Nice to see you again, brothers and sisters! I'm really sorry for my write-lag for my stories such as this. It's not like I didn't like it, but there are tons of things which slowed me down (writer's block, work, stuff...). But I won't back down; so I'll keep working as you all supporting me. Oh, sorry for the Chapter 2... It's really boring, even I think so... But don't worry a thing! This Chapter 3 will boot you up to your expectations (I hope)!
Since the story will get rough from this chapter and on, I changed the rating from K+ to T and the category from General/Humor to Friendship/Romance. Please understand. There'll still be lots of humor, so don't worry and read it with a smile :D
Sorry it took so long to complete, and it's quite long too, but please read till the end. You won't be disappointed, I promise! Let's continue the story of Vayne and friends! Please enjoy!
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Disclaimer: All characters of Mana Khemia are belongs to NIS America and Gust, not me. So don't attack me with a fire skill! My Fire RES is quite good, but still...
/
Note: BGM means the background music which is playing during the story; it's taken from the game (replayable in the Gallery), and it changes every time a new one is written. Hear (or imagine) them while read this fanfic, and you'll enjoy it more!
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New Resolve
By superecho
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Chapter 3: Friends and Destiny
/
/Planet Wonderchak
Muppy's Kingdom – Royal Dinner Room
After few hours of briefing for the show, everyone gather in a special dinner room for King and Queen alike, and to welcome special guests. Everyone has seated on the chairs surrounding the square-shaped crystal-like table for 8 people; the order is: Vayne, Anna, Roxis, Nikki, Pamela, Flay, Muppy, and Jess. The situation is warm with the luxurious lunch and all, although kind of fuzzy in here and there... Well, the dining table is BIG, so one pair couldn't listen to another and vice versa. How the folks are doing? Let's take a peek...
Vayne and Anna (and Sulpher)
BGM: A Boy's Worrry
Vayne was surprised that Anna took a seat beside him; although Vayne took a seat first, Anna still took the seat beside him even the other seats were still vacant. Vayne was blushing hard when that happen; his heart beats so fast like it's about to go Final Burst, and his chest is so hot like there's some hot coals inside. Vayne had a hard time to hold his hands- so he won't hold Anna's shoulders. He feels so attached to Anna... All he wanted now is to spend his whole life with her-
*CHOMP*
BGM: Overwhelmer
"Oww!" Vayne screamed in pain form Sulpher's bite on his leg... Again.
"Meowrrr-purrr (stop daydreaming like an idiot, Romeo)," Sulpher 'said'.
"S-Sorry," Vayne apologized, as timid as always.
"Vayne, is everything okay?" Anna asked, stopped her sip from an herbal tea-like drink.
"Y-Yes, there's nothing to worry about!" Vayne said with a smile, holding the pain from his leg.
"I see... Then, you better eat up and drink while it's still warm. Tonight's going to be cold, like Muccho said. We don't want you to get sick," Anna said reassuringly, while offering Vayne a bowl of warm vegetable soup.
Vayne is flattered by Anna's warmth and took the bowl, "...Thank you, Anna."
While Vayne is taking a good sip from the soup, Sulpher is pouting with meows.
"Meowwwwwwrrrr... *screeeetch* (I really wonder why he's so into that daydreamer girl... *scratch the floor*)," Sulpher pouted with his usual unimpressed look.
Out of blue, Anna offered another bowl to-, "Here, Sulpher. You might have furs, but wind in this planet is very cold at night. Warm yourself up with this, okay?"
Sulpher stared at the bowl Anna offered, "Purr (Like bribing me with a soup will work)."
Suddenly, Anna stacked some small fishes in Sulpher's bowl, "Oh, simply a warm soup won't do. Here are some small fishes to keep your body heated."
"...," unable to meow, Sulpher start to eat the small fishes and drink the soup.
Still digging his bowl, Vayne give a comment, "Wow, this soup is good. The fried prawn-like food Anna gave me before was tasty, too."
"Meow (Vayne)," Sulpher meowed in low-voice.
Vayne however, still busy digging in his own food.
"Meow, meow, purrrr (Maybe I wouldn't mind if she should stay at our place for a couple of years ahead, and that's maybe)," Sulpher continued.
Vayne however, just finished up his bowl. After asking for a refill, Vayne looked down to Sulpher, "Sulpher, what did you said before? Sorry, I wasn't listening..."
"...," Sulpher gulped the rest of small fishes, and-
*CHOMP*
"Aww!" Vayne screamed in pain.
Don't know what's going on, Anna offered some bandages, "...Do you need one?"
Although his eyes are teary, Vayne still do his best to smile, "Thanks, Anna."
"Were you two playing cat and mouse? Do that after the dinner," Anna added her comment, based on her own assumption.
"...," Vayne was unable to say the truth.
"...," Sulpher doesn't care; nor Vayne and Anna, or the white shadow which just passed by.
/
Roxis and Nikki
BGM: Phween Biography
Nikki quickly devoured all the dishes she could see, thus throwing the leftovers for Roxis. Roxis is both disgusted and embarrassed to sit down beside her, and unable to properly enjoy his meal. All Roxis could do is eating his Omelette Rice-like food, poached salmon-like food, and some green salad-like vegetables. He eats his food so slowly, due to his eyes locked to his bowls, as to avoid looking at Nikki. It's not like he was embarrassed or anything, but the view the sight of a hungry Beastman isn't a beautiful sight to see. Nikki however, doesn't bother with the others' glares while mowing down the food. Even her mouth is covered with tomato sauce; her right hand is dirty from bread crumbs, and her left hand is occupied with grilled sausages! She is now a terrible sight to see; as now she looked similar to an omnivore monster from a horror movie. But Nikki doesn't have any time at all to look at herself, as dozens of BBQ-like food are waiting in line to get inside her stomach.
Unable to hold it any longer, Roxis speaks, "Nikki! Stop eating and listen to me!"
Nikki was shocked and looked at Roxis with her eyes opened wide, while the other 6 members of the dining table are frozen to Roxis' words.
"*pant, pant*" Roxis panted; both relieved and embarrassed to let out his emotion.
