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!

138. Adventure 138

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: a new arc starts on our Fairy Adventure! Fairy Tail Mage Vinyl has her day turned upside down when she gets a mysterious letter from her great aunt she left behind when she ran away from home, thanks to Lucy and Loke's help. And the message is an invitation for her to come to Shamballa's spring auction. Meanwhile, Julia and Gale are preparing for their own trip to the fundraiser, but both of them have some worrying to do about their brothers' mental health. With Coeus' intel, Thirteen learns the politics in Bellum have much more lore than he thought, especially when a nurse of the sick king reappears 15 years later only to be headed to Shamballa. A twist of fickle fate has him accepting Vinyl's offer to accompany her to Shamballa to quietly protect her from the truth of the auction and find this disappearing-reappearing nurse. All roads seem to lead to Shamballa for our heroes. Let's just hope they don't hit a dead-end.

'I miss you so much… Both of you.'

And it looks like all signs point to Inayah having a connection to the sick king of Bellum too. But as to what her connection is and the power she carries—I guess we'll just have to find out.

---

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! And here is the updated 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

WST • — • – Western Ishgaran Time • — • — • — • Caelum • — • – 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

EAT • — • — • – East Andüsa Time • — • — • – Andüsa • — • — • — UTC – 2

SST • — • — Shamballa Standard Time • — • — Shamballa • — • — UTC – 2

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

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

Chibi-Nashi winks with a thumbs up. "See you at the end of the episode!"

---

"Tranquilize him!"

Shadows played tricks on him. Straps had tried and failed to burn his scales as he roared and batted away humans with his tail. Pinpricks of needles shattered against the harshness of his scales. Not even his underbelly was left defenseless. In his pure rage, he could feel feral as he snapped his teeth and shook off these insolent insects trying to muzzle him—

Hate-filled blood-reds. "Murderer."

Just like that, all his anger faded for childish panic and whimpers. The burning chains and ropes and shouting all managed to fade away as though reds stared down at him. Not even the defense of his scales and teeth and claws could save him, not from this. Like a frightened animal, he curled back into his holding cell and whimpered for his mother. He was scared. He wanted his mother.

Those hate-filled blood reds came closer. "You deserve this."

He could taste such spicy and bitter fury for one moment before it traded for wet earth and ozone. Something had been forced up his nose and all he wanted to do was crawl away and hide. He flailed and struggled, his throaty howls for his mother. All the fear he thought he locked away ended up taking him by force. A mixture of agony and terror crossed him as though a thousand needles pierced his skin side. Nothing made sense anymore. Something inappropriate touched him there and something jammed up his nose—

Sweetness.

A spark of excitement tried to coax him. The sounds of heady sex blasted around him as that something below him tried to encourage him, but all he could think of was fear fear fear and those hate-filled blood reds. How was she here? What was going on? He wanted his mother.

Mom, please, I'm sorry please don't let them do this I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry—

The darkness filled with wet earth and ozone exchanged for something sweet and thick and intoxicating but for all the right reasons. All those shadows that had once crowded him and prodded him traded for a softer little minx that rubbed against him. Breathy pants and whimpers filled his ears as he ground against her, insistent.

Her humming moan and wriggling made him turn her cheek to kiss square in the mouth with his fingers tangling in her hair. His growl warned her when she bucked against him. So his little princess wanted to tease him like that? He yanked her hair with an aggressive thrust—

• — • — •

Gale groaned as he woke up with sleep in his eyes, but he could feel shifting press against his lower region and squirming in his arms. The darkness of the bedroom could not beat his night vision, but he closed his eyes and greedily inhaled Luna's scent before murmuring, "Where are you going?"

"Bathroom," Luna mumbled back.

Gale hummed and relinquished her. As she stumbled out of the bedroom, he turned onto his back with a large stretch. He grimaced seeing the bulge in his shorts. Shit. With a deep inhale, he combed back his hair before adjusting himself. Just what I need.

He reached an arm over for his Compact and blearily checked the time:

02:35 AM FST

I gotta leave soon, dammit. Gale yawned and decided to shoot Julia a text message:

« Yo, you up? »

Julia replied quicker than he thought she would:

« Snuck Eiji over, so yeah. Are you on your way? »

« Nope. I'll head out in 30 »

« K »

Luna came back, and he closed his Compact with a chuckle when she staggered back into bed and climbed onto him. He set aside his Compact to sweep her in his arms and rumble a soothing purr for a moment or two before he could find his voice again. "I have to leave soon, pretty girl."

"Mmm…" Luna nuzzled into him and slurred, "Five more minutes…"

Gale smiled. "How about fifteen more minutes?" He chuckled more when Luna negatively hummed and shook her head. "No?"

"I don't get to do this at Inter-Guild," Luna mumbled, clinging to him. "A little more, please."

Gale's reds softened in pure adoration. "Ya gonna miss snuggling with me in your dorm? I'm pretty sure Red or Janie will snuggle with you if you ask nicely."

"Not the same," Luna mumbled. "Want you…"

Gale sighed and feathered down Luna's braid. I want you too, Blondie. He placed a chaste kiss on her temple and held her tighter. "You win," he murmured. "I'll stay a little longer."

He knew his words fell on deaf ears considering Luna's steady heart beat and quiet breaths. Purring worked his throat and chest, relaxing the both of them. I wish we could stay like this. She feels so small. He closed his eyes and mouthed another kiss onto her hair. I want to sleep like this all the time. These next two weeks away from her are going to be torture.

15 minutes felt too fast, but Gale knew he had overstayed. He was careful in unraveling Luna from his person to grab his Compact and hoodie. He pawed his hoodie on and shoved his Compact into his pocket when he heard it.

A faint whimper.

The moon glossed over Luna's pinched expression, but Gale was quicker than her nightmare. He knelt at her bedside and brushed her cheek, "Blondie," he softly called. "I promised I'd wake you when I have to leave, remember?" He nudged her with his nose. "C'mon, Blondie-girl, wake up for me."

Luna stirred and blonde lashes fluttered half-mast. "Hm?"

Gale whispered, "I have to go now, pretty girl." He took her hand into his. "But I'll see you next week."

"Don't go," Luna breathed.

Gale sighed through his nose. "I have to. I promised Lady J. And you'll have fun in Caelum." He kissed her Fairy Tail stamp and her wrist before whispering, "But I'm going to miss you like crazy."

"I'll miss you too," Luna whispered back.

"I know." Gale rested his forehead against hers. "You'll have Red and Silver. They'll take good care of you, all right? And I'll call every day, okay?"

"M'kay." Luna shifted him to crane her neck and press a warm kiss onto his cheek.

"You're not making it easy to leave," Gale murmured when he turned back his head. The human and even the Wild understood his obligations, but the Wild more so than human tugged at him with instinct. His sleepy little moon should not be abandoned and vulnerable. He kissed her palm for a stretched breath before forcing himself to pull back. The longer I put it off, the more I don't want to go.

"Can't you stay for a little longer?"

"No," Gale forced himself to say to Luna's innocent question. "I really want to, principessa, but I gotta get Lady J and me to the Sky Port." Though the Wild weakened his resolve to see through to his obligations the more Luna's sleepy gaze peered up at him in sadness. "But when break's over and we're back from Inter-Guild, let's just make a day out of bumming around."

Luna smiled a little, still drunk from her dreams. "M'kay."

"M'kay." Gale kissed her forehead. "Go back to sleep, principessa. I'll call you later." His stare dropped to her lips before averting and swallowing down the want to press a goodbye kiss onto her lips. He slowly let go of her hand and on the tip of his tongue lay I love you, but he could not do that. Not to himself and not to her.

It looked like Luna struggled to not say the words, so she ended up telling him, "See you later?"

"Yeah." Gale smiled, sad. "See you later." He backed away to leave her bedroom and closed the door behind with a loud exhale. Fuck me. The Wild made him want to turn around, but he pushed it down to go down the hallway. The steps took him to the kitchen, but he did not leave immediately when he saw Luke meditating outside. He's training this early?

He watched Luke for a long moment. The familiarity of Luke's Magic pulsated, strong and kind, but Gale forced his hackles not to raise when he felt the undertones of Luke's demonic energy. He's an incredible person. All that power and he's still some nervous pacifist. Rubies softened. And he still…trusts me with her. His hands clenched. Even when I don't trust myself with her.

He listened closely to make sure Luna's peaceful slumber was uninterrupted. He could've said 'no' to me coming over, but he didn't. Even when he has every reason in the world to. He drifted closer to the door that would take him to the deck. Well… He turned the knob. The least I can do is say, 'thank you'.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

"Ame no youna kaze no youna

Dareka no koto jama suru youna

Hito ni nante naritaku wanai kara?

Hare no youna hikari no youna

Dareka no koto teraseru youna

Hito ni naritai!"

nante itai tte dareka no koe ga?

Kikoetara nanda

Nagutte kowashite sayonara DILEMMA!

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Julia finished putting her hair into a ponytail while Dash lounged in her bed, half-naked and enjoying the view. He prompted her in good humor as he rubbed his wrists, "What the Hell sort of cuffs do you buy, Guard-graded ones?"

Julia snorted as she mentally checked off she had all her possessions for the trip. "We both know you can just vibrate to get out of them." She tossed him a saucy smirk. "But you won't." She went back to the bed to tower of him. "Wouldn't want to disappoint me"—she cupped his jaw—"would you?"

Dash chuckled. "No. Not you." He accepted her deep kiss. "Do I really have to—?"

"Yup." Julia grinned seeing pink around Dash's ears. "C'mon, it's fun for both of us and lets me know you're good and obedient." She nipped his neck. "And mine."

"You really know how to make a man feel wanted, Peaches," Dash laughed, though he put up no resistance when Julia gently laid him back down on the bed. He brushed back her bangs. "I'm going to miss you."

Julia raised an eyebrow. "Miss me giving you orders? Oh wait, the manwhore actually likes being bossed around." She smiled when he flushed a little. "I'm going to miss you too." She kissed his nose before drawing back to make a face. "Shockingly. I say more disgustingly affectionate stuff to you than I do to my own family. It's weird."

"Yeah, you don't seem the type to tell your brothers you love them all the time," Dash ribbed.

Julia rolled her eyes, but her fingers toyed with Dash's neck as though contemplating one last possessive claim. "Like I need to tell them. If I let my guard down just a little bit, my mom and Gary smother me. And Silver straight-up cries if I'm nice to him." She shook her head. "So damn sensitive. How the Hell would he have survived growing up without me?"

Dash laughed and closed his eyes when Julia bent to kiss his brow. "You might talk shit, but I know you're taking the blanket he knitted for you. I'm still shocked he can knit."

"Yeah, well, he's not that open about it," Julia explained in vague. "He always hated going outside and playing around with us and our cousins, but he'd hover around our mom and begged her to teach him how to knit and crotchet. He's such a mama's boy."

"Nothing wrong with that," Dash eased.

Julia frowned. "Maybe not, but it put a target on his back. You have no idea how many people made fun of him."

Dash quirked an eyebrow. "Even you and Gale?"

"Oh, please." Julia got up to cock a hip and cross her arms. "We're family. We pretty much make fun of each other."

Dash sat up and cracked his knuckles. "Yeah, but you have mentioned before Silver was pretty sensitive to things. He's a lot like Iris, honestly. She doesn't like it when anyone makes jokes about the stuff she likes, even me." He shrugged when Julia's frown deepened. "I'm just saying, Peaches."

Julia stepped between his legs and tipped up his chin. "Just saying, what?"

"You know him better than I do," Dash prefaced softly. "So you know how he is with stuff, but… Go easy on him a little. Maybe he's sensitive around you too."

Julia snorted. "I'm not about to walk on eggshells around the same person who started crying just talking about a sad movie." She dragged her thumb across his bottom lip and watched when his mouth involuntarily parted. Gentle, she pressed her finger and watched him suck. "He's sensitive about everything just like Gary's hyper about everything. It's what they do." Her lips twitched when she saw how pliant Dash had gotten. She pulled back her finger only to drag it down his chest and swirl around his nipple. "Have you heard anything from Cal?"

Dash shivered at Julia's delicate touch. "He said he's going on some trip," he answered, tone smaller and breathier. "I think it's not with his frat, though."

"Hmm…" Julia thought about that. He was conspiring with Bluenote the last time I checked. Would he be going to Shamballa? Navies glinted with interest at Dash's lowered gaze and the way he bit his bottom lip to keep himself from moaning under her touch. I can think about it later. She bent her head to kiss him—

VR-VR-VRRRRRR!

Dash's eyes went to her Compact. "Your—Mmmph!" He was accosted when the heavy kiss Julia thrust upon him and the sharp pinch to his nipple. His back hit her comforter and he swallowed back a roan when she pulled away to launch onto his right pectoral for a fierce bite and long suck. His skin tingled and his back twitched feeling her lips on the sensitive spot on his chest, but he earned a reprieve when she pulled away to kiss the spot.

It made him want to groan even more when he realized what she had done. "Pictures every day weren't enough for you, was it?" he asked her, dry. "You had to go ahead and give me a hickey?"

In Julia's defense, she claimed, "It's in a place no one will see unless you take your shirt off."

"I'm taking Iris to the beach," Dash reminded her, part in amusement and part in exasperation.

Julia winked. "Then wear a nice tank top." She snickered when Dash shook his head. "Besides, hickeys on your neck where people can see them are plain trashy and immature."

"I'm so glad biting my chest is so mature of you then," Dash muttered. He turned his head before Julia could smooch him, but he could not help his smile when she tenderly kissed his cheek. His smile grew when she brought up his hand to kiss his palm. "Kat's going to give you so much shit for this."

"Kat does this shit to Miles because we stan female lead relationships in this house." Julia kissed his wrist. "She's just going to be pissy she lost to me about how receptive you be." Her eyes twinkled. "And you take to it like a champ." She playfully tugged his hair. "Now get dressed before Gale—"

"Gale is downstairs and Gale would rather be with his princess than hearing you talk about pegging!" Gale growled from downstairs.

Julia and Dash shared a grin before Dash called, "We weren't talking about that, but if you're interested—"

"I will fucking kill you, Ackermann."

They laughed, and Julia got off him. "Come on. Get on some clothes. I have a feeling he's pissy because all he wanted to do was stay in bed with his little princess and daydream about their future kids and a white picket fence and their cat—"

"She already has a dog! I am not getting some freaky, shedding cat!" Gale shouted.

Dash found his shirt and pulled it on. "You sure you'll be all right being stuck with Mister Blue Balls for a week? He might bite someone's head off."

"Oh, trust me." Julia's grin spoke of trouble. "I am counting on it."

°•°•°•°

Gale did not care if he did not look friendly this morning, but his mood darkened a little more seeing how coupled-up Julia and Dash looked as they spoke near his motorcycle. He sipped the coffee Julia made for him. An old school jam dimly played in the truck, but it did nothing to detract his mind from this morning.

Sleepy chocolates. "Want you…"

He leaned his head back on his headrest, reds soft and forlorn, and touched his sunstone bracelet. If I just had a little more time with her…

BA!

Gale turned down the music as Julia got into the truck. "You good?"

"Yeah." Julia buckled in before nodding to his window. "Looks like Eiji has some last words."

Gale frowned and rolled down his window to see Dash had flipped up the visor on his helmet with his motorcycle running. "What?"

"Take of yourself out there," Dash told him over the thrum of his engine. He smirked at Julia. "You take care of my boyfriend, Peaches. He's delicate."

"Fuck off," Gale grunted, giving him a middle finger. "Try not to drown."

Julia laughed. "See you in a week!"

Dash nodded. "See you." He flipped down his visor before kicking off his motorcycle and gunning out of the driveway and onto the lonely street.

Gale made sure his window was up while Julia indulged in her black roast coffee. "I don't know what's worse: you two are dating or he's your little sub." He backed out of the driveway and went the opposite direction Dash had gone.

"Please, like you don't have a dirtier mind," Julia admonished. She glanced out the window and her mirth faded for graveness. "Are you ready for this? There's no backing out."

Gale's irritation slipped for somberness. "I'm all in." He glanced at her. "Are you? Because look, my role in this little role play whatever is just your non-speaking bodyguard-date who was forced to come with you. You're going to be breaking your back carrying this show. You're the one who has to negotiate and talk. You're the mouthpiece. I'm the muscle."

"I know." Julia let out a steady exhale. One wrong word and they can suspect me to be an infiltrator. Noko told me that infiltrators might try and sneak in, but either they're never heard of again or have no memory of what happened. She clenched her coffee cup. I can't let everything I've done go to waste.

Gale cocked his head. "So?"

"Don't worry about me." Julia could see the young woman in the glass reflection give her a cold blue stare. "I know a thing or two about being a mouthpiece."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure 138

•

Showtime in Shamballa

•

シャンバラのショータイム

•

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Early flyers had it rough, but they also had it ridiculously easy. Most people were sleepy this time of the morning and needed coffee to function. The Sky Port had most of its restaurants closed and the overnight janitorial squad had only left an hour ago. Not even the sky was awake. But it helped that during busy season, most people would rather take their chances on mid-morning flights than try and rouse themselves for the god-forsaken early flights.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Jaborosa-Crocus International Sky Port

Jaborosa City

Fiore, Ishgar

4:31 AM FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

First-class on an international Sky Boat was different than domestic, especially with tiered levels. A 14-something hour flight with one stop was nothing to sneeze at, and the skyline wanted their guests to feel perfectly comfortable no matter which class they chose. First-class had the luxury of individual spaces or cojoined spaces with seats that reclined all the way down to make a bed, a fold-down desk with a mirror, and even a pack of hygiene products, headphones, sweeties, and in-flight entertainment.

Maybe Thirteen was not used to the luxuries of first-class, but Vinyl was, and it made Thirteen raise an eyebrow when she preordered drinks for both of them. "Should I worry you'll be drunk when we arrive at Shamballa?"

"Just something to calm the nerves," Vinyl promised, though her smile looked terrible and bags sat beneath her eyes.

Thirteen took note. "You're not lookin' so hot there, kid.

"I'm fine." Vinyl winced at how pitchy she sounded. "I'm… I'm okay, I promise." She purred to him, "I feel so much better that my big, strong man came with me." She sensually crossed her legs. "I can't wait until we're in our hotel room."

Thirteen's eyebrow twitched. This brat… He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Just to be clear, I'm not sharing a bed with you."

"What!"

Thirteen felt dreary with how pouty and shocked Vinyl looked. What the Hell did she think we were doing on this trip? Pink touched his ears when his mind dipped into territory it was not supposed to go. "I'm sure your great aunt got you a single and I won't blow my cover by sleeping in a different room, but I'll make sure to have my own bed," he asserted. "I'm not sharing a bed with a little girl like you."

"I'm twenty-four," Vinyl muttered, puffing her cheeks. Dammit. I even packed my good lingerie and now he wants to sleep apart? She had it all planned out on seducing Thirteen to their shared bed with a baby doll negligee and sweet words. Her mind churned. Well, he wants us to start out sleeping alone…but he didn't say I couldn't sneak—

"And don't even think about trying to crawl into my bed at night." Thirteen had a tick mark twinge his face with how depressed Vinyl looked. Did you have to look so obvious with your plotting? He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Why can't you find some nice guy your age?"

"Why have a boy when I could have a man?"

Thirteen buried his head in his hands at Vinyl's petulant remark. Jesus. He raggedly sighed. "Viñella…"

"You know, I hate when people would call me that name."

Thirteen blinked. "Oh. I didn't know." Chastised, he rubbed his neck and apologized, "Then I—"

"But I don't mind it…" Cheeks pink, Vinyl shyly met his stare. "At least… I don't mind when you say it."

Thirteen became taken back at the tender quality in Vinyl's words—

"But I'd prefer 'baby girl' in bed, personally—"

Thirteen's startled cough earned a few weirded-out looks. "Shit," he wheezed. "Give me a heart attack, why don't you?" He shook his head and wanted to make clear. "I get this trip is stressful for you and so is dealing with family. But I'm here for back-up only." Murky oranges darkened. "The place we're going…"

• — • — • — •

Bidders high in the air. Men and women dressed in masks with suits and dresses to kill. A cage took centerstage with a scared young Chimera with a muzzle and tears clogging its eyes.

