto, the genes warp to physically present without any powers attached. I'm quite proud to be like this. But not everyone shares that opinion. We're called mutants and freaks or, well, we're fetishized."

Jasmine's gaze lowered to her plate. "I'm sorry about Jinn. I heard what happened."

The small smile on Maddox's face was ill-humored. "It's okay. It's not the first time this has happened and it won't be the last." His slitted gaze strayed to the window. "My parents were horrified about how I turned out. It's understandable. There's a blood test women can take early on to determine if their children are Aberrants. My parents took it and saw the results, but aborting was out of the question since they're religious."

Jasmine swallowed heavily. "I'm so sorry. How did you find out they wanted to do that?"

"They told me." Maddox said this like it was not a big deal. "Like I said, my parents wanted to sell me and they were pretty clear how they felt about me. I was defective in their eyes. But Aberrants go for a pretty price in black markets and trades, depending on the percentage we are." He nodded at the LV in the kitchen that showed the five Aberrants of EMPHASIS doing an interview in Minstrish with group leader Kyary taking the lead. "EMPHASIS is a big example."

"But… They're celebrities," Jasmine pointed out.

A loveless smile came upon Maddox. "Do you think it was by choice?" When Jasmine said nothing, he told her, "Aberrants have very little options in a lot of countries. Fiore is a safe place, sure, but try it out from there are racists here. But in Sela, especially in Josea, Aberrants are stuck with being paraded like pets. If you have a talent and the government thinks they can exploit it, you're bought and sold into an industry. Maybe they're celebrities, but they're in worse positions than the Aberrants who hide in the shadows. They're not people; they're pets."

Words could not come to Jasmine. What could she say? Assurances? Excuses? Apologies? None were correct. She ducked her head. "I never knew. I…" She shook her head. "I guess ignorance is bliss. I listen to EMPHASIS—I mean, they're basically the girl group on bar with Young Nation—but I just thought…" Eyes flickered to the smiling Kyary as she giggled about being a League character and her collaboration with a few other artists for an animated music video. "I mean, they're always smiling…" A weak excuse.

"They have to—they could be killed if they don't." A harsh truth shattered an excuse. Maddox's tone was gentle, but his words were factual. "Wizards have it slightly better, but I can only say that for Guild Wizards. Wizards outside of guilds don't have the Council's protection. Like us, they're bought and sold to Spiritless since we're 'exotic'."

"I…" Jasmine shoved down another excuse. "Your parents… Were you present when—?"

"They tried to sell me? Yes." Maddox finished a pan and put it on the drying rack. "The only reason I was in school was that, since I was born in a hospital, my records were in the system and I had to be in school or else protective services would hound them. But my time outside of school was being their pet." What a horrible past to be said with a soft voice. "Buyers came over. My parents spoke to shady people, but they were desperate to get rid of me. They fought often about which one of them turned me into a monster, so they were looking to adopt. But they wanted me out of the picture."

"What ended up happening?"

Maddox heaved his shoulders. "The buyers and dealers my parents spoke with were always shady people until they met an undercover inspector. I can't remember how it started, but someone tipped protective services off about my parents. The inspector made a fake transaction to purchase me and basically incriminated them. I got pulled out, my parents were arrested, and my aunt raised me." He sighed. "But she didn't like me either. She tolerated me since the social worker did inspections, but I knew my aunt hated me. But it happens. I don't blame her."

"How can you not?" Jasmine asked him, incredulous. "Jesus, Maddox, after everything you went through…"

"It's not easy to love a child consistently or even like them, and it's worse for kids with disabilities or Aberrants. It can be stressful," Maddox said, airy. "I was lucky to emancipate myself when I lucked out on a high-paying job and had gotten a pretty big check from a laboratory research study I did. It was an experimental treatment thing. And now, here I am with you and Miss Sharon." Adoration flushed his face.

A soft smile worked Jasmine's mouth. "You and Aunt Share, huh?"

Maddox chuckled. "It's wishful thinking on my part. I understand her reservations." He shook his head. "I'm not insinuating you'll be anything near my blood family, not even close. I don't want to be a parent. But I know it's difficult when it comes to parenting. Some people love their kids and never like them. Some people love and like their kids. And some don't feel either until later."

"And some never feel it at all."

Maddox glanced at the downcast Jasmine. "That's true," he gave her.

"I feel like a shit mom already," she breathed. "I hate thinking like this."

"I can't imagine people like thinking about this, but I know it's hard to talk about." Maddox went for the iron skillet. "Coming from a person who wasn't wanted, I think it's good you think about this. People make it seem like having regrets or doubts makes you a horrible parent. Everyone has a reason for what they feel. At the end of the day, all you can do is make sure your children are given everything they need and they feel welcome. If you want that to be with you, I support that. If you think someone else can give them that, I won't judge. Do what's best for you and your children."

Jasmine reached for the ladybug charm and clutched it. I already love my twins. Sure, everything was crappy, but I love them. I wish I didn't keep thinking about my parents. I keep thinking of all the 'what if's, but I…

"But if this is bothering you," Maddox carefully said, "and I'm not overstepping, you could always speak to someone."

"I…" Jasmine fingered the ladybug charm. "I think I will." Maybe… Maybe I should talk to someone. My mother should've spoken to someone. I don't want to be like her. I want to give the twins what they deserve. "You have a way with words, Maddox."

He laughed. "I wouldn't say that."

"Oh, no, you do." Jasmine grinned. "You sweet-talked your way into rooming with Aunt Share permanently."

Adorable Maddox got all bashful. "Only a few nights a week. It's not like that."

"Tuh," Jasmine snorted. "Considering she called me when y'all went to the Commons for some anniversary thing for your program as your date and was panicking about what to wear when this woman regularly attends professional events, I'd say it is like that."

Maddox smiled, but he said nothing more.

Footsteps hurried into the kitchen, but Pacer came alone with his features dark. Those pale reds softened a little seeing Jasmine.

"Everything okay?" Jasmine warily asked. It surprised her when Pacer looked like he was about to touch her, but he pulled back his hand.

"I'm fine," Pacer grunted. "But I have to get going soon."

"Oh." Disappointment speared Jasmine, but she remained cool. "All right. I'll see you at the Sky Port for our return flight then."

Pacer quirked an eyebrow and his anger drifted into amusement. "I'm coming back here."

"Really?"

His snicker could not be helped when Jasmine looked so skeptical. "Yeah. I am. Your aunt said it was cool I could stay here as long as I stayed in the suite she chooses. One raised voice and I'm out." He shook his head. "Guess tats and piercings really aren't a good look."

"That's not true," Maddox kindly cut in. "Miss Sharon doesn't judge on looks." He turned his head so his reptilian eye socked Pacer with a sternness. "She judges on behavior."

Pacer's jaw went taut.

"I'll talk to her," Jasmine offered. "This is between you and me, not you, me, and her—"

"It's fine." Pacer yanked his gaze from Maddox and focused on Jasmine. "It's fine, Slugger," he insisted when Jasmine's eyes narrowed, mistrustful. "I'll deal if this means I spend my break here."

"But your family—"

"I'm catching up with them today," Pacer shushed. "Pearse will be about as in and out as me too." But he still didn't tell me where he went off to. We rented one car between us both and he said he didn't need it. "And in case you've forgotten, Slugger, I'm a man, not a kid. Sure, my parents are happy I'm home, but since I don't have any kids for them to dote on yet, I can do what I want."

"Mmm-hmm. Sure." Jasmine shook her head. "At least the twins will have a massive family on either side."

"My cousin Esme is in her second trimester too," Pacer informed. "So our twins will have at least one cousin their age." He laughed to himself. "Esme said she's hyped for it. She'd love to meet you." His smile dropped, and he cleared his throat. "If that's something you want."

Jasmine's own smile waned. "No, uh… I'm okay." She looked at her ladybug charm. "I wish I could thank the cousin who did this for me. Liberty, right?"

"She's a sweetheart." Pacer nodded at the charm. "She normally doesn't give out lucky charms, but she felt like you'd need her Luck."

Jasmine simpered, unaware of all the words Pacer did not say. "Well, she's adorable." She looked up at Pacer. "Go. Be with your family. I want an early start to my own homework and relax a little."

"Let me know if you need anything, all right?"

"Sure." It puzzled Jasmine again when Pacer visibly stopped himself from touching her. "Trying to keep your hands to yourself for once? Wow. And they say people can't change."

Pacer's laugh came out a little strained. "Guess so."

Burnt umbers scrutinized Pacer, but Jasmine gave up trying to read him. "Thanks for being understanding," she appreciated. "We talked so much yesterday. Maybe when you come back, we can revisit our custody agreement."

Pacer tensed. "Yeah. Sure. That's fine."

What is up with him? Jasmine questioned. I know he fought with Aunt Sharon, but I thought he'd let this go. What did she say to him?

She opened her mouth to grill him on the argument only to squawk when Pacer kissed her cheek. "What happened to hands to yourself?"

"Never said anything about lips—" Even after the hard smack to his arm, he chortled. "And you wonder why I call you 'Slugger'."

"Get out."

But of course Pacer was not finished and leaned forward to tease, "Trying to have me removed from court, attorney? I'm only providing evidence to my claims."

"I think a judge would think you're badgering the accused and rule in my favor to have you removed from the stand," Jasmine gritted. "You're going to make a shitty attorney."

"Nah. I'll be fine." His grin broadened. "After all, I had a sexy as Hell tutor, didn't I?" He danced away when Jasmine went for this throat. "Missed me!"

"Urgh…!" Jasmine growled. "This is why my focus is on older men, you asshat." She dismissed him with a shooing motion. "Bye."

Pacer cackled. "I'll be back later." He snuck closer, braving the risks of getting close to a volatile pregnant woman, and went to touch her stomach before hesitating. "Is it okay if I say 'bye' to the twins? I know you don't like your stomach being touched."

"I don't," Jasmine agreed with the uncomfortable memories of women and children trying to touch her stomach without permission rehashing themselves. "But go ahead." She pivoted to show him her stomach that would not give an inch.

Pacer nodded his thanks and lowered himself. Both his hands circled Jasmine's stomach, and he murmured, "Go easy on your mom while I'm gone; all right, you two?" He rubbed her stomach with pale reds loving. "I'll be back soon." He looked up and reds caught browns as he slowly rose to his height. "I'll be back."

"You said that," muttered Jasmine. "I get the picture—Oh!" Pins and needles pricked her as an uncomfortable warmth hit her. "Oh, dammit."

Pacer was on instant alert, but he recognized that grimace. "Leaking?"

"Yeah." Jasmine waved it off. "I'll be okay though…" She trailed off at the laser focus Pacer had on her breasts and snapped in front of him. "Hey! Quit staring, perv. Don't you have to leave?"

"Yeah." Pacer shakily exhaled. "I need to leave." A rough gulp. "I'll text you on my way back."

"You do that. Bye."

Pacer lingered to drink her in before he reluctantly walked away.

Jasmine huffed and stabbed her scrambled eggs. "I should've known he hasn't changed." Maddox's chuckle rubbed her the wrong way. "Something funny?"

"Yes." Maddox quieted his laughter for a smile and a twinkle in his eyes. "But I'll keep it to myself."

"Good." Jasmine took a bite of her eggs, irate, but she slowed in her chewing. Dammit. She swallowed. He's becoming more and more dangerous towards me.

---

The lush and fertile valley had started the day at three in the morning with no regrets. The greens were so awe-inspiring that you wanted to lay down and feel the grass beneath your fingertips.

Cattle openly grazed with the spring calving successful bringing in three more to a farm. The older architecture with Sinnish rooftops and basted pastels for external decoration might be an eyesore to the younger generation, but the council of this quaint valley made sure to keep the roads and building restored and even had a historical landmark on their village. A few younger children played a pickup game of football, but they got out of the way when a farmhand barreled down the stone roads with his prized donkey hauling the cart. A moped beeped as the driver passed a reputable restaurant where one of the owners was sweeping the storefront.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is Montifringilla Valley, a northwestern part of Caracole that most tourists aren't aware of as it is an agricultural town. Those who visit can taste around the town for the cheese, coffee, jams, and even visit one of the star mango wine vineyards, Etéreo Wines. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Someone should have warned Tesla watching your boyfriend become a "babe magnet" made her homicidal.

The vineyard was a perfect place for their mini adventure, to Jaxton's credit. Star mango wine was a delight and a delicacy with limited export even to the mainland, let alone to other countries. Wine connoisseurs and hobbyists flocked to Etéreo Wines for their seasonal functions and specialty tastings. The staff was knowledgeable with the selections, could provide recommendations, and fluent in MSL, Minstrish, Cráole, and standard Sinnish of which Cráole borrowed many words. From the beautiful scenery to the sweet yet tart wine to the warm smiles of the staff, for all intents and purposes, this was a beautiful place.

An airy giggle. "I'm, like, your biggest fan!"

Tesla's eyebrow twitched as she watched shameless people crowd around her and Jaxton.

Too bad posers soured the experience.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Etéreo Wines

Montifringilla Valley

Caracole Island

Fiore, Ishgar

1:23 PM CAST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

While people waited for their tour guides, fans of Fairy Tail could not help but be eager that a live Fairy Tail Mage was before them. Two struck up streaming on Instagraph and told their viewers they had the pleasure of seeing the elusive Jaxton Yang. Others were GCU fans and wanted to know more about the rumors behind him being Doctor Jades.

And all Tesla wanted was a quiet date with her boyfriend.

A beautiful Josean-Meidiland young woman smiled in kind and told Jaxton, "It's an honor to meet you. There aren't many Selan Mages, so it's really nice to see representation!"

"Thank you," Jaxton appreciated, monotone. The woman was inclined to say more, but Jaxton turned to his disgruntled girlfriend and murmured, "They're annoying me. Let's keep moving."

Tesla shook her head. "As much as I want to, wouldn't it be bad press if you don't answer their questions or take pictures?"

"I don't care."

Tesla could have fallen over. He answered so quickly! She cleared her throat, collecting herself. "You should care. It's your image on the line, right? I thought you needed a good image?"

"Master doesn't care about my image as long as I don't destroy anything or anyone," Jaxton said flatly. "I came here and planned our date. I don't care about anyone else." Before Tesla could stop him, he held her tight as he parted through the crowd. The questions and hopeful looks were given a deaf ear and a blind eye. One fan tried to get closer, but they shrunk back when Jaxton turned his head with a shadowed warning look.

He's so cold, they all thought. But blushes spread on their faces as they looked longingly after Jaxton's departure. But he's so cool!

Tesla sighed as Jaxton took her out of the winery. Cute wine-themed signs pointed which plots for the star mangos and the vineyard did have traditional wine from grapes as well. "You didn't have to do that."

"I did." Jaxton guided them to the star mango vines. A large map for tourists had been put up where a few pavilions were lines within the acreage and trails that would take you to the surrounding farms. "I wanted us to explore the vineyard before our reserved tasting." He glanced back at her, amused. "And I've sat through those J-Dramas and Z-Dramas with you to know you wouldn't be happy with me if I was like any of those male leads and gave fans attention."

"I'm more self-controlled than that," huffed Tesla. "I'm honestly proud so many people think of you as some sort of sex symbol because I live off their envy." She teased him, "And for someone willing to share me in a club, you're the one who gets more jealous than me."

Jaxton pulled an irked expression. "I get annoyed," he corrected. "The Academy is respectful, we're in agreement, and everyone is safe and clean. People out here are none of those things."

"Fair enough." Tesla's eyes lit up in excitement as they crossed into the vines with the star mangos blossoming and growing. "This is amazing!" Abandoning Jaxton, she bounced over to one of the vines, awed at the star mangos. "Sometimes, I can't believe the world would create something so beautiful and sweet, y'know?" A chuckle hit her ears, and she frowned at Jaxton. "What's funny?"

"You." Jaxton hugged her from behind and kissed her cheek. "The way you look at the world… You make me see it with new eyes. It's cute."

"Well not all of us can be prehistoric." She giggled when he nipped her jaw. "Hey! Bad dog! No biting!"

"'Dog'?" Jaxton sounded both amused and affronted, yet he grinned and nuzzled her neck. "I'll get you for that."

"Not until the end of this week you won't," Tesla reminded. She pulled free from him only to clasp his hand and bring them into a leisurely walk. "You're the one who told me we had to be abstinent."

"I know." Jaxton's jaw ticked.

"And we can't even touch ourselves—"

"I know."

She laughed seeing how bothered he looked. Looping her other arm around his bicep, she snuggled into him. "You told me the scene you planned out was similar to the ceremony your mom's side does, but your dad's old Guardian taught you a way to combine the two. I still can't wrap my head around Luna's Celestial Spirit is the Guardian Spirit for your dad's…culture."

"I couldn't either." The memories played before Jaxton. "My father told me stories about him. It was hard to translate his name into any language, but he and his brothers called him 'The Great Wolf'. Others of my father's culture had no attachment to him since he wasn't looking to become a religion."

"So all that talk of 'Luna'—?"

"I told you what you read in those books are fake," Jaxton grumbled. "My father's people practiced whatever religion they wanted. If they believed in a moon deity—god or spirit—that's on them."

Tesla pouted. "Damn. Paranormal books suck ass."

He chuckled. "Icarus was the Guardian who gifted us his way of life, and upon death, he would take that side of us to the Great Forest. He wasn't worshipped. He didn't want to be worshipped. He merely watched over us all."

"That sounds beautiful," Tesla murmured. She peered up at him. "Have you told your father?"

"No." For as deep as the bad blood ran between him and his father, a flicker of sadness went through Jaxton's face. "Icarus requested his presence be a secret, and I respect that. But to run with him… I've never felt anything like it. For a while, my focus was on my mother's culture and practices. But I felt…free running with him. It's hard to describe in words."

"I can imagine." A soft smile lit Tesla's face. "It surprised me you told me about him." She added, "And it surprised me you let Luna see you, with all things considered. What are you going to do since she knows that part of you?"

"Icarus will explain it to her. He knew she had followed him and I could smell her when I got an updraft." Dark eyes gentled. "She is his cub to protect now. He watched over my father's family since the beginning. If he trusts her that much, as do I."

Tesla hummed. "Does Gary know that Luna knows?"

"I told him. He wouldn't speak to her about it, but he knows she'll keep this to herself." He added carefully, "Just like the truth behind her heritage."

Tesla dead-stopped.

Jaxton stopped and leveled her shocked one with his even gaze.

Words failed Tesla, and she had to swallow and breathe. "You knew—?"

Stopping herself, she took a moment. Wait. He might not know I was in Alvarez, but if he knows about Nashi and Luna, then—

Guilt churned within her. I need to tell him. I've been quiet about it for long enough.

"Nashi, Luke, Luna, Igneel, and their father, Natsu Dragneel," Jaxton rumbled. "I know who and what they are because of my job." He tilted his head when Tesla looked away. "And I had a feeling you knew too."

"You really know everything," Tesla weakly jested.

Jaxton studied her for a moment before reclaiming her hand. "Come with me." He brought them back onto their walk.

All the luster and beauty of the vineyard blurred as Tesla's mind raced faster every step further. The silence dwelling between them crackled, tense and nervous on her part yet his was quiet and calm. A few children and other wanderers and couples passed them as they crossed through the rows of vines. A tour guide showed the group how it was determined if star mangos reached their potential or how they guesstimated when it would.

The gazebo Jaxton brought them to was one of the four on the property with a water fountain. The gazebo was small, a swinging one with a pagoda, but it was unoccupied and a perfect spot for rest.

Jaxton helped Tesla onto it first before following her onto one of the benches. Others would prefer a distance, but Tesla fell into Jaxton's chest as he pushed them into a soothing rock and maintained his silence.

A deep breath. Inhale. Exhale. Tesla turned her cheek so she could hear his heartbeat through his shirt. So steady. So comforting. Fingers splayed on his stomach, she confessed in quiet breath, "When we weren't in a good space… I didn't go on vacation. I…" Inhale. Exhale. "I went to Alvarez, actually."

Jaxton tensed, and his arm around her tightened its hold. But he said nothing.

Taking his quiet as encouragement, Tesla continued: "I didn't tell you because there were things that happened I wasn't allowed to talk about. I'm sorry I lie by omission. I'm not sorry for protecting Nashi's secret."

"I'm not angry." Silence broke to squash her fear.

But the doubt remained. "You aren't?"

"No." Jaxton kissed the top of her hair. "We both have secrets we keep to protect others. I will never fault you for that, Tesla. And it makes me happy Nashi trusted you with that sort of secret." A beat. "And that Gary trusted you with his."

Tesla sighed through her nose. "You really do know everything?" But against her grumble, she smiled when his chest vibrated with his laugh. "Let me guess: he told you?"

"He did," confirmed Jaxton. "He didn't say when he told you, and I didn't ask. But he was relieved you knew about him."

"What happened to him this morning?" Tesla questioned.

Jaxton looked out to the vines with his eyes darkening. "He's in a war with himself and has multiple battles to face. Practicing tai chi sometimes triggers him to start fighting a battle again, but he can't win his war."

That tone meant that was all he would say about the incident this morning, and Tesla respect that. Time for a subject change. "When did you two start practicing tai chi?" She ribbed, "Since, y'know, you two aren't friends or anything."

"Because we're not," Jaxton huffed, grated when Tesla chortled. "We're not."

"Okay, handsome," cooed Tesla. "You're not friends with the bad, bad Devilman."

"And don't forget that," Jaxton grunted. He sighed and rested his jaw against the top of her head. "My grandmother taught me tai chi when she was alive." A glimpse of his blood-bathed past. "My grandfather had taught it to her."

"Was he a Culti—? I mean…"

Jaxton's lips twitched. "He wasn't, no. He had a strong spiritual connection and received blessings from the Guardians and their master, but he practiced a different art. His love story with my grandmother is one for another time," he told her. "I would practice tai chi with my grandmother often. My memories with her fades as I get older, but I told onto them as much as I can. She taught me balance between yin and yang. When I practice it now, I think of her and it helps me center myself and feel more spiritually balanced with myself."

He shifted. "When I accompanied Gary here—"

"As his hot uncle," Tesla muttered.

Jaxton smiled and thumbed her waist. "I changed my appearance throughout the years since it was necessary to conceal my identity. Nothing more. You'll see my white hair at the end of the week." With a kiss dropped to her temple, he went on: "He saw me practicing early in the morning the first time we came here. He had a nightmare and couldn't sleep. I could tell he wanted to ask me questions, and it annoyed me how he just kept quiet. I told him either he could go back inside and leave me alone or join me. He joined me."

Tesla snorted. "Cold-blooded."

