VA's English & Japanese for all OC characters this chapter (Even those who appear in Flashbacks):
Cian Mac Gallagher: English VA: Zach Aguilar: Tanjiro Kamado (Demon Slayer), David (Cyberpunk Edgerunners), Byleth (Fire Emblem Three Houses), Arthur Pendragon (Seven Deadly Sins) Sieg (Fate Apocrypha)
Japanese VA: Natsuki Hanae: Tanjiro Kamado (Demon Slayer), Sieg (Fate Apocrypha)
Mebd Mac Caomhanach: English VA: Felecia Angelle: Miku Nakano (The Quintessential Quintuplets), Emi Yusa (The Devil is a Part Timer) Suzune Horikita (Classroom of the Elite), Mana Takamiya (Date A Live)
Japanese VA: Miyuki Sawashiro: Sinon/Shino Asada (Sword Art Online), Mordred (Fate Apocrypha & Fate Grand Order)
Mikoto
"Man, is he really skipping out again?" Welf asked, his arms crossed.
Lillie shook her head, clearly confused. "That's the second time this week, Master Cian never misses that many days. Did he tell you why?"
"He just said he wasn't feeling good, and had some other business to take care of," Bell said, shaking his head. "He does got me worried though, he seems really… off lately."
Mikoto knew this was true as well. It had been three weeks now since they'd returned from their journey in the middle floors, and only the last week had Cian started acting like he was. Mikoto was starting to grow used to seeing Cian almost every day. A few days of course she'd gone with her familia, but whenever she could she traveled down with Cian, Master Bell, and their party. She was amazed by how much stronger she could feel herself getting just by being with them. They'd made tremendous progress in the dungeon so far.
Not to mention, she looked forward to seeing his smiling face each day. She hadn't admitted that to anyone yet of course, she didn't know who she could talk to about it. In ways of the sword and combat, Mikoto was an expert, but the mind of a man? She was near clueless.
She'd wait for Miya to return if anyone knew it would be her. For now, she had been content to simply be around him and her new friends. However, how he'd been acting the last week was concerning for all four of them.
I'll admit… I probably look at his face more closely than the others, he has seemed exhausted, she thought, remembering his face. Bags under his eyes, jittering, sleeping in later, leaving dinner early, and going outside Orario, it had been a very un-Cian like way to act, and Mikoto liked to think in the last few weeks she'd gotten to know him well enough to know. She stood with the others, wondering herself, when Welf scoffed and shook his head.
"You got that right, kid hasn't looked like himself," He said, before turning his head. "Hey, Mikoto, has he told you anything?"
"Huh? No, nothing that would explain his behavior," Mikoto said, confused as she looked at the smith. "What made you believe he'd tell me something about it when he hasn't even told Master Bell?"
Lillie rolled her eyes. "Do we really have to say it?"
"Say what?" She asked, confused.
Welf sighed and shook his head. "Because you two are always attached to the hip when we're all together. Figured he may have shared something with you of all people."
Her chest exploded. "I… I fail to see how the amount of time we spend together is relevant to the situation!"
"Aha, of course you don't," Lillie sighed, looking at Master Bell. "Master Bell, did you ask Lady Ryuu? Or any of the other waitresses, he does live there?"
"Yeah, Ryuu may be the only one he talks to as much as you and Mikoto," Welf said, and Mikoto went stiff, trying to ignore the comment.
Is... it really that much? She tried thinking, realizing that in their formation in the dungeon, it was normally her and Cian who would guard one side, while Master Bell and Welf guarded the other, with Lillie in the middle to shout out monster positions and other commands.
She determined that wasn't important right now, despite the fact the more she heard about how close Cian and Lady Ryuu were, the more she felt petty jealously rising in her. Who wouldn't be jealous when the boy she felt she was beginning to have feelings for lived at a tavern with pretty bar maids?
"I didn't ask her, no," Master Bell said, nervously chuckling. "Goddess Hestia said if he wasn't out of his room by the time she was done work she'd go drag him out herself."
"You mean he's still there?" Welf said with a scoff, standing off the stone wall he'd been sitting on. "Well lets all head over there then and knock some sense into him!"
