Trucy had somehow convinced everyone that they should come inside first and then she'd explain what was going on. Somehow it worked, but it might have been because the snow was starting to fall heavier and they may have just gotten cold. At least the cabin was nice and spacious. She turned back around to see everyone staring at her and she slowly shifted her feet a bit.
"Well, I'm a bit surprised that out of all of the people in this room, who I know can all talk a lot and loud, have nothing at all to say." Phoenix mumbled.
"Hmph, allow me to clear it up for you Wright-dono. I was beckoned here, along with Prosecutor Gavin by a pretty pink note promising a relaxing and fully paid vacation. I can only assume that it was sent by magical Wright-dono. Though I was under the impression that our presence here would be known." Simon said, turning his head to pet Taka.
"Trucy didn't mention anyone else coming besides the five of us. There's no way she could possibly expect me to have a relaxing week in the presence of Gavin." Apollo mumbled.
"Well I'm here because Pearls called and told me that Nick was spiritually unbalanced."
"…..Nick?" Simon snickered. "Phoenix is a much more impressive name for a lawyer. With this information it will be even easier to cut you down in the courtroom."
"Well Trucy, do you want to explain to everyone what type of plan you were up to now."
Trucy pouted out her bottom lip and let her eyes widen a bit. "I'm sorry, I just….when I thought about how nice a vacation would be, to get away from the courthouse, I thought inviting Juniper would be a good idea because she was Athena's friend and she had been accused of bombing the courtroom, killing her professor and attacking Apollo."
"Well we didn't have a problem with you bringing Junie!" Athena pointed out.
"Well…after I thought about Juniper, I started thinking about Mr. Simon and how he spent seven years in prison and almost died. I thought, wouldn't it be nice if he and his little birdy got to have a vacation too?"
That was an argument no one could fight, nor were they even going to try.
"Pearl is the one that invited Mystic Maya because she hadn't seen daddy in so long and then she'd get to meet Athena and Apollo. And Mr. Gavin…well, he helped on the case that helped prove Juniper was innocent and…..I just love the Gavinners!" She sniffled softly.
"Aww don't cry Trucy. I guess, since we're all up here anyway we can make it work. You were just trying to make everyone happy." Apollo said hugging her.
Trucy hugged him back. Man was she glad he wasn't wearing his bracelet or he might have sensed that there was another reason all of these people were here. "So you're not mad at me."
"No….besides, maybe if we're lucky we can convince Blackquill to chop Gavin's head off."
"Now that's not necessary Herr Forehead, lovely Fräulein Trucy wants this week to go off without a hitch and I say we make sure it happen." He smiled.
"Hmmm, someone else likes to hand out nicknames for Justice-dono? I can't see having an issue with this gentleman. Not to mention we have a sworn prosecutor respect." Simon smirked.
"Well if we're really going to make this work and enjoy ourselves, then we might as well make it a little more personal. I suggest that we all spend this week getting to know each other better and using first names. No one is a lawyer or prosecutor this week." Phoenix suggested.
"That's right. I suggest that we all start calling you Nick!" Maya smiled.
"OR Phoenix works too." He quickly retorted.
"Umm…we might all be getting to know each other a little better than we expected." Juniper mumbled, twirling the end of her pigtails. "While you were all talking, I decided to have a look around and it seems like there's only four rooms. They all have two beds though so it looks like we're all going to need roommates."
The group all looked at one another. Well, this was going to get interesting.
"Whomever I share a room with should be aware that sometimes Taka likes to feast at night."
"Okayyyyyy….I vote that Prose…..Simon gets to sleep in his own room with his cannibal bird." Apollo suggested.
"We'll figure out the sleeping arrangements a little later. For now I think us guys need to go out and get some firewood before the snow gets too heavy. We're probably going to need a fire tonight."
Klavier shook his head a bit. "No can do Phoenix. I'm not really the kind to get my hands dirty chopping wood. I think I'll stay behind and make sure the ladies stay entertained."
Apollo just rolled his eyes. "Ugh, I doubt he'd be able to lift anything heavier than a twig anyway."
Apollo, Phoenix and Simon headed outside to get some firewood. Inside Juniper and Maya were pre-occupied with Klavier and Athena walked over to Trucy.
"Umm Trucy, why don't you help me get the beds all fixed up?"
"Sure Athena. We'll be right back guys!" She called out, though Maya and Juniper didn't seem to notice. She walked into one of the bedrooms with Athena.
"So….what else aren't you saying?" Athena pressed as she went into the closet getting out the sheets and blankets.
"W-what do you mean?"
"I believe that you wanted everyone to relax and have a good time, but I still can't help but feel that you're hiding something else."
Trucy sighed softly. "Okay, you caught me. But you can't tell anyone else okay. At first I just wanted you, daddy and Polly to go on a vacation and relax, but then I started thinking, this would be the perfect time for you all to fall in love! But I don't know if I'm going to be able to pull it off all by myself."
"Awww aren't you the sweetest! Trying to find everyone love. But wait, there are more guys than girls, unless….you're looking for love too." Athena explained, shocked.
Trucy's eyes widened and she shook her head. "Oh no, it's not that. I figured that I would try to set up Apollo and Juniper, daddy could get with miss Maya and…well, I thought you and Mr. Simon would make a good couple! As for Mr. Klavier, I just reaaallly love his band and well, I figured he'd be good for the entertainment. And I thought maybe he and Apollo could settle their difference and become friends."
