Chapter 8: Joining

Celia sat at a table in her in the home of her aunt, May Bellerose. She looked at the four sitting across from her, her eyes filled with looks of wonder, and curiosity. "So, aunt May, you have two kids?"

May giggled nervously. "Yes, I do."

Celia crossed her arms and raised a brow. "I never knew they existed. Amanda makes sense, but Ace looks like he's my age!"

Ace grinned. "Well, for the duration of your stay here, dad and I were on a business trip."

Jason scoffed and turned his head to look out the window. "A business trip that went on for what, seven years?"

Lucas rested his elbow on the table and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Yes, but it was very important work."

Jason looked Lucas in the eye, a stern look on his face. "How important could your work be that it kept you away from home so long?"

Amanda pounded on the table a few times to get everyone's attention. "Jason, tell us about your bracelet!"

He chuckled and held it up. "So you noticed, huh?" He smiled at her. "You're going to like this, kid."

Amanda began crawling on the table. "What is it? What is it?"

Ace grabbed her by her hips and dragged her back into her chair. "Please excuse her, she's only four."

Jason stood up and drew his blade. "I need something to hit. Got anything you don't care for?"

Celia groaned slightly. "Jason, you don't have to break something, just go."

He snickered and spun his blade on his wrist once. "Alright, then."

He saw out of the corner of his eye that Amanda was staring at him intently, her eyes wide. "Sol Slash!" His blade became covered in light, and he struck the air. He sheathed his blade and turned back to them. Lucas had a look of extreme shock on his face, while May looked quite pleased. Amanda was bouncing up and down in Ace's lap, trying to break free.

Her brother laughed and got up, holding his sister against his chest. "Did Celia make that?"

Jason smiled and nodded. "She's a genius."

Ace chuckled. "Of course she is. I've seen one of those before."

Celia stood up and rushed over to him. "Where?!Those are-"

Jason put a hand over her mouth. "Peony sent the prototype to Jade." Ace responded.

He turned to Ace. "Was he the one using it?"

Ace put Amanda down, and she grabbed Jason's hand to look at his bracelet. "Nope, it was Emma Terrins."

Jason removed his hand from Celia's mouth. "Really? What was she doing with Jade?"

Celia ran to the stairs. "I'll be upstairs. Luke and Tear need some too, and Ace."

He smiled and winked at her. "Thanks, cuz."

Celia winked back and ran upstairs.

Amanda ran to the door, but turned to Jason. "Aren't you going to go up there?"

Jason smiled and shook his head. "Nah, Ce needs her time to focus."

Amanda nodded. "Okay, I'll be with Luke and Tear." She ran outside.

Skit: Four Years

Jason: So… you've known about her for four years?

Ace: Yes, is something wrong?

Jason: Of course! How did you not know you had a cousin for fourteen years?!

Ace: Calm down; my mom and her dad didn't talk much.

Jason: What about during your seven year trip? Didn't your mom write?

Ace: Well, um…

Jason: Nevermind. You've been looking forward to meeting her for four years?

Ace: Yeah, I'm really excited about all this.

Jason: Celia knew about Lucas, but you and Amanda are the surprises.

Ace: More-so the latter, because, well, she's four.

Jason: True, but… four years? Never though to visit, or write?

Ace: I was busy, okay?!

Celia sat silently in one of the rooms upstairs, working on more of her bracelets. "Careful, careful…" She attentively broke a large blue fonstone into smaller pieces. "I'm almost there…"

"What're you doing?" Celia glanced over her shoulder to see Cameron at the door.

She simply went back to work. "Wouldn't it be smarter to introduce yourself first?"

He chuckled and walked next to her. "Sorry about that. My name is Cameron Takami. Yours?" No answer. Cameron turned and left the room. "Interesting, she didn't want to talk to me. Nothing like the others." He went outside, where he saw Ace, Amanda, Jason, Tear, Luke, and Mieu.

Amanda noticed him first and dragged him over to the others. "Guys, this is Cameron."

They all introduced themselves, and Cameron cleared his throat. "It's a pleasure to meet you all. Although, there's one more…"

Jason sighed. "Yeah, sorry about Celia; she does that."

Cameron smirked and crossed his arms. "Celia? That's a nice name."

Jason walked by him to the house, patting his shoulder as he did. "Don't get your hopes up, you have no chance."

Ace went over to his friend. "She's my cousin."

Cameron snickered. "I see."

Jason went up the stairs to the room where Celia was working. "How are you?"

She twirled around in her chair and smiled. "Fine; work is going fine, too."

Jason walked over to her. "May's supposed to help us out, right?"

Celia nodded. "Aunt May knows a lot about fonstones, and that's what we're after."

He chuckled. "True, True. Hey, Cameron seems like a nice guy, you should give him a chance."

Celia sighed. "Fine, if you trust him. He doesn't seem that bad to be honest."

"Very well. I'll leave you to your work. Don't take too long!"

Celia scoffed. "You can't rush things like this!" He left the room after laughing. "I can't believe him sometimes…"

Reva strolled through Sheridan as Ethan rushed after her. "Reva, wait up!" She turned and laughed.

Ethan came to a halt and began panting. "What's… so funny?"

She turned. "Hmph."

"What…is that… supposed to mean?"

"Demon Fist!" Reva turned to the sound of the voice she heard, and began speeding towards it.

Ethan cursed under his breath, and began to pursue her. "Wait!"

Reva walked over to the back of the Bellerose household, where she saw Luke using Demon Fist, as he just loudly announced. She gasped and ran over to him. "How did you do that?!"