"Huh?! Why would we do that?" Master Bell asked with wide eyes.
Lillie nodded. "Master Welf is right, if somethings wrong with Master Cian and he's not telling us, he could be doing something dangerous again. Remember what happened last time he started acting strange and skipped the dungeon?"
Master Bell shook his head. "Cian promised he wouldn't do anything like that again. I'm sure if it was something to do with the Morrigan familia he'd tell us."
"Even if it's not that, he's our friend we should check on him," Welf said, walking past them. "And if he's just being stubborn, I'll knock his head. Come on let's go!"
"For once I agree with Master Welf," Lillie said, following the smith. "Let's go Master Bell, Lady Mikoto, are you coming?"
"Yeah, if anyone can make him talk it'll be you," Welf commented, making her chest thump loud.
Mikoto floundered for a moment. "Do… do you really think this is wise? What if Cian's simply not feeling well? Should we really go and bother him when maybe he just wants a day off?"
Master Bell nodded. "Miss Mikoto is right, we shouldn't bother him if he doesn't wanna be!"
"We're his friends, his party it's part of our job," Welf said, gesturing for them to follow. "Now come on."
Mikoto went to protest with Master Bell, but their words died in their mouths. She turned and saw the dungeon entrance becoming more and more crowded. If they went now they would be bogged down by adventurers anyway, so she sighed and turned to Master Bell who seemed to realize the same thing.
He sighed and shook his head. "I suppose they're right…. I do want to make sure he's okay."
"Me as well," Mikoto admitted with a sigh. "If something's bothering Cian, I would wish to know about it."
"Hey, Miss Mikoto?" Master Bell asked. "Do you know what they were talking about? What do they mean you and Cian are always attached at the hip, we fight together so aren't we all?"
Mikoto stiffened and went red again, I may not know much about the ways of men and romance but… at least I seem to know more then Master Bell.
"I… I suppose they just mean Cian and I talk more or… never mind we should get moving!" She said, before speed walking to join the others.
Master Bell looked confused but followed her. She sighed with relief, and thought about it for a moment… could something really be going on with Cian?
OP: Hey World, DanMachi Season 1
The Argonaut and The Child of Light
Tales From Orario: The Samhain Ritual
Bell
"Oh, Bell!" Syr yelled, rushing to meet them at the door. "What a surprise, did something happen at the dungeon?"
Bell walked in to see the Hostess of Fertility hadn't been opened yet. A part of him was still against pushing Cian for answers and going to bother him when it was clear his friend was tired and wanted to be alone. Bell felt he knew him better then the others by a good amount, and sometimes he'd realized he just saw Cian get like this. He'd told Bell sometimes he simply just couldn't sleep. So, when he saw Syr there, and no sign of Miss Ryuu a part of him was worried. Had Cian and her gone somewhere? He knew if they had, it had to be something big if Cian brought such a powerful adventurer with him.
"Oh, we actually haven't been to the dungeon yet," He told Syr, smiling. "We came to see if Cian was still here."
"Yeah, it's not like him to miss another day in the dungeon," Welf said from next to him.
"Has he been out of his room yet?" Lillie asked next.
Bell realized that Mikoto was lingering behind them for some reason. He saw she was looking at the rest of the girls working with an odd look on her face. He couldn't tell if it was anger, annoyance…? He had no idea why she'd be looking like that, but he assumed it had something to do with Cian. He still had no idea what Welf and Lillie had been implying. Although, he would admit, Cian and Mikoto did spend a lot of time together in the dungeon, they were parties rear guard. Also, when they had dinner on the surface, they always sat next to each other.
"Oh, you all actually just missed him," Syr said with her normal cute smile. "He came down with his spear, and said he was meeting someone outside and that he wouldn't be back until later tonight."
"Huh?! So, he skipped the dungeon to go out meeting someone?" Lillie said, holding her hand to her chin. "That doesn't sound like Master Cian at all."
"She's right, I didn't know he had friends other than us," Welf said.
Bell shook his head, this was confusing. Normally, Cian would tell him and Goddess Hestia about anything that he went out to do so they didn't worry and knew where he was incase they needed him. It really was unlike him to just go off somewhere with someone. A part of him was worried… could he be going off to fight someone or something again like with that Fomorian?
