EDIT: 9/3/2015


Having fun in Regalo?


Author's Corner!

Here's another chapter! I'll try to fit in Kousuke somewhere...somehow.

R&R ~ Read On!


Legend: ' ' are thoughts, " " are characters speaking, *bold* are actions done by characters and sfx, italics represent past events, memories, emphasis and foreign language, and bold italics time skips.

WARNING: May contain OOC, various point-of-view, and possible lemons!


IV : Libertà


"That's Regalo Island."

A young Libertà sat atop Dante's shoulders. (A/N: please, what's more surprising is that head of hair) "Wow, that's awesome!"

"Starting today, you're part of the Arcana Famiglia," Dante tells the young lad. "Yeah! And once I'm in the family, I'm gonna be as strong as you, Dante!"

"Ahaha, that won't be easy."

"I can do it! I'm gonna become strong, no matter what!"


"Oh!" Dante blurts out as he catches yet another fish. Libertà looks at Dante's bucket, then at his own. "Man, why are they all going to you, Dante?"

"Even the fish know who's stronger," he jokes. "That's why they keep floundering my way...because they're fish. Just kidding!"

...A horrible pun has been made, yet again.

"So? How have you been since?" Dante asks Libertà. "Since what?"

"You said you had a headache," he reminds him. "Oh, that. I don't know what it was, but after I slept, it got better," Libertà tells his guardian while yawning. "I haven't gotten another one since then."

"That's good to hear, but don't push yourself too hard. Looking after your health is very-"

"I know!"

"Hey, Libertà!" someone calls out from the end of the pier. "The lady is here!" "Okay, I'll be right there!" he calls back, picking up his bucket and running off. "I'll rest when I need to rest. Okay?"


In the Middle of Town

"Ms. Jovanna, huh?"

"Yes, she's a longtime friend of Mama and Aunt Monica," Felicità tells him as they continue to walk through town.

"Jovanna gave me a lovely brooch, and she recently sent Monica a beautiful, jeweled hairpiece. So, I'd like you to give her this scarf we got for her. Would you, Felicità?"

"But I've never met her," she says.

"I think I've seen her two or three times," Libertà says. "Mama has exquisite taste, and Monica-sama loves art, so I'm sure Ms. Jovanna will like it. Still..." he trails off, looking at what seemed to be a drawn map. "What the hell is up with this map? If we keep taking all of these detours, the sun will go down."

"Arianna had to do something with Kousuke, so she told me to send Ms. Jovanna her regards. Nova said he was busy, so he drew that for us, but..." "There's a faster way to get there," Libertà says. "Eh?"

Libertà pointed up, making Felicità look up to...the sky.


"Come on, Ojou. Hurry up!" he pesters. The two were now on the rooftops. "O-Okay."

As she walks towards him, he stretches his arms, feeling the breeze. "This feels great!"

"You're right, and it's such a great view," she agrees with him. "It's the best when you can see both the city and the ocean. But being on the ocean is the best by far."

"Hm? The ocean?" she asks.

"Sailing across the ocean feels amazing. When you're gazing at the endless ocean, nothing else matters. There are no troubles or boundaries. You feel like you're finally free," he tells her. "Well, I got half of that from Dante."

Felicità laughs a bit. "The two of you get along so well. You're like father and son."

"Well, we've known each other for a long time. I don't have to on airs around him," he says. "How long have you known each other?" she asks. "Hm? I'm not really sure... Now that I think about it, I don't really remember. Why is that?" Libertà wonders. Felicità just looks at him.

"Whoops, we shouldn't be dawdling up here. Let's go, Ojou," he says while holding out his hand. Taking, she says "Okay" and he begins to walk off deep in thought.

'Am I forgetting something important?' he thought to himself. "Libertà, in front of you!" "Huh?" Looking down, he sees...

"Huh?! Ahhhh!" "Ahhhh!" The two scream as they fall off the roof, crashing through the roof of a stall. Everyone in the area turns to the commotion.