"I was annoyed I was babysitting," Jaxton told her moodily. "My boss told me I wasn't babysitting, but it felt like it. He was a snot-nosed pissant." Even with those insults, his eyes sparked. "I guided him through the movements like my grandmother taught me. He caught on quickly and we moved together." Something in his expression pinched. "But upon Convergence, he fell apart."

The word felt meaningful. Tesla pried, "'Convergence'?"

Jaxton hummed his confirmation. "Spiritual Convergence is when your spirit has connected your mind, your body, your heart, and your soul. Every part of you is one. You can feel your spiritual pulse within you and you become one with yourself and aware of the essence around you. It's an impossible feeling to describe."

"So…" Tesla's eyebrows pulled together. "Is it like reaching enlightenment?"

"No. Spiritual Convergence allows awareness, but Spiritual Enlightenment connects every part of you to the sum of everything around you and even beyond your reach," Jaxton educated. "You can fall in and out of both, but true enlightenment is hard to attain and you rarely falter. Convergence isn't meant to be eternal. Things happen in life that disconnects fundamental parts of you. In my mother's culture, it's important for us to reconnect ourselves to heighten our abilities and enter seclusion."

Tesla faintly nodded. "I see." She shifted her position. "Why couldn't Gary reach it? Is that what happened today?"

"Yes. Upon Convergence, he couldn't cross the threshold." Jaxton closed his eyes to drink in the scents all around him before his eyes opened half-mast. "It's always been a struggle for him and he's hard on himself for it. He's impatient to attain it. But I tell him all the time there's no rush or expectations. When you brought Nashi inside, I played my guzheng for him to help him calm down."

That brought an old memory to Tesla's attention. "You said you did that for him often? But didn't you tell me the guzheng…obeys you or something like that?"

"I did." His hand came up to glide down her arm. "They're a spiritual weapon my grandmother summoned. They rejected my mother and Weiwei and chose me to wield them." His scowled. "But Yuán Fèn has taken a liking to the pissant and would summon themselves if the damn pissant started crying to play him a lullaby. Traitor."

A giggle slipped past Tesla's lips. "What does their name mean? I don't think I've heard it before."

"It can be loosely translated to 'fate', but it's much more of a concept or a feeling," Jaxton said. "It's that instant click you feel with certain people in your life." He looked down at her. "How I feel about you."

"And Gary?" Tesla added impishly, though she broke in a fight of laughter when Jaxton tickled her side.

Jaxton snickered, but he withheld his silence on her question. Looking over the vineyard, he confided, "He'd fall back asleep whenever I played Yuán Fèn. Or I'd…"—a bit of a blush angrily touched his cheeks—"I might've let him ride me in my other form and I'd walk around the woods until he fell asleep. Don't – say – anything," he hissed in threat.

Tesla mimed zipping her lips, but her infectious smile could not be cured.

And Jaxton loved that smile, his own creeping up on him. "As much as the pissant annoys the fuck out of me"—darkness shimmered—"I'm proud that he's fought this far. Every mental battle he's faced hasn't been easy. He lost some. He won others. But he won't give up on the war in his mind. And even while he struggled with himself, he's become successful. He's teaching someone to handle a fraction of the madness inside of him. And he's found someone who accepts him. I couldn't be prouder of him."

He warned Tesla, "Don't tell him I said that."

"I won't," she laughed. She suckled on her bottom lip before proposing, "But maybe you should tell him."

"No."

She sighed. "Jang-ta…"

"Why should I?" Jaxton grumbled. "I'm sure he knows I am. He comes up with dozens of delusions a day. It can't be hard for him to know."

Tesla simpered. "He's an energetic one." She teased, "He's like your cub." The look on Jaxton's face sent Tesla into a chortling spiral. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding." A steady exhale, and she picked at his shirt. "But…maybe he needs to hear that from you—that you're proud of him."

Jaxton shook his head. "He doesn't. I'm very sure his parents give him enough encouragement." He internally sweatdropped when he witnessed how vocal Juvia was cheering for her son at one of the panels Gary guest-starred in. No wonder he's high energy. It's an unfortunate inherited gene.

"And I'm sure he does," Tesla slowly agreed. "But from what I understand, while he had his parents, you were there for him a lot, Jang-ta. And maybe growing up, deep down…he imagined you as his uncle—his family. You told me he'd fall asleep on your fur and how much he'd come to you if something bothered him." Steely grays saddened. "It's pretty easy to see how much he keeps to himself."

"He talks to Nashi," Jaxton lamely argued.

"You know it's not the same."

Jaxton rocked them some more and stewed over her advice for several moments. Tesla feared he would remain quiet when he murmured, "I didn't think…it mattered what I said."

Tesla blinked and shifted to look up at him, but his eyes strayed to the side as uncertainty became of him.

"In the beginning, like you, he was an assignment," Jaxton told her. "I had little choice but to take it. In the end, he surprised me being one so young and so relieved at the thought of death. I promised him I would kill him but it would be a conditional kill instead of a mercy killing like he wanted. He agreed, but… Then I truly learned about him."

His darkness glazed as he drifted into the past. "I learned how he used his art to keep a diary of his pain and his peace. How selfless he could be. How ashamed of himself he was. The world loved him for his talent, but he felt more and more alone. Even so young, he not only knew the horrors of the world, but he understood them and even played a part in them." Unpleasant memories surfaced. "I understood that."

Tesla nosed his jaw. "I think that's why he looks up to you—because you understand him."

"He doesn't look up to me," Jaxton dismissed. "You're confusing him clinging to me with admiration."

"I don't think so," Tesla negated. She pressed when Jaxton sighed, "I know he has friends and his family, Jang-ta. He has Nashi too. I'm sure he knows he can speak to a very niche group about his issues, but out of everyone he knows, you're the one who truly understands. They sympathize. You empathize. You might think he's clinging to you and a little annoying. But I know you care. It'd be nice to let him know that too."

With Jaxton silent, she rubbed his chest. "I'm not saying you have to have a deep, emotional talk with him. But maybe just letting him know you're proud of him once in a while would be nice." She tapped his cheek. "Now give me a kiss, handsome." She smiled when he pecked her lips. "I promise that's all I'll say on the subject."

Jaxton grunted.

With a giggle, she pulled off him. "Come on, Grinch. We have more vineyard to see, then our reservation, then dinner." She undulated her hips and could not bite back her wolfish smile when Jaxton's laser focus followed her movement. "Ah-ah-ah…! No touching…!"

"Don't tempt me." Jaxton rose, but with the benches too close and the aisle between them skinny, he pressed against her front shamelessly and let her feel what she invoked in him. Her flush and lowered gaze drove him mad and he had to touch her, bringing her cheeks into his hands. "I know you want the connection Gary and Nashi have. It's not something I can give you completely. But after this week, you'll understand a fraction of what it means to be that intimately bound. And if you want it to stop—"

"I won't." Tesla softened. "But thank you for giving me that sort of option. I know why." She tipped her chin up to steal another kiss. "Okay, now we really need to get walking because me standing this close to you is going to start humping in some way, shape, or form." She theatrically sighed. "Curses to our high sex drives."

Jaxton chuckled as he herded them both off the gazebo. "I'm grateful for it. Dante tried to make my life Hell for it." His smile turned wry. "It's ironic how the tables have turned."

"Oh how the turntables," Tesla quipped. "He thinks he's all slick now. I know it was payback when I stayed with them and walked in on a very hot make-out session." She shook her head, smirking. "I hope he keeps it together when he sees his teacher. I went with him when he wanted to get new jocks for Carlisle and I'm hoping he tells me they didn't survive the trip."

Jaxton quirked an eyebrow. "What a strange wish."

"If you knew how Justin and Ace were foaming at the mouth with some of the boudoir pictures Dante took of Carlisle and all the plans they have for him, you wouldn't think my wish was strange," Tesla said flatly.

Jaxton laughed. "Point taken."

---

The impressive dome settled on Crocus Circle where the Crocus Botanical Garden, the Crocus Public Library, one of the national museums, and the art museum lie. Some flocked to the dome and used the alternative entrance to gain access to the aquarium and center while others came out in droves with their swimsuits handy. The word WELCOME brightened for all newcomers.

But the inside was where the fun started.

Multiple pools dented the stoned floors, but it was ingenious how it was divided. Certain pools warned an age range. Some pools had been kept for the elderly and others had no age limit to partake in. Even the temperature changed one degree per pool. A lazy river flowed through the excitable water park with a water train that chugged through it, picking up and dropping off passengers to the indoor cabanas, the game center, or the entryway to the aquatic center. Two restaurants provided excellent service, though one restaurant was popular with visitors and located on the ground while the other rested in the "watchtower" for those a little more cleaned up.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« Ryuzetsu Land is a popular water park and carries an aquarium part of the WWCO too. The Love Love Slider is still in operation to this day alongside an artificial wave pool, a surfing simulator, and other rides. The current owners are a wealthy Water Mage and her husband, a shark Aberrant. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The Strauss-Dreyar Clan claimed their plot of stone with gusto. Even with lunch before they came to the water park, having growing children around meant you brought loads of snacks or the kids could spend their allowance on whatever the park had to offer. Guil soothed a crying Esme when her bikini showed her small bump. Paige looked part angry and wholly embarrassed about her one-piece and how underdeveloped she was in compared to her stoic twin. Ivan had eased into the triplet's close bond and smiled more among them as they played their games.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Ryuzetsu Land

Crocus

Fiore, Ishgar

1:23 PM FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Um, Mom?"

"Yes, Veronika?"

A twitching eyebrow. "Can you please"—Veronika clung to one of the palm trees like a rabid cat while her smiling mother kept tugging at her swimsuit cover-up—"let go of me!"

"Of course!" Mira brightly chirped. "But your pesky cover-up isn't coming off." She tugged it harder and her smile turned demonic. "Let me help you take it off to show the lovely swimsuit I bought you."

"I bought the cover-up for that exact reason!"

Freed finished unpacking with his green locks swept into a clamp, but he perked when Liberty called, "Baba? I'm ready!"

Liberty shyly came forward in her red and black-spotted tankini and her fresh beaded braids pulled into twin tails. James was in a kitty life vest and was ruby against Liberty's legs, purring all the while.

Freed smiled. "You look great, Ladybug."

"Really?" Liberty's beam widened. "Justin and Mister Ace got me this when we did our mini-trip." She spun around and giggled. "I can't wait to show them when they come back home."

"I'm sure they'll think you're adorable, Ladybug," Freed chuckled. He scratched under James' chin. "And you too, James."

James butted his head against Freed's hand.

The triplets and Ivan flushed, awed at Liberty's cuteness as she explained to her father how Justin practically demanded a mini fashion show in the store they went to for her swimsuit playing Countess Gogo all the while. Woah, all four thought.

"She's so cute!" Pim gushed.

"Adorable," Poseidon added.

Pulan's cheeks pinched red. "Really cute."

Ivan swallowed. She's really pretty…

"Hey!" Elouise blocked their view of Liberty—which was a shame since Lady Luck herself started using hand gestures to tell her tale—with her hands on her hips and glared down at the boys. "You didn't tell me I looked cute!"

Ivan remained silent, while the triplets averted their eyes and Poseidon muttered, "Yeah because you're not cute."

TICK!

BAKI!

Elouise hmphed. "You guys are jerks!" Nose in the air, she marched off while an unconscious Poseidon with a huge bump on his head laid on the ground, and Pim made sure to help put his soul make in his body.

°•°•°•°

Paige picked at her modest bikini top and its corresponding skirt. "Ugh… I can't believe I have to wear this," she grumbled. "This is so embarrassing." But when Penelope could not be bothered with her juice box and catalog magazine, Paige got fed up and demanded to know, "Why are you looking at that, anyway?"

"Stress relief."

That confused Paige, and she took a look—

—only to sweatdrop when she realized Penelope was looking at a scandalous cosplay catalog magazine. What the Hell is wrong with her? How is this stress relief?

"Work for Master has been frustrating." Though you would not believe that with how deadened Penelope sounded. "I'm due for a little bit of a break." Her eyes glinted. "And my favorite doll will be returning to Fiore for me to dress her as my stress relief."

The scenario played out in Paige's head of chibi-Luna, innocent like a bunny, being fearing for her life with large lion chibi-Penelope loomed over her with a sailor scout costume before pouncing. And chibi-Luna was left in shame, traumatized she was in a new costume, while chibi-Penelope sparkled. I should tell Luna to stay out of the country. Last time, Penny and Ena ganged up on her for 'stress relief' and I think she nearly died.

She remembered that day when bunny chibi-Luna shed comical tears as Ena and Penelope dragged her away.

That name invoked something. Ena… She smiled to herself. I'm happy Silver is putting effort into her. She's a much better fit for him.

"Thinking about your ex-stalker?"

Paige choked and shook a fist at her sister. "Watch it with the mind-reading!"

Penelope tilted her head. "I don't read minds."

"You know what I meant!" Paige huffed. "Whatever. And yeah, I guess I was." Her ire receded. "Honestly, I'm pretty relieved about the entire thing resolving itself like this. I was never going to fall in love with him. He's a good guildmate and a friend, but…that's it." Right now, all my energy is focused on getting stronger, so I can protect Penny. She sighed. "I don't even know why he stalked me in the first place."

"I do."

Paige whirled on her sister, shocked. "You do?"

"Yes."

Paige waited for Penelope to elaborate for two moments, three, four, five… Her face flattened. "Are you going to tell me?"

"In a moment." Steam puffed from Penelope's nose as she looked at a nurse outfit. "I'm imagining my doll in this costume and how embarrassed she'd be."

"Stop being creepy!"

Penelope bookmarked the page and sipped her juice box. "If I remember correctly, Silver's obsession with you started when we were ten, upon joining Fairy Tail. He started to stalk you as the love of his life and savior."

Paige frowned. "'Savior'? And what do you mean by that?"

"I'm uncertain," Penelope confessed. "Prior to that, Silver has a few incidents, but he was hospitalized years prior to him joining Fairy Tail. He was unable to breathe, of which we were told it was an asthma attack. However, he was not diagnosed with asthma."

Paige's brow furrowed. "When was this? Where was this?"

"Fairy Tail had a summer retreat on Tenrou Island," Penelope informed.

Paige remembered now. "Oh, right! That was the trip where I got lost, right?" She thought about this. "But Silver had an asthma attack…"

"He was incorrectly diagnosed with pulmonary edema because he was found soaking wet on the beach," Penelope continued. "They thought he had water in his lungs. But upon Misses Fullbuster's check, he had nothing there. A panic attack or asthma attack was then ruled as the likely culprit."

"Huh…" Paige looked at the ground. I never knew he was hospitalized. I never even knew him until I joined Fairy Tail and introduced myself. It just never made sense why he latched onto me when we never met. And that Tenrou trip… I got lost pretty far into the forest. Back then, my hair was longer and got all tangled in some bushes, so it took a while for Dad to find me. No wonder I never heard about it. "Did they ever find out how he got beached?"

"No." Penelope retrieved a new juice box. "But there was a record of secondary footprints to sustain someone was with him. But no one could speculate who would have been with him."

Paige hummed, thoughtful. Weird. He said he doesn't remember how he started his obsession, but then he called me his 'savior'.

She blinked as it occurred to her. "Does he think I'm the one who pulled him out?"

"That's the logical assumption."

"But I couldn't have," Paige pointed out. "I was pretty much inland and nowhere near a beach." She went for her Compact. If he latched onto me because of that, I need to set the record straight. She typed a message. But then… Who did help him?

Her message sent and read:

« Hey. You got into an accident when we were younger, right? At Tenrou and you were hospitalized (Penny said something) »

Silver took a minute to reply:

« …yeah, vaguely. Why? »

Paige debated how to play this. Maybe if I just hint it since he said he doesn't remember…

« Nothing. I was just shocked. I got lost in the woods that day you were found and not near any of the beaches, so I guess I missed it. Sorry you had to deal with that. »

Silver's bubble came up and down several times until he replied:

« You were lost that day? »

« Yeah »

« Oh. OK. Glad things worked out for both of us, I guess lol »

« Right yeah lol »

Paige locked her Compact. If he doesn't get it, there's no point in us hashing it out again. Huh… I just wonder who actually saved him. And if he thought I did, why would we think that?

Penelope flicked her gaze to Paige before going back to her magazine. Telling Silver now would be premature. She turned the page where an armored queen cosplay got her eye. I'm sure he'll come to the conclusion. I did promise Silver's savior we'd never speak of it again. Her fingers drifted over a promiscuous fairy outfit with a vixen of a red-head showing it off. And the queen's command is absolute.

°•°•°•°

Lisanna, Evie, Ola, and Evergreen decided one of the snack bars was a good place to start for the seasonal margaritas and were chattering all the while with their focus stuck on Evie and Ola's future nuptials.

"You have to have the wedding here," Evergreen decided, crossing her arms beneath her chest. "I already know the perfect venue for our wedding and have started making some calls—"

"Mom," Evie laughed. "Slow down. Ronnie already said she'd be the wedding planner."

Evergreen gasped, betrayed. "But—!"

"But I could use some help going to my wedding dress consultation with Miss Fernandes," Ola smoothed over in a quick insert. Her gothic bathing suit turned heads, but she wore it with pride. "My mom said she'll come with me, and it'd be great if you two could finally meet."

Excited sparkles glinted around Evergreen. "Fantastic! That'll be wonderful! I'm so excited to meet her! I'll have to make some reservations and…!"

Evie snickered and murmured to her fiancé, "Crisis averted."

"Well, it'd be good for them to meet," laughed Ola. "I wasn't lying about that." Her smile dimmed. "At least one of my parents will meet your family." A sad sigh left her and her eyes closed when Evie kissed her temple.

Lisanna giggled as she leaned against the bar, about to add something when she bumped into someone. "Oh, I'm so sorry!" she managed and looked at the person she hit. An older black woman with her swimsuit cover-up dress was her victim as she held her drink with her gaggle of friends and sisters nearby. "I'm really sorry—!"

"Oh, baby, no need to fret about it," the woman brushed off with one of those warm smiles. "Got a little carried away myself, so you're completely fine."

Lisanna smiled, relieved, before turning back to Evergreen's ecstatic rant and intervening to tell Evie and Ola, "Why not a destination wedding? With enough time, we can arrange babysitters for the kids unless you want them there."

"We're considering it," Evie admitted. "Ronnie brought that up since I have all of you here, for the most part, and Ola has her family in Joya. We didn't want to choose between either country, so Ronnie gave us some popular destination wedding spots within our budget. And we want to wait until after Esme gives birth." She tilted her head. "Maybe we should wait for Pacer's baby mama too, just in case."

"What about me?"

Lisanna's smile widened as Pacer came over, changed in his boarding shorts. "Hey, kiddo." She hugged him and kissed his cheek. "When did you get here? Is Pearson with you?"

"No." Pacer frowned. "I thought he would be though. Guess he's running errands." He looked at Evie and Ola. "What about me?"

"Wedding talk," Ola supplied. "We want to wait until Esme has her baby and is a little settled in until our wedding, but with your twins too…" She frowned when Pacer's expression faltered. "Everything okay?"

The reply waited until after Pacer placed a few more orders for drinks to the bartender. "Things are getting difficult," he confessed to the women. He turned his attention to his mother, jaw clenched. "I'm headed back to Sharon's since she agreed to let me stay there to support Jasmine, but she's just…" He shook his head, nostrils flaring when he took a breath. "It's safe to say she doesn't trust me to be alone with Jasmine in any capacity."

"Why would she say that?" Evergreen demanded to know, disgruntled.

But Lisanna understood. "Was it because of what happened at the hospital?"

"Basically," Pacer grunted. "Jasmine and I brought our custody agreement to Sharon and Maddox the other night, but she lost it—"

"What's the agreement?" Evie butted in. "Are you guys co-parenting your twins, or what's going on? You didn't really say anything other than you and Jasmine aren't in a relationship."

Another steady breath. "Jasmine and I had it worked out that we co-parent the twins and I've been down to three apartments for my next place. But two weeks ago, she brought up we could possibly live together, and Sharon and Maddox had a lot to say about it—"

"Excuse me? You mean Sharon Shuusei?"

The group turned for the same older black woman Lisanna bumped into.

Pacer warily nodded. "Yeah…" He did not have a good feeling when women rallying behind the woman started murmuring, agitated and appalled. "Are you…?" His stomach dropped when the woman's features looked familiar. Oh, no.

"I'm sorry to interrupt. I'm Sharon's mother, Maggie Shuusei, and Jasmine's grandmother." Maggie had no smile on her face and hard eyes as she lifted her chin to glare at Pacer. "Are you telling me you got my grand-baby pregnant?"

---

KAN…KAN…KAN…

The soil tread wove through the tropical forest for hikers to bear witness to the beauteous flora and fauna Caracole had to offer. Vibrant greens and muted browns served as a tempered backdrop for the fluorescent reds and oranges and blues and violets of the flowers. Luminescent butterflies—a rare breed of butterflies that flocked Tenrou and the Gran Alicanto Isles—had the time of their life on their flowers and drinking their sweet nectar. Flying squirrels with twin tails—Caracole Gliders—went from tree to tree in search of a snack. A skulk of tropical Terumiho lounged in the shade to rejuvenate. A mated pair of Alicantos squalled to their growing chicks.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Case de Gary

Caracole Island

Fiore, Ishgar

3:02 PM CAST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

KAN…KAN…KAN…

Gary and Nashi braved the trail together, but they took their time. The enchantments on the trail warded off predators from crossing their path, but the animals around here were docile around humans. Silence encompassed them even with the churns and chirps of the forest. Their loose handhold kept them together, but their minds kept them apart.

Nashi felt his subdued winter pulsate against her comforting summer once in a while as though to ensure her he was there with her. But she could not help but feel crestfallen seeing how withdrawn his face had become. No bright smiles or sparkling eyes or his shameless flirting. He was quiet.

And that frightened her.

She opened her mouth but thought the better of it. I wish I knew what to say to him. I wish I could comfort him, but I… I can't bring myself to say anything that might hurt him more. And I don't want to ask him about what happened when he and Jaxton were practicing tai chi.

"Reading up about tai chi and how it helps with mental health… I knew this was his way to have his own catharsis." Tesla's words whispered in her ear. "Like how pole dancing was mine."

"I broke down. Something about what we were doing triggered me hard."

"Maybe I was a glutton for punishment or something—I don't know—but I loved pole dancing, even after I got pink-slipped in a child's psych unit. Yeah, sometimes my trauma would catch up to me, but at the same time…it felt like I could work through it."

Her hand clenched. I'm sure something about what he was doing made him break down. But the question is what? What memory did he see? Hickories shimmered. And how can I help him come back to me?

But silence was her answer.

Both continued to walk the trail. Signs were posted for those who wandered onto the path when intersections came up. One trail led down to the beach. Another trail looped back to the house. But Gary led them to the third path. It was assuring every time she drifted back, he would knot their fingers together and tug her forward. But his quiet spoke volumes.