That was the worst case, but Bell chose to believe Cian's promise of not doing something like that again.
"Did you see who it was he met with Syr?" Bell asked her.
Syr shook her head but looked curious. "I didn't catch who it was but… something was weird, he was… dressed pretty odd."
"Huh? Odd, what do you mean?" Welf said.
Syr giggled. "Haha it was actually a pretty cute outfit despite it being a bit odd. He had on what looked like green and brown… robes? A puffy shirt, it was weird seeing him have his spear with all of that."
Bell and everyone else looked at each other. Miss Mikoto slowly shook her head. "Perhaps… it's an Ulster type of outfit?"
"It could be, they do have a different style of dress out west," Lillie said, shaking her head. "I just wish we knew who it was who he met up with."
"Maybe Miss Lefiya?" Bell suggested, trying to wonder who else Cian would meet. "The two of them seem to be close."
"By… close, what do you mean?" Mikoto asked, her voice urgent as she suddenly stepped between them. "Surely Cian is close to every one of us right?! I mean he's close to you Master Bell, and you Miss Lillie, Master Welf too, Miss Syr as well, close can mean a variety of things, what does it mean something else in this scenario?!"
Bell yelped and stepped back; he'd never seen Mikoto's eyes so intense before. He went wide eyed and looked to Lillie and Welf who just sighed and shook their heads. Next to him, Syr giggled, and when he looked down he saw Mikoto hadn't stopped glaring at him, a very determined look to them. A part of him was scared… what was the big deal if Cian was with Miss Lefiya?
"Um… close as in they're good friends?" Bell said, trying to figure out what she wanted to know but unable to do so. "They've met up a few times in the last few weeks-."
"How many do you mean by a few?!"
"Um… maybe three or four-."
"Three or four which is it Master Bell?!"
"Three!" He squeaked, holding up his hands. "Actually, he went to the Loki Familia manor just yesterday, I assume he did it to talk to her."
"Huh? Why would he go there just to talk to her," Lillie suddenly asked.
Welf scoffed. "Damn Cian, didn't know he had it in him…"
Mikoto's eyes widened as she turned, her fist closed, her eyes determined again. "We have to find him now. If he's meeting with Miss Lefiya we must-."
"It wasn't her," A voice came, and they all turned to see Ryuu walking back down the stairs. "No, it was someone else."
Bell smiled. "Miss Ryuu! Did you see who it was he went with then?"
Ryuu walked to their group, the empty tavern seeming very quiet as they waited for her answer. It was… off though, Bell saw her eyes narrowed, her arms crossed. She looked… annoyed? Bell was getting really confused now, why did almost everyone seem so annoyed with Cian today?
"Lady Ryuu!" Mikoto said, stepping in front of them. "You must tell me-. I mean us who it was!"
Ryuu looked down for a moment, before looking up with her intense eyes. "It was the girl from the Morrigan Familia, the one who joined Hermes."
She… knows Miss Mebd's name, why didn't she say it? Bell thought confused.
Still, the news made him breath a sigh of relief. "Oh, well that's a relief. If he's with Miss Mebd, then it probably is something to do with Ulster-."
"There's more," Ryuu said icily.
"Huh, more?" Lillie asked, sounding confused now.
Welf scoffed. "Bell's right, he and Mebd are probably talking about Ulster or something. Doesn't really explain why he's been acting weird, but maybe he's just homesick that's why he's with her."
"Master Welf's right, Master Cian has been away from Ulster for more then a month now," Lillie said, shaking her head. "Maybe he and Lady Mebd are just doing something they used to do at home. They talked the Ulster language to each other all the time."
"No, it seems it may me more then just… spending time together," Ryuu said, as Bell oddly saw her fingers digging into her uniform as she spoke. "Mebd… was wearing what seemed to be a dress. It was long, dark red, something one would wear on a night out on the town or… well, a-."
"A date!" Syr suddenly said excitedly, cooing at the idea. "Aw, this is fantastic, good for Cian! Maybe what he was wearing was formal clothes from Ulster! I can't believe he… um, Ryuu?"
