Leilani had climbed up on the counter, kneeling on it to cram through the cupboard to find a snack.

Colonnello was still waiting at the table, leaning against it and having his eyes on her just in case she stumbled and fell backwards.

Verde, who had come to refill his coffee, paused in the doorframe, his eyes on the sky "In theory you have potential to still grow. I can't be sure how the curse affects it but with an almost 16 year old body there is still hope."

Leilani looked over her shoulder, a gummy straw in her mouth "I doubt that. Hermione always said that it's pretty unlikely with the malnutrition."

Verde tilted his head "In theory with 16, there are still ways to correct it. I can't be sure without testing but malnutrition can lead to other issues as well, infertility is one. Maybe there is a possibility to reverse the damage. How about we go to my laboratory?"

She raised an eyebrow before turning around and sitting down more normal on the counter, the pack of gummy treats in her hand "I think the fuck not."

"Excuse me? Where is the issue?"

The rest of the arcobalenos had quipped up, listening intensely to the conversation and even stepping closer.

Leilani shook her head as she bit of a piece of her gummy "I'm not stupid enough to go into the crazy scientist lab that's way to invested in dissecting people. Who knows what you would do."

Reborn spoke up "I could come with you and make sure he doesn't try anything."

The sky started to laugh "You think I trust you more than Verde?" her finger switching between the both of them "You? Of all people?"

Fon stepped forwards "I will go then."

Leilani was still snickering "Mr. I stand aside and smile serenely while shit goes down? You're even more untrustworthy. Not a chance in hell."

Reborn was correcting his Fedora, his eyes untelling but focused on the sky "If I pay Viper to make sure that Verde doesn't do anything would it be okay? Viper does anything for money."

Leilani shook her head "Exactly, anything. Who says that you didn't pay Viper before to make them stay quiet? Or that Verde will pay Viper double the amount to look aside?"

"Isn't that extremely paranoid?"

"It's appropriate when dealing with any of you. I trust you guys as much as I can physically throw you."

Lal looked at the abnormal quiet rain before focusing her attention on Skull "What if I go with you?"

Leilani had to pause, looking contemplating, almost scrutinising at the female rain "...I guess. You're too much of a rule stickler."

Verde cleared his throat "So you agree as long as Lal is present? I can work with that."

Leilani hummed, jumping from the counter "It's not like I got anything better to do."

It was then that Colonnello finally spoke up "This counts as a checkup, right?"

Leilani froze on her spot.

Verde just nodded "I would call it that."

The sky vehemently shook her head "Nope. Nope, it doesn't. Under no circumstances is this a checkup. Not at all. It's Verde being a mad scientist researching the curse after effects. Nothing else."

The rain leaned forwards. "You promised."

"But.."

"Are you saying now that you're willing to break a promise? One you made to me?"

Her mouth was opening up but no words came out.

"You promised Skull. I let it rest. I didn't bother you with it but now it's your turn to make good on it."

"But…"

"No, you want to say it yourself or should I?"

She didn't answer, her nose scrunched up in distaste.

Reborn focused on Colonnello though "what is the promise about?"

The rain inclined his head, more than just willing to talk "Plain and simple. Skull got a health issue she refused to take seriously or let anyone check on. I tried to convince her but you can imagine how that went. The only thing we could settle on was that she would address it when she has her next checkup."

"And that issue would be what exactly?"

"Nerve Damage."

Immediately all of their attention snapped to the tiny sky.

She lifted her hands in a placating manner, the bag of snacks still dangling in it "It's not that bad. Really, it's not serious."

And as if the universe wanted to mock her, it was that exact time when her grip strength gave out again and her hand fell down, the snack bag falling to the ground and scattering the floor with gummies.

Verde stepped forwards, just staring at her arm "That alone are two symptoms. Dropping objects and muscle weakness. Do you experience numbness or tingling in your hands and feet."

She shrugged, her eyes glued to the ground to not look at them "Maybe a little."

"A buzzing sensation like a mild electrical shock."

"Only sometimes."

"Sharp pains in hands, arms, legs or feet?"

"Yeah.."

"Feeling like you're wearing a tight glove or sock?"

"Why does it matter? It doesn't impact me that much."

"So yes? You got all the criteria. This is serious, Skull. You should have come to us straight away. It's way better to treat it immediately. We have Reborn. Sunflames work spectacularly on this. He could have fixed you up in record time if it would have been recent."

"It wasn't recent. I have had it since I was 14, alright? I can deal with it. I don't want sunflames."

"Why not? Skull, this is serious."

"No it's not. That's my godfather." She was defensive, immediately trying to distract from the situation.

"This is no time for jokes. You need sunflames."

"I don't!"

Colonnello interrupted before it could escalate "Sunflames are the cause."

Reborn swallowed hard but forced himself to remain calm "Is this why you flinched every time I had them active?"

She was still staring at the scattered snack "I.. I… it doesn't matter."

"What happened to you?"

She bit her lip, her mind racing but she knew it was fruitless. She was in this situation now and she didn't fancy lying nor breaking her promise. It wasn't like they could do anything against it either. They didn't have the potions.

"Well.. back home there is… well a torture. I don't want to give you ideas but… in a way it's like…" She was trying to find a way to not give too much of an idea of how to actually do it but she was struggling with it "Like…" she groaned "By merlin. I can't even believe I'm telling you this. I shouldn't let you know how to do it. I don't want to give you ideas. It's highly illegal back home. Just attempting to do it gives you a lifelong prison sentence. it's vile, alright?"

His eyes didn't falter from her "I'm not going to do it… just tell us. We have to know how to help you."

"You can't… it's…" she cursed "Well… it's about activating every last pain receptor in the target's body at the same time."

Fon had to take a deep breath to contain his emotions. He couldn't even fathom what this must have felt like and especially in light of looking at the tiny girl he had problems staying calm at the image. "Every… last one?"

Her functioning hand was fiddling with her skirt "My state isn't that bad, alright? I was only under it for a few times and not that long. It could be worse alright? Constant use of it for a few minutes leaves the target heavily impaired mental and physically as it's just too intense but I… I function, alright? My body and mind still works, it's barely affecting me.

It wouldn't even have been an issue if I hadn't stayed here. Back home we have treatments for this level. I just have no access to it here. We have medicine for it but it needs to be taken straight after but I didn't get it. It's just like that and it's alright. I can deal with it. There is nothing to make a fuss about."

Reborn clenched his Fedora "I can help you Skull."

She shook her head "No, the ingredients aren't available here and I don't even know how to make the cure."

Reborn disagreed, completely determined as he bore his eyes in hers "For the amount of what you can do with your flames you have no real actual clue what we are capable of, do you? I can help you."