Nashi perked when she heard rushing water. A waterfall? The longer they walked the trail, the closer the churns became until Gary stopped them.

Hickories widened. Oh, wow…

The hidden waterfall felt like hallowed ground as a tranquil air and fragrant mango and earthy scent permeated the atmosphere. The rushing water battled down and purged into a heated pond where no fish could survive. Glittering moss glossed the rock formation holding the waterfall with star mangos growing in abundance at the surrounding trees, a little larger than average. The steamy water frothed a little at the surrounding rocks and looked all-too inviting for a quiet dip.

"This is beautiful," Nashi breathed. "How did you find this?"

"Exploring," Gary told her. "It was years ago when I found this. I bought a Purification Lacrima to keep the water clean. The hot tub I have is nice, but I prefer relaxing here."

"I can imagine." Her heart sighed when Gary's hand slid down her back. "Is that why we're here?" She smiled and teased, "Skinny-dipping, huh?"

Gary managed a small smile and weak chuckle. "Does Angel want to skinny-dip with me?"

"I thought you'd never ask." Nashi kissed his jaw before stepping back. A flush painted her cheeks as she undressed because she felt Gary's eyes with each movement and winter greeted her with appreciation and awe. Part of her wanted to cover up, but she broke free from her shyness to jerk her chin towards him and showed off her body. "Aren't you stripping down?"

Gary smiled. "Yes, Angel." He shouldered off his pack and went for his tank top first. A snicker went out to Nashi's blatant perusal of his torso and abdomen and he jested, "Angel is a pervert…!"

Nashi's flush deepened, but she held back her initial snap to put a hand on her cocked hip and challenged, "Shouldn't I be allowed to perv on my partner when he's hot?"

That stunned Gary only for a cute red to work on his cheeks and ears.

Nashi reveled seeing this side of him and stepped forward to hook a finger on his shorts. "No need to be shy now," she purred in amusement. "You're the one who always randomly strips, so this shouldn't be an issue."

"Angel doesn't play fair," Gary muttered. He shucked off his shorts, but he hesitated in taking off his boxer briefs.

And Nashi knew why when she saw how affected he was seeing her naked. She could tease him, rag on him for being just as perverted, but such options were set aside when his stare cut to the side and he shuffled his feet. He's embarrassed and uncomfortable. She could feel it in their connection as he wavered, ashamed and unsure.

"Hey." Nashi held both his hands. "We can just relax," she promised him. "Nothing else has to happen, okay?"

Gary swallowed. "I'm sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry about," Nashi soothed. "I'm just happy to be with you." She made sure he felt the intensity of her summer. "You can keep them on if you feel uncomfortable. I don't mind."

"No, it's okay." Gary was slow to remove his boxer briefs and made sure to fold their clothes back into his PDP. "Let me get in first, and I'll help you down." Carefully, he slipped into the pond before turning and guiding Nashi in with him.

An unfiltered moan and shiver gave away her enthusiasm to the warmth, and Gary's smile met his eyes. "Like it?"

"It feels less intense than a hot tub, but it's so good!" She smiled, pleased to hear more of Gary's laughter. She swam out a little while Gary settled down at the edge. "This place is amazing. It feels like a fairy tale." She turned around to face him. "I can see why this was your place of peace."

Gary relaxed on the side with his head back as he drank in the blue sky above. "When I got this house, I didn't think I'd come here often. Being an Ice Devil, warm weather isn't something I like to be in. And yet, this place felt peaceful to me. Being up north is relaxing too. I love laying out in the snow and ice. That's my home. But this is a beautiful place too."

Nashi swam over to him to sit beside him. Letting her feet float, she stayed rooted to the ledge she and Gary perched on. "So then…" Her gaze bounced over to his profile. "Would you want to live there? In Arcticados, I mean."

Gary took a breath to answer. "I think I'd like to visit there more, but I'm happy living in Fiore with Fairy Tail, my friends and family, and with Angel." He added softly, "And if anyone else came along, I'd want to raise them there."

She hummed. "I understand." Her hands combed back her hair and she closed her eyes to bask in this calm. "I guess these are things we'll have to talk about, huh? If we ever do go through with adoption. Where to raise them and everything."

"Yes, but it's nothing that needs to be decided right away," Gary assured her as he looked down at her. "We have plenty of time to decide." He tacked on thoughtfully, "But I think I'd sell my condo."

"What?" Nashi's shock was palpable. "Why?" She shook her head. "You can't sell it! We have the space to—!"

"'We'?"

Taken aback by her own words, Nashi blushed. "You know what I mean."

Gary's chuckle faded into an exhale. "Like I said, we have plenty of time to think of such things. Right now, my priority is making sure Miss Uki feels comfortable with her Curse so I can move back to Fiore."

"Do you think it's possible?" Nashi questioned.

Gary did not stop to think about it. "Yes." He meant that. "Miss Uki is improving at a steady pace. If she went too fast or too slow, she'd be overwhelmed." His hand came up from the water and pulsed with his Cursed Ice. An ice flower bloomed in his palm. "You can't rush power like this. It takes time and dedication to have complete control of the darkness inside." His blues drowned in haunting memories, but he remained collection. "And she'll flourish much better than I ever did."

Nashi saddened. Gary…

It startled him when delicate fingers slipped around the flower. "Angel—"

Nashi coveted the icy flower and brought it to her face. A steady breath of warm air blew over the accursed creation, and the iced flower responded as color bloomed onto the ice and made it into a violet beauty, a combination of blue and pink. She dipped her hands into the water and let the push and pull take the flower away.

"You flourished beautifully," murmured Nashi. "You went through something so hurtful and painful, but your powers have been used for beautiful things."

"Not all the time." Gary watched the flower drift. "You're giving me a little too much credit."

"Or maybe not enough." Nashi swam to straddle him. Humidity could screw off; she wanted skin on skin with him. Her hands slid onto his shoulders and perhaps she should not have felt a jolt of heat when his arms swooped into the water to keep her in place, but she could not help it. She tipped his chin up so downtrodden ceruleans met her soft light browns.

"You've had to cope with severe circumstances," Nashi told him, smoothening her fingers down his cheek. "But that doesn't mean you're lesser than for not having a conditional childhood. You might've been used and trained for your powers to destroy"—her light browns softened when he leaned into her touch, his eyes fluttered closed—"but what you've created means so much more. You've become an inspiration to so many people. Uki is learning to accept herself. You've changed her world."

She smiled when he kissed her fingers. "And you've changed mine."

"I'm nothing more than a fraud." His head moved every which way her fingers danced. "Practicing what I preach is harder than I thought." Half-lidded blues dulled. "I'm not what they think I am." A heat backed his eyes. "I'm not even what I want to be."

"Maybe not." Nashi brought up her other hand to brush through his scalp. "But you're what you need to be."

"What do I need to be?" Gary whispered in desperate ask. "I'm supposed to be human. But I'm living a lie. I'm not human. I'm not, I… I don't know what I am." His eyes squeezed shut. "Who do I need to be?"

Does he know? Nashi wondered, the idea intriguing and saddening. Does he know…what he's done to himself? Her eyes fell half-mast as she combed through Gary's hair while her fingers danced down his jaw. Even if he does, right now isn't the time. He needs me. "I can't answer that. But I know we can solve it together."

Nothing could damage Nashi's heart more than seeing how broken Gary looked. She could feel his jagged pain and shame. She murmured to him, "I want to try something. Can we get out for a second?"

Gary wordlessly nodded. Nashi climbed out first, but she did not witness Gary getting out when she went straight to the PDP. It perplexed Gary when she summoned out the outdoor blanket he had and laid it down, but he did not question it and let Nashi guide him onto it. A shiver crackled down his spine and his stomach flexed and tensed when Nashi grazed his skin with heated fingers. Embarrassment made him flush at how easily his lower body sought attention and refused to listen to his misery.

"Angel," he tried.

"Shh…" Nashi brushed over his nipples and intrigue flickered when Gary flinched. "I know something's bothering you. But I'm not going to pry. I won't ask about it. But I'm here with you, okay?" Her hand trailed down his stomach, and it jerked when she came dangerously close to the most sensitive part of him.

Gary shuffled. "Angel—"

"I don't want sex."

The statement quieted Gary.

"I want something else," Nashi told him. She dared not touch him, but she sparked awareness in his veins when she teased his skin. "Is that okay?"

"But… What about Angel?"

Nashi smiled and basked how flustered he was and lost. He really is adorable. "Don't worry about me, okay? Can you lie down?" Her smile broadened when Gary hesitated. "Lie down for me, Master, please?"

That made Gary lie on the blanket, but he hissed when she tweaked one of his nipples before offering a placating rub.

"Master, you're so sensitive." A sensual purr drizzled in light mirth came from Nashi. A dark delight tickled their connection and she could feel winter wreathe and fluttered the more she toyed with him. She lightly batted his hand away from grabbing himself and teased, "No touching, Master. I want to be the one who touches you right now."

"Angel doesn't have to," Gary tried to dissuade. His eyes fell to the side. "I don't want—"

"I want to." She splayed her hands on his cheek and turned his head. Her determined light browns met his sad blues. "Is that okay, Master?"

How could Gary refuse such a dulcet question? "Okay." His eyes fell shut when she leaned down and gave him a passionate kiss. She took the lead as she licked the seam of his lips and twirled her tongue with his before gently pulling away.

"Please don't hold anything back, Master," she asked of him. "I'm right here with you, okay?"

Before Gary could say anything, a hitched breath into a groan escaped him upon Nashi's touches.

Sex was not penetration between any gender and their genitalia. Maybe some thought that was what it was, but it was more than that. It was what you interpreted it to be. Sex could be emotional and connective with your body and the body of your partner experiencing that heat, that warmth, that release together without ever needing a physical tie. Sex could be the joy of giving every drop of pleasure to your partner and basking at their twitches and cries and moans. Sex was a concept.

Sex was infinite.

Nashi knew Gary held back at first. He muffled his grunts and groans unless she surprised him with a quick change of tempo or a harder pinch of his nipples. But she did not worry for long as she took her time exploring every inch of him. She decked his skin with scorching kisses and her summer embraced him with her passion, her burning, her love.

Little moans slipped out, soft and perfect and him. His back arched when she took every inch of him into her mouth and hummed for added vibration. The more she gave him, praised him, loved him, the more his whimpers and moans fettered out, louder and louder. Her caress made him pant and her jerks and tweaks made him gasp. She was the first, last, and only woman to worship his thighs, his chest, his pulse, and she made sure he would feel every kiss, lick, and nip she offered for days to come.

Her passion intensified and left him gripping the blanket. Thrusting into her mouth felt wrong, and he held back—

"Don't." Nashi released him, breathing hard. "Don't hold back from me, Master, please." She reached up a hand to thread her fingers with his before immersing herself in worshiping him.

Gary's flexed thrust into her mouth came involuntarily, but his body caved into her demands and his mind was next. She teased and tongued him, shallow then deep, halfway then every part of him, and he jerked and whispered her name.

She was his Angel in the darkness.

An icy-heat spread up his thighs and centered. A pressure constricted him and he throbbed. The build felt like it would never end, but it felt different. He felt something latch onto his heart and battered it, seeking a release. His attempt to pull away met with Nashi clamping down his hand and her rigorous take of him increased when her mouth heated. She would not stop until she was satisfied and each whimper and jerk spurred her to torment him with this pleasure, dangling him on the edge, forcing him to build and build and build—

"Nnngh, Angel—!" Gary wanted to warn her to pull away, but it was too late when everything crashed. The throes of his passion spurted into her mouth and the soothing pumps from her mouth made him choke and whimper.

This intensity differed from all their times together. Winter, vulnerable, raw, felt enflamed summer covet him. Nashi squeezed his hand, but she refused to stop the bobs of her head as she swallowed every last job.

Content and bliss warred within Gary, but as that high tried to enlighten him—

Everything broke.

Nashi fluttered open her eyes to see the tears that ran down Gary's cheeks. It's okay. I'm here. It's okay.

The icy tears burned the blanket, but he could not make them stop. Everything hit—every memory, every nightmare, every bad thought—and the shattered remains could not be pieced together. His mouth shut to keep back his cries, but he could not keep away his embarrassment that he was falling, that he was shattering, that he was not okay.

But Nashi refused to let him retreat. She cleaned him with kisses whispered onto his skin before lying beside him. His hands guided him to curl into her chest as he cried and she combed through his hair with nothing but love in her gaze. It did not matter what he trembled and whimpered. It did not matter that his tears impressed on her skin, on her soul. She held him.

"I'm right here," Nashi soothed. "It's okay to cry. It's okay to not be okay." She closed her eyes. "Hold nothing back."

And Gary clung to her when he let out his sob.

A broken Devil in the arms of his Angel.

---

Kyary's solo EP blared in Jasmine's car and she had no shame for it.

The drive through Gazania Town was a little busy, especially with The Real Housewives of Gazania filming about the catty women having drama before their trip to Enca. But it meant Jasmine could bop a little more to the EP on the radio and speak to her cousin.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Gazania Town

Fiore, Ishgar

5:15 PM FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Are you sure you don't want me to stop by?" Peter asked. "You know I'm down to see you and Aunt Share and Maddox."

"If you want to, sure," Jasmine chirped, grinning. "But I'm pretty sure you and your girlfriend will be too busy playing make-up to come visit. Which reminds me—"

"I'm on BC too, so please don't bring it up again," Peter begged of her. "And I doubt we'll do anything that serious anyways." A ragged sigh. "I can tell something's been bothering her since Heart's Day. I don't know what. She sounds fine on the Com, but still…"

Jasmine frowned. "The distance might make her miss you more," she hypothesized.

"Yeah, maybe." But Peter did not sound convinced. "We're going to the Solidago Waterfront together for a few days, but I just really hope she's okay. It's been pretty crazy at Alexandria and I feel like I haven't been giving her enough attention, Jazz."

"Stop that," Jasmine commanded. "I can hear you getting into your feelings. You've been studying hard. No one can fault you for that. Okay, so, maybe y'all haven't been as close as you were when you were home. Take your spring break to figure things out."

"Do you think she'll break up with me?" Peter fretted. "What if that's why she's been distant and she's been waiting until I came home to do it?"

"I'm not a mind reader, so I don't know." Jasmine sorely wished she did if it meant she did not hear how anxious he was. "But what I do know is that you need to keep a calm head when you see her. If you freak out on that poor girl, that might be the deciding factor if she wants to walk away. Be cool, calm, and collected when you see her."

A loud exhale. "Right. You're right. I know you're right."

Jasmine simpered as she turned into Sharon's driveway as the gates automatically parted. "You know I…"—her brow furrowed when she saw a car parked before the front doors—"am… Hold on a second, Petey." She pressed the button for one of the garage doors top open, but she caught an eyeful of the car at the front door. That's Granny's car— Dread hit her. Shit.

"Jazz? Everything okay?"

"No." Jasmine parked the car, and it worried her Maddox had opened the door and looked more visibly concerned than she was comfortable with. "Granny's here."

A beat. "Shit," Peter cursed. "What are you going to do? I thought you covered your tracks?"

As Maddox came pouring into the garage, Jasmine cut the engine and whispered, "I did." Maddox knocked on her window, and Jasmine took a shaky inhale. "Petey, I'll call you back."

"Okay." But Peter still held concern. "Talk to you later."

Jasmine cut the call and unbuckled her seatbelt with shaky hands. This isn't happening. This isn't happening. Opening the car door proved a challenge and Maddox was there to support her when she stumbled. "Maddox—"

"Your grandmother knows."

Those apocalyptic words would be Jasmine's undoing. Her heart rate leaped. "What are we going to do?" she croaked. Swallowing, she shook her head. "I'm not ready, Maddox, I'm not ready for this—!" A wheezing inhale cut her off.

Maddox was the calm against her building storm. "Miss Sharon is keeping Miss Maggie at bay." He helped her to the door. "I'll get you to your room as quietly as possible and wait with you until Miss Sharon comes upstairs. Everything will be all right."

Jasmine's bottom lip trembled, but she dared not agree with the sentiment.

Maddox snuck them inside, but the time to take off shoes would come later. Loud voice bounced off the walls as the screaming match powered on, and Jasmine did not have the stomach to listen every word, yet she was hyperaware of them.

"Don't you dare lie to my Sharon Antionette!" Margaret snarled. "I know Jasmine is here and I know she's pregnant too, so you better watch yourself and step aside—!"

"This is not your home!" Sharon bellowed. "Mama, you don't get to dictate what happens in my home—!"

"I damn well do when you're hiding my pregnant grand-baby—!"

"She's an adult!"

"If she was an adult, she wouldn't have gotten knocked up by some white Magi—!"

"Mama!"

Maddox silently soothed Jasmine as his tail rubbed down her back, but that did not stop the heat pricking her eyes and all her guilt and shame choking her heart and constricting her throat.

"Girl, you get out of my way—!"

"Mama, don't you—!"

Jasmine cringed when a physical tussle hit her ears. She could tell hands had been thrown. Her grandmother was old, but she believed in a heavy hand. And Sharon had no reservations dishing back what was given to her. But the thought of their argument growing physical plunged her despair deeper.

SMACK!

Sharon cried, "Mama, get back here—!"

But it was too late when Margaret's angry stomps shook the floor. Jasmine sucked in a sob and desperately wished she could hide when those stomps threatened to find her, but Maddox brought her behind him in a protective stance. He faced the wrathful Margaret Shuusei with cool eyes.

"Miss Sharon asked you to leave the premises." A hiss emphasized his S's, and he flicked his forked tongue. "It would be wise for you to leave, Miss Maggie, before I contact the Guard."

Such a threat would not face Margaret. "Then you better call the Guard on that no-good white Magi for forcing himself on Jasmine and knocking her up—!"

"He didn't do that to me!" Jasmine blurted. All her shame and guilt skyrocketed to rage her grandmother would insinuate that sort of crime. She breached from Maddox's protection to sock her grandmother with a hateful glare. "I can't believe you'd even say that—!"

"I can't believe you're pregnant!" Margaret looked at Jasmine's bulging stomach in a crude mixture of shock, disappointment, and outrage. "You had your whole future ahead of you and now look at you! You should've been smarter about this, Jasmine—"

"I wasn't then, but I'm being smart about it now!" Jasmine snapped. Damn it all that her tears betrayed her and her body trembled, but when Sharon's frame came into view, she latched onto her fury and held strong. "Look, I know I can give my twins a happy and stable life—"

Margaret threw up her hands with a scoff and an eye roll. "Oh, don't you give me that," she huffed. "You don't know the first thing about raising a child or their needs. Don't ruin yourself over this, Jasmine. I raised you to be smarter than that."

"I raised myself!" Jasmine thundered. A cramp hit her stomach, but her anger chased away the bolt of panic.

"You know what? You're right," Margaret shockingly agreed. But the mocking came with it. "You're damn right you raised yourself because your mama did the same this as you. She got herself knocked up and had no clue how to raise a child with that no-good thug of a baby daddy. And you're following right into her footsteps thinking you can do all this—"

"Because she can—"

"Hush up, Sharon," Margaret gnashed. "Your time to talk is over." She pointed at Jasmine and beckoned her. "Come on, Jasmine. We're taking you to my doctor to get you looked at—"

"I'm not going anywhere!" Her voice cracked, raw and emotional, and her cheeks stung, but she had to say this. "Granny, you need to leave me alone because I know what I'm doing." The cramp hit her too hard, and she openly hissed, clutching her stomach.

Maddox covered her. "Stress isn't good for the twins." He guided her away. "Let's get you to your room."

Margaret hollered, "We'll speak about this later—"

"Mama, get out of my house!" Sharon shouted.

Sharon and Margaret's screaming match muted in Jasmine's ears as pain wracked her and a fog cloaked her. The waddle to her room upstairs felt slow and fast at the same time. It felt a bit like a dream or a nightmare. She could not feel anything yet she sensed everything. Her ire-filled words only moments ago abandoned her into a distraught dissonance. Maddox must have said a few words to her as he helped her into bed, but she only understood his soothing tones. She was unaware of his presence then, but when he left and the door shut, she felt that she was alone.

Alone.

It was not that the sobbing started when it registered she was alone. Her face broke and the snivels came out while more tears plowed down her cheeks at an unsavory speed. Her lashes fluttered in a vain attempt to keep everything at bay and her mouth moved in silent cries. A wheezing breaths came next as her chest shuttered and her throat tasted metallic. Useless fingers shook trying to wipe away those pesky tears, but nothing could stop the panic and the sadness and the why why why.

PUWA…

The twins projected themselves, in tune with the mother's rapid heartbeat and spasming soul, and flooded her—

Warmth. Mother. Sad. Not sad.

"I'm sorry," she whispered to them. She cleared away her tears and had the strength to hold a new wave of them back. "I'm okay." Mustering up a smile, she forced herself to take easier breaths. "Mommy's okay."

Shaggy's black-violet shaded to black.

Sad.

Jasmine sighed, but her little smile would not leave. "You're not even born yet and you're calling me out on my BS, huh? I guess you get that from me. Not from your—"

Burnt umbers widened. Wait a second… How did Granny find out I was pregnant? I was careful going out to see my old secondary friends and we even rented a private space and we all turned off our Compacts. My family was supposed to be at Ryuzetsu Land. So how…?

She reached for her Compact. I knew I had some notifications, but I blew them off and wanted to wait until I came back here. Her thumb stopped when she saw the thread Pacer had sent her with mixed messages and voicemails in the mix.

「COMPACT

Pacer Strauss

Voicemail 」

「COMPACT

Pacer Strauss

Voicemail 」

「COMPACT

Pacer Strauss

Missed Call」

「MESSAGES

Pacer Strauss

Slugger, please answer」

「MESSAGES

Pacer Strauss

I met up with my family at Ryuzetsu Land and we ran into your family. Your grandmother knows about the pregnancy and our twins. I already called Sharon and Maddox, but please answer」

「MESSAGES

Pacer Strauss

Are you mad at me? I'm so sorry. I had no idea your grandma was near us when I started talking to my mom」

「MESSAGES

Pacer Strauss

Jasmine, please tell me you're okay. Tell me what you need from me」

「COMPACT

Pacer Strauss

Missed Call」

「MESSAGES

Pacer Strauss

I want to come over, but I don't want to overwhelm you. Please give me permission to see you」

「MESSAGES

Pacer Strauss

I'm so sorry」

So that's what happened. Her grip tightened on her Compact. That's how she found out. Her breath hitched when her thumb pressed too hard on the last missed voicemail and she was given three options.

⟪ Call Back ⟫

⟪ Send Message ⟫

⟪ Delete Message ⟫

Her lips tightened. Her thumb shook as she contemplated.