A phantom stranger and his black hawk.

• — • — • — •

"Thirteen?"

His eyes snapped over—

Concerned aquamarines met wild murky oranges.

Vinyl tentatively touched his arm. "Are…? Is everything okay?" She added, "You don't have to come with me. I-I know it was a spur of the moment sort of thing and all, but you really don't have to come."

Thirteen battled down the haunting memories and longed for Georgette when he could feel his hands trembling. "I know I don't have to go," he gritted, trying to keep the tremor out of his words. "But if I don't…" He cut himself off as he managed to calm down his breathing. If I don't go… He clutched his armrests as he imagined Vinyl surrounded in that toxic, bloody environment.

"Thirteen?"

He pulled himself together and drew his arm away from her. "I'm just here for back-up," he told her, gruff. "I'll be fine. Do what you have to do."

"Oh." Vinyl swallowed back the hurt. "Okay then. Just…let me know if I could make you comfortable." Her blues swept to her lap. "I know you don't have to come with me, but… Well, it's nice to go with a friend."

"A 'friend'?" Thirteen mocked. "Is that what we are? Friends? You should pick better friends if I meet your standards, kid. With a friend like me around, even your worst enemies might be scared off."

Vinyl kept her comments to herself. But maybe…that's what I want. She cupped her elbows, hugging herself, and tried not to let her heart sink. Since all my so-called friends were nothing more than sharks in the water, waiting for me to bleed. Her throat clogged at the memories. Being surrounded by socialites and heirs who all gunned for her attentions—being the social paragon—but knowing every smile was fake and those eyes on her probe her for a sign of weakness they could exploit.

"Viñella."

Vinyl blinked and forced herself to smile at Thirteen's searching stare and frown. "Sorry, guess I got lost in thought thinking about all the ways we can have fun on this trip," she teased, lying through her teeth.

Thirteen looked at her some more before glancing away. "This is a long flight. You got something to entertain yourself?"

"Of course I do." Vinyl showed him her e-reader that displayed quite the raunchy cover on it. "I have to catch up on my novel for book club."

What type of book club do you go to! Thirteen rubbed down his face. "As long as you have something to keep yourself busy. If you fall asleep, I'll make sure to wake you up, so take it easy and relax." Because once we get to Shamballa, we'll have to hit the ground running.

Getting the rest of the passengers on board took fifteen or so minutes. Considering the Sky Boat had different levels of economy, comfort, business, and first-class, different docks loaded different classes. Thirteen had pretended to ignore, but he kept it casual as he profiled everyone who came down the aisle. Vinyl had taken out her Compact to see a text from Lucy.

« I know you're determined to go, but don't force yourself. Call me if something happens. Have a safe trip, honey »

Vinyl smiled and messaged back:

« Will do, Miss Lucy. Have a safe trip with Mister Dragneel »

She put her Compact on ⟪ Flight Mode ⟫ and looked out the window as the Sky Boat unlocked from its docks to make its rounds on the take-off roads. Everything's going to be fine. Even so, she clenched her e-reader and took a deep breath. "Thirteen?"

"Hmm?"

"Have I ever told you I have a fear of flying?"

Thirteen did not believe it when he saw Vinyl's sparkling aura, and he repeated in a dead tone, "You have a fear of flying."

Vinyl nodded vigorously. "Yes. It's quite serious too." She slowly reached to touch his hand, leaning towards him. "And I need a big, strong man to whisper sweet nothings to me to keep me grounded."

Thirteen's face darkened against Vinyl's innocent aura. I don't know if I should be impressed by her acting and tenacity or irritated by it. He forced an exhale, already too mentally exhausted by Vinyl to put up a struggle. "What do you want to hear then?"

"Oh, don't be like that, Thirteen!"

Thirteen stiffened, a bit of red hitting his neck when Vinyl clung to his arm and nuzzled him. "What the—!"

"Stop being so grouchy, you big hunk!" Vinyl purred and made a show of clinging to his arm with her chest pressed against him. "I'm the one taking you with me, so you should return the courtesy and be sweet to me a little!"

Thirteen crushed his growl when a few passengers glared at them. I'm going to die of a stroke at this point. Defeated, he sat back in his seat and covered his eyes with an arm (and Vinyl's sparkling aura pinged off him). I would take dealing with Coeus' talking creepily about breaking into his therapist's house over this Hell. "Fine," he caved, resigned. "You win, kid."

Vinyl internally awarded herself a medal of honor. I knew reading those erotic books would pay off someday! I'll have so much to tell Miss Lucy when I come home!

The pilots checking in with the control tower crackled overhead. Thirteen dropped his arm with a chest-deep sigh as the past fizzled before him. "A long time ago," he started in a tone so soft that it surprised Vinyl, "there was a secret garden watched over by a lone crow. It was a present from a hawk, and the crow took care of every living creature there. It was his sanctuary."

The Sky Boat readied itself on the runway.

"One day, a lost fairy stumbled on the crow's secret garden," Thirteen continued. "The crow wasn't happy about it. It didn't like people coming into its garden. But the fairy kept coming back in the hopes the crow would let her in."

The pilots received clearance from the control center and started doing down the runway.

Thirteen went on: "One day, the crow decided to let the fairy in his secret garden. She was very careful to be respectful and kind to those living in his garden. And slowly, the crow took the little fairy under his wing to share his garden." Murky oranges glinted. "And the crow and the little fairy were…happy."

The pace picked up until the Sky Boat cruised upwards and into the sky.

Vinyl looked up at Thirteen and could tell his eyes were leagues away. Softly, she asked, "Were they happily ever after?"

"No." Thirteen briefly closed his eyes. "But they were…happy…for a time." He shifted in his seat. "Look, we're in the air. I'm tired, Viñella."

"O-Oh." Vinyl let him go. "Right. Get… Get some sleep." Hesitantly, she relaxed in her seat and looked out the window.

Thirteen grunted and closed his eyes. A crow and a fairy, huh?

• — • — • — •

A little smile and rosy cheeks. A joyous gasp seeing the swing tied to the tree. Little fingers taking hold of a gold harmonica.

• — • — • — •

Thirteen blocked out the memory when his heart ached and the need to smoke tightened his throat. What a stupid fucking story. I can't let my head get stuck in the past. Not for this week. Vicious will be at the spring auction. He never missed it in the past.

His body tensed. I need to be ready for him. And not only him. If he's there, I know he brought a Falcon, an Owl, an Eagle, a Swan, a Crow, and a Raven with him. And if the Black Auction has even better stuff in stock this year, then I know he brought his prized bird in his aviary.

His knuckles turned white. The Cassowary.

---

If you had never been to a pretentious Sky Port, count your blessings.

Palm trees, Lacrima Screens, and glass windows encompassed the busy Sky Port with high-end restaurants and bars as far as the naked eye could see. Wealthy versus working class was easy to tell, given the wealthy came dressed in expensive brands and bodyguards while those visiting came in designer joggers and shirts. The news spoke about international politics, from Bellum swearing in another conservative amongst the Magic protest to the unrest in Valchestria due to the protests and violence. A wealthy teen and his crew spoke in that "surfer dude" tone about all the debauchery they could get in to. A politician from Melandia rapidly spoke to his hurrying assistant about all the last-minute adjustments that needed to be made before he got to their hotel room.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is the Shamballa International Sky Port (SMB), one of those world's busiest Sky Ports for international traffic and cargo traffic. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

PA! PA! PA!

Maybe it should have been surprising, yet it was not when a suited man with shades held up a sign that read NIGHTINGALE. For a chauffeur, he looked much more than that, considering his muscles could have torn apart his suit.

PA! PA! PA!

His face turned and he recognized his mark as they approached them. Still, he asked in perfect Minstrish, "Miss Nightingale?"

"Yes." Julia stood before him and looked the part of an uppity socialite with her designer blue dress, the light jacket hanging from her shoulders, and her hair crimped. "That's me." She gestured absently to Gale, who dressed in all tailored black with his own sunglasses. "He's my guard. Where's the car?"

The chauffeur nodded to Gale before gesturing to Julia. "Your uncle expected him. This way, miss."

The pick-up lane was filled with fancy and armored cars, all for good reasons. Celebrities would be coming to the auction and some crazed fans had traveled to the Sky Port with their professional camera and posters to welcome their idol onto Shamballan soil. An armored car would be Julia's ride of choice for today, and another man in a black suit rounded to take Gale and Julia's belongings. Gale helped Julia in the car before going into the back.

It took a few moments for everything to be settled, but the chauffeur and the other helper were back in the driver and passenger seat. The driver glanced back and said, "Welcome to Shamballa, Miss Nightingale. We'll be at your hotel in thirty minutes. Would you like the partition rolled up?"

"Please." Julia waited for the partition to click to lie back in her seat, a little groggy. "We actually made it."

Gale took off his shades to give her an incredulous look as the SUV moved. "The Hell did you think would happen, we'd get gunned down the second we came here?"

"No need to be so pessimistic," Julia muttered.

"My apologies, Miss Nightingale," Gale mocked. He glanced around. "So this is what your support did for you, huh? Should I be worried he might have a weird interest in you?"

Julia snorted. "Yeah, no. He's pretty obsessed with his goddess of a girlfriend and makes sure to brag about her. So as much as he might annoy me, don't make it weird." She crossed her ankles and looked out the tinted window. "Feel anything?"

"Outside of being on edge?" Gale concentrated for a moment and let his senses expand. He murmured for Julia's ears only, "I can tell there are some crazy complicated and strong barriers around here. For the average Wizard, they'd write off since Shamballa is a rich-bitch country. But I'm not so certain 'security' is a good enough reason…"

He could feel his skin prickle the more he sensed all around him. There's a lot of power gathering in this city, but what bothers me…—he looked at his feet—is how I can't sense power below…but I know something large is below this country. Rubies darkened. Something they don't want nosy Wizards to sense.

They carried the rest of the drive-in silence to soak up the view of Shamballa. For what it's was worth, Shamballa had much to offer its citizens and tourists alike. The world expo would open up come summertime and bring in more and more eager tourists. The skyscrapers looked like they came out of a movie with their sleek and outlandish designs that gave each building modern character. People dressed to impress here—Gale would personally call them "label whores"—with their jewelry polished and pushed, their sunglasses on, and making sure they were camera-ready.

Magic was openly encouraged with Wizards and Tamers welcome to ride their brooms and carpets and magical creatures. Winged Aberrants were looked upon in awe and envy. A leopard Chimera had two beauties on either arm and treated like a VIP. Some of the boats passing through a large river had aquatic magical creatures tugging them, and tourists were rushing towards the port to get pictures of aquatic Aberrants swimming their way through their home city. The rich and powerful could rent levitating pads for their tennis matches or simply relaxing. The white sandy beaches were practically the perfect place for Insta photos.

This truly was a wealthy man's paradise.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« Welcome to the emirate of Shamballa and its capital city Shamballa, the business hub of Western Alakitasia. Thanks to its rich collection of various architectural styles, the Miracle Garden, the World Expo, the Burj Al'umi Hotel, Marina City, and its green thumb, it has become one of the most tourist-heavy metropolises of the world. Emirate of Shamballa is a constitutional monarchy. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The drive through the busy streets of Shamballa proved to be swift, even with all the influx of tourists. Everyone here looked like they were meant to kick back, relax, and enjoy the warm weather Shamballa provided this time of year. But the beauty and advancements of Shamballa seemed to come together when someone saw a coastal hotel that lorded over all.

The curved building looked like the mainsail of a ship and its reflective windows showcased the sparkling blues of the sea. Hoverpads stayed in place as people rented them out for sports matches and lounging. Every car that approached the manmade island and crossed through the bridge looked like it would cost hundreds of thousands of dhons (Shamballa notes) and rupels (Shamballa coins). It was ironic the manmade resort came with its own intense waterpark and high-tech roller coaster.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is Burj Al'umi Hotel, a luxury five-star hotel located off-shore from the beachfront and standing on an artificial island. The Shazzenan Group manages this hotel, and it has its own aquarium, private beach, shuttle service, six restaurants, 216 suites, and even a dormitory for staff. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Once the SUV pulled onto the curbside, the concierge was ready to receive them. Gale helped Julia out, but it was surprising when a prim and proper woman had come to greet them with her tablet in hand. With a faint Minstrish accent, she welcomed, "Miss Nightingale and guest, we have been eager for your arrival for the spring auction and fundraiser. On behalf of the event, I welcome you to the Burj Al'umi Hotel. My name is Raja and I'll be your personal event coordinator."

⌜BURJ AL'UMI HOTEL

Name: Raja

Age: 45

Occupation: Personal Event Coordinator and Manager

Likes: facial treatments Dislikes: sailing

Special Note: Raja might not look it, but the heavy pursuit of the second youngest son of the Shazzenan group has her flustered! ⌟

"Please." Raja gestured and the glass doors slid open. "Follow me."

Coming inside the hotel felt too surreal. The lobby floor itself was a display of the sea, realistically animated to show what the ocean was like down under. The concierge was busy with the guests checking in for their spring holiday, but it looked like no matter what language the guests spoke, a quick press of an earpiece Lacrima allowed the worker to understand and speak back in their client's native tongue. Levitating clocks showed every time zone. A water show happened in the middle of the lobby, and the expansive ceiling allowed guests to see parts of the elevators and TelePads.

How much more expensive could it get?

Raja gave them a wide scope and explained, "The hotel has made sure all accommodations have been met for your stay here. Each esteemed guest has me and a team of coordinators at your disposal to make sure you are on time for each invited event, provide any accommodations we haven't already satisfied, and we personally organize private meetings between you and another guest."

She guided them to the elevators and showed them keycards to press onto the pad. "For security reasons, our hotel has two unique keycards tailored for your experience here. The first keycard will allow you access to the elevators and warp pads. The second keycard is access to your room and any of the venues here, such as our spa, our pool, all six restaurants, the theater room, the game room, or the bowling alley."

The glass doors slid open, and Gale and Julia followed behind Raja. She pressed her own administrative keycard before pressing the floor. The ride upwards felt like something you should record. The elevator climbed along the glass to overlook the magnificence of the hotel property and the glistening ocean.

Raja informed, "Each floor was tailored to a different theme selected by the family of the Shazzenan Group and certain bedrooms were in dedication. Because of our spring auction, we've taken extra measures. Your keycard will permit you to your floor and the floors containing our hotel amenities. While we understand this might be disagreeable with the restrictions, if you wish to meet with a person from another floor, you or your party can contact me, their personal event manager, or one of our coordinators to permit your card access."

Julia nodded. "I understand." She glanced around behind her sunglasses and caught all three Security Lacrima. No blind spots. I'll have to ask Gale what enchantments he feels. She looked back at the scenery. It looks like this auction is bigger than we thought, or at least something big must be presented this year.

The elevator stopped and opened up to a swanky lounge. Not too many guests milled about, but the interior design looked more expensive than any home in Magnolia. Raja expertly led them down the hall to introduce them to a set of duel doors. "This will be your room. Only you both and the cleaning service administrators will have access to your room." She showed one keycard. "This will be used to get into your room and to all other guest venues."

She pushed the keycard onto the pad. It blinked green. She opened one of the doors to show off the room—

Julia and Gale were taken aback for a minute. Whoa…

Being a Fairy Tail Mage and going on overnight jobs did not mean splurging on expensive hotels unless the client was a rich asshole with money to flaunt. This suite looked borderline presidential with gold-encrusted walls, a living area, and the bedroom doors open to show a four-poster king-sized bed on a platform for one room and the other showed a stylish queen bed with all the baubles and trinkets. Even the kitchen and bar looked five-star. Their luggage had made the journey inside.

Raja clutched her tablet. "Miss Nightingale and guest, welcome to your suite. You'll notice in the master bath that we have provided an assortment of bathing products, complementary to your reservation with us at the Burj Al'umi Hotel. Your uncle has also wished to inform you that any additional charges, such as usage of the wet bar or room service, will be taken care of, so you needn't shy away from indulging."

Julia kept her lips from twitching as she imagined Noko. My uncle, huh? Noko, you and your weird little kinks.

Raja gestured to a tablet mounted to the wall close to the doors. "This tablet will allow you to see who is outside your door at all times and doubles as a Room Communications Lacrima to contact the service staff. You also have RCLs in both of your rooms and an Emergency Communications Lacrima stationed in your bathrooms and in the kitchen. In the kitchen, you'll find a list of all numbers for maintenance, room service, and cleaning as well as the event coordinator's line, and also menus for the restaurants."

She turned towards both of them and gestured to her tablet. "Would you like me to inform you about tonight's events?"

"Please," Julia insisted.

Raja brought down her tablet and her pad pencil to tap and scroll. "Tonight is the invitational dinner and ceremony to commemorate the beginning of the spring auction and fundraiser. Your uncle made a reservation on your behalf, Miss Nightingale and guest, for a luxury spa treatment and styling appointment to prepare you for the dinner and ceremony, but he made it clear this slot can be moved at any point of your trip."

TICK!

Gale held back from snickering while Julia gave a tight smile with a tick mark plundering her jaw. "Did he now?" That son of a bitch knows I hate that sort of pampering. I knew he was going to get back at me for telling him his girlfriend isn't real. "I'll…decline that reservation for today, respectfully."

Raja nodded and tapped something. "As the invitational dinner will take place within the hotel, an escort will come for you at five-thirty to bring you to the hall for cocktail hour. At seven-thirty, all guests will be escorted to the outdoor hall for dinner, dessert, and to meet the Emir and Emira. Tonight, no bids will be placed. This is to help mingle with guests and curate excitement for probable items to be sold off. We advise you to try not to bribe any bid assistants." She made it clear with her eyes. "There is no tolerance for bribery."

Julia nodded. "We understand."

Raja nodded back. "Thank you for completing the terms and conditions electronically before your arrival. Tomorrow, you will be given your unique bidder numbers, assigned seats, and a reservation for an appraiser."

"A reservation?" Julia raised an eyebrow. "I thought every item would come with a seal of authenticity and a certificate."

"You do," Raja confirmed. "However, this is to put any ill-intent to bed, as insisted by the Auctioneer. We pride ourselves on making sure all needs of our clients are met, including aiding to put to rest any mistrust. We've never had any slips through the cracks, but it is better to be overly cautious than regretful."

Julia took that into consideration. "I understand. May I ask about the other events throughout the week?"

"These events are also invitational, but not all of them extend to every guest," Raja educated. "Certain guests have been given permission to host their own fundraisers and distribute invitations. Some invitations were already distributed, but others may distribute invites an hour prior to the event should start. These events are normally held within Shamballa, but your uncle has made sure you're enlisted in our personal black car service. We strongly suggest you accept invitations given to foster newfound business relations and friendships."

Gale's lips quirked downwards. She makes it sound like we don't have the right to refuse. And she's right. We'd be stepping on unknown toes by rejecting an invite.

"I'll keep that in mind," Julia assured. "I have no other questions."

Raja hummed. "Very good. We hope you enjoy your stay at the Burj Al'umi Hotel and take in the wonders that Shamballa can offer you." With a dip of her head, she left and the doors re-locked themselves.

Gale and Julia exchanged a look before nodding and parting ways.

Julia brought up as her fingers ran over the couch, "Mm, now that we're away from my uncle…"

Gale feigned a sigh as he perused the kitchen. "I told you, miss…" His hands drifted across the drawers. "I earned this job through my merit. I don't want to lose your uncle's respect."

Julia dramatically laid herself on the couch. "That didn't stop you the last time."

"And the last time was the last time." Gale moved out of the kitchen to go to his bedroom. "You should unpack your stuff, miss."

Julia pouted. "Fine." She marched to her room and shut the door, but when she pulled back her hand, small devices were crushed into her palm. I knew they'd bug the place. She made a show of wiping her hands before acting like a ditzy heiress and looking around. Her sunglasses did the work to spot a device laced into her pillow, one tucked into a corner, one in the closet, and even one in the bathroom.