"W-What is it, Roxis?" Nikki dared herself to ask.
"About...," Roxis was about to say something, but death glares at the others instead.
After flinched a bit, the other 6 members are continued to eat their meals, as if nothing's happened. This relieves Roxis so he won't take another embarrassment, but it horrors Nikki, as she has no one to use as a shield.
"Nikki... I want to tell you something," Roxis continued his talk.
"Y-Y-Yes...?" Nikki asked in fear, her entire fur is shaking like a scared cat.
*shuffle* Roxis is looking for something in his jacket's pocket, before speaks, "Come closer."
"O-Okay...," Nikki said still in fear, but obeyed anyway.
BGM: Stupid Hair Saga
To Nikki's surprise, Roxis just took out a handkerchief- and wiped Nikki's face!
"R-Roxis...?" Nikki is blushing hard, but she couldn't hide it.
"Don't move! This spot near your lip is the hardest...," Roxis said in monotone, tinkling his glasses back and forth with his left hand while calculating the most efficient way to clean up Nikki inside his brain.
After two minutes, Roxis has finished clean Nikki up- From head to toe! Even Nikki's hands are now sparkly clean like porcelains, as if they're never been used to touch anything. Nikki's lip is become pink smooth, so smooth that its lights up like fireflies. This time Nikki spends her time to view the 'cleaned me', and... She was both surprised and impressed with Roxis' new talent in cleaning. Roxis may be handsome, smart, and charismatic, but who ever thought of him being such a lady's man? (ABSOLUTELY not Vayne...) Nikki's heart is beating faster than rolling drums and her cheeks are painted in beautiful vermilion; as she only imagined Roxis would 'treat her right' in her dreams.
"...What's with your face? Do you have a fever?" Roxis asked logically.
"N-No... I-I was just surprised that you... Umm...," Nikki was blushing hard and couldn't say anything properly.
BGM: My Glasses are Addicted
Roxis grows some veins, "What? Were you so surprised that I was being nice?"
"N-No, it's nothing like that! W-Well, you were so good at cleaning, so...," Nikki tried hard to come up with an idea, but that was the best product of her lazy mind. If only she was, studied harder back at the Al-Revis Academy...
"Hmph. A proper cleaning is necessary for alchemists," Roxis said with a little pride, tinkled his glasses once again.
"Hehe, you're sounding like Anna," Nikki stuff in a small joke.
"Hmph, don't compare me with her," Roxis looked a bit offended at the word 'Anna'.
Gathering her courage, Nikki speaks up, "I think you are amazing, Roxis. Not only that you excel in your studies, but you know well how to treat a lady."
Roxis blushed a bit from the praise, but quickly hides it behind his glasses, "...Nothing beats experience, that's all."
"Experience?" Nikki asked in suspicious tone, glaring at Roxis with jealousy.
"...," Roxis looked down, reminiscing something...
\
Years ago, Al-Revis Academy, Flay's Cave (Vayne's workshop)...
BGM: Welcome to the Magical Workshop
"Roxis, what do you think about this mistletoe? It's cute, isn't it?" Pamela asked as she floats around, watching her mistletoe hanged up in the wall with pride (as she hanged it herself).
"...I think a mistletoe isn't proper for a workshop, and it's not the season yet," Roxis answered objectively, but way too cold.
"...," Pamela frowned in silent, totally disturbed by Roxis' sarcasm (as she hanged the mistletoe herself, and was working hard to get it).
All of sudden, Pamela disappeared.
"Huh? Where did she go?" Roxis asked as he looked around the workshop, unprepared of what's coming.
From Roxis' back, a white shadow suddenly turns in, opening its mouth wide, ready to swallow Roxis and crunch him with its teeth...
"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Roxis screamed dreadfully, he almost fall unconscious and piss his long pants.
A second later, the white shadow stopped its act and gather into smoke... Which forms a ghost girl with long lavender hair, or Pamela Ibis as everyone called her when she was still alive... How in the way of alchemy she could perform this trick?
"Boohoohoo! You're really cute when you pissed your pants just now!" Pamela laughed ghostly, grinned wide.
"...! You... I'm not pissing my pants! And I told you not to do this again, am I?" Roxis gained his composure, quickly expresses his anger while fixing up his messy state at the same time. ...Well, he needs to go to the bathroom fast though.
Unfazed by Roxis' fury, Pamela come in close to him and put up a frightening sneer.
"No; the right thing is that I will not haunt you and make you faint, IF you know well how to treat such a cute girl like me right?" Pamela spoke spookily.
"...I-I think you are right," Roxis responded quickly, but his brain is frozen so he couldn't counter the argument.
Pamela fly slightly away from Roxis and turn her back, before asking, "So? What do you think of the mistletoe?"
Roxis starts panicking, "W-Well, it is..."
...Then Pamela turns around, and show her scary face filled with murderous intent, "Is it cute...," she said with a low-sweet tone, before changing it into a hard-violent one, "...Or NOT?"
Scared out of his wits, Roxis answers at high speed, "The mistletoe is symbolizing a warm welcome to men and women alike; it's encouraging people to get closer between each other, and watching them from above like a divine messenger! And yes, it is cute! *pant, pant*"
Satisfied by the "cute" part, Pamela revert her face to the usual cute-smiley-girl one, "Thank you! I know you will understand."
With Pamela flew away, Roxis wiped the sweat on his head and sighs in relief.
"One more thing, Roxis," Pamela asked, suddenly come back in behind of Roxis.
"AH! W-What is it?" Roxis asked, barely able to keep his heart stable.
Pamela grins, "Is there any 'How to treat a Lady' book within your book collections?"
Roxis casted his eyes down, "I-I suppose not..."
With her violet eyes flashing evil beams, Pamela yells, "Then go buy and study it!"
Without another pause, Roxis ran off to the bookstore... (After he go to the toilet, that is.) He bought "How to treat a Lady" Vol. 1 until 10, "Be a Lady's Man" Vol. 1 until 6, and "Keeping Your Girl Satisfied" Vol. 1 until 3. Roxis spent hours from evening (when he finished the workshop's activity) until midnight to finish the whole books, and put them into practice one by one on Pamela. By holding off his embarrassment and ego, Roxis somehow able to 'treat Pamela right' and freed from fear of being haunted. Of course he only did those silly things to Pamela, but still... Just remembering those days, when Roxis' eyes are crimson from tiredness and fear, will make anyone shivers...