And then she pressed.

---

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

And that night…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

---

Caracole Island might not be as big as the mainland, but that did not mean it lacked luxuries. Líron City served as a wonderful make up to Crocus with its high-life and resorts. The theatre district was not as big as New Azalea City, no, but big productions came through here like The Dragon King and a riveting historical musical about the USM and one of its leading philosophers.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is Old World Theatre, which is marked as a historical landmark. It's part of the University of Caracole, Caracole Island Players, and The Plays of the Palace Project's collaboration called "The Complex" to help revive, maintain, and renovate the theatre district and endorse liberal arts. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

People came out in their Sunday best for the theater. With the tropical weather still rampant and the sun still in the sky for civil twilight, many forewent coats for classy summer dresses and rolled-up button-ups. Excited conversation pranced down the line with posts up for Fairy Tail and the Heir to the Throne. Clear fans of the reckless guild of Fiore brought along memorabilia for cast members to sign, and the venue was more than happy to sell official merchandise of the guild alongside actor merchandise.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

The Old World Theatre

Caracole Island

Fiore, Ishgar

6:30 PM CAST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Ellie squealed as the group had their tickets checked. "This so exciting!" she cheered. "We get to see a play about our own parents!"

"Still seems sus," Justin grumbled as he distastefully eyed another one of the promotional shots. The cast had taken some artistic license in having Lucy's actress a little too well-endowed as she dramatically draped in Natsu's actor's arms. They were facing unfamiliar Alvarezite faces. "I mean, they're really going to talk about the war? Wasn't that whole thing messy as Hell?"

"That's why it'll be cool to watch the play," Ellie insisted as the group moved into the lobby. "We'll learn what happened during it."

Justin sweatdropped when he saw a strange advert where teenaged Gray and teenaged Natsu were in some sort of love-locked gaze. "I think we should take what we see here today with a grain of salt…"

He glanced back Nashi and Gary. They held hands with Nashi's dress complimenting Gary's shirt, but the somber air around them contradicted the energized atmosphere. They were in rough shape when Ace and I left this morning. I guess things aren't cleared up yet. He softened when Nashi's murmured words had Gary bring her closer. But I think they'll figure it out.

They went up the grand steps and followed the flow of traffic. Ushers were ready to check tickets and guide people to their seat, but a line formed. Ellie chirped about the brochure they received about the hyper projection stage play while Justin harped about the inaccuracies. Tesla read the brochure to get a better understanding of the cast, tucked into Jaxton's side, but she gave up reading to sneak a look back at Gary and Nashi.

Jang-ta told me we should leave them alone, but I'm still worried, Tesla thought. Sure, the Angel and Devil did not want to part ways for a second, but their eyes were not as bright as once before. I wanted to stay with them, but Nashi told me they'd be fine. And I know Justin and Ellie are dying to get Nashi to spill, but… She glossed over the art for the stage play and zeroed on Invel. Somethings…you just can't tell people. I'm sure Ellie and Justin would understand, but… She gripped the brochure. Nashi is the heir to Alvarez Empire. And for her to sit through this…

Jaxton caught onto Tesla's sigh and rubbed her side. "They'll work it out," he murmured into her ear.

"I wish I could believe that," Tesla said. "But I'm sure seeing this play is hard enough since—" She bit down on the words she wanted to say.

"I know," Jaxton rumbled. "But now isn't the time to think about it.

"But—"Her lashes fluttered when Jaxton grazed her back and teased a sweet spot and her unceremonious gasp made her flush.

Jaxton chuckled. "Don't think unnecessary things right now." He kissed her cheek before his mouth opened. Tesla knew he was scenting her. "You can after you drink your tea."

"Is it really necessary for me to drink it twice a day for the scene?" Tesla wondered.

Jaxton hummed. "The tea prepares for it." He grinned against her temple when her breathing hitched. "And for me."

Tesla huffed and half-heartedly smacked his chest. "And you have to be abstinent until then." Now she had the last laugh when Jaxton grumbled.

The line moved quickly, and Nashi absently rubbed Gary's arm. Today's been a quiet day for us, Nashi thought. Hickories flashed to the ground. Not like I've had much better luck figuring out what to say. All I could do was hold him when he cried. Hickories shimmered. I know it's not my right to pry. But I just wish I knew a better method to help him.

His sorrowful question came back to her. "Who do I need to be?"

And her father's words whispered to her. "Nothing in the world matters most than how the one he loves sees him."

It'd be arrogant for me to assume myself, she thought. Who he needs to be… How we see him… What's the right answer to those questions? What can I say that sets his heart at ease?

A broad smirk. "It's always so lovely to see my precious Snow Boy."

Elis sauntered to the group with his breeze button-up rolled to his elbows and the top few buttons undone. Regardless of his arrogance, no one could deny he understood how to dress and bring out his best qualities. His date was a young man this time around with a permanent flush around Elis.

Justin had steam puffing from his head as he growled, "What the Hell is he doing here!"

Ace put hands on Justin's shoulders. "Calm down, Justin. Let's be civil."

Elis drew closer to Gary with his date tucked into his side. "I always have the pleasure of seeing you dressed up on your Insta." Lethal gray-blues swept every inch of Gary. "But seeing you in person is much more satisfying to me."

Nashi cut in, cold, "Can we help you?"

Elis' stare dipped down to Nashi. "My apologies. You're Snow Boy's girlfriend." He winked at her. "It's nice to meet you. You're quite the lucky woman." That lethal regard flicked back to Gary and his unwavering expression. "He's certainly a prize to catch." His hand reached up to touch Gary, but he snickered when Nashi grabbed his wrist. "Forgive me, beautiful. I can't help myself when it comes to Snow Boy."

"I suggest you start learning to," Nashi said curtly. She dropped his wrist but made sure she saw the clear warning written across her face. "Nice to meet you too, Elis. If you'd excuse us."

"I wouldn't want to hold you up." Elis mocked stepping back with his date. "By all means, please go ahead. I have a box reserved for myself and my date tonight." When Gary and Nashi moved, Elis was quick to pounce and murmured into Gary's ear, "But if you're willing to join me, we can have the box to ourselves, Snow Boy."

"No thank you." Gary put no emotion into his voice. "Bye, Elis."

Elis pulled back—he was aware of Nashi's glower, Justin's fuming, and growing wrath on Jaxton's face—and laughed. "So cold to me, Snow Boy, so cold." Gray-blues darkened with twisted desire. "I can only imagine what you'd look like with a hot blush on your face."

Gary was not inclined to respond.

Elis stepped back with no plans to try his luck again, but his lopsided grin stayed for all to see. "I hope you all enjoy the play tonight." Words to everyone yet his stare was for the unresponsive Gary. "I know I will." And he turned around with his date to walk away.

"Gr…!" Justin shook a fist with tick marks bombarding his head. "That faggy ass bitch deserves to put in his place! I should've let him have it! I should have fucked up his—! Mmmph!"

Ace covered Justin's raging mouth with a hand. Better to mute you now before we get kicked out for vulgarity.

Nashi blinked up at Gary, concerned. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Angel." Gary managed a small smile, but it looked genuine enough. "It's just Elis. He's always been like this. I find it better to ignore him. It's not worth me matching whatever level he's on."

Nashi frowned. "Are you sure? I mean he was being pushy and everything…"

"Really. Angel, it's okay," Gary soothed. He smooched her temple. "Don't worry about him for another second. Angel will make me jealous having feelings for another man if she keeps thinking about him."

Nashi huffed. "You really are insane." The subject was dropped as they moved up in the line, but she chanced a glance down the hall where box-seat attendees had a special entrance. I could feel Gary's emotions. They bottomed out, like he felt nothing. So I know he wasn't lying, but…

Her eyes narrowed and pink swallowed them. The world blackened, but she saw the fiery auras of souls all around her. And that soul she focused on was an unrepenting red that burned loud and bright. Something about that man puts me on edge…

°•°•°•°

The best place to sit for a play or musical was the dress circle. The height above the stalls proved not too high as the upper circle and gallery that you might not immerse yourself into the story told, but it was not too far back and on the ground that you had to constantly shift to find a good spot to watch the action. You saw the play in its entirety and could appreciate the littler moments on stage those close to the orchestra could not.

Ellie's reservation of their tickets and waving around her, Justin, Gary, and Nashi's birthright as the direct heirs to the main protagonists of the play earned them center front row in the mezzanine, the best seats in the house. Renovations to the theater meant the taller people of the bunch could feel comfortable instead of cramped.

The lights flashed once and people scrambled to finish their conversations and get to their seats. The theater lights dimmed to nothing, and silence maintained its right to breathe here.

The orchestra did not start with a standard orchestra that crossed through the various themes the first act would present. A cello laid down the holding whole note while a balalaika carried with a minor lilt and the drum beat when it needed. A tale was being twisted, mystical and historic, and ¾ tempo made all who dared to listen immerse themselves in such wondrous music.

A hazy blue, a muted red, and a yellowish-white spotlight swirled around the curtains.

A hypnotizing folk flute blew the mellifluous melody. The prelude had begun!

"Welcome to the Old World Theatre," a sultry narrator greeted, disembodied. "Fiore, a small, peaceful nation of seventeen million, is 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."

The circling spotlights stopped as shadow play enacted within the lights. Each spotlight held a different type of Mage using their Magic.

"These are the Wizards," the narrator continued. "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…"

The music quieted as the flag of Fairy Tail waved on the yellowish-white screen. The spotlights conversed and a rainbow circled a glowing white Fairy Tail insignia.

"…is Fairy Tail."

A dramatic overdrive guitar gave a power chord as the violins and folk flute harshed a folkish rock melody. The audience burst into applause as the curtains drew open. The opening act!

The montage and opening sequence had people eagerly eyeing the stage. The trials and tribulations of prominent fairies of Fairy Tail came forth for their introductions. It showed Erza as a child slave. It showed Natsu abandoned and alone. It showed Gray when he traveled through snow and ice alone and worked under Ur and his rivalry with Lyon. The introduction was gorgeous to behold as the shadowed main cast gathered for their final pose with their hands up in the momentous Fairy Tail signal and the title of the play in the background.

The audience clapped once the sequence ended.

Nashi buckled down. Here we go…

The opening scene looked to be in Hargeon Town with the chorus milling about as vendors and pedestrians.

I think I read they were telling about my parents' Team Natsu and how it began, Nashi remembered. So this must be how Mama and Papa met. A story I heard a thousand times.

Knee-high boots clacked onto the stage. Keys jingled on a hip. "Oh my…" A sultry voice soothed over the audience. "Today must be my lucky day."

Nashi's eyebrow twitched. Oh my gods. Mama is…

Justin leaned forward, grinning. No fucking way. They made Miss Lucy into…

Ellie looked like she needed pearls to clutch. Miss Lucy looks like…

"I think I'll gain another key today." Actress-Lucy looked too sinful for her own good with full, pouty lips, coquettish eyes, and in a skirt that should have been illegal to wear anywhere. "I just need to convince that shopkeeper that key should be mine and mine alone."

…a total dominatrix! Justin, Ellie, Nashi cried.

Tesla blinked as she took in Actress-Lucy. "Holy shit, she's hot." She nudged Nashi. "Did your mom actually look like that back in the day?"

"No! No, she…!" Nashi remembered photos of her mother from her heroing days and all the skirts she would wear even into a battle and her crop tops and not to mention some of her racier Star Dresses…

A dreary aura hung off Nashi while Gary patted her back in consolation. Mama, she thought in misery, you're not doing any of us any favors… She gawked when she saw how Ellie, Ines, and Tesla were drooling. Don't salivate over my mom!

The play had moved from Actress-Lucy seducing a shopkeeper for her newest key to her walking around in Hargeon, where a gaggle of fanboys and fangirls were hounding around someone.

"Hey, beautiful!" The crowd parted to reveal a devilishly and dramatic man with his cape and eyes set for Actress-Lucy. "What's an Angel like you doing out of Heaven?"

You're the famous Salamander!" Actress-Lucy breathed (it was more of a moan and Nashi buried her head in her hands). "I've always wanted to meet you."

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting," "Salamander" cockily simpered back. He drew himself close as captured her chin with a hand. "But fate works in mysterious ways, baby."

Justin was snort-laughing behind a hand. "Wait a minute, wait a minute. No – fucking – way this happened."

"Because it didn't!" Nashi cried. Then she winced when the fans shrieked when this "Salamander" and Actress-Lucy started a heated kiss. I hope to gods this never happened.

"Hey!" came an irate cry. "You're not 'Salamander!'" A drum roll entrance came as someone back-flipped onto the stage with Natsu's signature vest and balloon pants only to land in a hero pose. Drawing to full height, the actor had gotten Natsu's old outfit correct down to the sandals and his signature grin. But a few things were different.

Notably that the actor was an actress.

"I am!" Actress-Natsu declared. "You're nothing more than a fake! Right, Happy?"

"Mow!" A legitimate blue cat with a harness with little wings came to Actress-Natsu's side only to lay down, disinterested.

Silence.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Wow ~

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Justin had tears cornering his eyes and covered his mouth to choke back chortles while Nashi, Ellie, and Gary were blank-faced. How is this even remotely accurate?

Ace broke the silence of the group. "Nashi, I didn't know your dad is trans."

"Because he's not!" Nashi's eye-twitched watching the horrifying scene of his father confronting the fraudulent "Salamander" only to be chased away by rabid fans. And Actress-Lucy and Actor-Bora were back to lip-locking. What in the Hell is going on?

The scene changed to a yacht scene with an alluring saxophone number as a bedroom was crafted with Actor-Bora and Actress-Lucy somehow deciding to get hot and heavy over drinks.

Actor-Bora poured them champagne before offering her a glass. "I know I just met you, but it feels like love at first sight."

"I feel the same way," Actress-Lucy agreed with that raspy voice. "Salamander, take me home with you and marry me."

"Anything you want, baby."

BAM!

Actress-Natsu burst into the scene with flaming fists and cried, "No way is she getting married to you, you jerk! She's going to be my wife and take care of me and Happy and buy us food whenever we want!"

"No…!" Even though Actress-Lucy was supposed to object, the noise she made sounded so…opposite of that. And just like that Actress-Natsu stole Actress-Lucy and rushed off with her with the Guard on his tail for kidnapping an innocent woman while Happy the (literal) cat slowly stalked across the stage before stopping right before the curtain to clean his leg.

Justin looked like he was dying of laugher while the rest sweatdropped. That was oddly fast.

"I feel like I heard about Nashi's parents getting married early," Ines murmured. "I guess that's true?"

"It's not true!" Nashi whispered furiously. "It's all lies! Papa wouldn't do tha…!" It was as if every memory of her father stealing away her mother came back to haunt her, even stealing her away when she was training Nashi for "Lucy-Time". Oh he totally would have.

Gary patted her shoulder with an assuring beam. "Don't worry, Angel. I already told your dad if he tries to keep us apart, I'll steal Angel away and we'll elope, so it all balances out."

What the Hell is that supposed to mean! Nashi wanted to cry.

The Fairy Tail Guild was shown as the next scene and it was devoted to showing every type of chaos under the sun. Actress-Cana was hoarding a barrel and looked like she was doing a keg while Actor-Macao and Actor-Wakaba perved on her. The only ones who looked decent were the actresses for Mira and Levy.

Actress-Natsu stormed in with Actress-Lucy in her arms and declared, "I'm home! I got a new wife too!" She unceremoniously dropped Actress-Lucy and howled, "Let's fight, motherfuckers!" She joined the brawl without hesitation.

Actress-Lucy was struggling on all fours when a gorgeous man came up to her that had the audience catcalling and clapping since he was naked, but since he was in front of Actress-Lucy, you could not see his private parts.

But did that scene look very scandalous.

"Pardon me, beautiful," the man purred to Actress-Lucy, "but may I borrow your underwear?"

Nashi looked at Gary like he was the offender. "Your dad said that to my ma—? Don't take off your clothes!" She smacked his hands away from unbuttoning the last button of his shirt (and she shot mean looks at the hopeful audience members trying to get a glimpse of him).

Gary blinked. "Oh. Sorry. I didn't even realize."

"That's not an excuse!"

"Anyway," Gary continued and it did not register how Nashi kept smacking his hands away from taking off his pants, "yeah, that did happen. My dad likes to bring it up to Uncle Natsu a lot to piss him off." An idea came to him. "Angel, may I borrow—?"

Jaxton reached and smacked Gary upside the head before grunting, "Shut up and keep your clothes on, pissant."

Gary sniveled with a comic bump on his head, but he stopped subconsciously stripping. "So cruel, Jang-ta, so cruel."

The Hakobe Mountains and their icy caverns earned special effects—and by special effects, that means a crew member was shaking down fake snowflakes. Actress-Natsu was fighting a Vulcan—the fight choreography was atrocious and the Vulcan was an actor in a horrible fur suit—while Actress-Lucy was tied up for some unknown reason.

"Couldn't we have gone on a normal honeymoon?" Actress-Lucy whined. She made a sensual pouty face towards her "husband" and purred, "It'll be worth your while. I can promise that, Daddy."

Justin keeled over, shaking with mirth.

"Daddy kink," Tesla murmured. "I respect that."

"My mother does not have a 'daddy kink'," Nashi hissed. Please, please, please let this be a work of fiction.

"Hey, no judgment," Tesla chuckled. She patted Jaxton's chest and winked at Nashi. "Some of us can relate, right?" She teased Jaxton with a dramatic southern drawl, "Big Daddy?"

Jaxton snorted.

Ace mused aloud, "I think I'd want Carlisle to call me 'Daddy'."

"No fair!" Justin whined. "I called 'Daddy' and you got 'Sir'!"

Gary mumbled, "I like 'Master'."

"And yet you are the pussiest person alive," Jaxton said flatly. "How ironic."

Gary pouted. "So mean." He tugged at Nashi's dress. "Angel, make my best friend stop bullying me."

"I'm not your fucking friend!"

Through Ace and Justin going back and forth of what they each wanted Carlisle to call them in bed and Gary antagonizing Jaxton, Nashi felt like she needed medication to follow along with the plot of the play and the conversation of her friends. Coming here was a mistake.

The play progressed to show Everlue Mansion with Actress-Lucy in a promiscuous maid outfit (yet the actress for Virgo had a replicated maid outfit of the Maiden Star Spirit).

Actress-Lucy sat on the floor with her head in the lap of Actor Everlue and bemoaned, "Uncle Everlue, please save me from this awful marriage with this tyrant! He doesn't touch me and barely treats me as his wife. To him, I'm nothing more than a slave!"

Considering at home, Nashi witnessed her mother barking sharp orders and her father scurrying around to her every word, she thought dryly, I feel like the reverse is true. Then again, Papa only moves fast if Mama promises him 'Lucy-Time', food, or a sparring session. Wait! She sweated as Actor-Everlue comforted the actress. Why is that creepy duke playing my great uncle?

The Fairy Tail Guild was back in all their chaos when the music got all dramatic. The doors at the back of the stage parted to show the silhouette of a monster and a strong voice bellowed, "You all better be behaving! For it is I, Erza Scarlet, who has returned from my mission!"

The monster ended up bringing a huge, furred prop while the actress for Erza in her younger years was a buff woman with her red hair in a pixie cut and her armor tasteful yet efficient. She pointed her sword at the audience and declared, "In the name of Fairy Tail, I'll punish you!"

The crowd went wild at Actress-Erza's entrance, clapping and cheering for the former Iron Maiden and future Titania of Fairy Tail.

Ines gave Actress-Erza an onceover. "That's what your Guild Master looked like?"

"Why do you ask?"

Ines sweated when Ellie grew sharp vines with her tight smile and soothed nervously, "Well she's got nothing on you, Daisy, obviously! Ha-ha…"

The battle between Phantom Lord and Fairy Tail was a beautiful mess full of secondhand embarrassment moments. The actors for Gray and Juvia were in the middle of their fight scene where Juvia's water and Gray's ice attacks were portrayed with blue streamers, a bubble machine, ice cubes, and a bucket of water.

Actress-Juvia moved too fast for Actor-Gray when a large bubble came down. A very visible crew member hooked something onto her back as she decreed, "Juvia knows such a lowly fairy is no match for her because she is water!" And she flew up into her transparent bubbles and a blue spotlight hit her.

"What you don't understand about Fairy Tail is we don't care if we match up with our enemies!" Actor-Gray snarled back. "We take revenge!" And with a hook onto his harness, he jumped up and "froze" Juvia's protection of water—

—only to grab her breast in doing so.

The group gawked, but Gary got excited. "Here it comes!"

It was like time stopped as Actor-Gray and Actress-Juvia stared at each other (even with him still holding her boob) and Actor-Juvia breathlessly proclaimed, "Oh, wow… Juvia has never known such beautiful coldness before, Gray-sama."

Question marks when around the group while Gary bubbled with glee. 'Gray-sama'?

Actor-Gray blushed and muttered, "Yeah, well… Your Magic is pretty cool too."

They fell back on-stage, but all their fighting and snarling was gone in place for a pink, lovey lighting and the swelling of romantic strings.

Actor-Gray peered closer at Actress-Juvia and told her, "Hey… You're kinda…pretty."

Actress-Juvia giggled. "Juvia thinks Gray-sama is handsome."

"Yeah?" Actor-Gray scratched the back of his head as though trying to play it cool. "Thanks, I guess." He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. "Listen. You wanna get out of here or somethin'? I'm sorta sick of all this fighting."

Actress-Juvia shined at the prospect. "Juvia will happily follow Gray-sama to the ends of the earth!"

And just like that, a bubbly Actress-Juvia looped her arm with a flushed Actor-Gray and they left the stage together.

The group gawked. How does any of that make sense?

Nashi pressed two fingers to her temple. If I got pissed off my parents got married five minutes in, I'm sure Gary is angry—

"Their love story is always so beautiful," Gary dreamily sighed, sparkles all around him. "I wish my love story with Angel was just as beautiful as their love story. So romantic."

Nashi could not stop being disturbed when a flowery aura consumed Gary as he rambled about his fantastical love story between them. I stand corrected. My partner is a lunatic and I should be very afraid.

Loke's reckoning came next with the debonair Lion Spirit and Actress-Lucy holding hands together by a waterfall. The Celestial Spirit King was a bear of a man with his glorious sword sheathed and before him. He declared, "Lucy Heartfilia, I shall spare Leo should you become his bride."

Nashi choked. What!

Actress-Lucy looked conflicted and theatrically placed the back of her hand against her forehead. "But I'm married, Your Majesty. I cannot wed another!"

"Then upon your time to join your clan in the stars, you shall become Leo's bride," the Celestial Spirit King decreed. "If you agree, I will allow Leo to become your Celestial Spirit."

"Princess." Actor-Loke got down on one knee. "Will you marry me in your next life?"