Being casual about destroying hidden surveillance was an art in itself. She had to play pretend with her pouty complaining crossed with curious socialite. But once she crushed the last device, she took off her sunglasses and wanted to growl. I can't believe they'd even bug the fucking bathroom.

KNOCK-KNOCK!

"Yo, Lady J, we're good."

Julia came out of the bathroom. "Come in."

Gale peeked inside without his shades, a scowl on his face, and a cello case in hand. "Bathroom?"

"Like fucking perverts." Julia went to her luggage and unzipped her bag. "I can't believe it, but I certainly can. I'm sure this wasn't even a singular incident." She got out her clothes to get to her PAL. Opening it up, however, reveal it was not a PAL, but an electronics case disguised as one with earpieces, contact lenses, rings, a wristwatch, a bracelet, a fake tooth cap, and earrings. As Gale came over, Julia muttered, "No doubt they did this to every guest. The naïve ones won't recognize it. But the higher-up guests probably debugged their rooms."

"Agreed." Gale took the other side of the bed to open the cello case. A myriad of handguns, magazines, daggers, and hostlers took their position. "So, what, you're this high-stress cellist now?"

"That was my cover and the only way my support could make sure we smuggle contraband." Julia mockingly smirked as she held up rings. "Aw, look, you and your princess could've had couple's rings, but now I get that privilege with my own cousin."

"Shut the fuck up. We have couple's bracelets," Gale grunted as he checked one of the guns. "These aren't normal handguns."

"Yeah, because I commissioned them, so be careful with them." Julia decided on the bracelet and the ring for jewelry. "Guess Noko had to practically grovel to get his normal Enchanter to work on this. The Enchanter is heavy anti-gun, apparently." She rolled her eyes. "So we need to be choosey. Pocket dimension detectors still don't have a bypass, so what we brought for ammo is it. We don't get second chances. Stick to Magic whenever you can."

"Well, obviously." Gale nodded at the MagiTech case. "I'll take the watch and one of the studs. You should take the lenses."

"Obviously." Julia snickered over Gale's fuck-you face. "So, ah… Should I assume you're cranky since you're clearly not getting any and fear for my life I'm going to be hearing some strange noises from the bathroom—?"

Gale flashed his fangs. "You're lucky you're family," he grumbled. "And I don't care about getting my dick wet, Lady J, you know that. But for the record…" His ears flushed as he agitatedly remembered how alluring Luna looked. "She's driving me up the fucking wall."

"Then she's doing something right," Julia teased. She laughed over Gale's curse words. "Hey, I'm proud of you. You might not be a saint. But you're a sinner with restraint."

"Ha-Ha," Gale huffed in a dead tone. "For real, Lady J, it's hard as Hell being just friends."

Julia's mocking faded for concern hearing not frustration but defeat in Gale's tone. "Hey…" She stopped organizing her belongings to give him her full attention. "You don't have to force anything, Gale. I mean, you have therapy, you're getting yourself together… Out of everyone? Luna would be the most understanding if you wanted to back off from friendship."

"I know she would be. That's what I hate about her."

Julia did not follow. "What?"

Gale gave a long sigh as he raked his hair. "Look, I-I…" He swallowed. "I might've…fucked up a little last night. Nothing serious," he assured when Julia's expression turned guarded. "And it's one-hundred-percent my fault." He shook his head. "I just saw her laying under me and it was like…" He shook his head again, rolling his lips. "I'm more than happy she lets me touch her and cuddle her. I know that. I won't push for more. But just for one fucking second…" He rubbed his mouth before looking up at Julia. "I just…wanted to know what it was like if we, y'know."

Julia did not see the problem, but she did not drop her guard. "Everyone has fantasies like that. It's different when you act on them."

The hard disapproval in her tone grated Gale. "I didn't fucking act on them." His ire dismantled as guilt settled when he remembered how dangerously close he was to one action that would have changed everything. "I mean…" He licked his lips. "I…stopped myself."

Julia put both hands on the bed and hung her head, sighing. "Gale…" She spared him a sympathetic look. "Look, I don't know how this all works with you being a Dragon, but you do realize—"

"I know, okay?" Gale backed down on his bite for softer remorse. "I know…what would've happened." His gut twitched when he remembered Luna's clinging and words of excuse. Luke was right. If I did that to her, she would've just forgiven me and blamed herself.

Luke's words came back to haunt him. "Because Igneel knew if you wanted her and took her, she'd forgive you like that. She's not…confident enough to say, 'you hurt me'. That's what terrifies me the most. That's what terrified Igneel the most."

Fear touched Gale. If that happened…

"Gale?" A wet-cheeked Luna looked up at him with punctures in her neck, blood brushing her skin, her eyes glossy, but a trying smile landed on her face. "I-I-It's okay, I promise. Please don't go. It was my fault. I made you do this. Please don't leave me." She reached for him with trembling fingers. "Please, I'm sorry!"

The scene made Gale's stomach knot. I don't want that to ever happen. I have to get better. But…

Julia sensed a change in her cousin. "Gale? What's wrong?"

"Nah, it's just…" Gale sucked on his bottom lip for a moment as he thought over his words. "Maybe…it'll be a good thing I'll be leaving."

"What, with Mister Kneekis?"

"Yeah." Rubies downcast. I want to make sure everything's straight. But if I left…maybe it wouldn't just help me. Maybe she'd see how shitty I am… And she wouldn't make excuses anymore. The past year felt like such a wreck. All his misguided rage aimed at her and her chasing after him to apologize. The Wild within made his stomach churn at the prospect of being rejected, but it sided on logic. His little moon did not deserve to think herself at fault for bad behavior.

Especially when he contributed to the opposite.

Julia bit back a comment. Gale… She sighed. "Look, I don't know exactly what's going on between you and Luna and all about your potential training with Mister Kneekis, but you're pulling your weight. If it gets too hard to keep being friends and being clean and getting your shit together, it's understandable. And if you get too hard around your little princess, there's a shower and I'll put on some death metal to drown out you moaning her name."

If looks could kill, Julia would be six feet under.

"Y'know what? Fuck family bonding. You're the worst cousin I could have," Gale growled.

Julia raised a finger. "Ah. But you see, who else would you turn to about getting presents for your princess and offers advice for free?"

A chibi-image of a devious Mary Jane making it rain came to Gale's mind. "You're evil."

"Rotten to the core and chillin' like a villain."

Gale squinted. "What?"

"Descendants?" Julia blew out a breath. "How do you not know that? Luna and Silver were, like, obsessed with that trilogy and practically learned all the dance moves together in the basement. They even did some, like, coronation photos together as Ben and Mal, the main couple." She shrugged. "They looked pretty good together."

TICK!

Inwardly, Gale burned thinking of Luna and Silver all dressed up as a couple with Luna doting on a haughty Silver. Why the Hell is it always him?

Julia glanced around her room. "But seriously, Gale, what are we looking at security-wise and senses-wise?"

Gale mocked. "Would've helped if you had Magic now, huh?"

Julia gave him two middle fingers.

"No need to be bitchy your powers are useless right now," Gale told her, smug. On a serious note, he reported, "A lot of high-end protective enchantments, honestly. Even our doors have some. The freaky nerd would've been better at figuring out where all the sigils are and dissecting the spells."

Julia's eyebrows came together. "Since when is Luke 'freaky'?"

"Since he got smashed after eleven sissy shots." Gale rubbed his nose at Julia's what-the-fuck face. "It's a long story."

"Did he get naked?"

"What—? No! What the fuck, Lady J!"

Julia shrugged. "Look, I get you have your preferences and he's nerdy, but he's a hot nerd. Why do you think he has a huge fanbase? His fans would literally die to see him up close and shirtless. Bonus if he's naked."

Gale thought of poor Kasane drooling over an oblivious Luke from her place above. I want to make a joke so bad, but I really, really shouldn't. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Well, lucky for me and unlucky to you, no, he didn't get naked."

He wanted to add darkly, He got close, though. He remembered restraining a drunk Luke who had gotten down to his boxer briefs (and the hooting and hollering crowd were chanting for his underwear to go) and he looked as free as a bird while Gale was struggling to get him off the table. Eight shots, he's sleepy, nine shots, he's a weepy mess, ten shots, I thought he died, but eleven shots, he's the life of the fucking party. Good to know.

He unbuttoned his shirt. "All right. How do you want to do this?"

"We've got some files to read over, courtesy of Noko," Julia told him. "We'll have plenty of time to explore, but we need to get familiar with the lay of the land and our enemies." She got out her actual PAL and meant to put it on her nightstand when she saw a little welcome card. Curious, she opened it and it read:

BE SAFE

LOVE,

YOUR RICH UNCLE AND HOT GIRL AUNTIE

Julia smiled. I see a lot of dealing with his girlfriend-bragging in my future.

"While we're at it, we need to get our stories straight." Gale tried on the wristwatch and made sure to get the fit right. "So you're some socialite who came here after begging your good ole uncle for an invite, but you're mainly interested in girl shit—"

"'Girl shit'?"

"But the stipulation was your guard—AKA me—had to come along as your date and as protection since you're a bit of a whore."

Julia threw back her head and laughed. "And you've been turning down my advances left and right since you, apparently, love guarding a whore. Except for that one time—"

"Don't make it weird."

Julia snickered. "Whatever. Yeah, that's our story. We still use we're from Fiore, we still use our correct ages, and I still have siblings. Half-truths are better than a lie and easier to remember and all that." She got on the bed and booted up her PAL. "And just so you know, I'm not a whore. Eiji's my little whore."

"Oh, ew, that's an overshare, Lady J, what the fuck?" Gale complained as he de-shed his button-down for his tight-fighting undershirt. "What happened to you both doing whatever the Hell you do and then you don't tell me anything?" He got off his shoes. "You want to order something now. I want to shower before we get heavy with casework."

"Sure," Julia chirped with a grin. "Try not to overdo it with your right hand."

"Ha! Jokes on you, it's my left hand this time."

"Guys rotate hands?"

"Do you?"

"No."

"How savage of you." Gale got up with his shoes and shirt in hand. "I won't take too long. I'll put the order in first, so what do you want?"

"Meat," Julia demanded. "Anything with red meat. And a lot of it."

Nodding and leaving the room, Gale muttered, "This is why you'll die first."

"I heard that," Julia claimed, dry. "Sorry we can't all be high-metabolism Dragons. Maybe remember who gets fucked and who is stuck with cute, innocent cuddles."

Flustered, Gale snapped, "Cuddling is fucking great too!" He mumbled, "She's all small and wrapped up in my scent and clingy and shit. It's nice." He growled when Julia laughed. "Oh, screw you. Cuddling is nice."

"Mmm, and which head thinks that?"

Gale left Julia with a middle finger and shut the doors.

Julia shook her head in amusement. He's so easy to rile up. It's nice he's satisfied with cuddling. Though with his temper… She sweatdropped as she imagined a comically frightened chibi-Rabbit Luna hiding behind shaking chibi-Puppy Silver while big bad wolf chibi-Gale had enough and succumbed to his instincts. Well… Let's just say I'm happy Silver's gotten creative in hiding Luna.

She checked the time on her Compact. Hm. I wonder if he got to Caelum alright. She thought about sending a text, but she dismissed it. I'm sure he did. He's done week-long missions before, but this will be a first for him to be with Ena alone this long. And since he and Gary share a brain cell…

"Mistress, Mistress, pay attention to me!" Puppy Silver clung to an agitated Ena's leg with a hopeful look (and in the background, Nashi blushingly soothed her content stupid dog who latched onto her mid-section). "I won't let you go until you accept me!" He nuzzled her legs with his tail wagging. "Please, Mistress! I really, really like you!"

Julia sent a silent prayer. To any deity out there, please let Silver's clinginess be a positive trait in Ena's eyes so he doesn't come home in a body bag. She found the files Noko had sent her containing a strung-together guest list and all their occupations and interests. Still, though… I know I'm here to figure out what Maxim sent me here for, but… Fatimah and Inayah…

Unable to help it, Julia brought up the photo of the royal family again. I don't know why I'm so fixated on them. Runaway royals isn't a new concept, but… If it's true Inayah has Fertility Magic, that makes her an invaluable resource. And possibly one that's been held here against her will, from how Noko framed the whole engagement. So the question is—she zoomed in on Inayah's face—what does the Emir have on her that forced her into this marriage?

---

Vinyl looked like she would bolt at any moment.

Thirteen looked like he would shoot someone at any moment.

Weren't they the perfect team?

The Sky Port had swelled with more people. Saturday evening in Shamballa was historically a good time. De-boarding from Sky Boats took a little more time with the precautions Shamballa set, given the week-long fundraisers and the final auction, but excitement vibrated in the air for a week of tech, drinks, and sex.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Shamballa International Sky Port

Shamballa City

Shamballa, Alakitasia

5:05 PM SST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Thirteen could not shake off his tension as he came into the Sky Port with his carry-on on his back and his duffel in one hand. Shamballa's security system is one of the strictest in the world outside of Immortal Yang's domain in Zhōnguá. With casual glances, he could spot 12 hidden surveillance. Facial recognition scanners… Voice scanners… Fingerprint scanners… They won't take any chances this week. Not with whatever big inventory they have.

His throat tightened. But the real threats are Pasbans. But we shouldn't be on their radar. He rolled his shoulders. For now, anyway.

"Thirteen?"

He glanced down to see Vinyl blinking up at him with those innocent blues. "Yeah?"

"You ready?" Vinyl checked. "I got a text from our driver. By the time we get to the pickup lane, they should have collected our belongings, so we'll head straight to the hotel." She looped her arm with his and teased, "Where we could—"

"Unpack our shit and get ready for tonight," Thirteen cut off. He dropped his arm to lose her and started his stride.

Vinyl pouted, keeping up with his tempo. "And don't be such a Grinch. We're in Shamballa! And I brought a very special swimsuit I've been dying to show you."

"What a shame."

Vinyl frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Well, it looks like you'll die since I'll never see it."

"Hey!" Vinyl puffed a cheek and muttered, "I thought guys went crazy seeing a hot girl in a swimsuit, but you're the complete opposite."

"Anyone goes crazy over an attractive person in a nice swimsuit, kid," Thirteen deadpanned.

Vinyl perked. "So you want to see mine?"

"No." Thirteen sighed when Vinyl pouted. This kid… He turned away as he remembered last summer. I don't think I could survive another one of her swimsuits.

• — • — • — •

"Hey, Thirteen!"

Most times, Thirteen was fine with taking care of the flora around the guild since it gave him purpose (and beat listening to Coeus' monotone lovesick spiels about his therapist). But he nearly broke his hose in dead shock when Vinyl presented a black and white wrap cutout bikini that showed her belly button piercing and generous assets.

"So?" Vinyl struck a pose with her best come-hither grin. "How do I look? Sexy, right? Is this doing anything for you?"

ZAAAAA!

Honestly, it was a slip of the finger when he sprayed her with his hose.

"H-Hey!" Vinyl spluttered.

Thirteen turned off the nozzle, his heart racing. "Shit, kid, I…" His mouth dried.

"Great. Now, I'm all wet." It had to be some sort of sin with how Vinyl looked with drops fluttering from her lashes and curving her skin as she batted those blues at Thirteen. "Oh, well." Her smile broadened, Cheshire-like. "I don't mind getting soaked if it's by you."

• — • — • — •

An agitated blush tinged Thirteen's neck. How much bolder can she be? She might be even more dangerous than Vicious on a bad day.

The reminder of Deathhawk's leader sobered his thoughts. I just need to hope she doesn't get the pin tonight. If she doesn't, then this is nothing more than an escort-guard job. But if she does…

His jaw tightened. Then maybe it's worth looking more into her family to find out why the Hell they're involved with what's going on underground.

°•°•°•°

"Wow…!"

Vinyl took in the suite with bright eyes and a wide smile. "My great aunt really set us up!" She dreamily sighed, clasping her hands. "It's been so long since I've gotten to have a hotel room like this! Fairy Tail and teaching might help me rake in some jewel, but with my salary, I couldn't afford a luxury room like this!"

Thirteen was not as receptive as his eyes darted around. I'm sure they bugged the room. We always did a routine sweep. But I can't tell her that. I need to debug this place before she gets comfortable.

He called, "Viñella, why don't you check out the bedroom?"

Vinyl froze. Wait. Could he mean…?

Erotic images came to mind, uncensored and steamy, that could make even sexual deviant blush. She covered her nose before it could bleed. Me and Thirteen, finally in a bedroom together! My wax still looks good. Oh, dammit, I should've worn a thong! Maybe if I go down on him first, I can take off my granny panties before he notices. Oh my gods, it's happening! Finally! What if we do it more than once? He looks like he has a lot of stamina. Maybe three times? Four?

Against Vinyl's erotic, flowery aura, Thirteen remained unfazed. I don't even have to ask to know what she's thinking about.

Vinyl gave Thirteen a confident smile. "Would you mind waiting out here then while I freshen up? I won't take too long." Before Thirteen could respond, Vinyl bolted to her bedroom and quickly shut the door behind her.

Thirteen sweatdropped. Should I be scared? He shook his head. I need to focus on debugging this place.

It was easier to find MSL (Miniature Surveillance Lacrima) when your job relied on you finding them in under five minutes. It did not take Thirteen too long for him to find and dismantle every device and gather the evidence on the kitchenette counter. This was child's play. This family must not be too high up. For me, it was easy to pick out all these little fuckers. Had it been Vicious' room… He clenched his jaw. Not right now.

The kitchenette came with trash bags, both small and big, and Thirteen grabbed a small one to scoop the devices in. It looks like all of these were only video. That's good. Viñella is basically a non-threat. I'd been worried if it was audio and video and motion sensors. She's the easiest mark I've had. But still, I have to check one last room.

He looked to his right at the shut dual doors and grimaced. The bedroom.

Quietly, he approached the bedroom. "Kid," he called, hesitant. "You, uh…all right in there?"

"Perfect!" Vinyl purred. "You can come in if you want."

Thirteen wanted to mutter, Can you promise you'll have clothes on? Against his better judgment, he grabbed one of the knobs and opened the door—

"So…" Vinyl curled on the bed with her hair loose and the black lingerie complimenting her eyes. "How do you want to start this, sir?"

Thirteen's entire face went dark. Say what?

Vinyl trailed a finger down her side and fingered the strap to her panties. "I promise I'll be a good girl and behave, sir," she spoke in a breathless vow. "I'll even—Ah!" She struggled when she found herself trapped under her comforter. "Hey! Thirteen!" She added, flirty, "Oh, is this a foreplay game, sir? I'll gladly play!"

Ignoring the red on his neck, Thirteen looked ready to play Giltenan roulette with his gun. She's going to be the death of me. He glanced around and ignored whatever flirty quips Vinyl said, all muffled thanks to the comforter. I'm hopeful there are no bugs in here.

Quickly, Thirteen searched high and low and even dipped into the bathroom, but to his relief, nothing came up. She really is a low-leveled threat. Good. Then she probably won't get a pin. He stopped. Still…

"Should I get naked for you, sir?" Vinyl offered. "Or do you prefer to take my clothes off for me?"

Red-earred, Thirteen held his face in his hands. What the Hell is my life right now? I'm too old for this. He stomped over to the cluster of covers and pulled them back—

"Oh, sir!" Vinyl sat on her knees with her hair mused and a bright gleam in those aquamarines. "Is it time to play?" She leaned forward with her cleavage on display. "I promise to follow your rules, sir."

Thirteen gritted his teeth and looked at the ceiling. I'm going to Hell. With a large breath, he looked down at her and grunted, "You should put your clothes on, kid. I told you. Nothing's happening on this trip. I'm old enough to be your dad and you're just a little girl. You should be more careful being so bold like this."

"Why?" Vinyl feigned innocence, batting her lashes. "Is this not good enough for you, sir?" She placed a hand on his chest. "I can take it all off right now and we can skip to the good part."

Lightning struck around Thirteen. You shouldn't be wearing that in the first place! He glanced down at Vinyl and a bit of red hit his neck as he took in her sensual lingerie and that teasing glint in her eyes. How does she leave herself so defenseless? His lips parted. "You…really should be more careful around men."