\
Present day...
BGM: off
"Roxis? Roxis!" Nikki called out to Roxis.
"...! W-What... Oh, I'm fine. I'm perfectly fine. You don't have to worry a thing, my lady," Roxis slapped out of his nightmare reminiscent, while unintentionally put one of the tips from the books into practice.
(#1: Don't make a lady worried about your condition, even you're at the brink of death.)
Nikki is blushing hard, "D-Did you just call me a lady, Roxis?"
Roxis want to sigh, but instead saying, "Yes I am, my lady."
(#2: Agree to everything a lady said, even it will cost you your life.)
"W-Wow, Roxis! I-I think I won't mind if you... Um, I'll sure to make you happy in the future! I will sing whenever you feel lonely, and take care of our *cough* in the future! Count on me," Nikki said, flattered and overexcited.
Roxis' face about to go pale, but he quickly set up a gentle smile as a cover-up, "I'm looking forward to it."
(#3: Always do what a lady expect from you, no matter how bizarre it is.)
Nikki blushes hard from Roxis' words, almost fainting. Roxis can't help but to put a compress (again, from where?) on her head, and feel as if he will face another nightmare in the near future...
(#4: Even you will stick forever with a lady you don't like, never ruin your reputation as a lady's man!)
"...!" Roxis felt chill on his back. Wonder if there's someone who is still haunting him? ...Call it 'someone' might not fit, as Roxis knows very well of whom it is...
"...I have chills for that cough part," Roxis mumbled to himself.
(#5: That is, including casting your private life away to serve her.)
/
Flay and Pamela
Like Nikki, Flay devoured every single food in his vision. Although Flay's food portion is doubled (since Pamela can't eat); he doesn't have any trouble thus far. The giant grilled meats are grinded into dusts as it touches Flays's teeth; the vegetables are as good as gone once Flay trapped them inside his stomach, and the wines are went through his throat like water. All Pamela could do the whole time is watching; it's a bit disgusting sight to see, but quite amusing in ways of culinary. Still, it's not an opera show and Pamela is starting to get bored.
BGM: Ghost Girl for Mana Khemia
"...I'm booooorrrreeeedd," Pamela whined.
Flay however, didn't turn his attention from his food.
"...I am so, totally, booooooorrrrrrreeeeedddd!" Pamela whined even louder.
After gulping his meat, Flay finally speaks, "Relax and be patient. The fun will start in three days."
"I know, but this dinner is so boring! I can't eat, so all I can do is waiting until you guys are finished!" Pamela complained with an annoyed face.
Flay cleaned his mouth with a handkerchief (when did he take it out?), before speaking again, "Trees need time to bear fruits, so does our plans. Waiting for it to cook all delicious and fresh is merely to go through a desert in search of an oasis!"
Pamela tilted her head and hugged her teddy bear, "I see what you mean, Flay... But at least I want to do something fun for the time being!"
"Hmm," Flay think for a second, "Why don't you... *whisper, whisper*"
With an evil smile, Pamela swings her teddy left and right, "Alright! I'll be right back!"
"I'm looking forward to the good results," Flay said, before Pamela vanishes into thin air.
Minutes later, right after Flay ate another full-course set...
"I'm back!" Pamela shouted in joy, suddenly appear out of nowhere with a mischievous smile on her face.
Flay once again cleaned his mouth and speaks charismatically, "So, what did you got?"
After inhaling some air (she doesn't breathe, actually), Pamela speaks up:
"First, Vayne is going lovey-dovey with Anna! Sulpher tries to sever their lovely time, but fall prey to Anna's trap! Vayne suffer from several bite injuries for his lack of experience to treat girls and cats!" Pamela explained without pause.
Flay fold his hands and mumbles, "I see... That boy sure does need some more training. And it's enlightening that the cat has some knack to bite his own master, who has good taste and passion for younger girls. Anna might be more womanly than I thought; she'll be both a great swordswoman and a 'that' for him."
"Um, Vayne think of Sulpher as his friend, right? And, Anna is just 5-6 years apart from Vayne... She might had some more than duels with Vayne, but...," Pamela corrected.
"Doesn't matter. Next!" Flay casually dismissed it.
"Second, Roxis is being gentle and caring with Nikki! Despite Nikki ate like a beast (just like you), Roxis still keep his words as a lady's man! Either he truly holding to his dignity or he is afraid of something... Both ways, Nikki is so happy that she wants to do everything for Roxis and looked like she's about to join me right now," Pamela explained her second 'investigation result' with a huge grin, she seemed happy about something...
"Hmm, hmm. That Roxis wasn't just a bookworm with talents for cards, after all. I wasn't wrong about putting him in our party back then. Nikki seemed to be more charming as well, looking at other traits besides table manner," Flay commented long, nodding a few times in the process.
"Well, they'll sure make a weird couple. But they'll look cute anyway, teehee!" Pamela chuckled hard.
"Oh, and what is Roxis so afraid of?" Flay asked further, a bit reckless this time.
"...I wonder who?" Pamela answered with a strange sneer.
"...," Flay think for a second, "Never mind. Next!" Flay barely escaped danger.
"Third, Muppy and Jess...," Pamela wanted to say something, but stopped.
"Yes?" Flay asked, casual as always.
Pamela smiled wide, "...I don't want to disturb them!"
Flay looked at Pamela with some persistence, but eventually give it up.
"It's alright, then. Well, were you having fun?" Flay asked, now out of his curious mode.
"I had lots of fun! Unlike Vayne and Roxis, you're pretty good with mischievous ideas! You're also not chickening out like Vayne or making excuses like Roxis," Pamela praised Flay quite high, while dancing a little bit in the air.
Flay put his right hand on his chin, "Hmph. Such little flavours are nothing to a master like me."
"Teehee! You got that right!" Pamela laughed sweetly, finished her little dance with a spiral turn.