Ellie gaped. "Attendre. Misses Dragneel can reincarnate?" She looked at Nashi. "You have the power to reincarnate?"

"No!" Nashi helplessly cried, struggling. "I mean…! I don't think we do! Mama said the Heartfilia Clan goes to the Spirit World after death, but…!"

A sniffle. "A-Angel…" Gary was comically wielding tears. "Angel will abandon me in death to go to the Spirit World?"

"N-No! I'd never do that!" Nashi felt her head swirling. Why is my family bloodline being smeared through the mud?

The Tower of Heaven was built upon the stage with the epics highs and loves of facing Erza's former friends and witnessing the atrocities. The fight scenes were nothing to write home about—and Nashi decided right then and there she would have words with the costume designer when Juvia and Lucy's fight with Vidaldus had them in scanty bikinis that covered the important parts just barely—but the fight between Erza and Jellal was heating up.

"There's no stopping us now, Erza!" Actor-Jellal told her with his tattoo on the wrong side of his face. "Everything is going according to plan! You and your friends can't defeat us!"

"That may be so." Actress-Erza slashed down her twin swords. "But we'll still try! Fairy Tail doesn't know the meaning of giving up!" She pointed one of her swords at him. "And I have no intentions of leaving here without my fiancé!"

The group had question marks around them. Fiancé?

Actor-Jellal smirked. "It's been so long that I've forgotten. You still want us to wed for the sake of our kingdoms? You think I'll agree to it?" He powered up using his "Darkness Magic", which was a violet spotlight on him and odd sound effects. "Princess Erza, hear my words now. I am no longer your fiancé!"

Justin raised an eyebrow. "Did anyone else know Master was royalty?"

"I feel like I've heard this story," Tesla muttered, thoughtful. "And those people looked just like the actors. Princess Elsie and…Justice—?"

"Shh!" Ellie hushed her. "No meta-commentary!"

The battle of Fairy Tail commenced with the guild members scrambling every which way to avoid Lightning Lacrima, which were orbs with painted lightning bolts on them that burst out gold streamers. The actor for Laxus had on heavy eyeliner and his scar was on the wrong side, but he maliciously cackled at the Fairy Tail members scrambling to stop this catastrophe.

"I'll become the new head of Fairy Tail!" he boasted. "And all of you will bow before me!"

"Oh, Laxus!" Freed's actor looked more feminine than the man himself with his green hair long and luscious as he fell into Actor-Laxus' arm. "You're so bad."

"Bad for you," Actor-Laxus purred. "We'll take over this guild together, sweetheart. Nothing will get in our way."

Justin was crying as he cackled and wheezed. "Oh my god, yes…!" He gave snaps for the performance. "Yes, Dad, yes…!"

"Your dad has a thing with Uncle Laxus?" Ellie laughed.

"I don't know, but you better believe I'm never letting this moment go of my dad getting a daddy of his own," Justin chortled. "This is pure genius!"

The battle of Oración Seis had power ballads and rock songs that no one had anticipated, but the songs were catchy enough and the blocking was better than the fight choreography scene. Shifting from the battle, Actress-Lucy was sick in bed with flushed cheeks and a towel on her forehead.

"I wish I could go to the sakura viewing," Actress-Lucy coughed. "If only I had gotten sick…"

A foreboding and mystical piece started as muffled gasps and incomprehensible conversation started from the sides of the stage.

Actress-Lucy coughed as she got up. "I wonder what's going on outside." The stagehands moved to change the bedroom scene to show the window for Actress-Lucy to peer out of while the lights dimmed. But even the audience was moved seeing a subtle rainbow glow from the side. As the music started swelling, the iridescent glow came closer and closer until…

Nashi's eyes widened. Wow…

The rainbow sakura tree had been mounted onto a rolling boat, but the leaves themselves were beautiful shades and tints of the rainbow, its kaleidoscopic glow reaching every part of the theatre. Growing applause started up at such a gorgeous tree as Actress-Lucy gasped being able to see the spectacle even with her weak constitution.

Hickories sparkled. Right. I remember this story. Mama got sick for the viewing party, so Papa and Happy made sure she could see it. A soft smile could not be helped. Maybe this play isn't getting everything right. But I'm happy…it showed this part of their love story.

°•°•°•°

With play broken into intermission, people got up to stretch their legs, get concessions, and speak to friends and family about the first act. Nashi, Gary, and their friends decided to leave their seats with Tesla, Justin, Ines, and Ellie headed to the concession stands for snacks.

Justin whipped out his Compact and immediately called his father. Before Freed could get in a word of greeting, Justin plowed through. "Dad, please tell me it's true you had the hots for Uncle Laxus back in the day."

And Freed started sputtering.

The lines for the bathroom had been long, but Nashi and Gary were lucky enough to get in early enough and exit the lavatory before the rush blundered the halls. Hand in hand, they had meant to check out the merchandise for sale when a little kid bumped into him. He took one look at the couple before he gasped seeing Gary.

"You're the Ice Devil of Fairy Tail!" the kid cried.

Gary stiffened before smiling. "Yes, that's me. It's nice to meet you."

"You're my favorite Wizard!" the boy giddily declared, drawing more and more eyes to them. The boy pouted. "If I knew you were coming, I would've brought my poster so I could get your autograph."

"Are you giving autographs?" a nearby audience member hoped.

More people, eager they were in the presence of the Ice Devil of Fairy Tail, stopped their congregating to crowd around Nashi and Gary. Some had taken out their Compacts to sneak in a selfie while others vied for their harmless questions to be answered.

Nashi felt Gary squeeze her hand as he did his best to handle the orderly crowd. Uneasy winter latched onto summer for support. She looked up at him in worry. He's uncomfortable with this. Normally, he's okay when people recognize him. But today, he just needs to be away from this. She opened her mouth. "I'm sorry, everyone, but—"

"How does it feel that your girlfriend screws you and an animal?"

Glares were thrown at the smug woman dressed in a matte burgundy number. She would be responsible if the rest were unable to take advantage of this glorious opportunity. She dared press, "I mean, isn't that pretty much bestiality?" Her smirk broadened. "Are you going to be okay if she has a kid with that monster?"

Gary flinched.

Nashi hardened. "Listen—"

"Shut up," someone snapped. "That Devil isn't a monster! You saw the trial. It was cleared of all charges, remember?"

"And it has a human form too," someone else sneered to the woman. "It's not bestiality."

More and more arguments and murmurs speared to the outspoken woman, but Nashi and Gary could not wipe the surprise off their faces. Nashi glanced around at these people surrounding them, fighting on their behalf. These people… They're…defending him?

The woman, fuming her plan had not worked and the slurs thrown at her for her disgusting behavior, huffed and stomped away.

An older woman with a shawl and prominent laugh lines told the couple, "We're so sorry about that. I'm sure you get ugly-hearted people like her often. But your true fans know we shouldn't worry. We just want you happy."

Agreements sprung up and soothing smiles.

Gary blinked, taken back at such kindness. "I…" He swallowed. "Thank you." He looked down at his feet. No one has ever defended me before.

Flames sparked from hatred and malice. The silhouettes of hunters and men. Howls and snarls and blood rushing into his ears as bullets shot at his back to try and strike him down.

His lips trembled. Is this what it's like…to be accepted? When people don't think I'm a monster?

Nashi gently told the crowd with a smile, "We're sorry. We're here to enjoy the play just like the rest of you on our date, if that's okay. We hope you can understand."

"Of course we do," someone chimed. More people agreed with rueful smiles before they dispersed with a few backward glances.

Nashi stroked Gary's arm. "Come on. We still have a lot of time left until the second act starts."

Signs pointing upstairs lead toward balconies for people to get fresh air and have an intimate conversation without leaving the building. The outdoor balconies were not as popular this evening since most split their time between bathroom breaks or getting food and drinks. A few smokers huddled outside with their vice burning between their lips.

Gary and Nashi drifted to their own corner of one of the balconies. The tropical air coasted around them with the moon hanging low in the sky. Enviously, Nashi watched a few birds claimed the skies as their own, sinking and rising with each wave of the win. Summer yearned for that freedom.

"We'll fly soon, Angel," Gary murmured to her, wrapping an arm around her waist. "I know. I miss being in the air too."

"It's so freeing," Nashi said. "I can't believe for years I missed that sensation. Now, I couldn't imagine never flying again." She turned her head and nuzzled his jaw.

Gary closed his eyes, drinking in that floral scent she always carried and letting his winter mesh and mingle with her summer. "You have your Flying License, don't you?"

"Yeah, but I agreed with my parents to wait until I debut with my wings at Inter-Guild before I start publicly flying." She cracked open her eyes. "And once you're home, I can't imagine flying without you by my side."

"I know." Gary kissed her temple. "Angel shouldn't worry. Angel should fly." His eyes opened, half-lidded and melancholic. "I'll get there…someday…"

Nashi tangled their fingers together and quietly spoke, "You know… Seeing that last scene when my mama got sick on the day of Fairy Tail's Blossom Viewing Party brought back memories." Her lips curled into a smile. "When my bully took care of me."

His shoulders shook with his snicker. "Angel won't let that go, will she?"

"No way in Hell."

"I figured." Blues started into the great blue beyond, loaded with starry clusters. "I can still remember what happened. Looney told me you were sick. I wasn't as ambitious enough to steal an entire Rainbow Sakura like your dad, but… I couldn't enjoy the party. Not without you."

"Really?"

"Mmm-hmm." Gary let her hand go to wrap his arms around her and encompass her in a back embrace. "I was still too embarrassed to admit." A wry chuckle. "Orochi didn't hold any punches about telling me why I was moody."

Nashi faintly giggled. "I'm sure he didn't."

Gary hummed. "I was pretty annoyed with him, but I knew he was right. My parents didn't mind I left the party and your mom knew I was coming. And when I saw you there, sick… I couldn't stand aside and do nothing. I told Aunt Lucy I could take care of you while she did some work." He teased, "You threw up on my shoes."

"No!" Nashi gasped, horrified. She hoped he was joking, but the humored expression on his face was hard to decipher. "Oh my gods, please tell me I didn't!"

"You did." Gary laughed when Nashi groaned and turned to bury her head into his shirt. "It's okay, Angel."

"It's not okay!" Nashi whined. "I can't believe I did that!"

"Really, it's okay," chuckled Gary. "I wasn't too happy in the moment, but it worked out into the end." He further jested, "But Angel certainly got clingy in her sleep. So aggressive."

"Stop it…!"

Gary chortled as Nashi's face steamed red. Blues twinkled with starlight. "Even now, Angel reaches for me when she's sleeping. I like it. It makes me feel wanted when Angel touches me so freely." Blues dimmed. "Like someday…others won't be so afraid."

Solemnity sobered Nashi's embarrassment. Hickory regard aimed for the moon and her childish stars. "That woman had no right to ask us about that," she murmured. Though her anger displaced predominantly to Gary than for herself. "I know I shouldn't be surprised at people's audacity, but it gets me so angry they think they can say that."

"They have the right to their opinion," Gary supposed.

Nashi's jaw clenched. "Not when their opinion insinuates we're into bestiality. You're human—"

"Am I?"

Nashi froze.

A sigh colder than the tropical weather left Gary. "Am I really a human, Angel?"

Does he…? Is he asking me what I know? Nashi looked down, torn. Is he asking for the truth?

"Angel wanted to look at my soul, but…she still hasn't."

Nashi bit her lip for a moment, mulling over what to say and what not to say. "Gary—"

"If I could be bold… Could Angel…wait to look at my soul?"

Nashi's eyes widened before she looked up at Gary's half-hearted smile.

"I'm sorry." Gary's smile trembled. "I guess…I'm a little afraid right now." He took in his shaking hands. "Would Angel wait a little while longer until she looked at my soul? Please?"

Gary… Nashi softened before taking one of his trembling hands and kissing his fingertips. "Of course," she breathed. She dowsed soothing summer over frightened winter. "I won't look at your soul without your consent—when you're ready."

"Thank you." The relief in Gary's voice was palpable. "I promise I'll be ready soon. I'm sorry to ask for more time."

"Don't even worry about it," Nashi softly dismissed. "Let me know when you're ready." I think I'm starting to understand. He's aware about…how he coped all this time. He's aware of who Skade is and why he's quiet. Maybe that's why he had an episode this morning. I won't pressure him to talk about it. I'm happy enough he's here with me, telling me he's not okay. That's all I could ask.

She twisted, pressed against the railing, and held on as tightly as she could to Gary. My sweet Devil… Thank you for telling me you're not okay. And letting me embrace this side of you.

---

Dinner at the cabin was always a messy affair, but with everyone pitching in for dishes and dessert, clean-up did not take as long. Nighttime left everyone to their own devices. The children played in the basement with a movie playing in the background. Evie wanted to surprise her fiancé with a romantic date. Mira steered the other women for some hot tub time with drinks and gossip. For as quiet as Guil was, he made for a great conversation with Freed.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Strauss-Dreyar Cabin

Greenheart Alps

Fiore, Ishgar

9:15 PM FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Pearson slid the study door behind him. "I'm back." He looked around the study with Laxus at the desk and Penelope and Lance taking up the accent chairs. Striding in further, he patted the strap of his messenger bag. "Giovanni and Sindella will have the protective wards and crystals ready before Jasmine heads back to the US and will send a trusted associate to put everything in place. I'll let her know about it tomorrow."

"It would be wise to ask a Shadow Charmer to also employ a Grim to watch her or a Wraith," Penelope inserted. "Should I make a trip to the Ghost Realm for potential talent?"

Pearson took the rum concoction Laxus had ready for him and sat down on the loveseat. "Jasmine is still adjusting to a lot of this. It would be better to wait until she's comfortable—"

"But we don't have time for her to feel comfortable," Laxus gruffly reminded. "I understand you're close to her. But you have to put aside your personal bias. It's better she has an arsenal than she has one gun to defend her."

Pearson did not look that happy about it, but he begrudgingly agreed. "Penny, you have work for the master. I can head to the Ghost Realm and see if there are any takers." He knocked back a swallow. "Pacer told me Jasmine's pregnancy was revealed today."

"It was a nightmare," Lance muttered. "I hope she's doing okay because her grandmother and her relatives weren't happy with us at all."

"I figured." Pearson looked down at his glass. Pacer said he called her and messaged her, but… I'm sure something like this will push them further away unless by some lucky miracle— He gave pause. Liberty gifted Jasmine a Lucky Charm, so maybe…

Lance looked down at his Compact when a blocked number called him. "Pearse, you said to answer if an unknown number is calling, right?"

Pearson nodded. "Right."

Lance took a breath before he answered. "You've reached Lance Dreyar."

Quiet.

"Lance. It's Aurinia."

Lance glanced to Pearson then Penelope and finally his father. "Someone told me I should be expecting your call."

"I apologize for the delay. There were strenuous circumstances around me," Aurinia explained. "But I believe I owe you and those near you who you trust an explanation."

"It wasn't an accident that you came to us roughed up, was it?" Lance questioned.

"No. It wasn't. The attack on me was deliberately planned, even with how careful I've been. I've currently shifted locations. But that isn't important." A beat. "As you have suspected, I am a Custodian to the Gods of the Old Era and Middle Era and was tasked to help guide the Gods of the New Era. And your divusiometer was a gift from me to start your research for other God Slayers."

Laxus tensed.

Pearson clenched his glass.

A flicker went over Penelope's eyes.

Lance sat forward with his elbows on his thighs. "Did you know Jasmine was carrying God Slayers? And did you know about the God Slayer I nearly found in Solidago?"

"Custodians are blind to the individual names and histories to God Slayers, Champions, or the Blessed," Aurinia told him. "I became suspicious Jasmine carried twins and my suspicions solidified touching her stomach. I sent you the divusiometer in response."

Lance rubbed his jaw. "I see… Veleda told me I'm to find the God Slayers. I'm sure the divusiometer will help me. But protecting them will be another thing, Aurinia. And it'd be nice to know what I'm protecting them from."

Aurinia sighed. "I understand. Veleda is a very old Custodian who retired from her duties to help her people. We were both appointed Custodians and took our vows within the same ceremony." Two beats. "Lance, you are the direct heir to Baracles, the former leader of the gods. He chose you to succeed him and lead the New Gods. His reasons for choosing you, you must ask him."

°•°•°•°

The final stroke of the inked brush felt bittersweet almost. Starting a painting and ending it were the hardest segments when it came to art. To start a painting could be with gusto, but to finish a painting could end with uncertainties of maybe I should shade his darker maybe I should add a little more here maybe maybe maybe.

The brick fireplace—an eyesore in his minka—burned with eternal flames that purred, curious and docile. For a moment, cattish emeralds glowed in the flames before vanishing as the flames danced to a soundless song. His morning glory yukata had the sleeves tied back as he put the brush back on its ceramic plate. A sigh strung out. So… There are two more…

°•°•°•°

"What do you know about Baracles?" Lance demanded to know.

A noticeable pause. "Baracles was a Lightning God, brother to many, husband to none, and friend to those useful to him. While he headed the gods and they fell in line with his decision as long as the council had a majority vote with his motions, that doesn't mean all loved Baracles." Her tone took a hard turn. "In fact, I'd suffice to say Baracles instilled jealousy, hatred, and fear to certain gods. Especially the one god he needed to keep the God Realm open."

Lance's expression darkened. "What do you mean by that? What's this about the God Realm?"

"Upon the Gods deserting this realm, they closed every portal to the God Realm. But in order to do that, there was only one god who had the power to do so. And that god…"

°•°•°•°

Dusting the painting with warm breath, steady fingers took the corner of the portrait he crafted. His yukata shifted as he got to his feet and stepped across the hardwood. The flames were tickled pink he came closer, but they kept to themselves. He reached up and his hands shifted to tack his new portrait to the wall.

Satisfied, he drew back and let his hands slide into his sleeves. Full pink lips pulled into a thoughtful frown. I just don't understand it.

He gazed at the countless portraits his brush had guided him to paint. Not all of them were humans, but all their features were distinct and remarkable in their own way. Some had strange symbols tattooed on their bodies—emblems of their faction—guild, he remembered—that they were justly proud about it. Others had magical creatures for companions. A trickle of fear hurt him when he raked his stare over the previous portrait he had done, a man with a strong jawline, commanding eyes, and a powerful ring on his middle finger symbolizing his position.

Then his stare befell his new portrait.

Twins.

They looked younger than the others he had drawn, most likely the youngest out of all his muses. Holding hands and hair braided, they were opposites in the way one smiled and the way the other scowled. It was hard for him to decipher which gender they were, but it was easy to recognize their contrasting personalities. And yet, their personalities were two sides of one coin.

And birthed between them was the mark of a ladybug.

He reached up to touch the ladybug, confused and entranced. Who are you two? Who are all of you? Why do I…keep seeing you?

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

"…is called The Hearth."

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Intermission had elapsed and everyone had gathered back in their seats. The overture wove the darker themes the second act would portray and the play had set up with the flora and fauna of Tenrou Island. Fairy Tail was in a death match again Grimoire Heart.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

The Old World Theatre

Caracole Island

Fiore, Ishgar

8:20 PM CAST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The Fairy Tail Mages were huffing and puffing against the Dark Mages of Grimoire Heart and their airship and the battle had yet to be won.

"You'll never defeat us!" Actress-Natsu decreed, scuffed up from the battle. "We've got Exceeds on our side! You're going down!"

The actor for Precht had a ridiculously pointy mustache and looked like a stereotypical villain with his cloak and eye-patch. "Oh, no! It is you who will be going down! The Emperor of Alvarez has given us orders and we will not leave without fulfilling them!"

Nashi blinked, astonished. Wait… What?

"It's too late for that now!" Actress-Lucy proclaimed with her tattered clothing too risqué for a battlefield. "Look! The Exceeds destroyed your ship!"

Actor-Precht widened his good eye. "What's this?" To his disbelief, the cats playing the Exceed—a senior black cat with a graying muzzle played Panther Lily and a prissy white she-chat with a pretty pink bow around her neck played Charla—were either dozing or grooming themselves with the remains of the airship behind them.

"No…!" Actor-Precht howled. "My airship!" He pointed angrily at Fairy Tail. "The Spriggan Emperor won't be pleased you fairies destroyed our ship! He knows you fairies are hiding what he seeks and he'll reclaim what he's lost!"

Nashi mentally retreated from the play as she tried to piece things together. If I remember the story my parents told me about Grimoire Heart, it was that they came there to unlock the seal of the Black Mage—Zeref. So why would the play flip the script? Her brow furrowed. It was strange to me while we were kidnapped in Alvarez that no one knew about Zeref's misdeeds or his actual name. I chalked it up to them teaching about him differently, but… What else has Alvarez been twisting in their education?

She gripped the armrests of her seat. In Fiore, Invel is still arrested, isn't he? And in our history, Alvarez is to blame for starting the war. They launched an unprecedented attack, which caused rocky relations until King Ajeel and Queen Hisui smoothed things over. But in Alvarez… What if they were taught Alvarez had good reason to attack Fiore. They did adore the emperor, after all. But what could've been the reason Alvarez used propaganda for such a horrible war?

With the guild members back in action after a seven-year leave, Actress-Lucy was purring wicked things to her oblivious "husband" when a newcomer interrupted. She looked like a carbon copy of Little Bo-Peep.

"Ex-Excuse me?" the actress called. "I'm looking for a Lucy Heartfilia?" She held up the case she was using. "I have something—"

"Nope! No Lucy Heartfilia around here!" actress-Natsu proclaimed.

"O-Oh… Okay…" And the actress fled.

Actress-Lucy frowned at Actress-Natsu. "Why did you lie?"

"'Cause you're not Lucy Heartfilia—you're Lucy Dragneel!"

The group sweatdropped. Of course he'd say something like that.

The play moved on to an intense arc when Fairy Tail stormed the Principality of Veronika to stop Duke Cream and Carbuncle's horrid plot of awakening the "phoenix" that would destroy all in its path. Music poetically despaired, the crowd turned to tears and sniffs as Actress-Lucy sobbed as she held the burned and bleeding Éclair in her arms.

"E-Éclair, please, you can't die!" Actress-Lucy sniveled. "No, please, no!"

"L-Lucy," Actress-Éclair breathed. "I've enjoyed our time together. But I must go now. Momon is calling for me." Blatant ropes slowly cranked her upwards. "But before I go… There's something I need to give you." Her hand caressed Actress-Lucy's cheek, and she slanted her lips over hers.

Justin and Tesla high-fived and cheered, "Right on!"

Ines chuckled as Ellie was all crocodile tears and a mass of tissues and hyacinths. "Daisy," she cooed, "it's just a play—"

"It's not just a play!" Ellie whispered-hissed before hiccupping. "C'est tellement tragique! This is such a sapphic tragedy!"