Bell choked as he looked next to him at what looked more like a barrel of explosives then his friend. "Uh… Miss… Mikoto?"
"Oh man, she's gonna explode…!" Welf said in a strained voice from next to her.
"They both are!" Lillie said, sounding terrified.
Bell backed away, Syr-who was not excited anymore-joined him, with Welf and Lillie backing up with them. Bell had never seen anything like it, Mikoto and Ryuu both stood with their heads looking at the ground, fists clenched. Mikoto looked like she was going to slice the bar in half, it was as if they both were exploding with flames, he could practically see smoke coming out of their heads. Each second that passed Bell was more and more worried they'd melt through the floor.
"Um… or maybe they're not on a date!" Syr said, hiding behind him. "Maybe they're um… well… going… shop…ing?
"That could still be a date…" Lillie whispered, having started hiding behind her backpack.
"Y…yeah, that could be," Welf said quickly, still as a statue.
Bell gagged as he looked at them, looking at Mikoto and Mikoto. "Miss Mikoto, Miss Ryuu calm down! Maybe Syr's right! Maybe they're not on a date, maybe they're um… well-."
They both turned to glare at him, and Bell yelped, jumping back, those eyes were more dangerous then anything in the dungeon.
"Miss Ryuu… which direction did they go in?" Mikoto asked, slowly turning to the elf.
Miss Ryuu nodded. "West… towards the wealthier familia mansions."
Welf scoffed. "Ha, maybe he's going to see Lefi- AHHHHH!"
"Don't tell them that are you trying to explode that bomb?!" Lillie jumping up and yanking on his ear.
Miss Mikoto slowly nodded and locked eyes with Miss Ryuu.
"We're following them." They both said at the same time.
"HUHHH?! We can't do that!" Bell suddenly said waving his arms. "If Cian and Miss Mebd are doing something private we can't interrupt!"
"Master Bell's right!" Lillie said, still looking scared. "Master Cian's probably been acting weird for whatever it is they're doing today; he was probably getting ready, we can't just follow them."
"Little bit's right!" Welf said shaking his head. "Besides, Mikoto you were the one who said we shouldn't have come to get him in the first place-."
"I've changed my mind!" Mikoto yelled, her face completely red as they looked at them. She spoke faster then Bell had ever heard. "We must figure out what's going on! Cian wouldn't go out on d…da… a date! Not without telling any of us, yes, something else has to be happening!."
"Th…that sounds like a bit of a stretch," Syr laughed nervously from behind him. She looked to Ryuu. "Ryuu! I know you and Cian are close but- YAHH!"
Ryuu turned and narrowed her eyes at them. "Miss Mikoto is correct. Besides, Mebd was a member of the Morrigan familia, I know she fought with us, but we must be vigilant."
"Huh? Cian trusts Miss Mebd," Bell tried to reason with them. "We could've died without her help. Miss Ryuu… Miss Mikoto, don't you think you're being well… well a little… um…"
"Jealous?" Welf finished, much braver then he was. "Come on you guys don't you think you're acting a little craz-."
CRACK.
A wooden spoon smashed into the wall pass Welf's head into the wall. Everyone went quiet, as Ryuu lowered her arm and looked to Mikoto.
"Let's go, if we move now we could catch up," Ryuu said to Mikoto.
"Yes!" Mikoto said, moving behind Ryuu as they headed for the exit.
It was quiet for a moment, and only Welf was able to break the silence.
"Unbelievable… both of you," He muttered, sighing before walking towards the door. "If I die because of girls falling over you both, I'll never forgive myself."
Lillie scoffed and shook her head. "Don't include me in a group like that!"
"You're at the top of Bell's group little bit," Welf told her.
Bell nearly jumped out of his skin as he went to follow them. "Wait! What do I have to do with this?!"
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Mikoto
"I can't believe that you all are doing something like this!" Goddess Hestia said as they all looked behind the alley corner. "If Cian decides to go on a date then we should support him and… HUH WHAT'S HE DOING AT LOKI'S?! CIAN! GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW YOU LITTLE-."
"GODDESS!" Master Bell yelled, reaching, and grabbing the tiny goddess around the waist and pulling her back into the alley.