Suddenly Flay's eyes' area grow dark and his eyes are filled with evil intention, "Now that's you're good to go, let's talk business."
Pamela approached Flay, her voice is lowered, "Yes, yes! About tomorrow and *whisper*, right?"
Flay's eyes are getting narrow, "Indeed. There's nothing faulty with preparations, right?"
Pamela's eyes widen, "Yes! There is no major problem whatsoever, so I can do the operation smoothly!"
"Good, good...," Flay let out a grin, "Now that's taken care of, we just need to wait a little more for that 'discussion'..."
With her right hand hugging teddy tight, Pamela lifts her left fist high in the air, "Yaay! I'm looking forward to it! I won't mind waiting for those two... *chuckle*"
/
Muppy and Jess
BGM: Whistling Girl
At the other side of the table, Muppy and Jess are having a good time together. Although it looked weird, both Muppy and Jess are treating each other like true lovers. Despite the gap between their races, they're having little to no problem at building a relationship. At this moment, Jess is continuously feeding Muppy a strawberry parfait in a bowl, spoon-by-spoon.
"Mmm... This strawberry flavor is the best!" Muppy commented positively, while licking his small mouth area.
"Is it? I'm glad that you like it," Jess let out a small laughter, flattered by Muppy's praise for the ice cream.
Muppy's face is blushing like a cherry, "The reason behind this marvellous taste is none other than the love from the one who make it!"
Jess starts blushing too, "E-Even you flatter me I won't give you another bowl!"
Muppy isn't giving up, "No, this is a truly remarkable affection coming from the girl I love. All I did was briefly explaining it to you, my dear."
Jess' face becomes even redder; her heart is beating uncontrollably, "S-Stop it, I'm not that good at cooking... I was just lucky that my synthesis didn't explode this time, that's all!"
*SWOOSH* At the voice of wind, Wind Mana materializes besides Jess.
"Come on, Jess. Your guy is wooing on you and I know you're happy for that, so just accept it and smile!" Wind Mana teased her master.
"N-Not you, too! I-I wasn't happy or flattered or anything!" Jess said in complete denial, but her tomato face isn't supporting it.
Wind Mana laughed, "Stop denying it! Your face is about to explode, you know."
"M-My face is perfectly fine!" Jess denied once again, persistent.
"My, my. Not only you have talent to make things explode, but you also have the guts to resist such hot persuasion and still enjoyed it!" Wind Mana teased even smoother.
Jess drops the spoon and tightening her fists, shaking her head left and right for further denial, "N-No, you're wrong! I-I didn't pretend to dislike it so I could laugh joyfully in the heart or anything..."
With Jess 'confessing' the truth, both Wind Mana and Muppy laughed it out loud.
"Hahahahahaha! Jess, shouldn't you hide your head in your bag right now?" Wind Mana laughed like nuts, keep doing hover-and-fall routine thanks to her uncontrollable urge to enjoy the humour.
Muppy however, laugh with proper respect, "I expect nothing less from my honey."
Jess folds her hands and blushes softly, "...Muppy..."
BGM: Dreams of the Black Cat
After finished laughing, Wind Mana flies above the two in circular pattern. She keeps flying around forming calm breeze and flower petals with her powers, approving the strange but passionate love between the two like a cupid.
"Muppy...," Jess slowly gets closer to Muppy; looking at him with a peaceful expression and soft red cheeks, thus holding his tiny hands gently.
"Jess...," Muppy looked back straight at her eyes, looking for love and compassion within those green emeralds she had.
...And they gazed at each other so passionately, that they didn't notice 6 pairs of eyes have finished their meals and unable to take their eyes off them. Some of them watch with excitement; some with disgust, and the rest with embarrassment.
"Muppy...," Jess call out to him passionately, her face is now so close to Muppy's.
"Jess...," Muppy couldn't hold it anymore, now he's holding both cheeks of the one he loved the most in the entire universe with both tiny hands of his, and don't want to let go. Thank goodness Muppy's hands are now longer and grown bigger in the past years, able to hold Jess' face firmly.
Their faces are now very close... By each passing second, their faces are getting closer and closer... Roxis didn't bother, and gazed at another direction. Nikki is so excited and absorbed at the view, thus open her eyes wide open with a silent sneer while dragging Roxis to join her. Pamela is doing the exact same thing, except she's switching between visible and invisible state from overexcitement. Flay is delighted to see the good show, and won't even blink to see the 'climax'. Vayne covered his eyes like a child, swinging his head in panic state, didn't notice that Sulpher had climbed to his table side and gazed at the couple. Anna... She is spacing out; her eyes are looking at Jess and Muppy, but her mind is blanking off to the distance. Sure she sees both of them clearly with her body and mind, but... Anna doesn't know why, but by just looking at them her heart aches.
"(Muppy...)" Jess closed her green emerald eyes. She is ready.
"(Jess...)" Muppy closed his rice eyes. He is ready.
Wind Mana doesn't mind the 'guests', and slowed her dance to an elegant, soothing one. She gives every blessing she's able to give; for the sake of her both best friend and master. As the walking wind can beard slowly within the grace of flowers, two souls shall be united...
BGM: off
*BLEEP, BLEEP* A buzzing sound breaks the precious moment.
Flay stands up and taking one of his 'secret item' which looked like a wireless.
"Sorry, it was mine," Flay apologized formally.
/
On the wireless...
BGM: Legends of Sillyhead
"What is it? I'm busy here," Flay asked.
"...'What is it' your butt! Who was saying 'call me through this freaky tool when you made up your mind', huh?" the guy on the phone blurted out rudely.
"Oh, so you decided to come after all?" Flay replied sarcastically.
"Yeah, to beat the crap out of you!" the guy on the phone countered with a sharp tone.
"As a man, you have to know your limits. You can't even scratch me without your flimsy girlfriend," Flay replied with playful tone, adding some oil to the fire.
"She's not my girlfriend! And... Uhh... I-I'm not the same as before!" the guy on the phone answered furiously, but his voice was shaking in the last 6 words.
"You said that EVERY TIME before I made you kneel to the floor," Flay gave a finishing blow.