Gary cocked his head like a confused puppy and murmured aloud to a red-faced Nashi, "I never thought Aunt Lucy liked women, but I can't judge." He patted Nashi's back. "Don't worry, Angel. I don't care which sexuality you resonate with. I'm Angel-sexual."

"What does that even mean!"

°•°•°•°

The Grand Magic Games had high energy, fun songs, and some interesting interpretation of the battles that happened back then. The Mirajane versus Jenny battle dove into fan service with them having a burlesque number that had many of their admirers excited. Jaxton's lips quirked when Tesla covered his eyes while Ines had to keep her face cool under Ellie's watchful eye. Ace and Justin thoroughly enjoyed the number with Justin mimicking the "make it rain money" hand signals.

Gary shifted and whispered to a dying Nashi's ears, "I'll be right back, Angel."

"I might be dead when you get back," muttered Nashi.

Gary chuckled and pecked her lips before slipping away. The ushers and guards offered him polite nods and he recognized that admirable twinkle in their eyes meaning they were fans of his. He made quick work of going to the bathroom and doing his business before sudsing up his hands to wash them. His smile was gone as he scrubbed his hands.

"How does it feel that your girlfriend screws you and an animal?" That woman's question rang in his ears. "I mean, isn't that pretty much bestiality? Are you going to be okay if she has a kid with that monster?"

A child, huh? Blues dulled. With a monster…

ZAAAA…

Water splattered all over his soapy hands.

"I know this is really early. But I'd want to adopt kids." Gleaming hickories. Summer full of love and warmth and hope. "And I want to adopt them with you if that's okay."

Blues shimmered. A family with Angel…

Layla Heartfilia's guiding words were like music to his ears. "A family is more than just blood. A family is one that you choose."

Could I really have that? A family of my own? Gary could picture it. In the depths of his heart, he clung to such a silly dream. He could imagine him and Nashi older, more mature and understanding of themselves, but they had all the love in the world for their children. Could I really be selfish and want that? It could be possible something like me…could have that sort of happiness?

It was too late when his imagination ran from him. He could imagine holding a little girl as they watched Nashi with her pure white wings teaching a little boy how to properly catch the wind with his own wings. He could see them celebrating the holidays together in Arcticados and he hoped one of the children might have an affinity for Ice Magic. He could imagine that sort of happiness.

He could imagine that sort of future.

Such a fantasy that I never thought would come true. A sad smile. I always knew I couldn't have children. It'd be cruel of me to force someone to be born like me…to suffer like me… He turned off the facet, hands wet and clean, and looked at the man in the mirror. Blues weary and face a little tired and worse for the way, he still looked like a typical human.

Even if he was a fraud.

When Angel asked to look at my soul, I knew she'd figure out what happened to me. I know Angel won't judge me. I know, but… His hands shook. I… I'm afraid. I'm afraid if everything I've realized…is true. I don't want it to be true. I don't want Skade to go. I don't want to be alone. But… Blues glinted. I don't know what to do. I don't…want to be alone.

THWOP!

"I thought that was you escaping, Snow Boy."

Gary shut down his anxiety-laden thoughts and ignored Elis to dry his hands.

Elis did not mind. He came beside Gary and leaned against the counter. "You're always so cold to me, Snow Boy." Lethal gray-blues wandered down Gary's form. "I wonder why'd that be. Is it because you really are a Snow Boy…?" When Gary tried to pass him, Elis grabbed him and pinned him against the counter, heated gray-blues clashing with stoic blues. "Or is it because of something else?"

"What do you want, Elis?" Gary asked in a dead tone. '"I'd like to get back to Angel."

Elis snickered as a hand came up to trail down Gary's cheek. "It's so ironic you'd be with someone like her. The Angel Princess…"—his eyes glinted with an unmistakable dark lust—"and the Ice Devil."

Gary gave nothing away. "I suppose it is an ironic play on words," he coolly remarked. "Can you please let me go?"

Elis hummed, but he did not retreat. "I'm curious about something, Snow Boy. What would it take to break your façade?" His fingers fluttered down Gary's throat. "You've always been such a tease with that stoic face. Never letting me see any emotion. You can't imagine how jealous it makes me seeing you so bright with your little Angel. What should I do? Should I do whatever it takes to make that mask of your crack?" His expression darkened with his grin wide. "Maybe it would be easier for me to start with your Angel. What expression would you make for me then—?"

"Don't touch her."

Icy blues glowered into gray-blues.

"Yes, just like that," Elis urged. "I've missed those eyes. So hateful and murderous." He gripped Gary's jaw and leaned closer. "How delicious for a Devil."

SLAM!

"Get the fuck away from him."

Elis did not have the choice when Jaxton ripped him away and stood protectively in front of Gary with eyes darker than black and his hands balled into white-knuckled fists.

"Stay away from him," Jaxton snarled. "That is your final warning."

Elis held up his hands like he was an innocent man in the chaos he started. "No need to threaten me. I see when I'm not wanted. That's why the next time we meet, Snow Boy"—his expression mocked something twisted and heated—"you'll be begging for me to stay." And he turned and left.

The second he was gone, Jaxton's eyes shifted to yellow-ambers with his hands shaking as though he was holding back the urge to shift. "He doesn't deserve to breathe," he hissed. "I should've gone with you. I should've known the fucker would try something—"

"Jang-ta, don't worry about it." Gary placed a hand on Jaxton's shoulder for his attention to whirl onto him. A carefree smile was matted on his face. "How about we go up to one of the balconies so you can calm down, okay?"

°•°•°•°

The balcony was empty with the scent of smoke faded from the ashtrays provided. Gentle was the breeze this time around as though the sky was aware it needed to calm down agitated hearts. The bustling city kept moving with party music heard a strip of clubs a few streets over. A gang of YouViewers hosted a rave on the rooftop of their hotel with bass-dropping music shaking the air. A tired designated driver babysat her drunk friends determined to continue their bar crawl.

Gary and Jaxton settled next to each other against the railing. Jaxton stewed in his fury while Gary closed his eyes, tipped his head up, and tasted the breeze offered to him.

"I'm okay," Gary murmured. "There's no need for you to get upset."

"But you should be upset," Jaxton growled. "I don't understand how you could allow him to sniff in your direction. He's disgusting."

Gary pleasantly hummed. "I remember a grouchy old man taught me the greatest victory requires no battle—Ow!" He rubbed the part of his head where Jaxton smacked. "But you did."

"Yeah. And I also said even the stupidest bird must take flight," Jaxton groused. "If my teachings made you think you shouldn't defend yourself from fuckers like him, then you were a horrible student."

Gary blinked. "But wouldn't that make you a terrible teacher, actually?" He flinched when Jaxton shifted. "No, you're right, I'm a terrible student!"

Jaxton grunted, but he made no move to physically reprimand Gary again.

Gary sighed as he looked at the moon. "I know it's not ideal, but…restraining myself is the only thing I can do. Keeping my emotions in check by shedding them… It's better than the alternative. If I didn't"—blues went cold—"I'd freeze him from the inside out and shatter him." Frost exhaled and icy-blue circled his irises. "I wouldn't hesitate to kill him."

Jaxton glanced over at Gary before looking forward. "I understand."

A calmer silence came between both men and it was like the world sighed with relief.

"How are you feeling?" Jaxton questioned without looking at him. "You look tired."

Gary mirthlessly chuckled. "I'm… I'm oh—"

"And don't you dare lie to me, boy." Jaxton flashed him those dominant yellow-ambers as Gary's only warning on the subject.

Gary gripped the railing, frost puffing from his nose. "I'm not okay," he confessed. "But I know I will be." His gaze fell half-mast. "I just…need a little more time is all." A grim smile. "Even if time is a luxury we can't afford."

"It isn't," Jaxton agreed. "Time is precious. It's not a right. It's a privilege. You should know that." Yellow-ambers glowed thinking of Tesla. "That's why I make the most of my time with people who matter to me. Yes, time is a luxury. The work we do will never allow us a true vacation. But it's better to handle pieces of peace like this with care than to mishandle them with unnecessary thoughts."

Gary sighed. "I knew you'd say that…"

"Then you'll know what I'll say next."

Gary braced himself.

"You decide who you are."

Perplexed, Gary looked at Jaxton for answers.

"She loves you. There's no question about that," told Jaxton. "And she'll wait for you to tell her. She won't make demands. And I'm sure what she sees in you is important. How she views you… That can make you or break you. However, it's not up to her to tell you who you are. You decide who you are." He pointed at Gary's hard. "You decide right there who are you and who you will become."

Gary touched his heart, clutching his shirt. "But they—"

"What have I taught you?" Jaxton rumbled. "Care about what others think and you will remain their prisoner. Someone will always think you are a monster. But they've never seen what a true monster looks like. You have. You've stared monsters in the eye. I know." Yellow-ambers glinted. "I've seen."

Gary looked down. "I feel like I'm losing myself," he breathed in confession. "I don't know…which part of me is real. I don't know who or what I am." In that moment, all those barriers and false smiles he used shed for that lost little boy he had been long ago who stared up at Jaxton with all the vulnerability in the world. "What if I never know?"

"Who you are is not a permanent statement," Jaxton gently put. "It's a concept that evolves as you evolve. It's fluid, always changing, rarely in stasis. It's the sum of every part of you, good and bad. The search for who you will become might be endless, but to know who you are right now is something you can define. Who are you right now?"

"I…" Gary searched for the words. "I'm…me? I'm Angel's partner."

Jaxton nodded. "What else?"

"I'm the Ice Devil of Fairy Tail," Gary recounted. "I'm my parents' son. I'm Silver and Julia's brother. I'm Miss Uki's teacher. I'm Orochi and Sparkles and Ezra's best friend. I'm—" A steady exhale. "I'm just…me."

"You are you," Jaxton affirmed. "You will always be you. Parts of you might change. Your Mage Name will change. Or"—his gaze softened—"maybe you'll become a father."

Gary's blues twinkled.

"But those make up the sum of you. You will always be you. That what part of you makes up the who part of you. Never forget that." Jaxton touched his chest. "Never forget your heart makes the decision of who you are and no one else."

Gary swallowed. "But…Angel…"

"It's important the person you treasure likes who you are," Jaxton conceded, tilting his head. "But if there's anything I've reminded you, it's that your self-worth starts with you, not anyone else." He added, "And she'll help build it as long as you have a solid base to present to her."

A gap of quiet.

"Tài xìe xìe ni le, Jang-ta."

Yellow-ambers flashed to see a genuine smile on Gary's face.

"You've always known what to say, even when I didn't have the words to explain myself," Gary told him. "And even when you didn't say anything, your presence made it easier to handle things because…you could understand." His smile widened. "Thank you, Jang-ta, for being good to me all these years. Thanks for understanding." He nodded to the doors. "We should probably head back inside, though. We wouldn't want everyone to worry."

Jaxton slowly nodded as Gary made his way to the door. "Right…" I understand you, huh?

Tesla's words crooned to him. "I'm sure he knows he can speak to a very niche group about his issues, but out of everyone he knows, you're the one who truly understands. Maybe just letting him know you're proud of him once in a while would be nice."

His hands balled. "Gary."

Innocently confused, Gary turned around, but for Jaxton, he remembered seeing him as a young boy who barely came up to his chest with wide blues eyes that had seen too many horrors. "Yes?"

"I…" Jaxton clenched his jaw. "It's nothing."

"Okay." A thought dinged Gary before he grinned and teased, "Oh, I see. It's such a romantic atmosphere and everything with the moonlight. You were about to confess your love for me, weren't you, old man?"

TICK!

Gary painfully laughed when Jaxton grabbed his head and forced it down with a murderous scowl. "Watch your fucking mouth, pissant." He let Gary go with a huff. "You really are delusional. I should've done the smart thing and checked you into a psych unit when I met you."

"That's okay too." Gary gave him a thumbs-up and looked all resolved and serious. "Not even a psych unit could stop me from stalking Angel."

"What is wrong with you?" Another tick mark battered Jaxton's skull. "I need to be away from you before I break into a migraine." He stalked away.

Of course Gary was not one to stop poking the angry bear. "Aw, is the old man jealous Angel and I can make love but he has a chastity belt on?" He cackled as he danced away from Jaxton's swipe. "Oh-ho, so slow, Jang-ta! You're losing your edge! Poor Tesla has to deal with your loss in stamina and probably sleeps through your rickety sex—"

TICK!

Jaxton lunged for a guffawing Gary who barely managed his escape. "You fucking pissant! Get back here so I can strangle you with my bare hands!" Huffing, he lost some of his rising temper to truly study Gary. He certainly has grown from when we first met. He's not the same kid who looked peaceful about his own depth.

"Please"—calm blues—"kill me."

Of course I'm proud of him, Jaxton thought. He's made me proud ever since he honored his word to my conditions for his death. For one so young and who has seen the true horrors this world possesses, he's stood tall. He's stained with blood and yet…he's learned not every footprint he makes will be bloodied. A bit of a smile tugged on his lips. He's matured—

"Hey, old man!" Gary sang. "Just for the record, if you can't keep up anymore, I'd be happy to take Tesla to a sex store to get longer-lasting replacements—"

TICK!

Gary gleefully ran from a charging Jaxton who roared, "Get the fuck back here, you pissant!" And as the ushers and security were too stunned to stop either of them—or maybe it was because all they saw was a psychotically laughing man and some angered blur with freaky yellow eyes sprinting after him—Jaxton blinked to watch Gary grin.

Yeah. I guess I am pretty proud of him—damn pissant.

---

The chateau had a few lights on when Pacer pulled into the driveway, but there were no extra cars lying around, which meant anyone who was meant to be here tonight had parked within the garage.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Château Sharon

Gazania Town

Fiore, Ishgar

10:03 PM FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Car parked, Pacer strapped on his backpack and juggled the fast-food, drinks, and milkshake he brought with him. It took guts to come to the door and even more to ring the doorbell. He nervously shuffled on his feet and it was just his luck Sharon was the one to open the door.

Pacer went to explain himself, but Sharon cut straight to the chase. "I knew you were nothing more than trouble the moment we met," she sneered. "Do you understand what you did to all of us? What sort of stress Jasmine is under?"

Guilt battened down on Pacer's chest. "I know—"

"No, you don't – know," Sharon gnashed. "And you think you're welcomed back into my house after the way you've—!"

"Miss Sharon." Maddox laid a hand on Sharon's waist, but his slitted eyes were none-too-friendly towards Pacer. "Jasmine let us know Pacer was coming over. But he won't stay over without permission." He said those words flashing his venomous fangs. "Please come in, Pacer. Jasmine's upstairs."

"Thank you." Pacer was careful to toe-off his shoes before he stepped inside and mumbled his gratitude when Maddox slid over house slippers with his tail. It was better not to press his luck meeting anyone's gaze, so he climbed the stairs as quickly as he could. Jasmine's bedroom was not too far, but he hesitated and knocked. "Slug—ah… Jasmine? It's Pacer."

"Come in."

Pacer pressed forward. His next step faltered when he saw Jasmine propped up in bed with her reading glasses as she read a detective book she had yet to finish with the LV mindlessly on for background music. But the twins had joined her, happy to snuggle with their mother.

Scooby noticed Pacer's presence and rushed him to expand their diamond shape largely almost like a shield.

"Hey…" Pacer frowned. "What's with this?"

"They know I'm upset," Jasmine said coolly as she turned to the next page. "You do the math." But she eased up and called, "Come here."

Scooby bounced back to their normal diamond shape and obediently came to their mother's side. Shaggy turned a thunderous black as Pacer came closer, but they stayed with their mother.

"Not even born yet and already siding with Mom," Pacer weakly joked. Clearing his throat when Jasmine roughly flipped the page, he held up the food and milkshake. "You told me to bring over what you were craving, so, um…"

Jasmine sighed and bookmarked her spot. "Bring it here." Shelving off her reading glasses, she put everything on her nightstand while Pacer rounded to her side. "Did you have dinner too?"

"Uh, well, I… No." Pacer sheepishly smiled. "I picked up my food with yours, so…" His smile faded for worry at the deep exhaustion set on Jasmine's face. "Slugger…"

"Well, don't just stand there," she grumbled.

"Oh, um, right. Uh, sure." Pacer set everything down on the nightstand before he pulled the accent chair to her bedside. "I got the takeout you requested and added some egg rolls, fried dumplings, and duck sauce. And also your milkshake."

"Thank you." Jasmine took the chopsticks and decided she would start with the carton of chicken teriyaki with white rice. Watching Pacer expertly use his chopsticks made her comment, "Well, at least when the twins get old enough, they'll both know how to use chopsticks."

Pacer latched onto the olive branch extended. "Yeah!" He played with his egg roll. "My dad's the one who taught me. My sister Penelope cheats since she uses telekinesis for everything."

"Sounds like a nightmare," Jasmine muttered.

However, Pacer chuckled. "Actually, she was Godsent." Pale reds brightened thinking of his siblings. "Penny might be younger, but she's wicked talented for her age. She got an offer to join the Tower of Learning to start sorceress training, but she turned it down since she wanted to stay with my other sister Paige."

"'Tower of Learning'?"

"Mmm!" Pacer finished his bite of an egg roll. "Yeah." A sip of his drink to chase down the mouthful. "The Tower of Learning is the home base to Sorcerers and really high up there Wizards who do a lot of research and experimentation for the good of magical academia."

Jasmine's eyebrows shot up. "And your sister is how old again to be recruited to something like that?"

"She's turning fifteen this year."

"Oh, wow…" Jasmine looked down at her carton. "I've been reading what I could about raising Wizards. It's so strange that you guys are considered adults at ten-year-old."

Pacer gave pause, frowning. "I guess I never thought about it," he admitted, honest. "It's always been so normal around me."

"Did you never have your parents around or…?"

"No, they were around," Pacer quickly assured. "Trust me. With how big my family is, an aunt or an uncle or a parent was always around. They trained us and loved us. And we could choose between online school specifically designed for Guild Mages or go to a regular school, but our parents were always willing to help. Yeah, we were adults, and we had our missions and jobs and assignments, but we'd still need our parents."

A warm smile lit his face. "Thinking back on it, everyone was pretty insane growing up, but… It was pretty fun. And now everyone has kids or is having kids." He looked lovingly at Jasmine's stomach. "Never thought I'd be having kids too."

"Neither did my whole family, but here we are."

Pacer winced at the dryness in Jasmine's tone. "I deserve that." Setting down his cartons, he leaned forward with remorse in his eyes. "I owe you an apology, Slugger—"

"No…" Her carton was brushed aside, and Jasmine rubbed her temples. "No, you couldn't have known my family was there. We didn't communicate and now I got thrown under the bus." Her exhaustion could not bar the small smile from the twins pressing against her. "Mommy's okay. Just tired and a little stressed."

More guilt gutted Pacer for being the cause. "Slugger—"

"Don't apologize," Jasmine sharply rebuked. Seeing hurt in Pacer's eyes and the way his head lowered forced her to soften. "Yeah, I was pretty pissed when I found out you told my family, but you honestly couldn't have known. I know that, had you known it was them, you wouldn't have said anything. I know—" Her nostrils flared with her loud exhale. "I know you're not like that, Pacer. You're genuine in what you say." A stink eye was thrown at him. "You might be an ass, but you're not that horrible."

Pacer blinked twice. "Um… Thank you…I guess?"

"Look, I—!" Jasmine clamped down her lips.

Trying his hand, Pacer touched her fingers. When she did not pull away, he held her hand and started working a gentle massage. "What happened?" he asked. "Maddox told me your grandmother stormed here…"

A mirthless laugh was all Jasmine could afford as she shook her head. "Well, she accused you of assaulting me, so that's how well it went."

Anger could not be contained within Pacer. "She said what?"

"I set the record straight about that," Jasmine put to bed. "But that wasn't okay on any bounds and trust me when I say, I don't give a shit if she's my granny or if she's a random. I've been around the block enough to know what false allegations like that can do to the accused."

Some of Pacer's fury ebbed for amusement. "Bringing the law into this, huh?" He shook his head, shoulders shaking. "I can just imagine you using court cases against our kids to win an argument."

"I did that all the time with my family," Jasmine told him wryly. "My granddaddy told me he always knew I was going to be an attorney because I liked to argue and I had evidence to back it up."

Pacer snickered. "Yeah, I'm sure you did."

Her fingers treaded her stomach. "Y'know… My granddaddy called." An easy affection glided over her face. "He wished me congratulations and told me he's excited to meet his great-grandchildren."

"I see." Shoulders relaxed, Pacer smiled. "Are you the first one having the great-grandkids in the family?"

Jasmine snorted. "Hell no. My cousin DJ was the first one. I'm the second. But I thought I could pull off what DJ did and wait until the twins were born to bring them to the family. Everything's different now, but what are you gonna do?"

"What are you going to do?" Pacer lightly pressed.

Jasmine blew out her cheeks. "I love my granny, but what she did today was not okay. I get she's shocked, but…" She shook her head. "I'll give my family some time. My aunt Eloa and Meadow sent me a dozen texts each about how sorry they were about Granny and they're supportive. Same to my uncles. So there's that."

"And," Pacer added with caution, "your parents?" At Jasmine's stiffening, he relegated, "You just… You never speak about them." He added in a mumble, "I'm sure Pearson knows about them."

"Pacer." The hard look on Jasmine's face meant business. "I want to nip this in the bud right now. I'm not looking for any relationship from anybody and that includes you and Pearson. Yes, Pearson's my friend. But that's it. Got it?"

Thoroughly chastised and hot all over, Pacer murmured, "I know. I'm sorry." His gaze dashed back to hers. "So with the custody agreement…"

"Right. The custody agreement." Three beats. "I'm not…opposed to you being over more," Jasmine carefully remarked. "But looking at it more carefully, I still think you should continue moving forward with your own apartment right now. Let's just…figure out co-parenting right now."

The disappointment could not be helped, but logical understanding preserved. "Sure," Pacer agreed. "Whatever you're comfortable with. But I know the first few months with twins aren't easy—"

"Which is another thing I wanted to bring up," Jasmine inserted. "When I met with the Lupita and we spoke more, we talked about options for me. Since the twins are magical, she spoke to me about hiring a baby nurse with some sort of magical background from a private practice to help me adjust, considering, well…" She gestured to the soul projections of the twins.

Pacer chuckled. "I'm on board with that. Honestly, if you hadn't mentioned it, I was going to bring it up." Pale reds regarded the soul projections with unfiltered adoration. "My family is mainly Soul Mages, but I don't think I've ever seen or heard of any of us being able to project so early."

