Kanda looked back and forth between Allen, Lenalee, and Komui; for the first time ever, Allen thought he saw shock on the Exorcist's face. "Komui," he said in confusion. "They're holding hands."

"As observing as ever, I see," the Branch head chuckled. "Kanda, will you please gather the others? Tell them our guests are here, so it's time for dinner."

Kanda scowled, but he nodded and left the room.

"I see you're of one mind today, Jasdebi," Komui said.

"We were born as one," the Noah said solemnly. "Now that our powers are gone, we're twins no longer."

"A pity," Road sighed. "David was so hot, too."

"Oh, and I'm not?" Jasdebi demanded.

"Well . . . To be honest, you look like a girl," Tyki announced.

Allen smiled briefly. It didn't matter whether the Noah had lost their power or not; they were their normal jovial selves. It seemed they really did believe they had done wrong. They were simply grateful that God had shown mercy on them.

Unlike the Earl.

"Allen," Lenalee said, nudging him. "You're unnaturally quiet today. What's wrong?"

"Ah, it's nothing. Just . . ." He glanced over at the still-arguing Noah.

"I understand. It's awkward, isn't it?"

"Mm. Yeah." That wasn't it at all, but it didn't matter anyway. It didn't exactly concern her.

"Is Cross here?" Jasdebi asked.

Allen snorted. "Master left as soon as the war ended. Why, is he still transferring bills to you?"

By the glower on his face, Allen guessed that he was. As a matter of fact, Cross was still sending them to Allen as well, but he threw them away. His master could deal with his own debts. If it was one thing Allen had learned, it was how to stand up to that detestable man. Besides, it was more fun when they were of the same rank . . .

"General Walker," someone called. Allen glanced up as Howard Link entered the cafeteria. "Lavi requests your presence. Also, there is another guest asking for you."

Allen glanced over at Komui for permission. When the Head nodded, Allen grinned at Lenalee. "I'll be back in a few."

Lavi . . . Lavi was the one no one expected would stay. After all, he was supposed to be the Bookman's apprentice. But after Bookman died--age had finally caught up to him--Lavi had ended the Bookman line, saying it wasn't right to hold all the secrets to the world. But still, it was a shock he stayed, though he didn't have much strength anymore.

"Lavi?" Allen called, knocking on his companion's door.

"Come in!"

Lavi's room was a mess, books strewn everywhere. It looked like he almost never cleaned up. "What did you want?"

"You're helping me to dinner, right?" Lavi asked cockily. "You're not leaving me out of this one."

"That's it?"

"Well, no. There's your visitor, too."

Allen looked around in confusion for a moment, seeing nothing. But . . . Then he noticed. "Lavi . . ."

"Go say something," he laughed.

Allen pursed his lips as he stepped around the junk on the floor. He bowed towards the mirror and said quietly, "Greetings . . . Fourteenth."