"Rrghh... We'll get there to squash you flat and ruin the whole thing! Just you wait!" the guy said ragingly, before hanging up.
Flay inserted his gadget back to his pocket and sit down again, "Well, let's continue."
Jess and Muppy are now facing at opposite directions, blushing hard as they almost share a PRIVATE moment in front of public. Vayne and Roxis let out a relieved sigh; Anna has regained her cool, while Nikki and Pamela are giving Flay vicious glares. Wind Mana just sighed and dematerializes, while Sulpher yawned from boredom.
"Well, he has improved I guess. He had started to ruin it, even before getting here," Flay mumbled to himself.
/
With everyone finished eating, all the Muppy-like butlers cleaned the table crystal clear and arranged the table to be much shorter with an alchemic-based machine. The range between the pairs is now perfect for hearing and talking. With everyone feel awkward after what just happened, no one talked.
BGM: Nostalgia of Studies
"W-Well now we have finished eating... What should we do?" Jess finally broke the silence.
"Now we're reunited, we should talk about the good old times," Muppy completed his lover's sentence with a cute smile.
"No. Before that, we must review," Flay said in disagreement.
Vayne grabbed his right shoulder in agony, "Whoa, Flay... You're sounding like Mr. Zeppel..."
"School-related words are prohibited!" Pamela grumbled in rage.
"Right! Right! I had enough detention classes back at the academy!" Nikki protested with furs up.
"Hahahaha," Flay opened his jaws wide, "Relax, what I meant is..."
"...To have everyone tell their stories, right?" Roxis stated the obvious.
"Indeed! Roxis, you're my man!" Flay laughed again.
Roxis quivers down, "...I feel regretful to answer."
*clap* Jess clapped her hands to get everyone's attention, "I've been waiting to hear it, too! So, who will go first?"
Everyone is looking at Jess.
"Eh? Me?" Jess panicked.
"You've been out of our reach for some time now, and we want to hear out why," Anna explained everyone's demand.
"Eh... Um...," Jess looked worried, and stared at Muppy.
"Go ahead, dear," Muppy approved easily.
Toughen her wits, Jess become determined, "Okay... Here I go!"
\
BGM: Whistling Girl
"A few months ago, right after I was cured, I'm going off to many towns. I spend good times to greet people and shopping, even join many clubs' activities," Jess started.
"It's just like Vayne said," Anna reminded.
"See?" Vayne feel proud.
"Clubs? What kind of clubs?" Nikki asked.
"Well... Many kinds of clubs doing social work, but most of them are knitting clubs," Jess answered.
"You can KNIT?" Pamela was shaken in shock.
"Actually... No. I struck my hands with the needle all the time, so the Club's Supervisors were asking me to quit, hehe," Jess let out a small laughter.
"I suppose it was very embarrassing, just like when I was set up...," Roxis let out a sympathetic comment.
"What set up, Roxis?" Vayne asked, scratching his head in wonder.
"You've already forgotten? YOU were operating it...!" Roxis grumbled with vicious eyes.
"Me?" Vayne was dumbfounded.
"You know, Vayne... When Roxis is confessing his monkey-love to me...," Pamela refreshed everyone's memory with slight blush...
"Stop! Don't say another phrase!" Roxis panicked, but-
"Oh; it's that one time when Roxis was going for Pamela?" Nikki said, slightly annoyed.
"Yes, when he was acting all manly for once!" Flay added some spices, again.
"But he was rejected in public, right? It must be hard for him...," Anna sympathized with Roxis.
Roxis hung his head in pain, "No! Don't put salt on my wounds!"
"Be strong, Roxis. You have my support," Muppy consoled Roxis.
"Of all people, you're the one consoled me...," Roxis could feel that his life force is fading away.
"Teehehe!" Jess laughed at her friends' joke. It is always reassuring to be like this once in a while.
"Anyway," Jess recomposed herself before continues, "During a visit to one town, I meet a pervert."
"Wha? A pervert?" Vayne was shocked.
"Yes, he chased me to a dark alley and attacked me...," Jess frowned in despair.
"How terrible!" Pamela was shocked as well.
"How low... To attack an unarmed girl is very shameful!" Anna raised her eyebrows.
"Man... (And you weren't there, Vayne?)," Flay gave the 'Alchemy Man' a signal.
"(No... By that time, I no longer know about Jess' whereabouts)," Vayne replied silently.
Suddenly, Muppy looked all serious now, "Indeed. I couldn't believe that such lowest of the low life form existed... So, that's why...!"
Jess flashes out a smile, "Muppy came flying, and..."
BGM: Block Pulse of Love
"FRIED HIM UP WITH MY LASER BEAM," Muppy strikes in an evil smile.
"...T-That was too much!" Vayne criticized lightly.
"He was lucky that he's just burned until passed out," Muppy evil smiled again.
"Lucky...?" Roxis couldn't believe what he heard.
"I feel bad about the man, too. But he was lucky that Muppy burned him, or...," Jess stopped mid-sentence.
"What would happen if Muppy didn't?" Nikki asked, not aware that her curiosity might kill herself.
Jess looked unsure for a moment, before finally speaks, "Well... If Muppy didn't come at that time, I would've used THAT bomb."
"THAT bomb?" Roxis feel uneasy.
"Yes, the bomb from one of my new recipes. It's a hard one to make, but very powerful," Jess said rather proud of herself.
"How powerful is it?" Anna asked scientifically, unaware that...
Jess' eyes narrowed, "Well, if I throw it directly at that man... His body would shatter into dust within a few seconds."
"Y-You mean... Microscopic C4 bomb?" Roxis asked, assuring his hypothesis.
"S-So scary..!" even the veteran ghost Pamela is frightened.
"...," Vayne is so scared that he couldn't speak.
"...," Anna wasn't expecting that.
"...," Nikki is so scared.
"Awesome!" Flay applauded with clapping hands, but no one is joining him except Muppy.
"My dear is the best bomb-crafter ever," Muppy praised.
"N-No... It's very dangerous that I always wrapped it with a safety device," Jess frowned while blushing.
"You even didn't forget the safety... How brilliant!" Flay applauded again.
"Well, if I used it... I would risk end up in jail again," Jess chirped.