"I mean I'm Spiritless, so I've never thought that was a possibility ever," Jasmine said dryly, to which he laughed. She took up her food once more and silence filled as they tucked in their dinner. Jasmine's chewing slowed to a stop, then she roughly swallowed. "Lupita told me it'd be better to have a private Healer than me going to hospitals," she confided. "Pregnancies like mine where the babies are this powerful… It's not common. I'm not an idiot to know what she meant." She clutched her chopsticks. "I know the world isn't kind to Wizards. And I'm sure me carrying powerful potential Wizards makes me a target too."

Pacer wanted to comfort her, but he could not lie to do it. "We'll make sure you're protected, Slugger," he vowed. "You and our twins. I promise."

It was not that Jasmine did not believe me. But her heart felt like lead bogged it down in all her uncertainties and misgivings. "My mom… She hated my existence with her every breath."

Pacer stayed quiet, but anguish tore across his face.

"I was a one-night stand baby," narrated Jasmine. "My mom went to a party she wasn't supposed to, and that's where she met my dad. Fly lookin' brother who caught her attention on-site, according to my mom's drunk stories." A heavy sigh. "Anyway, she got pregnant with me and immediately trapped my dad. She made all sorts of threats about keeping me away from him if he didn't follow her commands."

Pacer glared down into his food, but he held his tongue.

"All I remember from my dad was how miserable he was," Jasmine recalled, despondent. "He blamed me for everything wrong in his life. He was just…desperate to escape my mom and me. He hated me. He couldn't stand looking at me. But when I was old enough, I heard how my mom would threaten him if he left. When suicide didn't work, she threatened to tell the Guard I was a child of rape."

"Are you fucking serious?" Pacer snarled.

"Yeah." A loveless smile mismatched the torment in her eyes. "It's why I scarcely talk to her. Aunt Share talks to her to make sure she's never close to me. She doesn't even know I moved to the US."

"Good," Pacer grunted. "I mean I know she's your mom and all, but still."

Jasmine simpered. "I know. I'd never allow her near the twins, so don't worry. She gave birth to me, but I'm not subjecting myself or my kids to that sort of torture."

Pride puffed Pacer's chest and he went for another egg roll. "And your dad?" He took a bite—

"He's in prison for drug trafficking."

That certainly made Pacer choke.

Jasmine arched an eyebrow and asked, sardonic, "Do you need a minute?"

"No—!" Pacer coughed and downed some of his drink to collect himself. "Sorry. I mean you said it like that. I was just a little shocked." He coughed again and pounded his chest.

"No point trying to keep it from you," Jasmine sighed and looked up at the ceiling. "He's sitting in Her Majesty's Prison Crocus since he got tangled with Deathhawk and handled drug trafficking for them, if I remember correctly." Burnt umbers saddened. "Even though I remember how horrible he was towards me and blaming me for his unhappiness…I do remember some of the nicer moments between us. Maybe that's why I answered the call; I don't know."

"'The call'?" It hit Pacer. "That's the call you got on Parent's Day, wasn't it?"

"Yeah." Jasmine exhaled from her nose. "He called from prison. He doesn't call often. To be honest, I'd never spoken to him since I visited him when I was seventeen to tell him I was moving away. The conversation we had wasn't all that pleasant. He was still an angry bastard. Guess my mom was still visiting him and making his life Hell. That's why I didn't expect him to call. And I keep wondering why I even answered, especially since I changed my number to a US number, but then I remember…just those little moments we had."

Pacer could not contribute anything when he saw a distant nostalgia glaze her eyes. She's had to endure all that and she's become so successful despite it all. She's…so strong. "What…? What did you guys talk about when he called?"

"He apologized."

That bewildered Pacer. "Really?"

Jasmine hummed her confirmation. "When I was younger, I tried to celebrate Parent's Day for my dad, at least. I made him cards and a little photo album. I stopped it when I came to the realization he truly was unhappy seeing me and being the sole reminder of why my mom had a hold over him. But I guess Parent's Day reminded him of that. Told me he worked issues with the therapist there and realized all the things he did wrong."

She added quietly, "And he admitted to me he should've never been a father to a one-night stand."

An ache saddled Pacer's chest. Slugger…

"I mean, granted, I knew he never wanted me, but it still sucked to hear," Jasmine supposed. "He was being honest. I could tell that. He confessed all the things he would've done differently. When my mom was pregnant, he was supportive and a few months after birth too, but my mom hated that I cried and hated breastfeeding and other stuff, so he got shoved with it. And it took a toll on him. He said he would've left if my mom hadn't started making all sorts of threats. Maybe he didn't hate being my dad, but my mom was so toxic that it killed his love for it, or maybe he just…wasn't dad material. I don't know. I don't want to know."

Pacer nodded as all the pieces made a complete puzzle in his head. "That's why you got so distant after that call," he presumed.

"I know you're not like that," Jasmine promised him. "But I… I don't want us to turn into that. I don't want to have that sort of toxic animosity. Most of my friends are older than me and some of them have kids. I actually called some of them today.

"Oh, yeah?"

Jasmine nodded. "Hearing their honest confessions… It helped me a lot sorting through all this." Burnt umbers connected with pale reds. "I'm not saying 'never', but I'm saying right now? I just want us to be friends and co-parents. I just need to take this slow. The twins come before anything else right now."

"I understand." Pacer meant it. "I'm okay with that. We can take this slow and you're right. The twins come first. But so do you," he emphasized. "Whatever you need, Slugger, I'm here for it."

"Thank you." Relief couched her gratitude. "Really, Pacer. Thank you. You're a great man, y'know that?"

"It's no problem and thank you." Pacer ribbed, "So this means you're swaying your opinion towards younger men?"

Jasmine's glare could freeze mountains. "What did I just say?"

"You said you're focused on the twins. I said I'm focused on the twins and you," Pacer quipped. "C'mon, Slugger, you have to admit you have a little bit more wiggle room for younger men, right?"

Jasmine stabbed her chicken. "Talking to you alone makes me feel like either I need court-ordered therapy or you need a protective order against me before I put you in an electric chair or worse."

"What a violent lady of the law," Pacer mocked with feigned affront. "Is this any way to treat your baby daddy?"

"Some animals kill their baby daddies after sex, and I envy them," Jasmine muttered. "They don't have to endure this harassment."

Pacer's eyes gleamed. "Eight rounds worth of said 'harassment' sounds pretty good to me though." And he chortled when Jasmine looked both flustered and murderous.

---

The play was in its intense climactic fight scenes as Fairy Tail heightened in their battle against Tartarus. Alegria was being used to wipe everyone out and had the audience gasping when Actress-Lucy rose from the challenge to begin her own fight against the Demons and the henchmen.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

The Old World Theatre

Caracole Island

Fiore, Ishgar

9:14 PM CAST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Jaxton and Gary slipped back into their seats and Gary whispered to Nashi, "What did I miss?"

"Not much," Nashi whispered. "The Grand Magic Games was a huge fan service event and a typical tournament arc. It showed the Dragon attack, but whoever did their research didn't know about the Eclipse Gate thing. Then our parents went to Sun Village to free the Giants. Now they're fighting Tartaros." She grimaced. "It's Demons like that them that give the rest of us a bad name."

Gary chuckled. "Right."

The fight between Actress-Lucy with Actress-Aquarius (who had a notably good comparison to the actual Aquarius) and Actor-Jackal had reached it peak. Actress-Aquarius held back Actor-Jackal with scarves being used for water.

"Lucy, ya damn brat!" Actress-Aquarius gnashed. "Break my key and get the Star King here to save your friends!"

"What!" Actress-Lucy looked tortured over such a suggestion. "No! I can't do that! You're my friend, Aquarius—my family!"

"And so are those stupid friends of yours, you stupid girl!" Actress-Aquarius argued as she kept up her "attack". "You don't need me! You have them and that idiotic husband of yours, don't you? So don't worry about me! Worry about them!" She shot Actress-Lucy a grin, but tears gathered in her eyes. "You're not lonely anymore, stupid girl. So save your friends."

"Angel?" Gary tore his eyes away from the emotional scene to catch a few tears gliding down Nashi's cheeks. "Angel's crying…"

Nashi sniffled and wiped her cheeks. "I'm sorry," she croaked.

I remember when Mama told me this story. She was all alone when she had to do this. She had to make such an impossible choice. Sneaking out her silvery key, she thumbed the unique ridges. I don't know what I would've done. Would I have been as strong as Mama to break a key? Her breathing hitched when the silver key pulsed. Oh. A wobbly smile managed on her face. You stupid cat. She pressed the key close to her heart. I hope I never have to find the answer to my question.

Gary stroked Nashi's hair. Oh, Angel…

The play moved on to a year after Fairy Tail disbanded. The Grand Magic Games were getting ready for a battle, but the way the play portrayed this event was not as accurate as it should have been.

Actress-Lucy was clothed in some sort of lingerie set and complained to the flamboyant actor for Jason, "Jason, do I have to wear this? I want to do something that matters."

You tell him, Fake Mama, Nashi cheered. Oh thank gods they're finally getting Mama right—

"I want to put on my cheerleading costume and go cheer for the games!"

Nashi internally sobbed. They were so close!

So Actress-Lucy was permitted to put on a cheerleading outfit and cheered her heart out for the two teams while getting stared at (Ines laughed when a huffy Ellie covered her eyes while Justin was miming sending out jewels for the dance). But the battle was destroyed as "flames" skewered the makeshift stadium. A cloaked vigilante made their way onto the stage before dramatically throwing off their hood to show themselves as Natsu.

"There can't be a Grand Magic Games without Fairy Tail!" Actress-Natsu crowed. "I'm here to beat anyone who thinks they stand a chance with Fairy Tail! And then"—he pointed at Actress-Lucy—"I'm reclaiming my wife and we're going back to our guild!"

Nashi sighed. Yeah, that sounds like Papa…

The Avatar battle in the Mikage Forest was every bit as messy as Nashi and Gary remembered their parents telling them the story with Avatar minions everywhere as the heads of the branch did not care if they destroyed their allies so long as they destroyed their enemies. The actor for Gajeel had a rock song about his arrest of the entire cult, but the arc completed itself.

The adventure of Stella on the assignment to reclaim the Dragon Cry would have been a great story if for not—

"Woo…! Shake it, baby!"

A bar had been made with Actor-Gray and Actress-Erza acting as workers to gain the key to the Dragon Cry hidden as a ring from the actor for Zash Caine. And whoever had traveled to find out about the adventure made sure to include Lucy's distracting dance and the costume designer spared no expense to recreate her attire for it.

A dark aura shadowed Nashi. What's sad about this is that this did happen. And I remember seeing that outfit. The memory was far more traumatizing for her mother than Nashi or her siblings since Natsu was the one to bring it out and insist she wore it for Hallow's Eve. His argument was met with a kick to the stomach.

"Heh-heh…"

Nashi gaped when a blushing Gary was entranced at the scene. She tugged on his jacket and whispered furiously, "Don't look at her like that, you pervert!"

Gary blinked out of his trance and turned to Nashi, confused. "Look at who?"

"Her!" Nashi pointed at the actress. "You were drooling at her!"

Gary blinked twice. "I was?"

"I just saw you, you stupid dog!"

"Oh." Gary frowned. "But I wasn't really looking at her. I was looking at what she was wearing." That dopey look consumed him again. "What I would give for Angel to dance for me in an outfit like that… Heh-heh…"

"Don't be creepy, you perverted dog!" Nashi huffed and crossed her arms, cheeks flaming red, then mumbled, "All you have to do is ask, dummy."

"Really?"

Nashi shrunk away, unnerved about how Gary was salivating and that glint in his eyes. I take back my offer, she whimpered.

"Yes, sis, work!" Tesla cheered as audience members were encouraged to whoop and holler and clap along to the folk music. "Woo…! Shake it…!"

Justin caterwauled, "Yes, honey! You go!"

Jaxton cocked his head at Tesla, but she grinned feeling his stare. "I know what you're thinking," she sang. "Yes, I did bring the gold bikini from Chronicles of the Galaxy." She leaned into Jaxton and purred, "And you'll see it soon enough."

Jaxton shifted. "You're playing a dangerous game, baby girl."

Tesla winked. "And I plan to win."

Applause broke into the theatre as the arc closed itself and the lights blacked out. The pit orchestra took up playing the reprise of the theme used for the Dragon Cry story with the audience excited for whatever was to come next.

"I think we're pretty caught up, aren't we?" Nashi asked Gary.

"From what I remember from my father's stories, the battle with Alvarez will be next," Gary remembered.

Nashi tensed. Right. Alvarez. Hickories pinned to the stage. What story will they tell?

The opening scene painted a throne room with the crown-like symbol of Alvarez painted on tapestries. A veiled man with a toga sat upon the throne when the sound of doors opened.

Gary's body tensed when one of the actors carried an uncanny resemblance to the one Warlock he would never forget, with cold eyes and winter in his heart. Invel…

"Your Majesty, Fiore has sent us confirmation the Black Wizard is within their borders," the actor for Invel informed. "His Majesty King Toma of Fiore has sent an envoy and a small team asking for our aid in the war they plan to wage against him and his corrupt army."

So that's it, Nashi put together. This is how they teach it.

The Spriggan Emperor's veil gave not an emotion away. "Invel, my faithful advisor, tell me… Why do you sound like you will ask me to not extend my hand towards Fiore and aid them in their time of need? They do not have the militia that we do. And just because an ocean divides us does not mean we should not extend friendship."

"Your Majesty." Actor-Invel knelt before the Spriggan Emperor, a fist pressed over his opposite shoulder. "Our intel tells us a possible heir to your throne may reside in Fiore. We have asked Fiore to aid us in finding the lost heir, but they have refused. Even sending our own to scout, we have been crudely turned away. I propose we renegotiate the terms so that way we may have more resources at our disposal."

The Spriggan Emperor sighed. "I'm beginning to lose faith, Invel. Perhaps my childish hope my heir exists is nothing more than a fantasy. Perhaps…this throne shall die with me."

"Never, Your Majesty!" Actor-Invel shouted, angered his emperor would degrade himself. "If you would allow me, I will personally meet with the envoy and renegotiate the terms of our aid so we may have additional intelligence to find the rightful heir to the Empire. I will not fail you, Your Majesty, or the throne."

"Your loyalty to me shows no bounds, Invel," the Spriggan Emperor said in dulcet tones. "Very well. I shall permit this and continue to hope that my heir is close at hand. For I am growing old and weary… And I pray my heir comes before I become a friend to Death."

As the stage transitioned into the next scene where Invel struck up negotiations, Tesla frowned and whispered to Jaxton, "Why did they write it like this? I heard the Emperor was such a great guy, so I can't say anything about that, but Invel—"

"Because it's accurate."

Tesla gave him a look of mixed confusion and incredulity. "But it's not—"

"It's accurate to them." He gestured down below.

His words resonated with Tesla once she peered below and saw justified audience members nodding in agreement to every one of Invel's words. It would seem seeing the emperor caused a few emotional responses from older crowd members. That's just not right, though. Invel… He was a monster towards us. This is some propaganda? No, that can't be it. Invel didn't act monstrous to anyone else while we stayed in the castle. So then… These people really do believe this.

Steely grays narrowed onto Invel's actor. I just don't understand why he felt so familiar to me.

The war had Alvarez and multiple guilds across Fiore teaming up against the insane Black Wizard and his crazed rants to make an ultimate world where Magic would be normalized yet this world would subsequently kill every Spiritless in the process. The actor for the Black Wizard had none of Zeref's likeness with red eyes and raggedy black hair.

"I will destroy this world!" the Black Wizard roared. "And born from the ashes will be a new era where us few gifted with Magic will rule! And filthy Spiritless will no longer breathe the same air as us!"

"I can't allow that." The Spriggan Emperor with his veil and toga stepped up for this fight. "This world is filled with wonder and beauty. All who lived in this realm deserve sanctuary and the freedom to live as they please. I will not allow you to destroy this haven we call 'home'!"

And the epic brawl between the opposing forces broke out.

Jaxton tipped up his chin as he watched the war proceed. Interesting. After meeting Weiwei's fiancé, I looked more into Alakitasia and its history. I never had an assignment there, so it never interested me to learn about it. The history there tells this same thing—the famous and much-loved Emperor of Alvarez lost his life facing the infamous Black Wizard. In Fiore, the war depicted its start to be because of the Black Wizard forcing Alvarez into a meaningless war and the arrest of the twelve Wizards devoted to the Black Wizard. Two countries. Two histories. And it looks like…

His eyes swept to the crowd below, attentive to the war. …one of these histories is becoming the truth.

Battle-weary, battered, and bleeding, the Mages and military gathered around as King Toma cried to everyone, "Today, we end in victory with the death of the Black Wizard! No longer shall we fear saying his name! No longer shall his twisted ideas of an ultimate world be shared! For we have shown him and his forces that this is the world we aspire to live in! A world where all may seek out their own destiny!"

The orchestra grew into a forte as a song between the entire cast commenced.

Justin stretched out. "I guess that's it then," he grunted. "The play pretty much covered the biggest bulk of our parents' live." He tapped his chin. "Well, except the one-hundred-year quest, but that manga is still going on."

"Attendez." Ellie frowned as the song wrapped up and the stage changed. "I don't think the play is over."

Nashi clutched her armrest. I don't think it is either.

The new scene had the sounds of rain and haunting funeral bells in the background. Attendants dressed in swaths of black with their muted weeping and black handkerchiefs. Royal pallbearers carried a black casket with Invel heading the procession in a black suit and his light blue hair in an over-the-shoulder ponytail. He waited for the pallbearers to lay down the casket before he started his speech.

"Citizens of the great Alvarez Empire, it is with a heavy heart that we mourn the loss of the Black Spriggan and Eternal Black Sun That Shines Over All, His Royal Majesty." Invel pushed up his glasses as the mourners silently sniveled and sobbed. "His Majesty shouldered a great burden to sacrifice himself in defeating the Black Wizard so that the world may continue to know peace and prosperity. Without his sacrifice, none would have survived the chaos and Curses the Black Wizard planned to disease the world. And in his sacrifice, the world has lost possibly the greatest leader to have ever walked this realm."

Invel looked around, raising his hands. "But in our mourning may we rejoice. For we shall carry out His Majesty's last wish for his heir to seat the throne and continue the work His Majesty left behind. Fiore has joined us in our search to find His Majesty's bloodline for they have recognized that His Majesty—may He rest in peace—not only deserves his eternal peace but he deserves his legacy.

"So join me, my friends!" Invel curled on arm behind his back while his fist beat upon the opposite side of his clavicle. "Let us mourn tonight. And tomorrow…! We shall make sure His Majesty's legacy lives on in us and his lost heir! Hail the Empire!"

The attendants mimicked Invel's stance and chanted: "Hail the Empire!"

Nashi's stomach twisted and her throat lurched as audience members crowed the mantra as well. Her heart could not keep up with her shallow breaths, and her stare darted around as the moved audience members stood up to chant along and pledge their loyalty to the empire.

No… Her knuckles turned white with the grip she had on her armrests. No, no, no, this… This can't be happening.

"Hail the Empire!" the people resounded. "Hail the Empire!"

Gary could feel the floundering and flailing of summer riddled with guilt and anxiety and did his best to calm Nashi with coos and strokes of her hair. "Angel, breathe," he coaxed. "I'm right here."

"I can't," Nashi choked out, shaking. "I-I-I can't… I can't…" The next shout of the mantra made her skin crawl with self-loathing. Her body moved before her mind could catch up and she was out of her seat to dart up the steps and away from the cheering audience members.

Gary rose, bent to follow her, when a hand caught his wrist. Annoyance iced him and he sent Ellie a glare. "I have to go after her—"

"Let me." Determined mismatched hazel and blue matched burning blues. "Let me, Gary." Ellie let his wrist go, holding his stare. When he offered a small nod, she mumbled her pardons to pass him and headed up the stairs.

Something's been bothering her since we got here. Ellie's frown set. And I'm going to figure out what.

°•°•°•°

Nashi broke onto the balcony with wheezing gulps of air and her eyes stinging. Her heels would not cooperate and in manic distress, she ripped them off and abandoned them on the pavement to throw herself at the railing. Not the moon, not the wind, not even she herself could tamp down the emotions drowning her. All she could do is heave and try not to break into tears, but her body was ready to betray her and force her into hysterics.

"Her Majesty has a choice to make." Blank blues behind gleaming lenses. "I should hope you choose the right one. After all, we all know you'll do what you have to do."

"I-I don't understand," Nashi whimpered. "I thought I did everything right, so why…?" A big sniffle. "Why now?" Her eyes squeezed shut as the memories of that night came back with all their horrors. Why now?

• — • — •

A furious Naseer sat before her at the table with their desserts cleared and the files before her closed. But they were a physical reminder of the power Naseer had over her. Yet nothing in those files compared to the numbing fear of Invel's firm hand on her shoulder. She had felt what his firm hand could do to her and her sister. Her strength might have returned, but she did not want to tempt fate.

"What are my options?" Nashi dared to ask.

"It's simple." Invel slid his hand away to stand within her line of sight, those blues always cold, callous, nothing like the loving winter in Gary's eyes. "You may return to your homeland with His Highness and Her Highness so long as you do not mention your time in Alvarez nor anyone you have encountered or any of your kidnappings."

"I don't buy that," Nashi growled, but when Invel shifted, she knew she caught her flinch back. She hated she flinched. "There's more."

"Very perceptive, Your Majesty." You could never tell with Invel if he was sarcastic since he sounded so serious. "Upon your release back to Fiore, Your Majesty must comply with secret service and a monthly check-in with one of our agents."

Nashi tensed. "'Secret service'?"

"Worry not for your privacy, Your Majesty," Invel assured (he was none assuring). "This secret service will simply monitor Your Majesty, Her Highness, and His Highness, but they will not interfere with any activities with the only option being any of you on the brink of death." His chin lifted and his glasses glinted. "We cannot afford for the future Sun of the Alvarez Empire to die. In the event you are too close to death with no hopes of modern technology or Magic to heal you, then and only then will the secret service intervene."

"And these check-ins?" Nashi pressed. "What exactly do you mean by them?"

"Simple again, Your Majesty," Invel said. "You will meet with an agent in an undisclosed location once a month for any correspondence we may have for you or voice any concerns you have. That will be your time should you wish to tell us you would like to reclaim the throne. We'll make sure arrangements are made within an instant." He tacked on, "This opportunity would be wise to take, Your Majesty. Aamon said he would like Her Highness to be happy and free." And his next words were chilling. "This is your only choice that involves freedom."

'This isn't freedom,' Nashi stewed. 'This is us being allowed a bigger cage. Wait a second.' "He asked about Luna?" she checked. "But why—?"

"It is not your concern about what Aamon desires, Your Majesty."

Nashi shied away when she felt his chaotic winter sting her flesh. "What about Kyler and Gary and Tesla?"