"He's meeting Miss Lefiya too?!" Lillie said, her eyes wide.
Welf scoffed in amazement. "Both at the same time… jeez, didn't know Cian had it in him- OW!"
"Quiet! We have to hear what they're saying," Ryuu said, smacked the back of his head.
Mikoto would have done it herself had Ryuu not. Bell finished wrangling Lady Hestia, but Mikoto's eyes remained firmly forward around the corner. Lady Ryuu was right above her, while the others all followed as well. They'd caught up to Cian, and ran into Lady Hestia at her job, who-once she figured out they were chasing after Cian-has left her shift early to follow them. She'd been insisting up until they had followed him and Mebd to the home of the Loki familia they leave Cian be.
What… what am I doing?! I'm acting crazy, aren't I? But why… why can't I get this feeling out of my chest, it's way too tingly… she thought, as she looked out at Cian. She would admit, her initial response may have been a bit more aggressive. She knew of course that Cian spent time and would spend time in the future alone with other girls that weren't her, but still… the idea stirred feelings in her she had no idea how to respond too, especially in their situation now.
She also didn't seem to be the only one, because Lady Ryuu-still in her work uniform-was staring out at him just as intently.
They'd found Cian and Mebd not far away, and now watched as they both stood chatting at the gate of the Loki familia's mansion. Like Syr had described, Cian wore a very different outfit from what he normally wore. He had on sharp black pants with sturdy looking boots, however he wore a long set of robes over them. They were stitched together with white thread, and while the base of it was black, what seemed to be a cap of leaves worn like a sash over his shoulder. It was as if the outfit had been made by someone who only had the things in the wilderness or nature. Around his head, was a loose crown of leaves, and while the outfit surely would have seemed odd to other people… Mikoto couldn't stop looking.
He chatted with Mebd, laughing, and smiling as he held his spear in one hand. His blue eyes contrasted with the green coloration of his outfit, his black hair was washed, shiny, blowing in the wind… she hadn't stopped staring the entire time, and it made her feel even more annoyed at herself. She didn't want to feel like this… because she knew there were so many others who were more worthy of that smile he had.
Mebd could have been one of them, she seemed as if she could have been mistaken for an elf. Even Mikoto knew the girl looked stunning. Her long red hair fell down past her shoulders, and she wore a dress you'd see on an outdoorswoman. Her arms were both wringed with flowers tied to a thread, and around her head was a circlet filled with more flowers, and stones. Her pale skin, happy green eyes, she had more then a few male adventurers who passed by starting to move slower as they walked.
But the two only stood talking and laughing as they waited.
"This is ridiculous!" Lady Hestia said, much quieter this time. "What does that tramp Loki doing with my child near her house?! I swear, I'm gonna demolish that flat chested little-."
"Goddess please!" Master Bell begged, looking at all of them. "This is wrong! We shouldn't be following them around!"
"A couple minutes ago I may have agreed Master Bell!" Lillie said, her eyes glued to the scene as well, her supporter robes and backpack gone now. "But now?! Holy crap this is getting good! I mean look at Lady Mebd she's gorgeous!"
"She's got that right," Welf said with a shake of his head. "Girls a looker that's for sure-. OW!"
"Stop staring you sleez!" Lillie yelled, stepping on his foot. "I can't believe it! Master Cian's going somewhere with Lady Mebd dressed like that and now he's meeting a girl from the Loki Familia?! It's like something out of a romance novel!"
ROMANCE NOVEL?! Mikoto thought, her chest exploding.
Welf nodded sagely. "Yes, I can see it little bit. Young man from another country arrives in a foreign and city full of a different culture and people!"
"He struggles to find connections but runs into a group of plucky adventurers who take him in and show him the ways of that nation!" Lillie continued with embellishment.
Welf continued with the fictional story. "His past comes back to haunt him, someone from his country! He's attacked by a former enemy, but after his friends save him, through his charm, wit, and longing for home he turns the woman to his side!"
"And through shared love and longing for their former country the two come together!" Lillie said, her eyes with stars in them. "They grow close and go out to reminisce about him, hopeless feelings of love and lust overtaking them both!"