"Are you okay, Ojou?" he asks her. "Yes, I think so." Felicità's face was close to his own, causing him to become flustered and say, "Ah, s-sorry! It's my fault for not paying attention!"

"Oh, it's alright," she tells him.

"It's not fine at all."

The turn to see an angry stall vendor, glaring down at them.


After fixing his shop, the two offer to help the man sell his goods as an apology for almost ruining his stall.

"Hey there, signorina! We've got tons of great things here!" he shouts then looks to Felicità. "Come on, Ojou! Speak up! No one will come if you just stand there quietly!"

"Huh? Okay... Welcome-" she began stiffly before being cut off by Libertà. "With a smile, come on!"

Getting the point, she shouts out with a smile. "Welcome!"

The two gathered many customers, selling and bargaining various products for the vendor. As the two were helping out, they failed to notice Nova pass by on his daily patrol, and Arianna, who tagged along. (A/N: She's wearing her uniform; the first uniform pic in her character page is her upper garment and the second is the skirt, stockings and boots)

"What in the world are they doing?" Nova asks no one in particular. Arianna, who was walking beside him, looks to what he was referring to and smiles a bit. "It seems they're helping out." Leaving it at that, they walk away and continue their patrol.

"Thank you very much!" Felicità bids the customer farewell. Libertà hauled a box and leaned on it, exhausted from the various customers. "We really don't have the time to be doing this..."

"Pardon me, can I get this flower?"

Turning around, a smile now etched onto his face, he replies, "Yes, ma'am- eh..." He looks at the woman then says, "Ah, Ms. Jovanna!"

"Eh?" Felicità blurts out as she turns around. Jovanna, now looking at the surprised girl, says, "Yes?"


Afternoon

"Hah, we're finally done."

"I'm so tired. Sorry, Ojou. It's my fault we got into this weird mess," he apologizes. "No, it's fine. We were able to give Ms. Jovanna the scarf, after all."

"Ah. I guess if we'd gone to her house, she wouldn't have been there," he agrees. "Though it was only a coincidence, I'm glad we met her," Felicità says happily.

"Maybe it's part of your powers, Ojou."

"Eh?" she blurts out.

"I can't really describe it, but things seem to fall perfectly into place," he tells her. "Do you think so?" she asks. "Yeah, I do. That has to be it. It's all thanks to you, Ojou," he grins.

"Thanks to you two, my sales have doubled!" the vendor says happily as we walks up to them. "As a token of my appreciation, you can take whatever you like."

Felicità looks around as she notices Libertà looking at something. Walking up to him, she asks, "Masks?"

"Yeah, I like them. I grew up in an orphanage when I was younger. That's where I met a huge masked man. I don't really remember it well, but he's the one who took me out of the orphanage. He was really cool," he tells her. "So you've liked them since?"

"Yeah. When I'm looking at masks, I feel like I can be strong and cool like that guy-" he stopped mid-sentence as his eyes caught one mask in particular. "Hm? What's the matter?" she asks confused. Libertà picks up the mask and stares at it intently. "Where have I seen this mask before..."

"Oh! You found a rare one!" the vendor says as his eyes catch the mask Libertà was holding.

"Is it expensive?" Felicità asks him.

"Yeah, it's from the country of Nord. Apparently, a long time ago, there was an orphanage that did terrible things to children. There's a tale that a hero wearing that mask saved the children," he tells her.

Libertà's eyes widen at the vendor's explanation.


Back at the Mansion

Libertà ran into one of the living rooms, the one Jolly and Dante usually stay in, and yelled "Dante!" upon entry.

"Hey! At least knock," said man scolds him. "Ah, sorry. But take a look at this! I really wanted you to see it, too!" Libertà says as Felicità walks into the room.

"Isn't it cool?" he asks, holding up the mask for Dante to see. However, Libertà failed to notice Dante's eyes slightly widen upon seeing the mask. "I told you about when I was the orphanage, and that a masked guy came to save me, right? You think this might be the same mask?"