He put a hand on his hip. "Who are you?"

Reva noticed his bracelet and grabbed his hand. "Was it this?!"

Luke tried to wretch his hand away, but to no avail. "Let go of me!" Reva dropped his hand and jumped back. Luke stared at her. "What was that about?"

Ethan came running. "Reva!"

She shook her head, and pointed at Luke. "Tell me, how'd you do that?"

Luke walked behind Celia, and pushed her towards Reva. "You deal with this."

Celia sighed and stared at Reva, almost bored. "Yes, it was the bracelet."

Reva grabbed Celia's hand. "Please, give me one!"

"Touching." Reva jumped back once more.

Luke put his hand on his hips. "Just like Guy, but with both genders. A fear of physical contact?"

Reva blushed and glared at him. "It's a severe dislike!"

Jason pushed Celia aside. "So kid, would you like one?"

Reva nodded excitedly. Ethan stepped in front of her. "I'm sorry, but not yet. Are these safe?"

Jason smirked. "Of course! I'm just fine! Who are you two anyway?"

Ethan nodded. "Yes, sorry for not introducing myself earlier. I am cadet Ethan Dodger of the Fortier brigade in the Oracle Knights." He gestured to Reva. "And this is Reva Fortier, my captain's little sister."

Luke ran over to the two. "Wait, a rookie is guarding the captain's sister? Who would ask that?"

Ethan rubbed the back of his neck. "Miss Tatlin, sir. You two know each other, right?"

Luke sighed. "Anise, of course."

Tear walked over to Celia. "Make some for them. Ethan is an Oracle Knight. You know he'll put it to good use."

Celia frowned slightly and nodded. "Alright, I'll do it."

She walked over to Ethan and Reva. "I'd be happy to make you some." Celia's voice was low and grumbled.

Reva hugged her. "Thank you!"

"Touching!"

Reva jumped back once again, and Celia headed back inside.

Reva ran over to Jason. "Let me go with you! I want to learn as much about our world and all of its mysteries! I know I'll be able to do it if I tag along!"

Ethan ran in front of her. "Reva, what are you saying?! The captain will-"

Reva shook her head. "Don't try! You are to protect me! Where I go, you go!"

Ethan groaned. "You little bugger…"

Jason scratched his chin. "Dunno, this is some pretty dangerous stuff I'm involved in."

Reva grabbed him by the collar and dragged him to her eye level. "I don't care!"

"You're in my face." Reva pushed him back.

Tear smiled and walked over to her. "Luke and I have been discussing that taking a detour to Keterburg would be a good idea. After all, Jade might be of use."

Jason nodded. "Very well then, you four are on board. Ace, Cameron, Reva, and Ethan." Ethan hung his head down and groaned. "Why me?"

Shortly after, Celia came running outside with two more bracelets. "Done, and there's another one of the fonstones near Keterburg. Aunt May is a real genius."

Jason chuckled. "Okay, then, Daath will have to wait."

Reva furrowed her brow. "Wait, Daath? We just came from there…"

Luke shrugged. "Sorry to hear that darling, but you have to deal."

Amanda tugged on Ace's sleeve. "Brother, can I come?"

Ace picked her up. "How come?"

"I want to see the world too!"

Ace sighed. "Amanda… this is going to be dangerous…"

She shook her head. "Brother and the others are more than powerful enough to protect me!"

Luke laughed. "The kid's got a point! Let's take her."

Celia nodded. "Aunt May wants her to travel anyway."

Ace sighed. "I'll go talk to mom and dad then. I want to make you happy, but I worry about you. Understand?" Amanda nodded, and Ace went inside.

Reva stared at the two with sorrow filled eyes. "Are you okay?"

She looked behind her to see Ethan. "Yeah, I'm fine."

She walked over to Jason. "When are we leaving?" Her voice was filled with sorrow.

"Are you okay, kid?" She nodded. "Okay, if you say so. We'll have to find out when the next boat up north to Keterburg is."

Ethan turned to leave. "I'll head to the port to check the schedule. Please look after Reva."

He rushed off, and Jason tapped her shoulder. She moved away from him afterwards. "Sorry about that. You seem down. What'll help you feel better?"

Reva crossed her arms. "Equipment shopping."

Jason held out a hand. "Alright then. Lucky for you, I have plenty of gald for that." Reva moved away from his outstretched hand. He sighed. "I'm sorry about that." Reva began heading back towards the town, and Jason followed.

Reva sat atop the Bellerose roof, fingering her bracelet. "I didn't think I'd miss Leo this much…"

"Reva, you seem really out of it." She heard Ethan behind her, and soon, he was sitting next to her. "Are you alright?"

"Just thinking about Leo."

"So that's why you seemed depressed. Amanda and Ace brought back some memories?"

Reva nodded. "I have to stop feeling these foolish emotions. The people I care about be here forever. I have to get rid of attachments that are too strong. Then when Leo dies, I won't be as hurt."

Ethan chuckled. "True, but you know, there's no need to start that now. The captain is going to be around for a long time. He's young."

Reva nodded. "We should get inside. We don't know when we have to leave tomorrow, so it'd be best to get as much rest as possible."

Ethan stood and began to go inside, but looked at Reva, who was still sitting. "Aren't you coming?"

"I'll be in soon." Ethan chuckled and went back inside. Reva looked up at the stars. "This journey… could this be considered… a new beginning? I guess it could be…"

The first of a few longer chapters.