Vinyl blinked when Thirteen cradled her wrist. "What do you…? Oh!" It startled her that she was flat on her back with Thirteen hovered over and her wrists bound. All that earlier confidence traded for a bundle of nerves seeing the look in his eyes. He's…so close…

"Looking like that around less civil men will get you in trouble, Viñella," Thirteen warned her. "Especially if they found out you're a virgin."

Vinyl's eyes widened. "But I never told—!" She turned away when she caught Thirteen's knowing and mumbled, "So what if I am? I don't need a lecture about how first times need to be special and with someone you love."

"Who the fuck said that?"

Vinyl looked back at him, perplexed. "But you said…"

"The people you should be hanging around shouldn't care if you're a virgin, kid," Thirteen gruffly told her. "You're around the wrong crowd if you're getting lectures like that. I'm just saying you should be careful." His jaw tightened. "Sick bastards out there collect virgins like they're some sort of prize, especially pretty ones like you looking like this. Be more on your guard. I'm serious."

Murky oranges glinted. I don't even want to imagine what would happen to her in a place like the Citadel. Not again.

It dawned on Vinyl as she looked at Thirteen. He's…actually worried about me? Aquamarines softened. How…nice.

"Thirteen?"

He focused back on Vinyl.

"Thanks for worrying about me, but I honestly have no intentions of dressing like this other than for you," Vinyl sighed. "And honestly, I was hoping once you saw me like this, you'd quit acting civil and ravage me like a beast."

Thirteen's face went dark. Why do I even try?

"Still, though… I know you said this because you care, so…thanks…" Vinyl's blues shied away as pink touched her cheeks. "For caring about me."

Thirteen glanced away, ears red, and he groused, "This is just me warning you, kid, don't think too much of it."

"Ah, right…" Vinyl looked up at him, amused. "You can let me go now. I promise I won't jump you." Internally, Chibi-Vinyl crossed her fingers. For now.

"Ah." Thirteen realized their position and instantly backed off, coughing. "Right. Sorry." He rubbed his neck. Dammit. This is going to be a long week if crap like this keeps happening.

Vinyl slowly sat up. "And, um… About my virgin status… Just because I'm a virgin doesn't mean I haven't done other things with my body."

"I don't need to know," Thirteen shut down. "Look, since we got here late, we don't have a lot of time until we're collected for cocktail hour. You should go change into something. I'm going to order a drink."

"Oh, order me one too!" Vinyl requested. "I feel like I'm going to need some liquid courage for tonight, especially if I see my family's old business partners. That reminds me. We need to work out a cover story, and I have the perfect one." She slid off the bed. "How about…a taboo romance? I'm the rebellious, spoiled heiress who stole an invite and you"—she stroked his arm—"are my delicious date who couldn't help but be charmed by me"—her fingers slid to his chest—"and you get so possessive of me when you notice every man eyeing me—"

"Or." Thirteen snatched her hand with a dark scowl. "I could pretend to be your relative so there is no way in Hell you touch me or else its fucking incest."

Vinyl looked horrified. "N-No! C'mon, Thirteen, I was just joking!"

"We don't have time for jokes!" Thirteen barked. "Get in the bathroom and go change or else the story is I'm your older cousin, got it!"

"Sir, yes sir!" And Vinyl bolted for the bathroom.

Thirteen left the bedroom, shutting the door, before hard-swallowing. This brat… I have to focus on making sure she's safe, but… Am I going to have to deal with this every night? He scrubbed his face and grimaced when his eyes dropped to the slight bulge in his pants. Fuck me.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

And later…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Cocktail hour felt synonymous with snack time plus an open bar and better than happy hour.

The grand venue hall filled with people tastefully dressed in designer numbers personally made for the event. Paparazzi were not allowed on the premises and any journalists trying to sneak in were met with men in suits and a possible lawsuit. But that did not mean guests could not try to make others jealous with their one-of-a-kind designs and all the words they did not say being more dangerous than the words they did say. Even entering the venue hall was a massive event that sparked envy and intrigue. Scanned invitations, thumbprint scans, and a walk through MagiDetectors for any weapons.

Servers strolled around with fresh flutes and passable hors d'oeuvres that looked fancier than anything you would see at a wedding. Music played came from popular Alakitasian and Andüsan artists, subtle enough to make your mood feel up-to-par with the rest of the guests. The bartenders had to be fluent in several languages and vetted to make the cut for tonight, but such strict regulations not only made such celebrated guests comfy but it meant bartenders got heftier tips for their services.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Great Reception Hall, Burj Al'umi Hotel

Shamballa City

Shamballa, Alakitasia

6:17 PM SST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Julia looked the part of a high-strung socialite with her hair crimped and up in a braided bun (and Gale most definitely earned his keep styling it for her) and the number Ena commissioned was a starlight blue with a tempting slit and a thready back that had a few guests her age eye her in interest, even if the color made her now-orange eyes pop. She glanced around as she drank from her flute. A flirty smile there. A once over here. But no one was wiser about what she saw.

Screens and data streamed across Julia's stare as the facial recognition software kicked in and matched guests to profiles. She murmured into her glass, "He really knows how to impress me."

"Aw, having a crush on your tech boy?"

Julia snorted. "Don't be a dick."

"That's my MO, miss." Gale looked dapper in his bespoke black suit with his black-red jacquard suit jacket. His hair had been tamed to look untamed but in a professional way. And his black gloves did not look out of place in the slightest. Though what was different was his blue eyes over his natural red. When a server passed by, he offloaded his empty appetizer plate and nursed his cocktail. Sniffing it, he wrinkled his nose. "Ew. Coconut."

Julia flashed him a frown. "I thought you liked coconut?"

"Yeah, for my hair or for Blondie's hair, not in my drink." Even so, Gale took a dainty sip as he looked around. "And?"

"Highest grade meat," Julia reported. Her lenses enhanced to catch the young boy in his tailored sherwani suit from the photos Zelda had shown her. He looked annoyed as the angelic girl from the photos tried to speak to him. The tech ID matched them both. Hmm. So this kid is the eighth prince of a sovereign nation. And that girl is a beloved Enchanter from the US and is a sworn-in sister. What's their connection? Marriage of religion and politics?

Gale came in close and made it look like they were sharing an intimate conversation. "Looks like the rich-bitch kids are planning to have a little party of their own. Son of some rapper here is hosting. His friend clocked you as a potential candidate for a good time."

"Oh, talk dirty to me more, Daddy," Julia muttered. Her eyes narrowed at Gale's flush. "No… No way you have a—"

"I don't, dammit," Gale growled, though his cheeks felt hot. He averted his gaze and mumbled, "Well, maybe in Sinnish…"

Julia snorted and could not hide her disbelieving grin. "So did your princess—?"

"No! Maybe? Yes, fuck, she did, but she didn't mean it like that."

"Uh-huh. You dirty bitch. She doesn't even have daddy issues."

Gale glared at her. "Your boy doesn't have mommy issues."

Point taken. "Okay, but to be fair, he calls me 'my lady'," Julia said in her defense. "You want you pure, innocent little princess to moan—"

"We're not talking about it," Gale gritted, "unless you want rich assholes to objectify you."

Julia sighed. "Fine." She let Gale guide her away and murmured, "On a serious note, what's the guest list look like?"

"To the rich-bitch party?" Gale tilted his head and listened. "Uh, my Ustani is still a little rusty even after my crash course, but… It seems like the people they're thinking of wouldn't be anyone actually important. They're just the kids of the important people."

"Those kids could know their parents' secrets," Julia brought up as they made it to a food station.

Gale started plating some of the available bites on behalf of both of them. "Mmm, potentially, but they plan to do E, bongs, and you know rich bitches have the nice coke." He finished plating their bites and guided them away from the station. "And anyone on coke is a pain in the ass. I doubt we'd get much out of them while they're high in molly unless you seduced one of them, cornered them, and hoped to fuck they were a loose-lips fader."

Julia tsked. "Let's see how the night goes." She glanced at the stage. "Something tells me tonight will be big."

The music transitioned for a Majhabi remix. Now that all the guests had arrived, acquaintances greeted each other. New money had it harder to fit into social niches without latching onto old money for support. The eighth prince deftly ignored the Holy Eye girl pestering him with her bright smile. Queen B had made her arrival with her husband, but they had declined to bring their children for the opening night. A famous football player came with his lanky boyfriend, who looked more excited for intellectual conversation with a peace prize recipient than his boyfriend talking shop with two MagiCross players.

Gale finished his drink and set it on a server's tray. "If I leave you alone to get something heavy, will you behave?"

Julia offered a shark grin. "What counts as misbehavior?"

"Smartass." Gale made a show of dipping his head towards her ear. "Those damn rich-bitch vultures are waiting for me to leave. You better figure out if you're going to accept or reject their offer. They sound like grade-A douchebags in Minstrish."

"And what about you?" Julia asked him. "Notice any eyes on you?"

Gale grinned. "Who the Hell do you think I am?" He faintly nodded towards a woman who flashed interested eyes at him through her fake, thick lashes. "I've got my pick of grown cougars ready to sink their claws into me." He tapped his ear. "You don't want to hear what I hear."

"Damn right I don't," Julia muttered. "Try not to get your ass grabbed."

Gale hmphed and grunted, "I have a princess back home. You better fucking believe I'm making sure nothing rubs against me if I want to make sure I get let onto the property let alone her bed."

He glanced back to catch the three young men in their tailored suits and smirks waiting for an opportunity to strike. Jesus. So fucking predictable. He moved away. At least I know Lady J can hold her own. If it were Blondie…

He could imagine a flustered Luna with men around her and her flailing to figure out how to respond. The thought made Gale homicidal. I don't even want to think about it. Red and Silver better make sure no one even thinks about touching her.

("Achoo!" Akamu rubbed his nose with his vape pen in one hand as he overlooked a street from a balcony.)

At first, Gale thought he did a good job of deftly avoiding a wandering hand from touching his back and maneuvering around groups of people, but a surprise server made him fumble and he ended up saving himself from hitting a tray by bumping into a guest. Gruffly, he apologized, "Excuse me. I'm so sorry about that."

The man turned to him with a pleasant smile, an immaculate suit, and angelic hair, but he waved his hands as though to pardon him.

Gale blinked as he realized what was happening. Carefully, he signed, Are you deaf or hard of hearing?

Surprised, the man signed back, No, I can hear you. But I'm mute. Fascinated, he continued: You sign?

Gale nodded and signed back, Yes, I do. Not very well, though. I'm sorry to bump into you.

The man shook his head. Don't worry about it. Please have a good night. With an awkward wave, he turned and walked away.

Gale glanced back before he went to the bar. Huh. At least he can hear. Once a bartender turned to him, he placed an order for a whiskey, but something odd occurred to him. Okay, that's weird…. I saw him not even five seconds ago. He touched his temple, frowning. But why…can't I remember what his face looked like?

°•°•°•°

"It'll be totally dope, for real."

"Oh." Julia tried to hide her sneer behind her ditzy tone. "Sounds great." She saved herself from more conversation with a big gulp of her drink while the three young men bragged about how their wealthy would rake in quality drugs and liquor for an irresponsible night of wickedness. Ugh, jerk-offs. And ID'ed them and their parents are so-so on the list.

She focused her stare on the dark-skinned young man with studs and a box cut with a designed fade. He's the only one worth mentioning. His parents are politicians in Vanad, Andüsa.

She tried not to make her staring too obvious. Noko didn't tell me which region Inayah came from, but he did say her father was a politician. Still, though, asking him would be a waste of time when I don't know the country.

She sighed. I know Noko isn't directly my support, but it makes me curious who bought information from him for exclusive rights to Inayah. Sure, potential Fertility Magic is something worthwhile, but Noko wouldn't sell information unless it's for a good cause. So what's the cause?

One of the boys noticed something approaching and gaped. "H-Holy shit… You're…!"

"Yup." A grin. "I'm me."

Curious, Julia turned around—

Oh my god, they're hot.

To be fair, it seemed people in the vicinity agreed with the sentiment, and you could not blame them. The couple looked striking and complementary in the best of ways, dangerous knockouts and even more dangerously smitten with each other. Her shimmering silver backless halter with her slit accentuated her features and her dark skin looked beautiful in the gold lighting of the venue. But what made her even more alluring was her voluminous red-orange hair that curled over one side of her face and let others see her heather gray eye shadowed in silver.

Her partner looked every bit as magnificent, even with his boyish grin. With her heels, they stood at the same height tonight, and that said a lot about them since her heels were generous already and he was tall. He went with a gray bespoke suit to match her and the gold tint to his squared aviators did little to hide his unique liquid gold eyes. Even for as much money as he poured into his outfit, his hair looked unprofessionally mused.

So, yes, they were hot.

Julia blinked and frowned a little when her lenses did not automatically do facial recognition. What's going on?

The man noticed Julia and his grin broadened. "It's nice to meet you. I'm—"

"Fusajiro," one of the young men breathed, looking like he had seen a god among men. "Y-You're the founder of Wintengo and co-founder of Molecule!"

Fusajiro chuckled. "Yeah. That. But…" He nosed his partner's cheek. "Being her boyfriend is my first title and the only one that matters to me."

Julia wilted while all three young men fanboyed (and the woman looked shy and smitten). Oh god, he's a simp. She tried again to activate the facial recognition by two quick blinks. The scanners framed both the man and woman until—

NO MATCH

Julia's eyebrows came together. What? Are they anomalies like the Cerberus Hunter and that Assistant? But…why them? They look like an ordinary rich couple.

"Are you okay?"

Julia realized the woman had spoken with such a soft and kind voice. "Yes," she quickly chirped. "I'm fine. Sorry, my bodyguard is taking a while and I was wondering where he was."

The woman simpered. "I'm sure he'll be along soon. It's bad form to leave his employer unattended for much longer." She gave a rueful smile and whispered loudly, "That's why Jiro won't leave me alone."

Fusajiro pouted. "But if I leave you alone, people are going to drool all over my woman. That's unacceptable, Key." He nuzzled the side of her face and whined, "I'm the only one who gets to drool over you. These peasants don't deserve to breathe in my goddess' direction."

Julia mentally checked out (the fanboys were ever-present and hanging onto their idol's every word while Key flushed) and the lovey hearts coming off the couple plinked off her. It's like Gary is right in front of me. She could die a happy woman if she never heard Gary's cringy coos towards Nashi ever again. This feels like déjà vu in the worst way possible.

Key admonished with a smile, "Don't be such a kid, Jiro. You promised to be on your best behavior tonight if I promised we'd play Maria Kart when we got back to our room."

Fusajiro did not look convinced. "You promised more than that."

Key sighed. "We play Maria Kart in onesies and order junk food and I'd wear my hair in twin tails." She giggled when he smooched her cheek.

All three boys stared at Key. Twin tails? They could imagine how gorgeous she would look with her orange-red hair parted into twin tails like a naughty schoolgirl—

"Hey."

And all three cowered when an icy Fusajiro loomed over them. "Stop fantasizing about my woman, incels. It's my turn to fantasize about her alone. So get – lost."

Key sighed again when all three boys scampered away, not at all as arrogant as before. "Jiro, you promised."

Fusajiro pouted again and complained, "I really am trying!" He childishly mumbled, "But they were totally fantasizing about my woman and they are incels. You deserve to be worshipped by any person who is at least a nine or higher."

Key smiled and stroked his bicep. "Silly. You can't stop people from fantasizing over me." Her smile widened with how childishly grumpy her boyfriend looked. "I'll let you go back to monitoring for forums that talk about me if you stop pouting."

Fusajiro beamed. "Deal." He brought up her hand to kiss it. "I wuv you."

Julia felt like she was in another dimension. How the Hell is this man-child some mega-rich lacrima game company founder?

"You're probably wondering how this big baby founded Wintengo, aren't you?"

Julia looked startled by Key's question. She's a mind reader?!

Key chuckled. "I'm not a mind reader." Though that answer made Julia more suspicious. "But I promise you he really did find Wintengo and Molecule. He's just a big kid himself. That's why lacrimagames make sense to him. He's even behind A Zhōnguánese Ghost Story."

"Hey, hey, hey, that wasn't all me," Fusajiro wanted to make clear.

Key's visible eye rolled before she winked at Julia. "That's right. His very attractive friend pitched the idea to him and designed most of it."

Fusajiro looked comically devastated. "I knew it! I knew you thought he was hot! You lied to me, Key!" He dramatically gasped. "You are a lying liar who sits on a throne of lies! What's a relationship without trust?"

Key looked amused by his theatrics and sweetly told him, "He's a nine. You're an eleven—my eleven."

"Aw…!" Fusajiro was back to being a lovestruck fool. "Can you tell me that again? And then later so I can record it and make it your new ringtone?"

Key playfully shook her head and told Julia, "He's a handful, this one, so you'll have to excuse him. He virtually has no manners."

"I'm sorry, but how did you two meet?" Julia had to ask. "I mean you're gorgeous and he's…"

Fusajiro pointed an accusing at Julia. "How dare you just say 'gorgeous'?" He tightened his hold around Key's waist. "Look at her! She's like a dream! She's a goddess among you mere mortals!"

He's insane, Julia decided on as Fusajiro went on some melodramatic tangent about Key's beauty. He is definitely insane.

"Believe it or not, we're childhood friends," Key explained, patting Fusajiro's chest. "I beat him at a lacrimagame and the rest is history. I know he doesn't act like it even when he's supposed to be on his best behavior, but he's incredibly smart."

"You're smarter," Fusajiro insisted. Against Key's playful eye-roll, he boasted, "Check this out. Key, here, was enlisted into The Society when she was five and beat the highest exams when she was sixteen."

Julia's eyebrows shot up. "That's phenomenal!" she praised.

"And he was admitted when he was two and tested out when he was six," Key told Julia and reminded her boyfriend. "He's a prodigy."

Fusajiro snickered and lifted his chin with pride. "I like 'genius' better, thank you. Mister Genius. Or maybe Sir Genius? Like a superhero with latex and a cape. Wait, no capes! I don't want some villain to hang me by my cape. But it'd be so cool to have a cape, though. Oh, but definitely I want one of those sexy masks that make me all mysterious."

Julia felt a headache coming on listening to how Fusajiro would be a badass superhero with gadgets and gismo aplenty. Well, he's certainly not humble. I guess what Dash said about ADHD was true. Her stare softened seeing Key match her hyperactive partner with patient smiles and loving eyes. Still… Key seems to love that about him. It's good to see that.

She snuck another sip. 'Mister Genius', huh? I should tell Genius someone is trying to comp his nickname. He might actually leave his house if that happens.

"Oh!" Key stopped Fusajiro's excited rambling (in his tangent, he had decided Key would be his crime-fighting partner) to gift Julia a blinding apologetic smile. "We're so sorry. Jiro tends to lay into it when he's in a mood. I hope we didn't interrupt your plans with those boys." Her showing eye dipped down. "You looked uncomfortable. I'd always wished someone would intervene for my sake. But if we read it wrong—"

"No, no, you're fine!" Julia hurried to assuage. "Thanks for getting me out of a bind."

"Mm." Key's smile came across weak. "I'm glad we could help."

All of Fusajiro's boyish antics dropped for somber worry. He murmured something unintelligible to Key, but she shook her head and gave him a long look that ended in her closing her eyes when he kissed the bridge of her nose.

Julia frowned. What was that about? She double-blinked, but the NO MATCH popped up again. Seriously? I'll need to ask Noko. She observed the couple. Why would people like them be unrecognizable?

"Miss?"

Julia welcomed Gale back as he brought along a strong drink for her and him. "You're back."

Fusajiro cocked his head. "Ah, the bodyguard."

Gale nodded and offloaded Julia's drink to her while he took her empty glass and made sure a server tray got it. "Yes. And a reluctant date thanks to miss's uncle."

"Ah." Fusajiro smiled. "I'm sure he had good intentions."

Julia heavily sighed. "You don't know my…uncle." She internally cringed. Urgh, Noko, I'm going to kill you. Thank gods you didn't choose 'father'. "He trusts me to be independent, but when the moment of truth comes…" She gestured to Gale. "I get stuck with a guard who won't even let me do what I want."