Vayne just remembered something, "Oh yeah... About the people who want to get you in jail..."
"I showed them my graduation paper and... *chuckle* the looks on their faces are priceless!" Jess seemed VERY happy...
"Hahahahaha. What matters is that you've become truly skilled!" Flay praised Jess once more.
Jess blushes a bit, "Thank you, Flay."
On the other hand, Muppy is chuckling, "Well, not only that! Did you guys know that the entire kingdom's new appearance is thanks to Jess?"
"WHAT?" Everyone was surprised.
"M-Muppy!" Jess went angry, but Muppy ignored her.
"Is that true, Jess?" Vayne asked casually with a warm smile.
Jess is shyly started to explain, "Well... I just happen to help with the new design for the kingdom, build an energy generator, and some materials for the advanced body armour..."
"Those were JUST?" Vayne commented in shock.
Anna is nodding in understanding, "I see... The armours the high-ranked guards are equipping..."
Muppy smiles, "Yes. I synthesized them with the materials Jess made for me."
"Incredible, Jess! You go girl!" Nikki praised and teased her at the same time.
"Muppy is so lucky to have you," Pamela teased even more.
"I am," Muppy blushes softly.
"Me, too...," Jess blushes as well.
The tension gets warm and lovey-dovey anymore, and sparks of hearts can be seen emitting from Jess and Muppy...
"R-Regardless, you two have grown into wonderful alchemists," Roxis couldn't resist the romantic time, so he cut it off.
Although slightly annoyed for missing the moment, Pamela ignored Roxis and asks Jess, "So, that event made you fall in love with Muppy?"
Jess grabbed her cheeks with her both hands and looked pleased, "Yeah... It made to fall in love with Muppy, once again..."
"Once again?" Vayne asked.
Remembering good times, Jess smiled, "Well, I never told you guys... But back then in the academy, I've fallen in love with Muppy and sent him a love letter."
"WHAT!" again, everyone but Muppy and Flay snapped.
"...That's news to me," Roxis couldn't hide his shock.
"Flaya, you knew about this right?" Nikki scorched in anger.
"Of course," Flay replied simple and brief.
"Then why didn't you tell us?" Nikki raised her voice.
"To meddle with such sacred things is against my code of honor," Flay spit it back with decisive line.
"Code of honor..? Then what about the time you set up the whole thing for Roxis...?" Vayne dig a forbidden data from his memory bank, Al-Revis Academy account.
"Did you say something, Vayne?" Flay asked simply, but deep.
"No, nothing at all," Vayne's chickening out.
/
BGM: Sunset Skies
"So, even I was rejected back at the academy, I confessed my love again directly and it worked! Muppy accepted my feelings and we become lovers!" Jess whistled out happily.
"Back at the academy, I was so focused on beating my rival... I was blinded with ambition, so I couldn't see your van Grande of affection...," Muppy retold his gullible regret.
"It doesn't matter, Muppy. Even you need 100 years for my voice to reach you, I will never give up," Jess closed her eyes in compassionate aura.
Anna is shaken by that line and raises her shoulders with stern expression, "...Why you would go that far?"
Vayne and Sulpher look at Anna. Her face looked so furious and stressed.
Jess embraces Muppy in her arms, before looking at Anna with grace as her eyes opened slowly, "Because I love him."
"...Kh-!" Anna wanted to retaliate, but realized that she couldn't win this argument.
Jess smiles, "Is it that complicated, Anna?"
"...," Anna scowled.
Vayne is getting worried for Anna's unusual rude behaviour. She seems to have something in her mind... Nikki however, more concerned on how to bring this negative air out of the window.
"S-So, what happened after that?" Nikki strived in fast.
"Well, Muppy took me to this planet, introduce me to the family, and guide me to explore!" Jess smiled while embracing Muppy a little tighter.
"It might sound weird to public, but our feelings for each other are true. Even my entire family approved our relationship!" Muppy announced proudly.
"But, where are they?" Vayne asked the vital part.
"They're still on vacation to demolish- I mean to relax on another planet," Muppy finished casually.
"...," Vayne's face filled with doubt.
"But they'll be back at the day before our coronation, so no worries!" Muppy added with a smile.
"*sigh* Right...," Roxis sighed, depressed.
"Why the long face, Roxis? Parties are always fun!" Nikki pat Roxis' back, meant to cheer him up.
"Have you forgotten that WE have to PERFORM on stage?" Roxis blurted.
Nikki weeps, "Oh, no! I forgot..."
"With the royal family watching, we can't screw up...," Pamela's spirit went down.
"Don't worry, as long I talked them about it, they will spare- I mean praised you anyway," Muppy said, which didn't consoles anybody even Jess.
"W-Well; that's enough about us! I want to hear you guys out!" Jess spoke, choking Muppy at non-harmful level.
"Who shall go next, Vayne?" Flay soars out his voice.
"Huh? Umm, well I think... Err...," Vayne scratched his head and casted his eyes down, indecisive as always.
"Everyone, what's your opinion?" Flay asked for everyone's vote.
"VAYNE'S STORY!" everyone said aloud, casted their vote one-sidedly.
"B-B-But I don't...," Vayne panicked.
"I want to know about Vayne's crush!" Jess shoots straight, nearly making Vayne collapses.
"Tell us. You can't escape your way through this one," Roxis threatened coldly.
"Yeah, yeah!" Nikki was fired up.
Vayne's panic meter increases rapidly as the others are asking the same with their curious faces, except...
"Anna! Please help me!" Vayne begged desperately.
"Meow... (You just admitted it)," Sulpher warn his fragile master.
With a sour look, Anna stands up and throw a question, "...Jess and Muppy, what are you going to do after the coronation?"
Muppy and Jess blushes happily and answers in unison, "We will spend good times together and... WE WILL GET MARRIED SOON!"
"WHOOOOOO!" everyone but Anna expressed their excitement.
"...," Anna is putting a twisted look.
"Don't worry guys. A month before that happens; we'll send special invitations to all of you!" Muppy humbly offered.
"Splendid," Flay laughed in joy.