LOVE AND LUST?! Mikoto screamed to herself, almost melting in the sun.
"BUT! A twist!" Welf went on. "During his journey he meets a tall, beautiful slender elf with a personality and passion as fiery as her hair! The two lovely maidens vie for the young man's heart! But he has other ideas, he intends to take them both-."
"GAHHHH WILL YOU BOTH SHUT UP!" Mikoto finally yelled, stomping her foot.
"Huh? Did you hear that?"
CRASH!
They all thankfully noticed Cian turn around and jumped back behind the corner of the alley, knocking over every box and barrel that was stored there.
"It must have just been some rowdy adventurers," She heard Mebd say. "I still don't know why we needed to come; we don't need that bratty elf! Why do you need her when you have me I know what I'm doing!"
She… she knows what she's doing?! WHAT IS SHE DOING?! Mikoto thought, horrified.
"Get your foot off me Master Welf!" Lillie yelled, as they all got up.
"Ugh… how did I end up here…" Master Bell groaned.
"Shhhh!" Lady Hestia said. "Welf, Lillie finish that story! Oh, my sweet little Cian, you've grown up so fast, if only Scathach could see you now!"
"I told you all to be quiet!" Ryuu hissed at them. "We need to know what-."
"Ha, calm down Mebd I promised you didn't I?" Cian's voice said.
Mikoto yelped and scrambled to look back around the corner, and everyone else followed. She looked and saw Mebd and Cian smiling at each other. Mebd looked annoyed, but Cian smiled as he spoke to her.
A smile… I wish was aimed at me, she thought, as Cian shook his head.
"It'll be a good time, just like when we were back home!" He said with a smile. "It'll be worth it, you're the only one I need!"
"The only one he needs?!" Lillie whispered.
"Jeez, he's smooth that's for sure," Welf commented.
"Wow Cian… I didn't know you could be so romantic!" Lady Hestia cooed.
"What… did he say that was so special?" Master Bell asked.
SNAP. Lady Ryuu didn't say anything, as a piece of a box snapped in her hand.
Mebd laughed, tossing her hair behind her. "Ha… you're right I'm overreacting I won't let her ruin my good mood! I used to do this all the time back at home."
ALL THE TIME?!
"She… she can't be talking about…" Lillie started, stuttering, and looking at Lady Hestia. "You know… that right?!"
Cian laughed. "Ha, I'm sure, I heard you were fantastic at it too, I'm really happy that we get to do this together."
"Aw… I bet they're exaggerated, but I would call myself experience. I… I'm glad I get to do it with you now Cian," Mebd said, chuckling as she smiled and tilted her head. "But after the last few days, you're running me ragged! A girl can only do it so much you know."
Mikoto screeched. THE LAST FEW DAYS?! RUN HER RAGGED?!
"Ran her ragged…" Welf whispered. "Damn Cian…."
"So, he's been skipping the dungeon for.. for… oh gods Master Cian…" Lillie said mystified.
"I don't understand what's he talking about?!" Master Bell asked, desperately confused.
Lady Hestia's eyes went wide. "Cian… oh my sweet Cian, you've turned out more like Diarmuid then me or Scathach ever wanted…"
SNAP. Another piece of the box splintered, and Mikoto saw Ryuu unable to move her eyes.
Cian laughed and rubbed his head. "Yeah, I have been riding you pretty hard huh?"
"You can say that again, even though it's probably the other way around," Mebd said. "But I can't say I'm complaining, I've enjoyed it."
All six of them fell backwards, Mikoto's eyes started twitching.
"So have I!" Cian said, as Mikoto saw him turn towards the mansion, being the first one to scramble back up to her feet. He sighed and looked at the massive manor. "I just wish you and Lefiya would get along."
Mebd scoffed. "That's unlikely."
"I… don't understand why you don't like her," Cian chuckled nervously. "Honestly, I thought it would be fun for it to be the three of us!"
"DID HE SAY ALL THREE OF THEM?!" Lillie screeched.
"Lillie!" Bell yelled, clamping a hand over the supporter's mouth.
Mikoto looked and saw everyone slack-jawed. Her jaw had already dropped, she couldn't believe what she was hearing.