"My apologies, miss, but your uncle told me to take care of you," Gale answered, unaffected. "You're free to do as you please as long as I'm with you."

Julia made a show of scowling at him. "So basically this all gets reported back to him."

Gale made no comment.

Fusajiro chuckled, liquid-golds twinkling. "Well. I'm sure your uncle is protective of you for good reason. It's always better to come to functions like this with someone else." He rubbed Key's waist and smiled down at her. "It makes all the boring elbow-rubbing and handshaking much more bearable. I was about to lose my marbles at the prospect of coming here alone and actually being an adult."

"You mean doing your job?" Julia had not realized her snarky comment slipped until it was too late.

But Fusajiro took it in stride as he belly-laughed. "Yeah!" He wiped an imaginary tear of mirth away. "That. Being a responsible adult is the worst. And while my assistant is great, he's not very fun at parties. He's basically my glorified babysitter." He nuzzled Key. "So when my honey-baby came with me, I was so happy I didn't have to actually be an adult this trip and I could spend all my time being her cute manservant and worshipping the ground she walks on."

Both Gale and Julia had dark auras against Fusajiro's lovesick one. How old is the guy anyway?

Key told them both, "It's difficult with both our livelihoods to get away from it all." Her smile dimmed. "To be honest, it would've been another few months until we could see each other again. So it's nice we have this week, even if it'll feel like a day went by. Because being with someone you love…" She looked up at Fusajiro. "It feels like there's not enough time in the world. As much as we love maybe getting maybe a night with each other, it's heartbreaking because as much as we want to cherish those quick thrills…they feel so cheap and not enough."

That hit Gale in the gut as he remembered this morning and how badly he yearned to stay cuddled up to Luna. Yeah… I get that.

"And that's why I'm spending the entire week worshipping my gorgeous honey!" Fusajiro looked like a fat and happy tomcat as he embraced his girlfriend. "Isn't that right, baby doll? I'll be your hot stud butler and you can step on me with those heels you brought! And we'll stay up late playing lacrimagames and eat a fuck ton of ice cream and listen to Shakira because she's Shakira! And I'll get to braid your hair and we'll watch all your favorite movies too!" He squeezed her. "It's like a dream come true, being your loyal manservant!"

Key simpered, patting his cheek. "Right, Jiro."

At this point, both Gale and Julia could think of Gary's cheesy tactics in wooing Nashi (though, unlike Key, Nashi looked torn between embarrassment and annoyance and the urge to bolt when Gary serenaded soliloquies about his desire). Is it bad we actually prefer Gary to this?

Gale's eye twitched. Is this…what girls want now? Is this what Blondie wants?

"Oh, Gale…!" In some twist of fate, a red-faced Gale was on his knees with a bow-tie collar and cuffs and a heel pressed against his chest. Luna looked down at him, much more wicked than her normal saintess aura. "Be a good little slave and kiss my feet. If you do that"—she teased the hem of her skirt—"you get a reward, Papi."

Julia had a horrifying thought. Oh my gods. Is this what Silver is going to grow up in too?

"Mistress, please, don't run away again!" Poor Luna had to hold a deranged Silver back from a murderous Ena as he held up a heel. "Mistress, please, step on me! I promise I'll like it! Do it!" Steam puffed from his nose with his eyes swirling and crazed. "I can take it, Mistress! Let me serve you, please! It's the only way I'll be happy! Step on me! Step on me!"

Key blinked when she saw a checked-out Gale and a sheet-white Julia, both who lost their souls. She laughed to herself. Something tells me they're thinking something strange. Heather gray glinted. I had such little time before. But now… I can see why he's fond of them. A flicker of a memory crossed her face. He's really…lucky to have them.

"Key?"

She fluttered her eyes shut when he pressed his forehead to her temple. "Yes?"

"Fly back to me, honey," Fusajiro murmured. "Is your back hurting?"

"Mm-mm." Key opened her eyes to look at him. "I'm fine. There's no need to worry, I promise." She smiled when he worriedly pouted. My silly Jiro… You've always been like this, worrying about me. She caved, "All right. I guess I could use a small—"

"You'll have to excuse us," Fusajiro declared to Gale and Julia (and they jolted out of their spiraling while Key looked tiredly amused at how dead-serious her boyfriend looked). "Key's been around enough of these mortals that it's making her sick. But enjoy the rest of your evening." He purposefully glanced at the stage and liquid-golds glinted. "The main event is still far from being revealed. What a night this will be."

Gale slightly narrowed his eyes. Something about his voice when he said that… He took a quick sniff only to frown. No scent from either of them? But that's…not possible. Blues widened. Unless—

"Come on, my precious honey," Fusajiro cooed with a lovey aura around him. "Let's get you sitting down so I can massage your feet!"

Key sighed. "Please stop talking so loudly about your foot fetish."

"It's not a fetish if it's just your feet," Fusajiro argued as he guided her away. "It's not my fault the gods sculpted you into pure perfection!"

Key responded, withering, "Yes, Jiro, how silly of me to forget that."

"It's okay, honey-bear, that's why I'm here."

Gale and Julia blinked.

Julia latched onto Gale's arm. "If I ever get like that, shoot me. Don't hesitate. Just end my life." She tried to keep track of the couple, but it was hard to when the camera in her lenses refused to pick up their signatures. Not even heat signatures? She quietly huffed. "Something about those two… Something isn't right."

Gale lifted his glass and sardonically remarked, "You mean outside of her being a giga-chad to his hot girlfriend? I think he even beat my dad and your mom for the worst PDA ever." His joshing faded for sobriety and he murmured, "What is it?"

"They're anomalies," Julia told him. She tapped close to her eye to make it seem like she was flicking away a stray lash. "Nothing."

Gale ruminated over that. Lady J couldn't pick up their identities in her retinal scanners? Does that mean they were deep-fake Lacroids or Transformation Wizards? No. The scanner would've detected that. When we walked in, security was so airtight that anyone posing as someone else wouldn't have a prayer's chance of pulling it off. Not only that, but I could hear their heartbeats and the change in tempo. But neither one of them had a scent or at least…not a natural scent.

Blues darkened. Who the Hell were those two? I didn't feel anything malicious. In fact, they seemed more genuine than anyone else in this room. So why not have an ID match or neutralize their scents? Are they prey for another predator? And on that note… He touched his temple. Why…can't I remember that man's face?

---

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Fairy Adventure

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

---

The hands moved to sign: 'Understand I won't tolerate anything less. Any bird who can't fly doesn't deserve to be in this nest. They'll be put on my table to be slaughtered and eaten like the incompetent animal they are.'

The light felt too bright yet this was the same light the aviary always had. The actual birds kept to their perches, silent and eyes watching for a sign of weakness. But even if they were watching for weakness, none of them would last long if they did not guard themselves from the omnipotent black hawk with the galaxy as its eyes.

The hands moved again. 'You have your mark. Watch them. Shadow them. And I will be watching you. You can't afford to fly away if I clip your wings. So get it right.' Sweet lips parted. "Or you can spend the night in one of the Rooms."

• — • — • — •

"Thirteen?"

Murky oranges blinked away the glossiness. What was I…?

"Thirteen? Everything okay?"

Thirteen quickly grappled with where he was. The venue hall alit with conversation and food and drink became familiar to him. Old habits die hard as he scanned the perimeter quickly. "Yeah, kid. I'm fine." Shit. I should've brought Georgette.

"Well… If you say so…"

Thirteen glanced down at Vinyl, who had her arm wrapped around his. She looked like the pinnacle of wealth with her deep blue evening gown and her hair primped and prepped into a formal updo that left a few locks framing her face, not to mention her choice of teardrop earrings to match her eyes. I can't let anything happen to her. Murky oranges weathered. I won't.

Vinyl blinked up at him and took in his ensemble. His black suit and black-blue lapel vest complimented her and made his orange eyes stand out. It was strange seeing his mess of hair slicked back, but it made him look like a tamed rogue. He…really is handsome. She had to comment aloud. "You look really sexy in your suit."

Thirteen sighed. "It was a gift from Master's daughter from the Snowball. I didn't plan on attending and don't have formal attire." He sweated as he remembered being alarmed when Ena burst into his meeting with Erza, armed with her measuring tape, swatches of fabric, and her sword as a threat to make sure he stayed. She really does take after Master with that scary presence.

Murky oranges softened. But… I know Master is proud of her. He remembered seeing Erza's fond smiling while Ena measured him and barked for him not to move. Is that what would've happened to me? Would I have been able to feel like that if she…? His heart ached. No. I shouldn't think of it now.

"Oh, Thirteen?"

He stiffened when Vinyl embraced his arm. "This is the part where you pay me a compliment, Thirteen, remember?" She cooed, "'Oh, Viñella, you look like a painting that I want to treasure for the rest of my days'! Like that!"

Thirteen's brow scrunched. "Who would ever say that?"

Vinyl pouted. "Well, no need to rain on my parade, spoilsport. You could at least tell me I look pretty."

"You look pretty."

Vinyl puffed a cheek at how flat Thirteen's praise came about. "Well when you say it like that, it sounds like you don't even care!" She looked away in a huff. I spent all this time getting dressed up for him and he couldn't even tell me a single nice thing about me. Hmph! Well, I'll show him! A fire was in her eyes. I brought tons of dresses that will for sure get him to ogle at me!

Thirteen sweatdropped seeing the flames of determination around Vinyl. She's so obvious. Damn kid wears her heart on her sleeve. That's dangerous. She wouldn't survive—

He stopped himself. Now's…not that time to be thinking that.

He glanced back over at her and took the time to take in her features. Well… I can't argue that she's not pretty. She's… A bit of pink hit his nape.

"You…look beautiful, Viñella."

Surprised, Vinyl looked up at Thirteen with blues wide while he kept his gaze averted. Did he just…? Her lips twitched.

Thirteen was accosted when Vinyl nuzzled into his arm. "What the—!"

"Oh, Thirteen, I knew you'd think so!" Vinyl cheered. "I'm gorgeous, aren't I? Quite the catch! I'd be an excellent trophy wife for you, don't you think? It's not every day a knockout like me is on your arm! You should snap me up before it's too late, right?"

A dark look shadowed Thirteen's eyes. Ugh. I should've kept my mouth shut. He stole a cocktail coming by and took a healthy sip while scanning the crowd. Luckily, I was rarely topside and, when I was, I wore a different face than this. If I know Vicious, he's here. The Cerberus Hunter should be here too, but he might be underground. Rumor mill says he's destabilized without being able to rape his poor daughter, the sick fuck. That means the Black Dog Hunter is probably here.

He glanced down to see a flighty Vinyl. "See anyone you know?"

"Maybe?" Vinyl turned into him. "I'm hopeful no one recognizes me, to be honest." Aquamarines flashed down. And I'm also hopeful my grandfather didn't give my parents his invitation. I…don't want to see them again. But I knew the risk coming here for Great Aunt Cadenza. I just need to keep my head down, get the item, and go home.

"Hey."

Vinyl blinked when Thirteen cupped her cheek and leaned close. Internally, Chibi-Vinyl was panting like a madwoman. Yes, yes, yes, finally! He's going to kiss me! This is what I've been dreaming for—

"Someone's been circling us and looking at you," Thirteen murmured like it was a lover's sweet nothings. "Clock your five." He glanced to profile. "It looks like a guy your age. Glasses. Green eyes. Silver hair with brown roots. Three piercings in one ear. Looks like he wants an opening with you. What do you want to do?"

Vinyl internally pouted. Dammit. I thought for sure he'd kiss me. She thought hard about the description. My age, huh? I should've known someone would recognize me. The people my parents had me befriend back then, though… Their families weren't as high-up as us, not a Magic Bloodline. She murmured to Thirteen, "Is it safe for me to look?"

Thirteen faintly nodded. "Be quick."

Vinyl pretended to peruse over her shoulder to catch sight of—

Thirteen blinked at Vinyl's rigid response. "Kid?" He ducked his head. "Viñella, who is he?"

"That son of a bitch."

It surprised Thirteen to see a wrathful aura over Vinyl as she clenched her cocktail glass. "What?"

Vinyl's eyebrow twitched in agitation. Oh, I know exactly who he is. I should've known he would be here. She saw him moving and turned back to Thirteen. "Quick, he's coming this way," she urgently whispered. "I need you to follow my lead."

"But what are you—?"

"Viñella?"

Vinyl flinched at her name, but she whispered to Thirteen, "Remember. Follow my lead." Before Thirteen could ask what that meant, Vinyl turned on a charming smile and girlishly giggled. "Oh, honey, look, it's an old acquaintance of mine. How have you been"—she turned her stare—"Vespers?"

"No need to be like that, Viñella." The man who approached Thirteen and Vinyl looked like a rebel with a cause. His silver bangs were swept with a middle part and his glasses looked more for design and show than for function, especially when his glasses chain attached to his pseudo-lip ring. The ring on his finger was not a promise ring nor a marital or engagement ring, but it looked timeless, nonetheless.

⌜THE VIVALDI FAMILY

Name: Vespers Vivaldi

Age: 26

Occupation: Violist, Assistant Director of New Arundel Conservatoire of Music and Dance

Likes: mint tea Dislikes: mice

Special Note: Vespers comes from a prestigious family of musicians and plans to debut as a composer for an upcoming Magia+ Series! ⌟

Vespers smiled at Vinyl. "It's good to see you. It's been a while. You look beautiful." A Lincoln-Minstrish accent couched his words.

"I know I do," Vinyl sniffed. "I don't need you to tell me that."

Vespers chuckled. "Oh, no need to be so cruel to me, Viñella. We're old friends, remember?"

'Friends'? Vinyl's jaw ticked as she watched him. More like you're the snake from Eden who made my life Hell.

Thirteen observed Vespers with a small frown. Who is this person? Something about him doesn't sit well with me. And with the way the kid's reacting, he's not a welcomed addition from her life before Fairy Tail…

"And who might you be?"

Thirteen realized Vespers addressed him. "I'm—"

"He's my date!" Vinyl pressed her chest against Thirteen's arm with a smirk. "Isn't he handsome? Once I got the invitation and told him, he was begging to be my date for the event. How could I turn down such a big, strong, virile man?"

Thirteen's eyebrow twitched as red cupped his ears. This damn brat…

"Oh? Is that so?" Vespers' greens sized up Thirteen like a serpent eyeing dinner. "I'll be sure to let my brother know. He's still heartbroken you left him at the altar." His smile widened. "Such a shame you got cold feet. You would've been my sister-in-law by now. We could be family."

Vinyl stiffened. Right. His—she swallowed and tried to keep her hand from shaking—older brother… Somehow, the music felt louder and her heart pounded. And…the wedding… Pupils shrunk within aquamarines.

• — • — • — •

"Viñella, dear." A thin-lipped smile. "Grandfather has approved. Now it's time for you to meet your fiancé." Hands bedazzled in rings clutched her small one. "You'll marry him, won't you? Grandfather would be so disappointed if you didn't. So be a good girl to your fiancé." Nails dug into her skin. "Or else you can stay in confinement." Those hands released her, but the damage was done. "Come meet him, sweetie."

GA… GA…

"Hello, Viñella." An apathetic baritone voice.

The focus looked up to see a man towering over here, but all she could remember were those blank dark-blue eyes. "So… You are to be my wife." Something in those eyes chilled. "I look forward to it."

• — • — • — •

Vinyl could feel her mouth dry out. A disharmony of notes off-tempo cluttered her mind, unable to find the rhythm again or time signature. The drink in her shaking hand threatened to drop and her bottom lip twitched—

"But she's not your family. She'll be mine soon enough."

Vinyl's nerves were shocked away when Thirteen wrapped his arm around her waist. She looked up to see his hard eyes stare Vespers down. Thirteen…

"It's appreciated an old friend of Viñella's would want to come to say 'hello'," Thirteen said coolly, "but your wording could use some work. I have sympathy your brother's heart is breaking over losing her. She's certainly one you should fight hard for. But that's in the past. So let's not sully tonight bringing up unwanted memories, shall we?"

Vespers hummed a chuckle. "Yes, of course. I didn't mean to cause such ill-will after not seeing each other all these years." He nodded toward Vinyl. "But it is good to see you. I should get back to my date. I hope we can see each other throughout the week." His greens flicked to Thirteen in minor assessment. "I look forward to getting to know the man that stole our Viñella's heart." With a parting nod, he slipped back into the audience.

Thirteen clenched his jaw as he watched Vespers return the side of a broad-shouldered man with a crisp beard and his posture signifying he was someone important. Damn bastard. Bratty kids like him are why I'm grateful I never grew up with money. However… He glanced down to see how pale Vinyl had gotten. She's not looking so good. So that kid's brother was her ex-fiance? Considering her reaction… Rage simmered. What the Hell did he do to her for her to react like this?

He murmured, "Let's get some fresh air."

"H-Huh? Oh." Vinyl jerkily nodded. "Sure."

Thirteen steered her away, but he glanced back. He watched as Vespers reached into his inner coat pocket to pull out…

Murky oranges widened. What? But that's…!

"Thirteen?"

"Ah, yeah." He swung his head forward, thoughts going fast. That kid… He has a Warlock pocket watch?

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

And then…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The long balcony was mainly for the smokers with business orders to get through and a few others. Guards posted outside to make sure outsiders of the event could not get through and scanners were required to get back into the venue hall.

Vinyl huddled against the stone railing. The view below her looked beautiful and the stars looked so clear and flawless, but she could not see either scene with her mind leagues away. She cupped her elbows and rested them on the railing, aquamarine shimmering the ghosts of her past. Why…?

Emotionless dark-blues.

"Here."

It made Vinyl jump a bit when a suit jacket covered her back and shoulders. "Oh, um…" She could not spare Thirteen a look. "Thank you."

Thirteen nodded. "Hm." He offered her a champagne flute with a lemon wedge spiral and cocktail cherry garnish. "Thought you might need one. A Perench seventy-five, huh? I didn't think you'd know about such a drink. It's not one kids your age would drink."

Vinyl accepted the flute with a bittersweet humming laugh and half-smile. "Yeah. I get that a lot." She sipped her cocktail and looked at it. "My grandfather told me my grandmother loved wine cocktails. He thought they were a crime against his gin, but he made sure to learn how to make all her favorites. This cocktail was served after the second war with Midi. It was my grandmother's favorite."

"And yours," Thirteen murmured.

"Mmm." Aquamarines tendered. "And mine."

Thirteen took a sip from his lowball glass. "So your grandfather's a veteran. I respect that. But he's also the head of your family?"

"He was a State Mage back then," Vinyl filled him in. "To be honest, he wasn't supposed to go. Even though he was an Independent in Minstrel, Minstrel has exceptions for Magic Bloodline families. We have military exemption. But my grandfather went anyway and came back as a war hero with more nightmares than he knew what to do with."

"Hm." Thirteen sipped his drink. I understand that. "You seem to admire your grandfather."

"What makes you say that?"

"Your eyes."

Vinyl blinked up at Thirteen, puzzled. "My eyes?"

"Yeah." He looked down at her. "They light up when you talk about him."

"Really?" Vinyl teasingly probed, "That means you've been watching me pretty closely. Tell me, are my eyes twinkling with the moonlight? Don't they look so pretty?"

Thirteen wilted and looked away from her. "Forget I said anything."

"Aw, no fair!" Vinyl whined. But when Thirteen was resolute in his quiet, she sighed. "Yes, I admire him a lot." She toyed with her fingers. "He taught me everything I know. Music teachers weren't good enough for me. It's normal in my family to start lessons early, but I grew bored. All the etudes and little songs weren't challenging enough. So my grandfather took me under his wing. Musicians would've given anything for him as their teacher, and here I was, getting him for free. He taught me how to love music in the right way. And I love him so much for that."

"I take it you miss him?"

"Mm." Vinyl's eyes dropped half-mast. "Very much so. Between him and my great aunt Cadenza, they were all I cared about. My parents and the rest of my family were more focused on the business aspect and keeping our bloodline pure. It wasn't enough to marry rising musicians in the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra. Music Wizards were the standard."

"So your parents…?"