Dante, practically frantic on the inside, ignored it and looked back at his paperwork. "Aw, what the heck? I thought you'd like it..." Burning out his cigarette, Dante says, "There was a report from Nova and Arianna."

"Eh?"

"I heard you fell from a roof. How dare you put the lady in danger like that?"

"Th-That was...It's all because of that stupid map Nova drew-"

"Enough. Don't put the blame on others. At this rate, you'll always be a child. Put more effort into refining yourself and becoming stronger," Dante lectures him. Gritting his teeth, Libertà runs out of the room with a shadow cast over his eyes. Jolly and Felicità watch him as he leaves.

"Good grief. Such beautiful love between the teacher and student," Jolly comments.

"Jolly. I'm terribly sorry you had to see that, Milady," Dante apologizes to her. Felicità, confused at the current situation, bows slightly before taking her leave.

Before she left, her Arcana powers activated. She sees a young Libertà standing over rubble, small fires in different places. Felicità gasps and looks back at Dante.

"Hm? Is there still something you need?" he asks. Her eyes still wide, she shakes her head "No" and runs off.

"It seems she saw into your heart," Jolly states. "Impossible," Dante retorts.

"Milady is still growing."


In Felicità's Room the Next Day

"The strawberry and custard cream is delicious!" Donatella says as she ties one side of her mistress's hair.

"You should definitely try it when you have a chance, milady," Isabella tells her.

Felicità simply nods, seemingly depressed from yesterday's sudden discovery. Worried, the eldest, Mariella, asks, "Is something the matter, milady?"

"Huh? Oh, it's nothing... I'm sorry for making you worried."

"We're always here for you, milady!" Isabella tells her.

"It may be hard in a world full of men..." Donatella begins.

"But we're here if you need to talk, all right?" Mariella finishes.

"Ah... thanks."


At Nova's Office (A/N: Because I don't wanna do the fight scene for some reason)

"Unfortunately, there's nothing I know about Libertà and Dante's past," Nova tells Felicità, arm propped up onto his desk as he leans on it. "I see..."

"Even if I did know, that's between the two of them. It's not our place to interfere," he adds. "I know that, but..."

*knock*knock*knock*kachink*

"Nova, it's time for us to patrol," Arianna informs him as she walks into the office. 'Hm? Felicità?' she wonders. "Alright. I'll be right there," he says while getting up from his chair. He walks past Felicità and towards the door, Arianna trailing behind him. The two stop at the door as he says, "If you're that concerned, you should ask him yourself."

Arianna walks out of the room as Nova closes the door behind them.


We walked down the hallway in silence, but curiosity got the best of me.

"What was that about, Nova?" I ask.

"Ah...Felicità asked me about Libertà and Dante's past." Hm? Libertà and Dante's past... "How come?"

"I'm not sure. She tell me why, but she seemed very concerned about it..." he trailed off. I felt a small smirk appear on my face as I bring my face closer to his, causing him to jump back a bit.

"W-What?" "...Are you worried?" I ask. He pouts a bit before turning away, "Why would I be worried? And for what reason?"

"Well, I know for a fact that you truly care about those two. And that Felicità was your fiancée," I say, moving away from him. He looks at me in disbelief before we continue walking again. "Yeah, was. I called it off," he tells me.

"...Why did you?"

Silence.

I looked at him, waiting for him to answer. 'I have a feeling I know what he's going to say...'

He sighed before looking at me, a slight pink on face. "Hm?"

"...You already know why."

I knew it.


Evening

Felicità was waiting at the fountain. She had sent a message to Dante with the help of Fukulota. Footsteps could be heard as she turned to see Dante with Fukulota perched onto his shoulder.

"It appears I've underestimated your powers, Milady."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to read your heart. But I was worried about Libertà and wanted to do whatever I could to help..." she explains.

"Thank you, Milady."


A shadow casts over Libertà's eyes as he leans on the bridge. "What the hell..."