Is… is Cian really… really… a playboy?! She thought horribly, could she have started developing feelings for someone who plays with the hearts of multiple women?!
No… no, Cian wouldn't do that! Would…he?
She saw Mebd roll her eyes. "Well, whatever you say. I just wonder where the little-."
"Cian!"
They all scrambled back up to watch. The gates of the Loki familia's mansion opened, and Mikoto saw the orange haired elf rushing out. She was suddenly interested again, and very worried. The girl was obviously an elf and had an elf's beauty, but what she hadn't expected, was the green haired elf following Lefiya out of the gates as well.
Master Bell choked behind them. "Miss… Miss Riveria too?!"
"Don't tell me Cian's bagged the vice-commander of the Loki Familia!" Welf complained.
Lady Hestia scoffed. "Of course, it would be like Loki to just let her children run wild like this!"
"M…Mebd… Le…Lefiya… L…Lady Riveria?" Lillie said, out of breath, as her nose bled, and she fell backwards.
"I guess he just has a thing for elves," Welf said. "I can't say I blame-ARGH! Would you all please stop hitting me?!"
"Quiet!" Ryuu hissed after elbowing him in the gut. She fell in place next to Mikoto, and they looked out as the elves joined Cian and Mebd.
"L…Lady Riveria!" Cian said, bowing quickly.
Mebd's eyes went wide, and she did the same.
Lefiya frowned, her pointed ears drooping as she clutched something to her chest. "I'm sorry Cian, I had to tell Riveria about what I was getting for you."
"She had too…" The high elf started, "because she was rummaging through the library for it when she should have been practicing."
Cian looked panicked. "I… I'm very sorry Lady Riveria! Please, don't be mad at Lefiya, she was just trying to do something to help me out, she-."
"Please, Cian Mac Gallagher don't apologize," Lady Riveria said, a small smile coming to her face. "To be quite honest, I was a bit interested myself when Lefiya explained what you were doing."
SHE WAS INTERESTED TOO?! Mikoto screamed in her head. She knew Cian was handsome, and very, very kind, but for someone as well known as the vice-captain of the Loki familia to be interested in… that?! How could she compete?!
Cian sighed and smiled. "Oh, thank the gods. I'm sorry still, I didn't mean to cause such a commotion."
"It's okay Cian!" Lefiya said, handing him whatever it was she was holding against her chest. "Here, it was actually good, Riveria helped me find it."
"Yes, a very interesting request, I'm interested myself as I said," Riveria told them.
Cian smiled. "Would the two of you like the join us? It'll actually be fun, the more the merrier!"
Lady Hestia fell forward. "The more the… me…Cian where did your innocence go?!"
"Guys I… I don't think this is right!" Master Bell said. "We shouldn't be jumping to conclusions like this! What if Cian's just-."
"SHUT UP MASTER BELL!" "SHUT UP BELL!" All of them shouted at once.
Riveria's laugh drew Mikoto's attention back. "Ha… it does sound tempting, unfortunately I have business to attend to, and I'll need Lefiya for it."
"I understand, thank you again," Cian said with a bow, smiling at them. "Thank you for all your help, and I appreciate you letting me borrow this!"
"What is it?! What did he borrow from them?!" Lillie asked urgently trying to get a view.
"Probably an aphrodisiac-. GAH DON'T HIT ME AGAIN!" Welf whispered, then yelled when Ryuu glared at him.
"My Cian would never do such a thing!" Hestia said proudly, before her confidence faded. "Um… he wouldn't… right Bell?"
"Yes! He wouldn't, at least not without telling any of us!" Bell urged. "Come on guys, we should leave him alone for… you know, I won't even try anymore."
Mikoto, Ryuu and everyone else glaring made him not continue.
Back in front of the Loki manor, Riveria smiled and nodded at Cian. "It's no problem, just make sure to return it. Also, perhaps the next time you do something like perhaps I'll take your offer to come along, I've always wanted to see how they do it in Ulster."
THEY…THEY DO IT DIFFERENTLY IN ULSTER?! Mikoto was both appalled… and interested, what could they possibly do different during… that activity in the west?