Vinyl nodded. "My parents are Magicians. That's more common in my family, to be Magicians. They use their instruments to harness their power. Unlike me. I'm a Mage just like my grandfather and my great aunt Cadenza." She shook her head at Thirteen's justified confusion. "It's a long story why she's not the head before me. And even if she wanted to be, she can't use her Magic after the death of her partner."

"I see," murmured Thirteen.

A subtle quiet lulled conversation between them.

"I'm sorry."

Thirteen saw a long look on Vinyl's face.

"I…haven't been much company. You must be awfully bored here," Vinyl figured.

Thirteen shrugged. "I've been through worse. And I'd rather be here than dealing with Coeus."

"You two are close?"

"Unfortunately," Thirteen muttered. "I've never been able to understand him, but our relationship is beneficial. He only bothers me when we have business to discuss or if he wants to talk about his therapist." A ragged sigh left him. "That poor woman. I don't know how she's able to stand him. I don't know if she has infinite patience or if she's as insane as him."

Vinyl chuckled. "Don't say that. Anyone dealing with Fairy Tail has to be something special, anyway."

Thirteen hummed his agreement.

A hush fell over them again.

Thirteen's oranges darkened. I know what I saw on that kid. It had to be a Warlock's pocket watch. That means he's contracted to a Demon. But if he hung around the kid's circle, it meant he had to be a musician. I know artists talk about making a deal with the Devil, but… Do all demonic contracts offer a pocket watch? A tattoo would be enough. I should ask Coeus what's the significance behind pocket watches.

"You're not going to ask me?" Vinyl questioned.

"Ask you what?"

"About—" Vinyl closed her mouth, throat heavy. I… I can't even say it.

"Why should I?"

Vinyl watched as Thirteen turned around to lean against the railing and look up at the sky.

"Everyone in Fairy Tail has some sort of past," Thirteen told her. "I don't know a single person in there who hasn't had something happen to them in the past. We're a bunch of broken toys shoved together in Master's treasure chest. But the thing is… She's never once asked us to fess up to our crimes or speak about the past."

Murky oranges glinted. No. She said the opposite.

• — • — • — •

"You don't know what you want to live for anymore? Then that's fine."

He remembered how powerful and strong Erza looked with her sword before her and her chin lifted as she looked down at him with those firm eyes. "I won't allow any member of my guild to live for their past and be shackled to it. Our pasts don't define us and I won't ask you about the sins in your history. What matters to me is what your future holds. If you don't know what you want to live for, then live for me and for the future I'll take you to. And in turn, I will put my life on the line for you. That is how we live in Fairy Tail. So get up and live."

She pointed her sword at him. "Because if you die here in and now, you're doing nothing but letting your past win. So live!" Browns gleamed. "Or I will die trying to make sure you live to see our bright future!"

• — • — • — •

Murky oranges twinkled. Maybe some would call it arrogance, telling me to live for them. And I've heard it before. Living for the purpose of another. But knowing that Master will put her life on the line in turn… She really is something.

He told Vinyl, "You should know by now Fairy Tail won't air out your dirty laundry. We don't care what past you came from. Sure, it might've shaped a few things about you, but all we care about is who are you now and the future you're reaching towards. If you want me to ask, I'll ask. But it doesn't matter to me about it. I'm not going to push you." He laid a hand on her head and offered a softer look than his normal gruff scowl. "So don't worry. I've got your back."

Aquamarines shimmered. Thirteen…

He stiffened when Vinyl hugged his side. "Hey, kid—!"

"Thank you."

Thirteen flashed his eyes downwards to her.

"I'm really glad you came with me," Vinyl murmured into him. "So thank you…for not pushing."

Thirteen's expression pinched as though hugging was something stressful for him. His hand lifted, about to touch her, before he put it back down to his side. "Sure thing, kid," he murmured. When she's like this, she's actually not that bad. I wonder… He looked up at the stars. Would you…have grown into a beautiful woman like her?

Commotion struck inside.

Vinyl frowned. "What's going on?"

Thirteen checked his watch. "It's about time for dinner, so we should be going inside."

"Oh." Vinyl shrugged off Thirteen's suit jacket. "Thanks for lending this to me then."

"Sure."

Vinyl straightened her dress as Thirteen got on his jacket. Here I'd thought he'd demand an explanation from me about how I was acting. But instead… It's like he was telling me to take my time. Pink cupped her cheeks. Sometimes… He really does make me feel like a kid.

"You ready?"

Vinyl glanced to see Thirteen offered his arm to her even if he pointedly did not look at her. She smiled as she wrapped her arm around his. "Aye, sir!"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

And so…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The dinner hall looked even more fantastic than the cocktail hour venue. Circular tables had been set up with name card placements and the centerpieces looked more expensive than a luxury Lacrima car. A live scaled-back orchestra played with a jazz band on standby to switch out. The open bar was a hot commodity and so was how diverse the menu was with a plethora of options even for non-meat eaters, gluten-free options, lactose-free options, and even substitutes for the most obscure allergens. The circus theme continued on with aerial dancing, acrobatics, contortionist, Tamers, tight-rope walkers, and daredevils providing riveting entertainment.

Conversation came alive between acts. Now that business cards had been exchanged and hands were shaken, it was time for the gossip and drama to be unlocked. Wives might have always been mistaken as chatty kathies, but husbands could be equally as gossipy when it came down to it.

Julia and Gale were unfortunately put at a table with rich kids who had much more interest in dissecting an ambiguous Instagraph post than actual conversation. The eighth prince thought he had a slight reprieve from the pestering until the angelic Enchanter managed to get a seat at his side and he looked like he was hanging on by a thread with all her sickeningly sweet words. Vinyl and Thirteen had the dishonor of sharing a table with Vespers and his date, though a few other guests separated them.

Some parties had the luxury of an intimate setting. It felt like an opera house with the main portion of it downstairs while the wealthy had their own boxes. Those private parties had a glamorous overview of the main dining floor, but they had their own servers and did not have to rub elbows with others. Fusajiro took advantage of his private setting with Key and looked adorably pleased to feed his amused girlfriend, like this was a regular date and not a multi-billion gala.

Eight-course dinners went like this: hors d'oeuvre, soup, appetizer, salad, main entrée, palate cleanser, dessert, and mignardise. Perhaps it looked like a lot of food to consume, but the Burj Al'umi kitchen was dedicated to crafting a unique and authentic experience with dishes from around the world served and keeping each plate just enough to make the guest crave and anticipate the next dish. To the stuck-up, this was normal, but to the grounded, such an experience deserved praise and compliments.

After the palate-cleansing drinks and sorbets had been finished and collected, the lights dimmed and a regal fanfare picked up. An announcer called, "Ladies and gentlemen, we thank you for joining us at the Burj Al'umi Hotel for dinner. And now, please rise as we present to you the royal family of Shamballa and the hosts of the spring auction and fundraiser."

Everyone rose as the announcer called, "Presenting Sheikha Haya bint Kamir Al Marwan, First Princess of Shamballa. Presenting Sheikha Fatimah bint Kamir Al Marwan, Second Princess of Shamballa. Presenting Sheikh Zayed bin Kamir Al Marwan, Prince of Shamballa. Presenting Sheikha Inayah Al Marwan, Emira of Shamballa. And presenting Sheikh Kamir bin Kwuyalid Al Marwan, Emir of Shamballa."

Respectful applause rang about as the royal family made their appearance on stage with dual Lacrima Screens showing the affair. Kamir led with his adorned black and gold bisht over his thwab with his white keffiyeh and black and gold agal. He escorted his wife, though none had the privilege of seeing Inayah's beauty beneath her veil. She complimented her husband with her green and gold. It was obvious the Emir had adorned his wife in the finest jewelry and made sure her wedding ring was the envy of all others.

Julia double-blinked and ID'ed the royal siblings. She concentrated on Haya first, a lighter skin tone than her siblings (strong genes from her mother) but she had strong cheekbones, soft brows, and a thick figure, but those hoping for a glance must not have seen her engagement ring. The prince looked like his father in so many ways and carried himself like he was already crowned, but he looked more at his stepmother than anyone else. So that's the first princess and the prince… I don't like how he's looking at his stepmom. It looks creepy.

She turned her attention on Fatimah. And this is her… The second princess who ran away… She thrice blinked to take pictures, but she noticed the subtle worried look Fatimah gave the veiled Inayah. Huh? What is she…? She felt Gale's subtle touch and whispered, "What?"

"I feel fear."

"From?"

Gale concentrated on Inayah. "The queen. She's full of fear. I can see her hand is shaking. And if I concentrate, her heartbeat is erratic."

Julia's chest tightened. "Seriously?"

Gale nodded and observed Inayah. The second she made her appearance, I can hear her heartbeat was quicker than anyone else while her husband looks calm. She's terrified, but she's hiding it well. His eyes slid to Zayed and forced himself not to sneer when he saw the quick perusal the prince gave his stepmother. And this little shit… Who the Hell looks at their own stepmother like that? I could hear his heartbeat increase. And as much as it disgusts me… I have a feeling his scent is giving off some lust signals.

Thirteen clapped along, but he felt tension packing his shoulders. So. We meet again, Karim. And this is his little wife… He examined Inayah. The wife so beautiful that only her husband could look at her. I remember when articles came out about potential abuse since not even the staff of the royal residence are permitted to see her face.

His eyes narrowed as he saw how gentle Karim was with his wife to get her to her seat with the children. And as much as I want to think he's faking his reason for her veil… Sometimes tell me she's not being physically abused. But that doesn't excuse other forms of abuse.

Karim came to the podium set for him with a few Microphone Lacrimas waiting for him and verified photographers and cameramen aiming for him. He greeted, "As-salam alaykum."

⌜THE EMIRATE OF SHAMBALLA

Name: Kamir bin Kwuyalid Al Marwan

Age: 62

Occupation: Ruler of Emirate of Shamballa

Likes: his wife Dislikes: dishonesty

Special Note: Kamir is versed in 10 languages, learned military piloting in Stella, and his philanthropic work has earned him honorary doctorates from prestigious universities! ⌟

The congregation responded: "W'alaykum as-salam."

"Please." Karim gestured. "You may be seated." Once everyone sat, he proceeded: "I welcome you all to my homeland for such a rich and fulfilling week. It is truly an honor to be amongst you all and looking around this room, I am filled with hope the money we procure from this week of fundraisers and our auction will meet the goals we have set to help bring about a better tomorrow."

He continued: "Thirty years ago, this started. This…gathering of the brightest minds and wealthiest people coming together to understand how we can contribute back to the world that gave us so much. Because as we sit here in this very room, chaos reigns our world.

"Every day, more and more innocent lives are suffering at the hands of government irresponsibility. Wives and children no longer have their husbands and fathers and brothers and uncles because they have been forced into a war they want no part of. Towns and villages and land that once held so much beauty have been gunned down by man, Magic, and machines. As we sit here with our beach houses and expensive watches and designer shoes, we take for granted the privilege we have. And that privilege is freedom.

"Freedom should not be a privilege. Living in comfort should not be a privilege. Having equal rights to the person next to you should not be a privilege. But here we stand as living proof that it is a privilege. And we cannot change that. For as much money as we have, we can't change that freedom is a privilege. That is in the hands of politicians who gatekeep freedom from the people who voted them into office, from the people who allow them a position. But what we can do is help share the privilege we take advantage of.

"And that's a horrible statement to say—sharing our freedom. It truly sounds arrogant. But we have to do every bit that we can to make sure this world is in better hands for future generations," Karim claimed. "Because our children and our children's children do not deserve to be left with the mess we created. They deserve a world where they no longer fear if they can afford a meal and a warm place to stay the next night. They deserve a world where they can choose their paths and not give up their dreams out of necessity to live another day."

He spread his hands. "So tonight, we shall dine and rest. But come tomorrow, we will be taking our first step and helping present and future generations take one more step towards their freedoms being a shared right. Your money and donations and bids will be your participation in changing this world. So I thank you for joining my family and me this week and I wish you all happy bidding. Thank you."

Applause echoed throughout the hall as the royal family stood as a proud unit with the MC once again presenting them.

"Huh…"

Key glanced at Fusajiro, curious, while he looked down at the stage from their private box. "What is it?"

"Nothing, honey." Fusajiro twirled his straw as he watched the family take their seats while the next speaker was presented for their remarks on the ceremony. Hmm… I guess I'll see the client at the real opening ceremony. The waiting game—my specialty. He pounced on Key and nuzzled her, loudly complaining, "Is it over now? I want to go back to our suite and see my honey-baby in twin tails!"

Key tittered and patted his chest. "Have some more patience, Jiro. We still have dessert."

"Yay! I can't wait to feed it to you, my beautiful sugar!" He lived for her quiet giggle as he rubbed noses with her before sighing. "I know I promised a vacation, but I have a little work to do."

"I know." Key sadly smiled. "I understand."

Fusajiro smooched her forehead. "One day, I'm going to marry the fuck out of you," he promised her, making her laugh. "And I'll be clinging to you so much you'll get sick of me."

"You silly." Key's visible heather gray eye gentled. "Like you could ever clip my wings." She rested against him to breathe, "Do what you have to do. I'll be waiting."

"I won't be long," Fusajiro promised her. "Not when I finally get some alone time with the literal most perfect girl in the world." He glanced back at the stage and liquid-golds focused from Inayah to Fatimah and then onto Kamir. I guess I get to play my other favorite game. Tag, Kamir. His lips dipped into a dark frown. You're it.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Later…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Gale let Julia back into the bedroom before he shut the door behind him. His eyes darted around as he called, "Well?"

"I don't see any more bugging," Julia told him. "Anything on your end?"

Gale shook his head, but his body was tense. "Nah. No surveillance spells, but…" His eyes darted for the open bedroom. "Someone came in here."

Julia froze. "You're sure?"

"Yeah." The Wild flared. "And their scent trail is for the bedroom. Check to see if they stole anything. I'm going to do a quick sweep to see if they went anywhere else in the suite."

Julia nodded and made sure to tread with caution as she went into the bedroom. So far, nothing is out of place. We made sure to hide all our supplies and take pictures. She did a long blink and her lenses scanners took stock of the bedroom. So far, so good. Nothing was out of place, but… Her scanners picked up a foreign object hidden beneath her pillows. Bingo.

The scanners told her:

NO THREAT LEVEL

With care, she approached the head of her bed and peeled back her pillows. Much to her confusion, two black masquerade masks and a black box awaited for her. What the…? She called, "Gale?"

"Clear." Gale rounded into the bedroom with his contacts off. "Goddammit, I hate wearing contacts. A Transformation Spell would've been so much nicer. Ugh. Parties without Magic suck."

"Well, you can whine about it later. Check this out."

Gale approached her and looked as confused as her seeing the mask and the box. He took delicate sniffs when Julia held them up. "I don't smell anything poisonous or dangerous on any of these. And the scent is cold, maybe about four hours ago."

"An hour into cocktail hour," Julia put together. "They must've made sure all the guests were checked into their rooms. Something tells me we weren't the only ones hit with this." She glanced back at him. "Did you notice that scent coming back to our floor?"

Gale nodded. "Yeah, but I assumed they were a guest until we were close to the door."

Julia mulled over that. Masks and a mysterious box… What could they be?

A memory hit her of Zelda. "At these types of things, the invitation you received gets your foot in the door. You'll know when you receive an invitation for a private event."

Julia understood. Then this… "Gale… I think this is it." She looked at him. "I think this is our invite to the Black Auction." She hesitated. "Or this could be an invitation to some rich-bitch event for kids." It occurred to her. "Hey… Can you use your psychometry on this?"

Gale blinked, surprised. "What?"

"Your Hindsight? Or whatever you call it?" Julia showed him the black box. "Can't you touch this and figure out who sent it and what's inside?"

Gale hesitated. "I…honestly don't know if I can do inorganic matter." He looked at his gloved hands. "To be honest, I haven't trained that hard with my Time Magic. It's not strong enough to be a Second Magic Spirit."

But I could make it one. Right now, my body recognizes it as a couple of spells—Time Spells. But if I did some more mental training and concentrated, I could easily turn this into a Second Spirit and expand what I could see. And also… He clenched his hands. I wouldn't need these gloves anymore.

He looked at the black box. Well… Trial by doing. He took off one glove and extended his hand. "Let me try something."

Julia handed the box over, but she warned him, "If it gets too much, don't force yourself, got it? I'm here for you."

Gale nodded and tried not to let nerves bog him down. "Got it." He focused on the box in his naked hand and concentrated on it. But when seconds ticked by and nothing happened, impatience made him bristle.

Calm yourself, Little Gem, Sycaña soothed. You cannot use your powers in times of frustration unless you want to overwhelm yourself.

But it's not working, Gale argued.

Because you are blocking yourself by thinking too hard. It is like all Magic. You must have a sound soul so it leads to a sound mind and a sound body. Breathe and let yourself feel, just like when you can feel the earth beneath your feet.

Gale closed his eyes. Breathe. Long inhale. Slow exhale. Long inhale. Slow exhale. He could feel a stir in his chest as the world around him faded into silence and nothingness. In his mind, he was alone with no thoughts to dissuade his concentration. But then…

DRIP…

DROP…

A spiderweb of emerald and gold expanded beneath his feet until he sunk into the energy. He could feel Nature all around him, his home. He was a child of Mother Nature here where the air tasted crisp and the grass felt soft and lush. This… This is my normal power… My first Spirit… This is the power of Earth and Nature. But this isn't the power I'm looking for. Focus. Breathe. What did my Time Magic feel like?

He could feel himself floating within his own power as he sifted through the threads of spells and flow of nature running through him. It felt…overwhelming at first… Uncontrollable because I saw things I wasn't meant to see. It felt wild, like an unbroken horse. But…I don't want to break it. I don't want to selfishly control it. I just need…to work with it.

KIRA-KIRA!

A fizzle of power broke through, a light blue-white.

Firmer, Gale thought, I understand Time can't be controlled or manipulated without serious consequences. That's…not what I want. If I can only look into the past…then I want to do so to help me with my future and choose a better way and protect the ones I love.

The fizzle threaded through his power.

BRRRRR!

Gale recognized the noise. Wait… Syra? He could feel her fur brush him. Wait! How did you—?

BRRR!

Before Gale could finish his question, he found himself sucked into the light-blue-white aura and—

• — • — • — • — •

• — • — • — • — •

Less detailed images flashed by with impressions too fluctuating to decipher, but that all slowed down when a blurred image came to mind. Someone was holding the box, but their presence felt slimy and cold. They spoke in an outlandish tone that sounded gruesomely inhuman, but they passed the box into the hands of a presence that felt so toxic and powerful that it would make anyone gag. The image refocused to barely show a woman of blue skin, unnatural height, and glasses down the bridge of her nose.

"Make sure every one of these pins gets to the bidders," she instructed. As she passed the box, she called, "The Auctioneer wants to make sure the gauntlet is ready for the showcase! And make sure the sonogram is polished! Don't you dare let it be mixed with our Citadel inventory!"

"Yes, Mistress!" came obedient chorus.

The box was now in the hands of someone who felt so empty and lifeless that there was no way it was human. The image refocused to show a golem of a person fitted with a server's outfit, but it blurred and nearly darkened. Noises crowded with impression flittering again and too loose and distant for understanding. The more he tried to concentrate on the image, the more his chest tightened and mind ached until—

• — • — • — • — •

• — • — • — • — •

Julia caught Gale went he staggered, but she was conscious to make sure his hand did not touch her flesh. The box dropped, but she could focus on that later. "Gale? Are you okay?" she fretted.

"Yeah," Gale grunted. "Feel like I want to vomit a little, but I'm okay." When Julia offered his glove, he slipped it back on and panted, "Thanks. Shit." He shook his head and swallowed to keep down his dinner. "I need to work on my mental training. Feeling other people makes me feel sick. I don't know how Blondie does this regularly." He glanced at the box. "But… I did see something."

"You did?"

"Yeah." Gale nodded and made a grab for the box. "I can't make sense of it all, but you were right. This is our invite for the underground auction tonight." Rubies darkened. "And from what I saw and felt… We're going to be dealing with Inhumans." And one other thing disturbs me… I heard the word 'sonogram'. Why the Hell would a sonogram be mixed into an underground auction?