"Oh? Well, if isn't Libertà." Luca says. "Huh?"

"What the hell is with the long face?" Debito asks. Pace grabs Debito and Luca's shoulder and says, "Perfect timing. You should come with us, Libertà."

They took him to L'Osteria.

"Thank you for the meal~" Pace says and begins to pig out on the food. Right after, he finishes his serving and calls for seconds.

"Come on, now. If you don't hurry up and eat, Pace's gonna eat it all, brat," Debito tells Libertà. "I'm gonna eat, and I'm not a brat!" he retorts and bites into a slice of pizza.

"You should eat a lot and feel better soon," Luca says.

"I'm fine to being with."

"That's good if that's the case. You do know what will happen if Milady happened to become sad looking at your dreary face, right?" Luca threatens, a dark cloud appearing over his head.

"Seconds, please!"

"F-Fire! There's a fire!" a man yells as he bursts through the door.


Timeskip to when they return to the mansion because the scene during the fire is hard to explain *cries*

As Felicità turns around the corner, she runs into Libertà.

"Ah, Ojou. I wanted to see you. I remember now, about the time I met the masked man. But bits and pieces are still blurry. So I have a request...

Just this once, could you read my heart?"

Felicità becomes troubled upon his request. She had already promised to Dante that she wouldn't tell him anything about his past. "You might be able to see the parts that I can't remember."

"But..."

"Please!" he begs, even bowing his head to show how much he wants her to do it for him.

"I can't..." she tells him. Libertà grits his teeth and runs back down the hallway. From the other corridor, Nova and Arianna notice Felicità standing in the middle of the intersection. "Felicità?"

"I wonder why...we even have these Arcana powers," she says. Nova glances to the side while Arianna merely narrows her eyes, for she felt the same way.

Why do they even have these powers... when some of them never wanted them in the first place?


"Nova...what are we doing?" I ask him as we continue to wander outside. He remains quiet, as he did the past few minutes. I pout, annoyed that he won't answer me.

After a while, still basking in silence as we walked, we came across Libertà who was lying on the ground, a mask on the floor beside him. It seems he hasn't noticed Nova and I come closer. Then...

...Nova kicked him in the side.

"Ow! What the hell, Chickpea?!" "Chick...pea?" I ask, a sweatdrop forming on my head.

"Well, at least you're well enough to call people names," Nova says, ignoring the insult. "I'm always fine!"

"Is that so? That's fine, but... Felicità was worried sick, you know." Libertà didn't respond, causing me to frown at him. 'He's going to pay later for making my cousin upset...'

"Weren't you going to become stronger for Felicità's sake?" he asks. "Hoh?" I mutter, taking out my fan to hide my face a bit.

"So become stronger. Then no one will have anything to complain about," Nova tells him, Libertà now looking up at us.

"The hell is that, a hit-and-run?" Libertà mutters as Nova walks back into the mansion. I linger for a bit, looking at Nova's retreating figure before looking back at Libertà.

"Libertà."

He turns to look at me, waiting for me to continue speaking. "...I'm sure you can do it. Just believe in yourself," I tell him, giving him a gentle smile. "Hime..."

"And I'm sure that Dante believes in you, as well. Despite all the things he says, he cares for you, Libertà. He just wants you to become stronger. And that's just what you're going to do, right?" I ask him, turning to walk away.

That's right. Just believe in yourself...because one day, you'll achieve the goal you've worked so hard for. So this time, why don't you listen to your own advice...

right, Nova?


What is your Tarocco?


I'm so bad. But I was tired while writing this, and the Know Your Allies chapter I wrote write after was even more tiring. And longer. And it's 2:25 AM now qqqq I didn't even get much sleep yesterday. I'M GONNA SLEEP AFTER I UPDATE THE OTHER ONE.

R&R? Tell me what you think? Contribute your ideas! I'll take 'em all ~ Well?

Enjoy your stay at Regalo Island.


ffxshilayt aka Shila -