"Yes. The Agent and the Gray One." Invel's jaw set. "And my Morningstar." He cleared his throat. "They must comply to silence as well, the Agent and the Gray One. As for Morningstar—"

"You don't get to make a separate deal with him," Nashi spat. "Not after everything you did to him—!"

"And what exactly did I do to him that was so wrong, Your Majesty?"

Nashi froze when his chaotic winter swirled in his eyes.

"Did I not teach him how to use the winter he has inside him?" Invel quietly challenged, a veiled threat beneath his words. "Did I not raise him to accept who he is? Did I not save him from an unsavory fate?" Blues chilled. "Did I not father a Devil properly?"

Nashi wanted to speak, argue—fight back—but the words would not come out. Every word he spoke froze a piece of her resistance until she was left meek, afraid, cold.

"My business with the Morningstar is mine and mine alone. I will allow him to have his temper tantrum. I understand he has duties to fulfill in Arcticados. But I have full expectation that he will need me again." Frost puffed from Invel's mouth as his eyes glowed a chilling light blue. "He is my son after all." He let go of such a violent winter and slipped back his neutral mask. "As I said, Aamon's deal is opportune. I insist you take it, Your Majesty."

"And if I don't?" Nashi asked, voice hoarse.

"Aamon has given me liberty to take drastic measures to force your hand to accept. That being said, if I cannot persuade you, make no mistake, Your Majesty, that I have every intention of putting you on the throne as the Sylph Empress." Invel's expression flickered. "You will have an heir to succeed you. If you intend to keep Morningstar here, all the better. His Highness has special obligations he must fulfill before his crowning. Therefore, if you remain infertile after a twelve-month trying period, I'm sure Her Highness will become more agreeable to bear the next heir. Hemlock would concur."

"You bastard," Nashi hissed as her eyes stung. "Do you have any idea what that monster did to her?"

Invel's expression said he could not care less. "Hemlock has a firm hand on Her Highness' unpredictable behavior. So long as she is controlled, I see no reason to separate them should you remain in the castle. And from what he reports"—his head cocked—"she is very willing."

Nashi rose to lunge at him. "You—! Ah…!" She grabbed at her neck when the ice collar strangled her. Disgusting winter tried to freeze her, but she forced her power to burst off her skin. The demonic ice shattered, but the ice in her veins was slow to leave her. Breaths shaky and mind terrified, she stood there, rattled. Her eyes sought Naseer for help—

But Naseer sat back and watched her with calculating eyes.

'He was never an ally.' Nashi's bottom lip trembled. 'I'm… I'm truly alone.'

Invel went on: "Upon your departure from Alvarez and your silence, we shall maintain our silence as well."

Nashi gulped and lowered herself back to her seat, nerves shot. "How would you do that? The people in the castle have already seen us. You plan to tell them we were frauds this entire time?"

"Of course not," Invel deftly dismissed. "The students who visit here and the staff who did not see you will be told you were nothing more than a false alarm. But none who tried to claim the throne lived within the castle. The staff who saw you were authorized upon confirmation you were truly of Zeref's blood. They have loyalty to the throne. But they are simple humans. And humans talk."

Such words brought fear into Nashi's heart. "What are you going to do to them?"

"We'll make them into things who can't talk," Invel told her. "King Ajeel's Machina has been a successful beta test. The staff will help further the FMA's research and development. And the staff will be none-the-wiser about the event."

'What if something happens and they do something to the people here?' Luna's pained question bit her. 'I don't want anyone to die because of us. You have to promise me, okay? Promise me my vision won't come true and we'll change it so no one dies.'

Nashi fisted her skirt. 'Luna's vision of all those people dying… They weren't dead. Those animavores… They sucked the souls out of their bodies.' Her eyes watered. 'If I take this deal, then Luna's vision comes true, just not in a way we thought. But…they won't die. They don't die. I promised Luna no one would die.' Her lashes lowered. "Is there any way to keep the staff as they are?"

"No."

"But—"

"You are not in a position to negotiate," Invel quietly warned, "Your Majesty."

A heaving inhale. Nashi looked over to Naseer and demanded to know in a wobbly tone, "And what about you? How do you feel about this?"

"If it's Aamon's will, I see no reason to disagree," Naseer told her.

Nashi could not believe this. "But those are your people—"

"And they are serving their empire with their made silence," Naseer countered, collected and calm.

Nashi sneered her revulsion as angered tears streaked her cheeks. "I can't believe I even pitied you," she spat. "I pitied your sorry ass because the same people you're siding with abused you and stole your father away from you and even killed your mother—!"

"Spare me with your temper tantrum," Naseer cut in, tone flat. "Just like an ignorant child to cry over something as mundane as this. You could be made my Empress and live a life of luxury, become the Eternal Sun to this nation, and yet you turn your back on us all because you can't do what needs to be done."

"Don't throw those words back at me!" Nashi lashed.

"Then do what needs to be done or take the deal you so desperately told me you wanted," Naseer coolly retorted.

All her furious words and slurs and curses wanted to be spewed, but she swallowed them down to stew in her fury. 'He's right. To go home with my family is what I wanted, but… Not like this. Not when it meant sacrificing people. But we can't stay here. And we can't fight our way out of this either. Kyler and Luna are too weak and still need rest. And we don't have a good grasp on where Luke is.' She gritted her teeth. 'Isn't there any other way out of this? Something? Anything—?"

"What will it be, Your Majesty?" Invel asked. This was pure mocking. He knew the outcome. "Night won't last forever and neither will my patience."

Nashi squeezed her skirt, hands trembling until they slackened. All the raw ire and hatred burning flames inside her killed themselves. Her shoulders slackened and her pinch expression relaxed into unmistakable defeat and numbness. "I…" Hickories closed. "I…accept."

• — • — •

Nashi struggled to cleanse her cheeks of these pesky tears, but a few slipped past her and splattered on the railing like rain.

DRIP…

DROP…

I did what I had to do and yet— She sniffled and looked up at the starry sky. Why do I feel like it wasn't enough? I saved the people I love, so why…? The wind tousled her hair as her eyes fell closed and her shoulders shook for each silent cry. Why is my heart still breaking like this?

Not the moon nor her stars could offer an answer.

Ellie paused at the balcony doors to witness Nashi crying into the wind. A beat more and she slowly opened onto the Perench doors to come outside, making sure her invasion to Nashi's shattering was heard.

Nashi glanced over her shoulder, sniffling. "O-Oh." She hurried to clean her face. "Oh, sorry, it's just, y'know, plays make me so emotional and all." She rubbed her nose as Ellie came to stand by her with tissues offered. "I don't need—"

"Take some," Ellie softly commanded. "Please, Nashi."

Nashi sniffed. "Thank you." She plucked a few and blotted her cheeks before wiping her nose. "I'm sorry. I look like a hot mess."

"You look like you're going through something, babe," Ellie murmured, her heart saddened with every moment she watched Nashi struggle to compose herself. "And I know you. We've known each other practically our whole lives." She leaned against the railing with a hand going onto Nashi's arm. "And I know you've been hiding something inside that's been killing you these past few weeks."

Nashi turned her head away and pressed her eyes shut, but it was no use when more tears hit. "I'm sorry," she got out in a watery tone. "I didn't think people would notice."

"And I'm sure the rest of the world thinks you're okay," Ellie soothed. "But a best friend knows these things." Mismatched regard aggrieved, she wrapped her arm around Nashi and hugged her. Her other hand came up as a flower crown of lavender and sage built upon Nashi's head, two flowers with scents made to relax those near them. "That's why it kills me that I know you feel so overwhelmed and I can't help you."

"I'm sorry," Nashi whimpered, burying her head in her hands. "I'm s-s-sorry—"

"There's nothing to be sorry about it," Ellie shushed. "The fact that you can't tell me or JJ what's happening in your heart… Whatever you're carrying inside must be something important. And we won't pry it out of it. It's your right to keep such a secret close to you, Nashi." She hugged her tighter. "But we're still your best friends, okay? It's always been JJ and you and Liv and me and it'll stay that way."

Nashi sniveled. "Even if I c-c-c-can't"—HIC!—"tell you?"

"Even then." Ellie drew back to fold Nashi's hands down into hers and show her a smile that could only mean kindness. "You have to know that. It's okay if you can't tell us. We'll understand. But never think it's okay for you to cry on your own when we're right here."

"For now," Nashi reminded, glum. "You'll be moving to the Lagelands. I'll be going to Aronia. JJ's doing that whole crazy launch, and Liv—" HIC! "Liv is out in Wu Xing…"

Ellie softened. "Yeah, we'll all be going different directions, but if you think any of us moving to another city or country means JJ won't group call us, you have another thing coming."

Against it all, Nashi wetly laughed. "He would."

"Yeah he would," Ellie tittered. "He threatened Livy that he'd move there to Wu Xing and bring an arsenal of make-up and thongs and bring Misses Redfox if she thought she could get out of our group calls."

"I remember that." Nashi shook her head when she recalled a terrified Olivia calling her and Ellie for help against Justin's threats when he sent her a picture of his luggage and the flight times he pulled up on his DAL. "When JJ's determined, he'll go extra whether we like it or not."

"Like him giving Gary the third degree." Ellie took a tissue and helped clean Nashi's face. "I know it sucked and I know you weren't happy with it, but you know JJ."

Nashi sighed. "I know. And I can't stay mad at him." She rubbed her cheek with the butt of her palm. "And you're really not mad at me for not being able to say anything?"

"Of course not," Ellie promised. "You might have to carry some secrets alone, but…you don't have to be alone while you carry them. Okay?" She rubbed Nashi's arms. "We love you, Nashi. That won't ever change." A roguish grin. "Well, it might change if you and Gary elope while I'm away."

Nashi nudged her. "Don't even joke about that." She mumbled, "He might hear you and get ideas." They shared giggles, but the tears had cleared and she could smile without forcing it. "Thanks, Ellie."

Ellie winked. "What are best friends for?" She hugged her close. "We've always got your back, babe."

Nashi closed her eyes and fell into the embrace. "And I've got yours." I did what I had to do. I know that. But I know Alvarez and Naseer and Invel will be in the background. This won't go away. But I refuse to let the ones I love suffer. I'll only allow them freedom. Her eyes opened and she showed the moon her resolve. And I'll fight for it with every breath.

---

— • — • — • —

Come on now, dance tonight

We can boogie till the morning

There's no plans tonight

We gonna have a Good One

Mizugiwa no playground

Konna kyouku wo play

And we can dance tonight

Hey we gonna have a Good One

•

Wanna see you move like this

I like it, you like it

Side to side, front to back

He likes it, she likes it

Wanna see you move like this

We like it, they like it

Upside-down, inside-out

And it's gonna be a good one!

— • — • — • —

---

KAN…KAN…KAN…

This time of night, unless you were one of the trusted guards on the security force, a regular night-shift worker, or you were moonlighting, the corridors of the great castle were empty with only the moon's light to guide you. Some of the more dramatic plants wilted without their precious sun. But it did not matter.

For one flower adored the moonlight.

KAN…KAN…KAN…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Spriggan Castle

Vistarion

Alvarez Empire, Alakitasia

11:56 PM ADT

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"And your sure the Emir will invite me without consequence?" Naseer questioned. It was not that he doubted; it was that he was worried. "The last time I met with Emir Kareem, he was pressing the issue of the second princess being wedded to me. I will not marry any other woman other than the true Sylph Empress."

"Calm yourself, Naseer. Your fretting is irritating me," came cool reply as footsteps traversed the hall. "Emir Kareem knows should he press upon the issue of marriage again, he will see significantly less money from his auctions nor will he have any negotiation with me over Morningstar."

"Him again?"

A quirked corner of lips but never a smile. Always a hint but never a full one. "You sound jealous of my son. Is it because you're aware the Eveningstar chose him and she'd keep him as a consort?"

"I don't like him."

"You don't have to. But you don't have a choice to not accept him." A harsh truth in detached words. "Emir Kareem is a snake of a man who hopes if he shows me his belly, he'll be the first to have Morningstar's heir."

Naseer snorted. "For someone so protective of him, I never thought you'd listen to that Assistant's offer. Letting us keep the firstborn and letting that animal breed my future wife."

A spiral of frost tickled with icy crystals. "I don't intend for that to happen. But Shamballa's Black Auction opens the doors to meeting more Cowboys. And there is one particular Cowboy I need to meet. Make sure you find her." Gloved fingers gripped the Compact as shoes stopped between grandeur twin doors. "Her prey is the brother of Morningstar. I don't need Morningstar doing anything rash once she comes back for her prey. He's only a child. He still doesn't know better."

"Understood. I'll be in contact soon."

The call ended and the glove pocketed the Compact. With a simple spell, a protective seal bloomed from the door, complex and intricate. But its puzzling form started shifting and clicking as notches fit into grooves. And the center rearranged into clasping white hands before the seal shattered.

His hand went for the door—

"Ya qalby."

He gave pause. "I told you to not call me that anymore"—he turned his head to the side—"Mozah."

Mozah stood with her arms crossed into her robes and her chin high, even if those eyes of hers spoke of grave sadness. "You are still my heart," she told him without an inflection giving her away. "You always loved how I would call you that, ya qa—"

"You are to address me by name, Elder Mozah."

Something on Mozah's expression broke. "Yes, of course, His Majesty's Royal Advisor"—those cutting blues stared into her browns—"Invel."

Invel shifted towards Mozah, but he clutched the door handle. "Have you come all this way to express sorrow for the past, Elder? You shouldn't be out of your chambers so late into the night at your age."

"And you know I am more dangerous than those cowardly enough to attack me during the night," Mozah replied. "I know what you are planning to do, Invel. It will not work. You must see that."

"That is none of your concern, Elder Mozah." The stress to her title, to her place. "Your greatest concern should always be the throne and upholding the legacy His Late Majesty left us behind." He moved the handle. "Return to your chambers. I haven't the time to escort you." Turning away from her, he—

"This is not His Late Majesty's will."

That effectively stopped Invel. His hand gripped the handle and ice started to cover the metal. "This is the will of His Late Majesty. You are ignorant to think otherwise." Frost expelled from his lips.

Mozah took a step further. "Yā Ummah would—"

"Your Great Mother doesn't exist."

Mozah did not give up. "She does—"

"She was a fairy tale you told me, Mozah, and nothing more," Invel told her as venom seeped his words. "If your 'Great Mother' was real, then His Late Majesty would still be in these halls as he should be. But he is dead and I remain. Yā Ummah is a myth that you and the elders foolishly cling to. I don't have time for childish notions."

"You once did," Mozah murmured as her stare fell, christened with a sad sort of love. "The boy I found on the ice—ya qalby—believed. And you would recite to His Majesty the stories I taught to you. Your heart was not full of this malice and hate." She sighed before lifting her gaze. "Your heart was full of hope and kindness, ya qalby. Please, I beg of this of you. Don't do this. There is still time."

A pregnant silence.

"It would seem I have lulled you into a false sense of security for speaking so freely to me, Elder." Invel straightened with a mounted cold look. "I have indulged you are more than I should have. You have guided this empire since His Majesty first started our great nation, if I recall correctly. Your loyalty is to him and his legacy. But I question it now."

Mozah sighed and looked every bit of her age at that moment. "You needn't question my loyalty, Royal Advisor. I am but a humble servant of the throne." She turned around and began her trek back. "I will make sure to stay out of your sight unless you need the advice of an Elder. Good night."

Invel gritted his teeth as he stared after her before letting go of his anger with a wintry exhale. He opened the door. "Apologies for the wait." And it shut behind him. "Prince Naseer still rules with his feelings like a child."

Dainty fingers with long nails wrapped around the stem of a teacup. "Oh, never worry about such a thing, dearie. Children must be nurtured with a heavy hand, after all."

"As you say. After all"—chilling blues looked at this woman who sat on a grandfather chair with all the appearance nun with her black religious habit with her rosary holding a golden crying woman with her hands clasped and a band over her eyes—"Holy Mother."

Holy Mother smiled and showed rows upon rows of shark teeth. "A mother knows best."

⌜THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY EYE (ALVAREZ EMPIRE BRANCH)

Name: Khadija

Age: Unknown

Magic: Enchant

Occupation: Holy Mother

Likes: rare teas Dislikes: the color pink

Special Note: Mother Khadija is known to make high-quality teas for those invited to her gatherings! ⌟

Invel went over to the fireplace to stock the dim fire into a roaring flame. "I know it is late, but I am thankful such esteemed leaders would join me for a nightcap. For there is plenty for us to discuss." Icy-blue rung around his eyes. "Let us start with you…"

Youthful hands lounged about a golden cane with the head of a skull. But two moving human eyes of red and blue rolled around.

"…Pope Adam."

A youthful smile grew in response. "Yes." Those hands clenched to show multiple rings adorning those fingers, but one of the fingers moved to the coffee table where a blooming cereus awaited, captured in a glass cloche. "I believe I've found my Eve."

---

Voices of Characters in Order of Appearance

— • — • — • —

Eliana "Ellie" Strauss – Alexis Tipton

Ines Sharabi – Michelle Hendley

Warrod Sequen – Garrett Schenck

Tesla Greer / Hylia Link – Galena White

Nashi Dragneel – Laura Landa

Justin Justine – Ian Sinclar

Ace Benson – Billy Kametz

Jasmine Strother – Jasmine Brown

Sharon Shuusei – Aja Naomi King

Pacer Strauss – Josh Keaton

Maddox Monacco – Cameron Bautsh

Veronika Strauss – Hilary Haag

Mirajane Dreyar – Monica Rial

Liberty Justine – Mela Lee

Freed Justine – John Burgmeier

Pim Strauss – Brittany Karbowski

Poseidon Strauss – Alison Viktorin

Pulan Strauss – Jillian Michaes

Ivan Strauss – Tara Sands

Elouise Strauss – Cassandra Lee Morris

Paige Strauss – Erica Mendez

Penelope Strauss – Cristina V

Evergreen Strauss – Caitlin Glass

Evangeline "Evie" Strauss – Colleen O'Shaughnessy

Ola Wright – Kamali Minter

Lisanna Strauss – Carrie Savage

Margaret "Maggie" Shuusei – Jennifer Lewis

Yang "Jaxton" Jang-ta – Eddy Yeong

Peter Shuusei-Thompson – Joe Zieja

Elis Capellán – Aaron Philips

Pearson Strauss – David Matranga

Laxus Dreyar – Patrick Seitz

Lance Dreyar – Johnny Young Bosch

Aurinia – Seána Kerslake

Cymbal –

Luna Dragneel (voice only) – Brynn Apprill

Naseer Raml – Farris Al-Raqqad

Invel Yura – Clay Wheeler

Elder Mozah – Cree Summers

Holy Mother Khadija – Anjali Bhimani

Pope Adam -

• — • — •

Additional Voices

Opening Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Description Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Closing Narrator – Melissa Fahn

— • — • — • —

OPENING SONG

⟪ Walking with You ⟫

Novelbright

Lyrics by

雄大 / 勇太朗⌟

•

⌜ENDING SONG

⟪ Good One ⟫

HIRAIDAI

Lyrics by

EIGO, Dai Hirai⌟

---

•

•

•

•

— • — • — • —

Next time, on Fairy Adventure

•

Episode 114

•

THE BOTTLE EPISODE

— • — • — • —

•

•

•

•

TO BE CONTINUED…

---

Chibi-Luna skids into the class, a little out of breath, but she cheers, "Good day, class!"

"Good day, Teacher!" the class cheers back. "We're ready for our Fairy Lesson!"

One student mutters, "Yeah, since we have five minutes left in class."

Chibi-Luna nearly falls over for the remark, but she manages with her eyebrow twitching and a nervous smile. "W-Well now! Let's get to the Fairy Lesson, shall we?" She scrambles to turn on the projector after pulling down the screen. "Today we're going to be talking about EMPHASIS!"

The five-women group shows up on the screen with the cutesy athletic cover to their newest EP.

"As you know, there are five Aberrants who make up EMPHASIS," Chibi-Luna informs. "So far, we've focused on one of artists, Kyary!" She turns to the next slid to show Kyary with her orange-red hair pulled into high twin tails as she dresses like a cute boxer with her wings out. "Kyary is the leader of EMPHASIS and she's fluent in five languages. As an Aberrant with wings, she's still classified as an Aviary Aberrant."

"What's an 'Aviary Aberrant'?" a student questions, startling Chibi-Luna.

"Yeah, Teach! You can't just tell us that when we barely know about Aberrants!" another complains.

Chibi-Luna sweats a little, but she keeps up her smile. "U-Um, okay then. Here, let me show you." She types on her DAL to show a chart that splits into multiple categories with numerous Aberrants shifted into each section, but every section has a key trait in common.

"You see, while Aberrants are the physical representation of the Magene without the spiritual connection to Ether, they are classified through what part of an animal they are," Chibi-Luna explains. "An Aviary Aberrant is any Aberrant with bird-like qualities such as wings or feathers or talons. An Aqua Aberrant is any Aberrant with aquatic features such as gills or fins. Maddox is a Reptilian Aberrant and his classification can be broken down even further as a Serpentine Aberrant."

"But why do they need classification like that, Teacher?" a student questions.

"To be honest, I'm not all that sure," Chibi-Luna sheepishly explains. "Aberrant research is difficult since not many scientists do research on Aberrants. Most think the classification can be helpful with identity, but… I find it a little cruel they're being classified the same as animals."

DING-DONG…!

Chibi-Luna frantically waves her hands. "Ah! That's the bell! I-I should get going—!"

"Hey, you didn't teach us about our actual lesson teacher!" one of the students whines.

Another chimes in. "Yeah, Teach! How come you were so late?"

As more and more of the students pile on their questions and complaints, Chibi-Luna raises her hands in surrender as she smiles and sweats. "I-I-I'm sorry. I had a little bit of trouble getting to class today, but I swear it won't happen again!" She freezes when the class singes her with disbelieving glares. "I promise!" she squeaks. "It was j-just I had some trouble—!"

"Lulu!"

Luna defends herself when Silver appears, huffing and with a net for some reason. "I finally found you again! You keep running away!" He takes quick strides to corner Luna and nails her with a possessed look that makes her shiver with fear. "I know you know how rescued me on Tenrou Island!"

Luna gulped. "I know nothing—"

"You're lying to me. You have a tell."

Luna trembled when Silver leaned in closer, and it was hard looking into those crazed eyes. "I-I'm not lying—!"

"I know you know something," Silver hisses with a glint in his eye as he holds up the net. "And you are going to tell me everything."

Luna sniffles, frightened as Silver's shadow consumes her, and whimpers, "I want my mama."

The students sweatdrops as they watch their sobbing teacher gets dragged away in a net while Chibi-Silver struts away like he was not kidnapping his best friend. Teacher has the weirdest friends…