Julia took back the box and, carefully, she tugged out the ribbon to open it up. So… These are it, then. Two pins sat on a velvet pillow with inverted pentagrams on them. A card also sat inside with one word on one side:

WAIT

Julia turned the card on the other side to see another word:

أَبَانَا

"Huh…" Julia turned the card over again. "'Wait' and this symbol is…"

"Probably a codeword."

Julia looked over as Gale gathered his bearings and leaned against the bed. "'Codeword'?"

"Yeah." Gale scrubbed his hair. "I'm sure the 'wait' is for us to wait until they come for us. But…" He took the card and flipped it over. "This means 'Aba na' which should translate to 'Father', the religious type of dad, I mean. The black masks and pins might be good, but they'll want to verify we're part of the lineup. This is the underground we're going to, Lady J, and an illegal black auction. You know they won't take chances."

Julia could not disagree. "So now we wait."

Gale nodded. "Now, we wait." He got to his feet. "I'd recommend changing into something else. You don't want people to recognize you." He stole the mask and inspected it deeply. "If I focus, I can feel Magic embedded. My guess? Some sort of Glue Spell to keep the masks on our faces. Potentially a ColorS Charm. I'm almost certain these masks help keep our identities a secret." He put the mask back on the bed. "And considering after-parties are kicking off, we should have some time." He loosened his tie.

Julia stood up with the box. "Midnight, maybe?"

"Could be more like last call, so maybe one AM or two AM," Gale presumed. "It would look too out of place for the main event to kick off right after the dinner. Right now, I'm sure they're banking on everything being normal. People drinking and partying and taking pictures on their social with geotags and crap. Once it seems like the party died down…"

Julia understood. "I get it. Then…" She gestured to her dress. "I'm going to hit the after-party those rich-bitch kids invited me to. I want to feel out what they know. From what it sounded like, they're spoiled kids who have no clue what their parents do. But you know being high brings out the best secrets or the worst paranoia." She patted his shoulder. "You should stay here and call your princess. I'll be fine on my own."

To Gale's credit, he did pause. "You sure?"

Julia chuckled. "Yeah, stupid. You forget which one of us is a gunslinger girl out of the two of us. And this gives more credibility of me being angry my 'uncle' forced me to bring a guard. Sneaking out, pretending to go and party…"

"Fine." He rolled his eyes. "I guess I can go call Blondie-girl while you seduce rich kids."

Julia mockingly patted his cheek and cooed, "Your sacrifice will be rewarded."

"Uh-huh," Gale snorted as he walked away. "Don't you dare get high. And try to come back to the room by twelve-thirty, Lady J, so we don't miss our mark."

"Try not to jerk-off to your princess calling you 'daddy'."

Gale turned around to mouth bitch as he banged the sides of his fists together as his friendly middle finger. He shut the door after him before heading to his room and stripping off his suit jacket. Ugh, wearing fancy shit all weak is going to kill my sense of pride.

He yanked his tie with his thoughts going back to the dinner. So… The official opening ceremony has ended. Lady J is right. She needs to go to party and establish some contacts. These kids might help us get invited to private events. And with any luck, she might meet Prince Zayed—the mother-lover literally.

He took off his gloves to go for his Compact. He paused before picking it up…and he felt nothing. Huh… I can't feel anything still. But I could, even for just a moment. Those words… 'Citadel'… 'Auctioneer'… 'Sonogram'… And not only that, but I felt Syra too. It was like she was giving me a push. Does this mean I still have a connection to her, even after the Festival of Gratitude? He looked at his screen that showed a smiling Luna. Blondie would know…

Decision made, he dialed Luna's number and put it on ⟪ Speaker ⟫ as he started shedding his clothes. Once the call connected, he grinned and greeted, "Ay, what's good, mamicita?"

Luna giggled. "Is this payback for me calling you 'papi'?"

"Nah, Blondie-girl." Gale finished taking off his pants to unbutton his shirt. "Unless you want me to start calling you 'mami' like I call Tessie."

"Ew, no way." Luna sounded like she jumped into bed. "Mmm, today was such a great day! You wouldn't believe it! We got to meet Young Nation! Young Nation, Gale!"

Finished with his shirt, he shirked it off. "Right, that boy band you and Silver worship like they're gods," he muttered.

"Don't hate them 'cause they're beautiful," Luna tittered. "It was a whole moment! We were doing an RDP at the park—"

"Hold up." Gale smothered his Compact, eyebrows slammed together. "You did what drug?"

Luna laughed. "Not a drug, dummy, random dance play? How do you not know that?"

"I don't know. I go outside and touch grass?"

"Eat grass is more like it."

"Low blow, Blondie." He took off his undershirt and debated if he wanted to stay in his boxer-briefs or change into something else. He decided to stay as he was and flopped onto the bed. "What else did you do?"

"Not drugs," Luna muttered.

"Good girl," Gale praised teasingly. "Don't take any of that shit, Blondie. No fucking way would your parents let you out of the house if your dad smelled that shit on you."

"Didn't you do drugs?"

"Okay, a few times, and my old man beat my ass since he is a personified drug dog," Gale grunted, scratching his stomach. "And it's not worth it, trust me."

"Well, I'll have you know I didn't plan on doing any drugs," Luna sighed and her eye roll came through in her words. "But anyway. Caelum is, like, so freaking awesome! I mean, the floating islands? Sky Taxis? The food? It's so cool being here and experiencing this with E and Silver!" She giggled at a whine. "And Icarus too."

Gale's lips twitched. "I'm glad you're having fun over there. Been to Caelum once for a family vacay and it was pretty legit." He teased her, "Y'know, I wouldn't mind if you sent me a pic with you in a grass skirt and coconut top."

"And I get one of you then?"

"You wish is my command, principessa. And I'll have you know I look motherfucking hot girl summer a grass skirt."

Luna laughed. "And the coconut bra?"

"Oh, please, I pull that shit off way better than those dancers," Gale bragged. "Honestly, Blondie-girl, hate to break it to ya, but I probably pull it off better than you."

"Wow…"

"I know. It's a crime, really, how good I look. Very objectifiable, so, y'know, if you see my ass and thinks it's fine, I don't mind you telling me."

"Oh wow, you're such a giver, Papi."

Gale ignored the stir in his boxer briefs to tease, "Only for you, principesa, only for you." His grin broadened hearing Luna's amusement and he shifted in his bed. "So."

"So…"

Gale chuckled. "Don't get all shy on me, Blondie, what else did a pretty girl like you do today? Outside of ridiculously missing my presence?"

"Why would I miss you when I have my baby?"

The Wild bristled imagining Silver and Luna together, but Gale calmed it down as he reminded himself of Luna and Silver's true friendship. Shit, I'm losing my mind. His grin faded for a thoughtful frown. Silver… Those mayan blues came to mind. Why do you smell like a Dragon? He played it off for sake of conversation. "All right, then sans missing me, what'd'ya do today outside seeing your idols?"

Luna's shifting crackled through. "Mmm… We just had fun at the park. E and Silver had a business informal lunch thing to do, so I stayed in the room, took a nap, and—Oh!" She excitedly confided, "I went to the park with just Icarus, Gale. I actually did it!"

Feeling your heart so full of pride and love was not a common feeling, and Gale would remember it right now. "Fuckin' A, Blondie-girl, I'm so damn proud of you," he praised, wishing he could hug her. She did it. She went somewhere. Even if it was just with Icarus… Gods, I just want to kiss her right now. He could feel even Sycaña's maternal pride for her son's chosen. "How did it feel?"

"I was really nervous at first," Luna told him. "To be honest, a few times, I really wanted to go back to the hotel room, but with Icarus with me, he helped keep me calm and grounded. Although…" Her voice caught. "I…did kinda have a scare. I-It was stupid—"

"It's not stupid," Gale softly interjected. "What happened? Tell me everything."

Luna loudly sighed and mumbled, "It really is stupid." Two beats. "I-It was just…" She lowered her voice. "Icarus could tell someone was watching me. They came over and so, y'know, I… Icarus and I got up and left. But it was stupid. I was being paranoid—"

"No, you weren't, Blondie, you were being cautious," Gale eased. "You did the right thing. Even if it was a false alarm, it's better to be cautious than for something to happen. You did the right thing. And I'm so proud of you for that. I'm sure Icarus has been telling you the same thing, so don't think you overreacted. Leaving when you're uncomfortable? That's never a wrong reaction." He softened his tone. "I really am proud of you. So be proud of yourself too."

Six beats.

Luna murmured, "I wish you were here so we could cuddle."

Gale closed his eyes, smiling. "Told you you miss my presence." He chuckled at Luna's mumbled whine. "But yeah." His eyes opened, rubies loving. "I wish that too."

"You'd probably make me stink like you."

Gale mock-gasped. "I thought you liked my stink? Gotta say, Blondie, you do wonders for my ego."

Luna giggled and teasingly sated him, "Fine, fine. I do like your stink."

"Talk dirty to me more, why don't you?" He turned on his side and could feel the Wild wanting to purr hearing Luna's mirth. "So since you shared some news with me, I think I should share some news with you. First of all, my day was fabulous, thanks for asking." His smile widened at Luna's huffed laugh. "Second of all…" He pulled back from spilling the truth as he looked at his naked hands.

"Gale?" Luna prompted, her upbeat energy gone for worry.

"I…" Gale took a breath. "I…think I unlocked something with my powers—my Time Magic. And what's weirder is I don't think I did it alone."

"What do you mean?"

Gale sighed. "I… I could feel…Syra…when I tapped into my power willingly to try and look at the past from an inanimate object."

Silence.

"So…it wasn't just me who could feel her?"

That jolted Gale. "You've been able to feel her?"

"N-Not like regularly," Luna quickly explained. "B-But…!" She exhaled. "Well… A couple of months back, when I went over to see E and Silver… I was actively trying to look into the future. I'd done it before, but… I don't know, this time felt…different. And I could feel her—Syra—with me, like she was…"

"Guiding you?" Gale supplied.

"Mmm-hmm," Luna agreed. "It was really brief. I didn't understand it. And even now, the vision is still not making sense to me."

"What did you see?" The long pause made Gale tell her, "You don't have to—"

"A laboratory."

Gale stopped.

"I-I…" Luna audibly swallowed. "I saw…a laboratory. I'm certain of that. With a lot of scientists. And there were these children but they weren't children; they were animavores."

Gale's eyes widened. "Soul eaters?"

"You know about them?"

"I mean, barely. This is more up Luke's department than mine, but forbidden creatures was a brief unit I did back in my second year of my bachelor's." He scrubbed his face. "They're forbidden creatures because animavores aren't…born, necessarily, not like a biological birth. They're unnatural to the ecosystem. You have to make an animavore and once something becomes a Soul Eater, there's no coming back from that. Most animavores succumb to madness and turn into monsters. To be honest, Take-Over Mages like Mira or your sister were threats to be animavores."

"But…why?"

Gale waved a hand. "This was way back in the Old Era, when Soul Magic wasn't common. Soul Absorption is still a bit of a line considering a lot of jargon about what defines as a soul and only taking souls from those who consent, but then how can Animal Soul Mages get consent and with Mira's Demon Soul, their lives were forfeit, blah blah blah. But it's a bit of a high, from what Mira explained.

"You feel new power basically rush inside you and give you a huge boost of adrenaline and euphoria. Like that 'holy shit, I'm invincible' sort of vibe. Some bad Soul Mages fed off that high, similar to Nightwalker Vampires who drank blood. And when Soul Mages had a craving for souls, that was a Taboo. That's how animavores were born. They no longer can taste food. They crave souls. Creating an animavore is illegal in a lot of countries but not every country."

"Like…in the Alvarez Empire?"

Gale frowned. "I'd have to look into the laws." He rubbed his nose and sniffed. "From a Magic Council standpoint, it's international about Mages not making animavore. But countries like Alvarez are weird since the entire country is basically a guild but also lets Wizards dual enroll as Guild Wizards and Independent Agents or contractors for the military and government. So even if the Council says 'hey, you can't do this', Alvarez can claim the Wizards are working not as Legal Wizards but Independents. The legalese is so blurred."

"I see…" Luna cleared her throat. "But back to Syra and our visions… So now when you touch something nonliving, you can see the past?"

"A little bit," Gale supposed. "But I need to work on it. So far, my powers are uncontrollable on living things, but that's my bad. I should've been training more on my mental power, but justifying that sort of training is hard to do when I was barely interested in it in the first place. But with some time and practice, I think I'll be able to touch anything and at least get impressions and also shield myself from being overwhelmed." He sighed. "I'd just…need a teacher."

I wonder… I know Jura is an Earth Magic, but I know he has outstanding mental power too. Could he be my teacher in this too? he wondered.

"We could do mental training together?"

Gale chortled at Luna's shy suggestion. "Thanks, Blondie, but this sort of training we should do separately. I appreciate the thought and the offer though. I think…I might have a teacher in mind." Jura… Just what sort of training will you have me do?

Luna hummed and sounded like she got out of bed. A yawn came through. "Well, I'd better shower and change before I get too sleepy to not do it. I'm, like, one-hundred percent positive E and Silver are sharing a bed together."

"They're getting' pretty close, huh?" Gale drawled in observation.

"Yeah, pretty much. I'm just waiting for the love confessions to start coming." It sounded like Luna was rustling around.

Gale cleared his throat. "Y'know, if you're gonna shower…"

"Oh! I can hang up," Luna proffered. "I just figured we could talk while I showered. Is that okay?"

DOKI-DOKI!

"O-Oh." Gale winced when his voice cracked. "Nah, that's cool, Blondie-girl. We can talk while you shower." And then I'm going to need a cold shower. Fuck my life.

Luna wryly called out, "You better not be thinking anything dirty, mister."

"Me? I would never!" Gale coughed. "But, uh… If you, like, wanna turn this into a FaceCalll—"

"I'm hanging up."

"No, no, c'mon, Blondie, it was a joke!"

Luna huffed. "Uh-huh."

Gale snickered. "So, uh… What sort of soap are you using—?"

"Gale!"

Gale closed his eyes as he listened to Luna scold him while she turned on the shower. She's so cute to tease. He sighed as he placed a hand over his heart. Dammit. His arm came up to cover his eyes. I miss her.

---

"Weee, look at me, Thirteen!"

The moment the door was unlocked, Thirteen hefted in a drunken Vinyl with a scowl on his face as he carried her piggy-back style.

"Thirteen, Thirteen!" Vinyl loudly whispered, "I'm not wearing any panties!"

TICK!

Thirteen closed the door with a tick mark twinging his cheek and red across his cheeks. Dammit. I knew we shouldn't have accepted that stupid Vespers' invitation to an after-party. He recalled him and Vinyl arriving at a penthouse filled with high-class hookahs, sensual music, heavy petting, and hard drinks. He felt ready to jump the ledge when he saw Vinyl had down hard liquor while his back was turned and looked two steps away from springing out her birthday suit.

He lugged Vinyl to her bedroom while she giggled and sang. Ugh. I should've known she couldn't hold her alcohol, considering last night. And her drunk persona…

She purred, "Thirteen, do you want to know how wet I am for you?"

Thirteen blocked it out as red crept up his neck. She's worse drunk than sober. Honestly. Why do I feel like my nonexistent virtue is in critical danger being around her?

He made it to the bed and dumped her onto the comforter. "There," he grunted, turning around. "Sleep it off—"

"Oh, so we're going straight to it, sir?" Vinyl came forward with her cleavage on display as she hooked fingers onto his belt. With a lick of her lips, she breathily said, "I might not be that experienced, sir, but I can be a good student and learn."

DING-DING-DING!

Internally, Chibi-Thirteen's nose was gushing blood and down for the count, but externally, Thirteen's eyebrow twitched and he tried to take a placating breath. "Kid, you're drunk," he told her, point-blank, and nudged her away from him. "And as much as I know as you'd pull this shit sober, it's still 'no'."

"Oh, don't be cruel to me, Thirteen!" Vinyl lay back on the bed and teased her neckline with a coquettish grin and her legs spread. "I know you think I'm a brat, but I promise I'll be obedient, sir. I'll follow every order you give me."

Internal Chibi-Thirteen was about to die an early death, but Thirteen closed his eyes briefly and rubbed his temples. "You really are something, kid."

Murky oranges grazed Vinyl's open invitation and his throat bobbed. Doesn't she realize how sick bastards would take advantage of this? He shook his head and bent down to cradle her ankle—

Vinyl giggled. "Ooo, a foot fetish! I'm into it if you're into it, sir!"

"I'm taking off your heels, so don't get any ideas," Thirteen tiredly told her, careful with the heel straps. He blinked when he saw Vinyl's Achilles looked scuffed up from the straps. What the…? She was walking like this the whole time? He sighed. "You're bleeding a little, kid."

Vinyl gasped, horrified. "Oh my gods, I started my period?"

TICK!

A tick mark plundered Thirteen's temple. "No," he gritted. "It's not your period."

Vinyl laid back, relieved. "Oh thank goodness. I don't want our first time during shark week."

How about during never! Thirteen grunted as he got up, but he looked back at her feet. I should get her heels cleaned and bandaged. And get her some water and meds to take tonight so her hangover isn't that bad too. He pivoted. "I'll be right back. Wait here." He walked—

"No!"

Thirteen was stuck when Vinyl hugged his mid-section. Flustered and frustrated, he growled, "Look, kid, I just—!"

"Please don't go."

Thirteen stopped hearing the wobbly tone in Vinyl's plea. Slowly, he undid Vinyl's embrace to turn around and catch her pretty blues glossy and her once jovial expression downcast. Her fingers caught onto his suit jacket. "Please…don't go," she asked of him. "I-I… I don't want to be alone, so…" She tipped up her head.

Watery aquamarines connected with unreadable murky oranges.

Thirteen heaved another sigh and rubbed his neck. This kid… "Look, I wasn't going to leave you," he murmured softly. "I was just going to get a few things and come right back."

"I don't want to be alone," Vinyl breathed. "Please don't go." She bowed her head and rested it against his stomach, fingers still holding his suit jacket. "Please," she beseeched. "Please."

Murky oranges glinted. She's been acting weird since yesterday. I'm sure all her family shit is rearing its head and being drunk doesn't help the pain. All it does it dull it for a moment. It gives you that high and makes you feel the lowest of lows. I'd know that all too well. His hand raised to… To what? Comfort her? Soothe her? What could he do? Viñella, he wanted to ask. Why did you—?

Hrk!

Thirteen froze.

Vinyl trembled. "Blergh… Thirteen… I-I don't feel so… Hrk!"

Thirteen panicked. Shit, shit, Ena will kill me if this suit is ruined! He gathered Vinyl in his arms. "Hold it in, kid! Just wait a minute!"

"Hrk!"

"Wait, wait, hold on—!"

"Hrk!"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

And so…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

ZAA-ZAA…

A naked Vinyl sat in the hotel shower, knees drawn up, with her make-up messily wiped off and all the pins from her updo taken out. Thirteen knelt outside the shower with the handheld showerhead as he washed his hair in his changed old t-shirt and shorts. While Vinyl absently hummed, Thirteen had a dreary look on his face. Thankfully, she made it to the toilet in time, but we'll have to get her dress dry cleaned to be safe. He felt like he was sighing for the 100th time. This kid… She's such a handful.

"Thank you," Vinyl appreciated, eyes closed. "The shower… It feels nice."

"No problem," Thirteen grunted. "You'll be done soon enough, so hold on a little longer."

Vinyl went back to humming.

Thirteen caught onto the melody and asked her as he lathered her hair in shampoo, "What are you singing?"

"Hmm? Oh." Vinyl's shoulders sagged with her exhale. "It's an old lullaby my great aunt and I would sing together when she'd teach me to play piano." A lazy smile tipped her lips and her half-lidded eyes showed wistful blues. "You and me together we'll be… Forever you'll see… We always can be good company… You and me… Just wait and see…"

Thirteen made sure to massage in the shampoo, but he softly commented, "It's a nice song."