Athena laughed softly. "Well, I don't know if Apollo and Klavier will become friends…. but I can't say it's a terrible idea. It would be everyone could get to know Simon as well. Everyone is so afraid of him and really, he's a good person. A twisted person, but a good person."
"Thank you for not being mad Athena! You're the best." Trucy beamed, hugging her.
Outside, Apollo, Phoenix and Simon were looking for spare wood for the fireplace.
"This wood should work, but it's way too big like this, we'd have to cut it up."
"Well you wouldn't happen to have a saw would you boss?" Apollo asked.
"Apollo we're supposed to be addressing each other with our first names." Phoenix reminded him.
"I know…it just feel so strange calling you Phoenix. So anyway, do we have a saw?"
"We might have to ask the girls to check the cabin. Or maybe Trucy can pull one out of her panties."
"She didn't bring those panties out here with her did she?"
Phoenix shrugged slightly. "When was the last time she actually went anywhere without those things."
Simon just stared at them confused. He wasn't sure what the hell kind of conversation was going on before him but he felt the need to interject.
"Well…..as twisted as this conversation is, no need to worry about the firewood." He smirked, stepping back from the firewood, drawing his sword out from underneath his long coat.
"Y-You actually have a sword with you?"
Simon shrugged a bit touching the tip of his sword with his finger before pointing it at Apollo. "You expected any less? You'll recall I've had the burning to wield a blade many times in court Justice-dono. The shackles and no weapons policy in prison being the only roadblocks." He traced the blade over the two pieces of hair that stood out on top of Apollo's head. "I must say that it's very therapeutic."
"Great...is it sharp enough to cut through the wood?" Phoenix suggested as Apollo slowly inched behind him.
"I only carry the sharpest." He answered simply. "Taka, go rest on Justice-dono's head to assure you don't get hurt." He smiled, petting the bird.
"Ngghh. Why do your bird like my head?!" Apollo asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Maybe he thinks those two pieces of hair are worms?" Simon carefully aimed his sword before slicing the wood up.
"Hmm...Simon, would you mind if I gave it a try?" Phoenix asked, stepping over to stand by his side.
"Wright-dono wants to try himself around a blade? I'm intrigued."
"You know you can call me Phoenix."
"I think I will stick with Wright-dono." Simon asserted before handing over his sword.
"I…don't think this is a very good idea….." Apollo mumbled, taking a few more steps backward.
"And that was when this shy, judge course student opened her voice and let out some of the most beautiful melodies I've ever heard." Klavier smiled, closing his eyes and sighing contently.
Juniper tugged slightly on her pigtails, trying not to blush but it was inevitable. "I….really I wasn't that good. He's just being very nice." She whispered to Maya.
"Well there's only one way to find out. For you both to do a duet right here right now!" Maya grinned.
"Oh no! I couldn't, I honestly don't know how I managed to do it the first time….."
Just then, Phoenix came running inside. "Take cover!" Before anyone got a chance to question what was going on, multiple logs of wood were being hurled inside of the house.
"Wright-dono. Show yourself!" Simon growled.
Athena and Trucy quickly came out of the room when they heard all the noise. "What happened?!"
Apollo followed behind Simon, with Taka still resting on his head, carrying whatever wood wasn't already thrown in the house. " …..Phoenix somehow managed to mess up the blade of Simon's sword when he was chopping wood."
"You will pay to have my sword fixed and then I'll use it to take off your head."
Maya stood up. "Mr. Simon is it right? We all enjoy threatening Nick, but I'm starving so can it wait until after dinner?"
"Oh thanks Maya. Don't be worried about my life or anything. Just make sure you fill that bottomless pit of a stomach you have."
"I could possibly make food appear out of my magic panties!" Trucy suggested.
"….is there another option?" Simon asked, whistling to have Taka return to his shoulder as he put his sword away.
"Junie and I can whip everyone up something!" Athena smiled, grabbing Juniper's hand, dragging her to the kitchen.
"I'd prefer burgers!" Maya called out.
"Does….anyone know if Athena can properly cook?"Apollo asked.
Soon dinner was finished, which was edible and everyone was sat around the fireplace. Klavier was snapping his fingers and humming a song in his head, much to the displeasure of Apollo who was glaring a hole into him but for the moment, everything else was calm.
"I've never seen such a thin woman eat so much Fey-dono." Simon smirked.
"I love eating! What can I say?" Maya smiled sheepishly.
Trucy slid her magician hat off and stood in the middle of the room. "Alright, it's time to figure out the sleeping arrangements!"
"Well obviously I'd like you to stay in the room with me." Phoenix responded.
"Don't worry about me daddy. I think Maya would like to catch up with you though, since it's been some time since you two have seen eachother. I'll share a room with Juniper, Athena can share a room with Simon and Taka and Apollo…."
"Don't even say it….." Apollo warned.
"Apollo can share a room with Klavier!"
"UGGGHHHHH, I'd rather sleep outside in the snow!" He complained.
"Oh don't be like that Polly Nothing is better for friends than a sleepover!"
"We're not friends!"
"Don't be so hostile, Herr Forehead. Relax and take in the beauty of the mountains." Klavier smiled, running his hand through his hair.
Phoenix wanted to object as well but Maya was already giving him a stare that suggested he not.
Simon had given Athena a stare but decided not to say anything at that moment. Athena went over to Trucy. "Why didn't you pair up Juniper and Apollo."
"You know your friend; she probably would have passed out from an anxiety attack if I did that. This will give me a chance to boost her confidence. Plus Polly won't be able to last more than a night with Klavier." Trucy smiled.
There's no way this plan could possibly backfire, right?