"Whoa, whoa. I can't believe you'll be the first one from all of us who get married, Jess. You've grown very feminine, aren't you?" Nikki pinched her best friend playfully.
"Oww, Nikki... I found it hard to believe, too. I thought you'll be the one who get married first," Jess pinched Nikki back.
"Ouch... Hehe. But I'll be the second right after you! Right, Roxis?" Nikki stared at Roxis mischievously.
"Congratulations Jess, but I have no idea of what Nikki was saying," Roxis answered coldly.
"ROXIS...?" Pamela's expression grows dark and dreadful.
"I-I mean... Just wait for the date!" Roxis said something he will regret forever.
"Gahahaha! Everyone is in happiness!" Flay end-commented.
BGM: off
*SLAM* Anna slammed her hands to the table hard.
"That is stupid!" Anna raged out, before making her leave with fury in her eyes.
"A... Anna, wait!" Vayne chased after her.
Everyone in the room is frozen, don't know what to do.
"What's wrong with Anna...?" Jess felt guilty.
"Is it something we said?" Muppy is concerned as well.
"I think we should follow them," Nikki felt down too.
"No. Leave them alone," Flay disagreed.
"Why?" Pamela looked worried too.
"For this one, I think we should trust it to Vayne," Roxis stated his agreement with Flay.
/
Muppy's Kingdom – Kismet View
Vayne followed Anna to a balcony with a great view. From up here, you can see the entire kingdom with the best angle and most sunlight. Since this is nearly midnight however, the whole picture you can get from below is blackout town's blueprint. With the noiseless night's voice you can hear here, your gaze shall be attracted to the beautiful sapphire moon on the top-left part of the sky. The weird moon is seen so big and its holes can be seen clearly, with sparkling star dusts surrounding it. Although this place is beautiful, it's hardly popular for the kingdom's inhabitants. As what this place is named, it's suited only for those with deep, pure loneliness...
BGM: Blooming Flowers of the Void
"Anna!" Vayne called out to her, who is standing near the balcony's fence and give her back to Vayne.
"..." Anna didn't respond and look at the moon.
Sulpher stays put while Vayne walk in closer to her, but is stopped by her aura of loneliness.
"Anna," vayne called out her name once again from the distance, "What's wrong? You've been acting strangely since you came here."
"So you noticed," Anna finally respond without turning to Vayne.
"Is something the matter? You can talk it out to me if you want...," Vayne begged more than ever.
Anna turns back, facing Vayne with emotionless face, "Vayne, what do you think of marriage?"
"H-Huh?" Vayne was surprised by her awkward question.
"Just answer," Anna demanded sharply.
"Well, man and woman will live together forever, have children, and so on...," Vayne answered with everything he could.
"What is the purpose?" Anna throws another question.
"Purpose?" Vayne was confused.
"What is the main goal of marriage in the first place?" Anna asked, her tone is sharper than before.
"Well... It's to live happily with someone you love, right?" Vayne answered bluntly.
Anna smiles in wry, "To Lemouri's family that is not the case."
"Your... family?" Vayne dig his memory bank once more.
"Vayne," Anna called out to his name, "I've told you before about how I will get married after graduating, right?"
Vayne nods, "Yes, so you can inherit your family's dojo..."
"Right," Anna smiles wry, again.
"But... You didn't get married until this point... Ah!" Vayne finally get it.
"That's true. The only reason I'm not married yet was I asked my father's permission to help cure Jess," Anna stated with sour expression.
Vayne steps closer to her, "But that means-!"
"Yes. We've cured Jess, so there's no more reason for me to stall time. Once the coronation ends, I have to go back home and get married," Anna explained.
"But that just-!" vayne was shocked more than he ever was.
"Yes, the one I'll marry will be a complete stranger. The successor of the Lemouri family may not choose his/her bride/bridegroom," Anna continued.
"W-Why!" Vayne asked with his fist clenched down.
"So the successor won't be lonely!" Anna blurted harshly.
Vayne was shocked; so shocked about the fact that he couldn't change. Once he believed that he can find the way through, but now... His one and only love; the girl who ever touches his heart, will go out of his reach.
Anna calmed down a bit, "Once, my ancestor has no bride. It pains him so much to be alone, and... He gives in to his loneliness and marries a random woman."
"...," Vayne is silent.
"Ever since that day, a tradition was created so the same thing never happened again. Tradition that will force the next successor of the Lemouri family, to marry someone who has been chosen and not be lonely," Anna continued gloomily.
"...," Vayne is still silent.
"Some of the previous family's heads found this tradition to be a gift, but... They never really know the true meaning of marriage," Anna continued, more gloom than ever by each word.
"True meaning...," Vayne mumbled.
"To them, marriage is not the unison of two people who are in love, but simply their desperate escape method from loneliness. That's why within generations, Lemouri family's son/daughter-in-law were never really part of the family. They were forced into it, and acted like complete strangers as the countermeasure," Anna looked more gloom after the previous word.
"Anna...," Vayne tried to get closer, but he can't.
"What are really matters to us are swords and combative skills... The warm bond like family is nothing but illusion to us. That's why... When I spend my time with all of you, I feel like I'm regaining what we have lost in the family long ago...," Anna talked and her shoulders falling.
With sadness in her eyes, Anna continues further, "I thought I might find a way to thwart this cursed tradition, and I found friendship. Our friendship. It's just friendship, but... It was for the first time ever since I was a child, that... I truly feel belong with others."
As the silent voices of night echoes, Anna keep her lips to spit out the truth, "Why I only starting to feel that way when I enrolled the academy...? Why it didn't start earlier...? ...Maybe; I was closing my heart back then. I feel hopeless and saw such relations my old friends were going on are nothing but illusions. I longed for true relations so many times, and always left disappointed. That way, I know deep in my heart it's impossible. So every relation I had with others is only skin-deep and functional; I just want things done, serious in anything, get to others' expectations, and discipline both myself and others so no loss will happen. I'm always placing distance to private things..."
Vayne gulped. When he thought about it, it's true... That's the way Anna was when she just joined the workshop. She was so serious that anything else was beheaded... The only reason she is the way she is now is...