"Hm." Vinyl tipped her head back and closed her eyes. "It was always so much fun, being at her house. I know she couldn't feel the music, but she told me this was the song her fiancé would play for her during her breaks. Once, she tried to sing it with me, but she broke down crying. I felt so bad for her. She had the chance to marry for love…but it couldn't happen for her. She was the one against my marriage the most. She wanted me to marry for love, but… It was too late. And she didn't carry any weight in the family to stop it from happening." She tucked her chin into her knees. "I wish she did." She sniffled. "I really wished she did."

Thirteen stayed quiet as he rinsed his hands and started rinsing the shampoo from her hair. It was not that he ignored Vinyl's trembling shoulders and her quiet tears—he most certainly saw it—but he paid no comment to them and focused on getting her clean. The conditioner took some time to rinse out, but he made sure she was free of suds before shutting off the shower. In a different time, Vinyl would have taken advantage of her being naked in his presence, but sleepy and weepy, she held her unnerving silence to let Thirteen towel-dry her off and carry her out of the shower.

She had enough energy to at least change in a shirt and panties for bed and sat up when Thirteen blow-dried her hair and bandaged her heels, but she fell pliant to his movements as he brought him back to bed. He meant to get up—

"Wait." A red-eyed Vinyl held his shirt.

Thirteen sat on the edge of the bed and told her, "Your face is going to be all red and puffy in the morning, y'know that?"

"Will you still call me 'pretty'?" Vinyl meekly asked.

Thirteen gave a weary exhale. "Sure, kid."

"'Viñella'."

"Sure, Viñella," Thirteen corrected.

Vinyl sniffled. "I really do like it when you say my name."

Thirteen did not know what to do with that information. "I know, kid." He caught her rubbing her eyes and murmured, "You should go to sleep. That aspirin and ginger ale should help with any headaches and nausea. And the bread should help with your empty stomach. A little thing like you shouldn't be drinking so much."

"I'm a woman, not little," Vinyl mumbled in slurred protest.

"Yeah." Thirteen snorted. "Right." He thought, Can I really leave her alone? I shouldn't have to worry about her vomiting, but…

"Y'know… I really admire Miss Lucy."

"Oh, yeah?" Thirteen closed his eyes. "She's a stunning woman and a good role model. Her work with Saint Layla's is impressive."

"That's true, but that's not why I admire her."

Thirteen hummed.

Vinyl huffed. "Don't you want to know why?"

Thirteen glanced at her. "I'll bite. Why do you admire her?"

"Because she got out."

That made little sense to Thirteen. She…got out?

"Of course I'd hear about Saint Layla's, but then I heard about her story," Vinyl told him. "She was once the sole heiress to Heartfilia Konzern. But for all the money her father's business brought in, she was unhappy. Some people would think she was being spoiled, but…" Blues shimmered. "People don't understand the bigger the house, the lonelier it is. She spoke about how her own father locked her away and even limited her contact with the staff who became her family." Her fingers dug into the comforter. "I understood that."

Thirteen frowned. Viñella…

"But she was different from me," Vinyl softly stated. "She got out on her own. Running away from home… It's something you dream about, but doing it is almost impossible. But she did it. She changed her own fate. I only wish I could've done that. I know it's different. I know that. Miss Lucy had no hope left her father would change and she knew it wasn't right what he was doing. But I was naïve enough to think things would change if I followed along." A bitter smile. "But I was stupid."

"You're not stupid," murmured Thirteen.

"I am," Vinyl countered, quiet. "Because if I wasn't stupid, I wouldn't be hoping things could change even now. Maybe you're right." Her wrong smile widened as a tear fell. "Maybe I really am just a kid, huh?"

Thirteen kept quiet.

Vinyl looked up at the ceiling. "The day Miss Lucy and Mister Loke came to my wedding and saved me… It was like a dream. I kept thinking it would go away. But it hasn't. Miss Lucy helped me a lot. I didn't realize how clueless I was about the world and how much I was sheltered until joining Fairy Tail. But I don't have any regrets. Even if I make mistakes ten times a day…or crash and burn… I'm living my life the way I want. So tell me, Thirteen. Are you living your life the way you want?"

Murky oranges dimmed. Am I?

An innocent smile. Little hands wrapped around a gold harmonica.

Thirteen's fingers curled into fists. "You…" He turned away. "You should really sleep—"

"Are the crow and fairy living their lives the way they want?"

Thirteen's jaw went taut, but he forced the insurgence of anger and grief to calm down. "The fairy…" His words caught. "She's…living a better life than she had before."

"And the crow?"

The crow? Thirteen held his quiet for a moment and, to his relief, Vinyl had fallen asleep without an answer. The crow…is surviving this life. And that's why he's named 'Thirteen'.

He pulled off the bed and made short work of getting Vinyl bottled water and making sure she had access to a few more painkillers and crackers upon waking up. After moving Vinyl onto her side and propping her so she would not fall onto her stomach or back, he left her bedroom for good. So… She understands what it's like to be a bird trapped in a large cage. You think it's big enough to fly, but—

SPLAT!

An empty wood-and-rope swing tied to a tree. A golden harmonic splattered with blood.

He harshly swallowed and went back to his bedroom. There's no use in doing this to myself. It happened. I need to focus on the present. For example…

He went to his bed—the pull-out bed from the couch—and pulled back his pillows to see a black mask and a black box. Like how someone figured out I'm here. Murky oranges thundered. And just how much they know about me.

---

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Later that night

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

---

Shamballa's capital was not one to sleep. Nightclubs, raves, bars—they would keep partying until the sun came up for last call. Spring breakers and natives alike enjoy the splendors Shamballa could offer. But the best secrets of Shamballa were revealed during the witching hour.

The Burj Al'umi Hotel had shut down the theme park and beachfront for the evening with black-suited guards roaming about, even in the aquarium. Unfortunately for the rebellious youth, their quick thrills would have to be in someone's room rather than hiding out elsewhere, away from parents and friend groups. But that was not important.

What was important were the tinted black SUVs waiting curbside and the black-masked staff prowling through the hotel. With soft knocks, they stood back and waited for their wards.

KNOCK-KNOCK!

It took a few moments until Gale stepped out, dressed in all black, and Julia with her black cloak on, both with masks and their pins on. Their masked escort gestured for them to follow, but it would not be the main elevator they would be taking nor the TelePad but the elevator used for staff to weave in and out of floors without anyone seeing them. The ride down was with a few others and their escorts, everyone in masks and with pins, but no one breathed a word to each other, as though some unspoken law prohibited conversation.

The cars loaded with one party each. The escort got Gale and Julia to the back of their SUV, made sure they were tucked, and closed the door with a hand signal to the driver.

And they were off.

Still, no words were spoken as the parade of black cars entered the city like a funeral brigade. None of the main roads were taken and it was awfully convenient every light given to them turned green upon the first car's approach and would only turn red once the last car drove underneath. Very little civilians were out to observe such a spectacle and the ones who did were too much of drunk bums that they would discount the memory as a hallucination.

As strange as it sounded, a parking garage looked to be their destination.

Or so it looked before.

The gate opened up and the first car selected what looked like the spare part site for the parking garage. But when it crossed into that side of the garage, it disappeared. The car disappeared into a ward. Car after car, they disappeared once they crossed the threshold. Rather than running into spare parts, a downwards spiraling driveway tunnel was what awaited them. The drive downwards felt dizzying and maybe unnerving, but soon enough the tunnel straightened out until the cars started to pull to an underground curbside with escalator only going down and valets ready and waiting to open doors and direct.

Gale and Julia got out of their car and wordlessly went to the escalators with the others. It felt like a stairway to Hell, but the bottom seemed visible with more masked escorts. A long hallway awaited with no doors and no windows. The only mollifying part of the hallway were the neon lights and even that could make the odd-man-out feel more anxious. Dual doors awaited, but guards had been propped and two lines were forged. Each party would be beckoned forward to be checked over by a guard until they could come in.

Gale and Julia were beckoned, but the guard said nothing.

Together, Gale and Julia murmured, "Aba na."

The guard nodded and handed to Julia what looked to be a blank card before allowing them to pass.

Steps were their next hurdle, but strange ushers were available. Living silhouettes—Shadowers—acted as ushers with their full uniform, but their full face masks were off-putting. One asked for the blank card and once received, the usher mushed them forward into what looked like a restored opera house. Gale and Julia were fortunate enough that they did not have ground-floor seating. No, instead, the usher got them to one of the mid-level boxes and made sure they were aware they had champagne, plated bites, and opera glasses for their leisure before leaving them alone. More and more masked people filled the venue, all dressed in black and some with opera glasses, until the opera house was full.

Silence.

The lights blacked out.

Then—

KIRA-KIRA!

A spotlight took centerstage. A well-dressed man in a black suit had taken the stage, but white gloves covered his hands and a harlequin mask full of color. He welcomed in a jovial tone like he was a true harlequin, "Welcome, friends, to my latest auction house! I, the Auctioneer, am truly honored to be your host for tonight and hope you enjoy all the delights I've curated for this grand event!"

Diplomatic applause rang about.

The Auctioneer continued: "Tonight is to give you a taste of what we have in store for you and for you to check your pockets and make sure you have another money to put up a bid. Unfortunately, we could not procure for you the Morningstar nor will we be offering shares for the Devil's spawns. We sincerely apologize for the delay, but we assure you we have replaced the Morningstar's slot with something almost in equal value."

Julia clutched her opera glasses.

The grandeur curtains dramatically were pulled back with seven spotlights poured upon the podiums. The Auctioneer expanded his hands as his harlequin assistants came out like colorful court gestures and in volto masks. "Ah, preview night is my favorite time of the spring auction week! If you're new to my grand auction houses, then allow me to illuminate the rules for you."

He lifted a finger as his assistants got everything in order. "Rule one: you may not place any bids on preview night. Rule two: you may not approach the stage or request a closer look. Rule three: you may not speak about our inventory outside of my auction hour. Rule four: masks must be worn at all times. Rule five: my silent auctions are silent auctions. Unless you plan to make a bid during the appropriate times, please refrain from conversation. And rule six…"

His playful tone dropped from something severe. "We take thievery and bribery seriously in my auction house. So I'd refrain from either unless you wish to incur the wrath of an all-knowing Auctioneer who knows your dirtiest of secrets."

He looked at his hand to see he had six fingers. "Oops! Now you see it!" He flashed his hands and he was back to ten fingers. "Now you don't! And with all our rules in place, let's get to preview night, shall we?"

His silly harlequin assistant rolled over a glass case that withheld a lidded chalice. "Per popular demand, we'll be offering the unrefined blood of the Leviathan at four ounces for our auction and we'll even throw in a smith who can help refine the blood into any sort of item at your pleasure!"

The next harlequin assistant rolled another glass case a horrifying display of angelic wings wrapped in chains. The Auctioneer proclaimed, "Next hot item we'll be presenting to you are authentic Agent wings brought to you by a very generous Sinful! And don't worry! These wings won't fly back their owner and look great atop a fireplace!" He waited for the next assistant. "And then we have…!"

Julia kept down her rising anger. This… This is truly sickening. How can people stand for this? How do people live with themselves doing this? They were actually hoping on auctioning off Gary and his future children? She ground her teeth. I won't ever let that happen. Ever.

The Auctioneer clasped his hands as the next assistant came over and wheeled what looked like a portrait hidden behind a cloth. "And our pièce de resistance of our preview showcase for tonight! We've heard your grumblings about a missed opportunity with the Morningstar, but we hope this brand-new prize will catch your eye and open your wallets! Our last big-ticket item is…!" He shed the cloth.

Gale could not believe it. Oh, no…

A blown-up sonogram of twins fetuses framed took the podium with the Auctioneer proud to present them. "We received word from our favorite doctor that he discovered not only one but two powerful God Slayers yet to be born! We are offering you the right to bid on one twin! And…!" He held up a finger. "We'll be offering exclusive rights to the mother's uterus! Why, you may ask? We have confirmation this little new mother can give birth to more little Slayers! Bid on her and you can have your own God Slayer in nine months!"

Excited applause sprung about the room at the notion with many smiling in eagerness as the prospect. A masked child who looked greatly like the eighth prince politely clapped, but a mysterious masked woman a few rows down did not do such a thing. One man in the audience refrained from clapping and gripped the arms of his chair as though to restrain himself. A little masked girl clapped with her stoic guard unfazed.

But Gale clamped down on Julia's arm when she moved to get up and he shook his head, just as disgusted as her. She grated her teeth as her stomach knotted over and over again and angry tears filled her eyes. Why would they do this? How could they do this? She gripped the arm of her chair. This poor woman… Her life… The life of her unborn children…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Elsewhere…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

HA… FU…

Food packed away, the bedroom only had the muted moon as light tonight. It was wholly not her intention to let him stay in bed with her, mind you. But conversation and late-night movie watching somehow pitied them against sleep and they lost horrendously. He had taken out his gauges and piercings for the evening, and she had been too tired to put up a fight with him seeing her in her silk scarf.

Though, come morning, Jasmine would not be pleased Pacer had taken to snuggling her with him down to his boxer-briefs.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

'All of them… They're being sold like animals.'

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

And as the moon moved her wandering eye to peek into the room, her glimpse cast an ethereal light on the ladybug Lucky Charm lying on the nightstand.

---

— • — • — • —

Starry Sky nemurenai yoru nee aitai yo aitai yo

Kirameita ittousei osaekirenai kimi e no omoi wo

•

Gyutto dakishimete mou hanasanaide

"aishiteru" dake ga zutto kagayaki tsuzukeru

— • — • — • —

---

The hotel room had been trashed but in a good way.

Allow me to explain.

The MagiSwitches had been put into its charging docks, but wrappers of junk food and juice boxes had been clumped together on the coffee table. Clothes had been shed, but it was not for nudity, though that would come later. Magi-themed onesies had been the way to go for any evening of child-like entertainment. Their epic pillow fight was what tossed them from acting like kids again to upping the maturity for adult passion.

Key's orange-red hair had been braided for the evening, but she slept like the dead with her wings curled. Maybe some people would find it uncomfortable, but having wings like hers all their life would make it easy to find sleeping positions.

He slipped out of bed and resisted the urge to drop a kiss on her lips before he left her alone. Scrounging on a pair of shorts and grabbing one of the abandoned pocky boxes, he did not seem all that surprised when his chair materialized out of nowhere, as though waiting for its proper master. He sat down and his VR goggles automatically strapped on and shielded his eyes. A series of screens came to life before him, streaming with code until they all combined to show his password screen.

His keyboard spread out for him, but none of the letters looked like Minstrish. He typed in his password nonetheless and the screen dissolved to show:

WELCOME HOME

He cracked his knuckles as his screens flipped to show individual reams of information and data. "T.A.D.A.S.H.I.?"

"Good evening, sir," T.A.D.A.S.H.I. answered.

He conjoined all his screens to show another login page, but it looked like a lightbulb logo. "I need to step out of a bit." He typed in the password, which was accepted. "I need to do a bit of moderating. Can you handle monitoring The System for now?"

"As you wish, sir," T.A.D.A.S.H.I. dutifully assured.

He nodded. "Cool." He cracked his neck and commanded, "Link Start!" A game controller appeared in his hand. "Activate: Magnolia Server." He got out a stick of pocky to chew on as the screen flawlessly shifted and asked him the question:

WHICH PROFILE YOU WOULD LIKE TO USE ON THE SERVER?

"Profile"—he clicked over the profiles until he found on, his thumb hovering over the X button—"Damage Control." And he crunched down on his pocky stick.

---

Voices of Characters in Order of Appearance

— • — • — • —

Gale Redfox – Greg Cipes

Luna Dragneel – Brynn Apprill

Eiji "Dash" Ackermann – Leraldo Andzaldua

Julia Fullbuster – Michelle Ruff

Thirteen – Matthew Mercer

Vinyl de la Muse – Alison Vicktorin

Raja -

Luke Dragneel – Alan Lee

Fusajiro – Derrick Snow

Key – Raye Boyce

Vespers Vivaldi -

Erza Fernandes – Colleen Clinkenbeard

Kamir bin Kwuyalid Al Marwan -

Sycaña – Christen Auten

The Auctioneer - Kent Williams

T.A.D.A.S.H.I. – Greg Chun

• — • — •

Additional Voices

Opening Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Description Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Closing Narrator – Melissa Fahn

— • — • — • —

⌜OPENING SONG

⟪ SAYONARA DILEMMA ⟫

Vivid undress

Lyrics by

yu-ya⌟

•

⌜ENDING SONG

⟪ Starry ⟫

ClariS

Lyrics by

丸山真由子⌟

---

•

•

•

•

— • — • — • —

Next time, on Fairy Adventure

•

Episode 139

•

THE ENEMY OF MY ENEMY IS…

— • — • — • —

•

•

•

•

TO BE CONTINUED…

---

Chibi-Luna waves at her class. "Good day, class!"

"Good day, Teacher!" her students chorus. "What's our Fairy Lesson of the day?"

"Today's lesson is…"—Chibi-Luna proudly shows her chalkboard with her little drawings that show a relationship chart—"a genealogy lesson about the de la Muse family!"

"Wow!" her students cheer. "Hooray for genealogy!"

Chibi-Luna points to the first oval photo of a striking older gentleman. "The de la Muse family goes back generations since they discovered Music Magic, but we'll focus on the current generation starting with Vinyl's grandfather, Amadeus de la Muse." She shifts to the woman connected to him through a heart. "His wife is Julie de la Mus who tragically passed years ago." She goes to his other side to show the strong cheek-boned sister. "And this is Vinyl's great aunt and Amadeus' sister Cadenza!"

Chibi-Luna goes back to Amadeus and Julie. "Now, seven children, which wasn't that big of a number at the time! So let's break it down!" She goes to the eldest, a mature woman. "This is Dolce de la Muse." She goes to the next, a man this time. "This is Restez de la Muse." She goes on to another woman. "Minore de la Muse is the second sister." She moves on. "This is Vinyl's father, Fall de la Muse. We'll come back to him in a moment." She continues. "This is Sonata de la Muse!" She moves on to another woman. "This is Larghetta de la Muse and…!" She goes to the last woman. "This is the youngest sister and child, Timbre de la Muse!"

She smiles. "If you notice, every sibling's first two letters of their names form do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti—which are common words to sing! And each of them was named after a musical term. Every sibling has their own family, but we'll focus on Vinyl's immediate family."

Chibi-Luna returns to Fall and goes down to the woman connected to him with a heart. "He's married to Melisma de la Muse, who is a flute and piccolo player in the Lincoln Symphony and has worked on various Magia movies! And together, Fall and Melisma have Vinyl, but she has no other siblings. She does have plenty of first and second cousins, but she's the only one in the family outside her grandfather to inherit her Requip Magic!"

She scuttles to erase her board. "And now a quick word from the Author!"

「 Hello. There were mentions of Luna's naivete. She is very naïve and very (unhealthily) forgiving. It can have it charm for certain applications, but it also has many dangerous drawbacks. Her flaws will be addressed in a later arc as an important steeple in her emotional maturity.

11 Shot Lukas has been a riot to write about. A reserved and shy nerd with his head stuck in a book turned into stripping party animal who will lip-synch for his life (think Daniel Radcliff performing She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain from Miracle Workers Season 3 Episode 4). Didi and Checkmate endure 11 shot Lukas in such entertaining ways. I'm considering showing 11 Shot Lukas for the 150 Episode Special.

I hope you enjoy Thirteen and Vinyl's dynamic and Fusajiro and his girlfriend Key. I'm sure you have connected the dots on a few things about these characters, but their future arcs are exciting as they are heartbreaking. However, Lupita's warning to Jasmine and Pacer about not using hospitals came a little too late, huh? Unfortunately, everything in this story happens for a reason.

The Disappearance of Igneel Dragneel has been updated to Episode 2 where Ignia, Arunima, Tiger Lily, and Wander make an appearance. I hope you enjoy it. And thank you for your support.

じゃ、おやすみ！」

PINPON!

Chibi-Luna claps her hands. "That's the bell! See you for the next Fairy Lesson!"