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'Thinking'

"Speaking"

SPELL/ABILITY

(********) = Scene/Location/Time Change

Chapter 12: Debriefing

The two boys arrived home to warm welcomes, but were exhausted after their mission and the long walk home from the school. As a result, they both went straight to their rooms. Saito was still worried about breaking the news to Henrietta and Leon was still a little afraid of confronting Jessica after the kiss she had given him, but neither boy would have admitted this to anyone. They resolved to go for an official debriefing tomorrow morning.

(********)

The two boys awoke the next morning. They put on clothes that had been made in their absence that were less flashy, but similar to, their new clothes for missions. The boys stepped out of their rooms at the same time and made eye contact. The air was tense as both boys dreaded confronting their respective girl problems.

They both moved towards the grand hall for the debriefing in silence. Sensing their partners' mood even Derf and Vandal refrained from comment. The two boys entered the throne room and took their positions in a kneel in front of the Queen with Henrietta at her side. Saito avoided Henrietta's gaze. This made the purple haired girl nervous, but she held her tongue.

"You make speak Captain Saito." The Queen said with elegant authority.

"Thank you your Highness," Saito reported formally which caught everyone of guard.

Saito went on to detail their mission. He included everything from their departure to their return excluding the ordeal with the second letter. The boys burned the first letter with magic fire that had Aria create in front of the Queen after Henrietta confirmed that this was in fact the letter. Saito had decided to confront solely Henrietta about the second letter, so he concluded the report with that. The Queen dismissed them and the boys stood bowed and exited the throne room.

"You should go to the boy," the Queen told her daughter, "it seems there is something only you must know."

"What?" Henrietta questioned but obeyed.

When she stepped out of the throne room Saito was there waiting for her. Just Saito. Derflinger, Vandal, and Leon were nowhere in sight. This was rare. The boy then moved towards and she felt her face get hot as he reached for something from his pocket.

"I think you should read this." He said looking her dead in the eyes.

"I thought you burnt the letter?" the young girl asked as she opened the letter, but the boy remained silent.

As she read she felt tears rim her eyes. She knew why Saito had been reluctant now. He hadn't wanted to hurt her, but he knew that she should know.

'That's just like him,' the princess thought, 'He wants me to decide for myself, but he still seems to care about the decision.'

"I'm sorry," Saito started, "but there's a little bit more."

The boy went on to explain to the girl about how Wales had tried to hire them for a cover up, and how he had rejected him. He saw each word made color drain from her face, but he still finished the terrible news.

"Henrietta," Saito began, but before he could say another word she was in tears in his arms. Not holding anything back the princess let everything out. She hit his chest as she tried, but he didn't stop her or flinch. Saito wanted to be there for her, and make sure this sort of thing never happened again, but he had things he needed to finish before that was possible.

'Still,' the young swordsman thought to himself, 'this is the least that I can do, but… I want to do more than the least though…'

Saito shook himself from his thoughts when he realized the princess had fallen asleep in his arms. He decided to carry her to her room. He decided to put her on his back, in case Agnes saw them he didn't want her throwing a fit, and walked her back to her room.

Once in the room Saito took her off his back and laid her on the bed. Thinking he heard someone at the door the boy jerked his head, but the entryway was empty. After making sure the princess was comfortably tucked in Saito stood and left for his room.

(********)

Saito had handed Derf to Leon and told him he'd meet him back at his room after he was done speaking with the princess, so Leon obliged, but once out of sight Leon gave Vandal Derf and told him to head on without him.

As the young man strolled through the halls he noticed he was receiving a good number of glances. The boy knew people thought he was attracted, but it had never been like this before, so the dark haired boy was baffled.

When Leon reached Jessica's room he found himself pacing in front of the door. After finally mustering the strength to knock the boy went to do so only to have the door swing open. On the other side of the door, Jessica stood with a smile on her face.

"Welcome home hero." The girls said with the faintest bit of laughter.

"Thanks." Leon managed before the girl pulled him into her room and sat him at a table while she went to sit by the window.

After a long while, Jessica spoke, "So I guess the fact that you're here means you want to know."

"Yeah," Leon responded, "this time it does, but whether I wanted to know or not I feel like I'd still come by."

"Aw," Jessica cooed, "are you starting to like me?"

"Yes." Leon said bluntly with full intent to surprise her.

The girl was shocked, but she didn't let it show because she knew he was just saying that to mess with her. She took a deep breath and began telling Leon about how she had acquired the pendant and the last month of the life of Lelah.

Lelah had appeared out of nowhere and applied for a job as a waitress. She had no résumé, no experience, and no family, but the bar owner took her under his wing and she turned into a fine waitress. She brought in customers like crazy, and never had any bad incidents. Towards the end of the month though she got very sick, and everyone got worried. Jessica had tended to her night and day, but the girl never seemed to be getting better. One day when Jessica was putting a new towel on her head she stopped her and motioned for her to lean in. Like an old woman Lelah's voice cracked and was dry, but she told Jessica there was no cure, and that she wouldn't be getting better. The girl had always had weak constitution, so even the weakest of illnesses usually required much treatment. Lelah said that she knew this would happen and she had come to see Jessica.

"Jessica," the girl said in a weak voice, "You'll be important to him one day, so please be good to him. He's not perfect and he's a bit rude at times, but he'll care for you just the same. The boy with the wolf pendant. Save him for me please."

With that the girl handed her the pendant and slipped into a comatose state from which she would never awaken.

Leon sat quietly through the whole story, and even after Jessica had finished a deafening silence hung in the air like a thick cloud of fog. When the silence was finally broken Leon looked a Jessica and smiled.

"Thank you Jess." He said affectionately.

This caused the girl to blush, but before she could say anything Leon had stood given her a kiss on the cheek and left. As he left Leon felt the presence in his mind leave. The presence had moved on, and now so could Leon.

(…)

Heyo, this was a bit of a loaded chapter in terms of baggage for the characters being relieved. You'll now see a return of both Leon and Saito's normal selves in the next chapter, but that's about all I'd like to give away right now. I also apologize for any errors. The person I was going to have read these first for you all is on vacation. Hope you all enjoyed.

-Lion