"That's right," Anna smiled bitterly, but somewhat looked glad, "Because you guys force me to join, meddle with private things for other's sake, and always... always... always make me smile..."
Unbelievably, Anna's tears are falling from her turquoise eyes, "I become... the way I am now. The soft, kind Anna who... Who loves her friends with her heart and soul..."
Anna couldn't hold it anymore; her tears are flowing no matter how hard she tried to stop it. He cold of the night on this planet makes it worse.
"You guys... won't leave me alone... All of you... were always there for me... I... I... I want to stay with you forever...," Anna cried out her feeling, out of her shell.
Anna weeps her tears with her right hand, but it doesn't work, "Everything will end in 3 days... Then, I'll never see you guys again... I can't escape my destiny... Destiny to be chained to family's tradition and can only recognize everything as illusions..."
"...," Vayne is grinding his teeth with awry face.
"Haha... Maybe that is why... I was able to form pact with the Mana of Illusion... Because... I wished for the power to cover up my true feelings with illusions...," Anna said sarcastically between her tears.
"...Anna!" vayne scolded her, but it's no use.
"Seeing Jess try to commence a marriage so easily... She took it without burden and so carefree... What if she was wrong? What if she does that only to escape her loneliness like my ancestors did? But she didn't give it a second thought... She's naively wanted marriage without knowing the hardships she will come across.. Seeing her took it like some kind of game... It made me so angry," Anna revealed her eason for being mad at the dinner table.
"I know, Anna... I know marriage isn't something simple, but...!" Vayne reasoned.\
"...Maybe, it was the best if we haven't met before," Anna scowled, "This whole thing might be just an illusion..."
"NO!" now it's Vayne who cried out.
Letting go all his shyness, Vayne took a step forward and embraced Anna. He embraced her with all his strength, and not left any opening for her to escape.
Anna was so surprised that her tears are frozen in tracks, "V-Vayne...?"
Vayne didn't answer. He's keeping his grip to Anna's body tight and won't let go.
"V-Vayne...!" Anna starts to feel uneasy, ready to draw her katana-
"Anna, what do you feel now?" Vayne asked out of nowhere.
"...What?" Anna was confused.
"Tell me, what do you feel from my body right now?" Vayne asked again.
Anna doesn't know how to react, except by answering..., "Vayne... Your body is... warm."
"The warmth... Is it just some illusion to you?" Vayne asked again.
"No...," Anna wiped some of her tears, "This heat... This beating heart... It's real."
Vayne is speaking with all his heart, "See, Anna? I might not able to say it properly, but... By hugging you, touching you, and make you feel like this... I can show you how i feel."
"How... You feel, Vayne?" Anna wondered.
"Yes," Vayne speak without doubt, "I care about you. I want to be with you. I want to laugh with you... Cry with you... Fight together with you... And protect you. That's how I feel towards you, Anna. Those thoughts are filling my heart with happiness... Because you are my friend; you are my best friend and someone very precious to me."
"That's what you feel... About me? Is it true...?" Anna questioned Vayne.
Vayne answered as best as a man can do, "It is true. These thoughts we both felt are real. They're not some kind of illusion. These feelings... Are what linked us together, no matter how far and how long we apart."
Vayne let go of his embrace, holding Anna's shoulders and look at her directly in the eye before saying:
"You know that my- No, our feelings for you are true. So please stop crying... I- We don't want you to be sad and depressed. Please don't worry about such things, as we'll always be there for you when you need us the most."
"But...," Anna is still in denial, "That is... my destiny!"
Once again, Vayne stare deeply into her eyes, "Then we'll find a way. We will overcome it."
"But... It's not that easy!" Anna still refused to believe that.
Vayne smiles soft, "Anna, you've changed my destiny remember? That time in the Heart Prison... If you weren't there, I'm not sure what'll happen to me."
Anna shakes her head in another denial, "No... I was just... The others are there too, so..."
Vayne nods, "That's the point, Anna. As long all of us are together, there's no hardship we can't overcome."
Anna stood still in silence, wondering if that's true... Is there really any chance for her... So she won't be forced into desperate marriage? So she won't be separated from the people she loved so much? So she can stay... By their side?
Vayne weep the rest of her tears with his own hand, "Trust me. Believe in us. We will find the solution together. I promise!"
With her face clean again, Anna is blushing in relief and calmness. It's weird she feels comfortable now by Vayne's words... The weak, spineless Vayne who's always indecisive and unreliable... But right now, just by having him standing next to her... She feels at peace. The natural sensation of warmth and affection she wished for so long... Now is standing tall, right in front of her.
"Vayne...," Anna spoke in low tone while gazing at Vayne, before embracing him.
"W-Whoa, Anna...?" Vayne was startled and blushing hard.
"Can I... believe in you? Will you not... disappoint me?" Anna asked what troubled her the most.
Vayne was quiet for a moment, before embrace Anna back while answering, "Yes, you can count on me. I won't let you down, Anna. I will do my very best for you."
Anna feel relieved by those words and closed her eyes in tiredness, "Vayne..."
"Yes?" Vayne asked as he's keeping Anna safe and warm.
With the last of her strength, Anna spoke her last words before falling asleep at Vayne's arms, "...Thank you."
And so... The sapphire moon engulfed the two souls with its majestic blue light, as the silent starry night goes by within the flow of time...
/
To be continued...
/
Done! Finally! Ohhhhhhh, yeaaaaah. This chapter turned out far longer and slightly different that what I planned, but it's going to the fine way I guess. I can't tell about Roxis-Nikki's or Flay-Pamela's current situation before going to Muppy's kingdom, but I'll do it in the next chapters. Sorry about Anna's heavy and depressing family history, but it's the truth I've deducted from the facts within the game. I think it is close enough.
Anyway, I thanked you so much for all of you who read this chapter till the end. It might be some bitter things for Anna, but it's the truth and we all have the right to know. Other characters have their own truth too, and I will write them all one by one.
Well, although it took so much time, I really love to write this story! Hope you enjoyed it, and please review! There will be more truths revealed in next chapters, so stay tuned!
P.S. Can you guess who 'the guy on the phone' is? If you're guessing it right, I might give you something good...