"Of course, I will! Thank you again," He said, bowing and smiling at Mebd. "Well, Mebd and me should get going. Thanks again Lady Riveria, and you too Lefiya! You said you had a favor to ask right?"
"Oh yes! Cian I wanted to…" She started, before looking at Mebd and glaring. "On second thought… I'll tell you another time. Enjoy yourself!"
"Is he going on a date with Miss Lefiya next?!" Lillie said indignantly. "I never knew Master Cian was such a player, this is horrible!"
"They're moving, lets go!" Ryuu said, going to move from the alley.
Mikoto looked up and saw the two elves retreating back into the mansion, while Mebd and Cian were already walking down the street. Her body went into overdrive… why did she feel like this still? It was as if two sides of her brain were working against each other. One was yelling at her to stop acting so rashly, Master Bell was right after all, if this was Cian's private business they really had no right to intervene or spy on him like they had been. From how he'd been smiling, laughing and how he was dressed, it was clear that this was important to him. Shouldn't she have simply been happy that he seemed to be happy?
That was what she wanted to tell herself… but she simply couldn't. It was because, she wanted to be the one by his side, making him smile like that. It was all too confusing and conflicting for her.
Miya… please hurry back home, she thought. She was the only one Mikoto could think of that could possibly help her understand how to move forward. Her and Ritsuka had been together for as long as Mikoto could remember, if anyone could give her the advice she needed it was her.
"Hold on! I'm not following them now!" Welf said, shaking his head. "This has been entertaining don't get me wrong, but I'm not going to follow them to wherever it is they're going!"
"Master Welf's right!" Lillie said, shuddering. "Especially if they're well… well… you know-."
"All the more reason to follow them!" Lady Hestia suddenly said, stepping next to Ryuu.
Master Bell looked exhausted. "Goddess… why?"
Lady Hestia crossed her arms. "Because we must save Cian from temptation! He's far too young to be considering stuff like this!"
"He's doing a lot more then considering it sounds like," Welf scoffed.
"Lady Hestia he's almost seventeen," Lillie said, before going red herself. "If… if this is what Master Cian wants then-."
"Either way, we should at least make sure he makes it to his destination," Ryuu said, sounding bitter as she did, turning to Mikoto. "You agree, correct, Lady Mikoto?"
Mikoto went stiff as everyone started looking at her. Her chest beat loudly in the hot sun, as she tried to will herself to agree, they shouldn't invade Cian's private moments anymore. Not to mention if was on a… date, that was the last thing that Mikoto wanted to observe.
Yet… she couldn't stop herself.
She nodded firmly. "Let's move, quickly!"
"See! I knew Mikoto would see it my way!" Lady Hestia said, turning towards where Cian had gone.
Master Bell, Welf, and Lillie all sighed.
"Cian… I'm sorry," Master Bell cried, as they all started walking behind them. "I tried; I really did."
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
"I've never been to this part of the city before…" Master Bell said, as they walked through what could only be a lush wonderland.
Lady Hestia nodded, smiling. "Ah, I see, this is part of where Demeter and her familia are based. They have a lot of gardens here. Cian has good taste."
They had followed Cian for at least half an hour. The sun now was starting to set, which casted a beautiful orange light over the garden they'd gone too. They'd followed him to a small manor house, where he'd turned down an alleyway, before he and Mebd had entered the back garden. It was a very wide garden, with larger pretty white fences. It was as if they'd entered a forest themselves, as fruit trees, bushes, hedges all lined up and down in rows. It was one of the most beautiful places Mikoto had seen in Orario so far.
Despite the fact she was cramped behind a line of hedges with everyone else practically on her back.
"Hey come on out of the way!" Lady Hestia said, trying to jump over the hedges. "Bell! Help me up, I need to see what's happening!"
"No! Master Bell, help me not her!" Lillie said, as they both were just too short to see over the hedge.
Mikoto listened to them argue, but all she could do was look out at Cian and Mebd… and that made her confused. The two were dressed in a peculiar way, it sounded of course like they were out on a date together, but… what were they doing now?
"I'm no expert but this… is a bit odd for a date huh?" Welf said, his head poking over the hedge next to Mikoto and Ryuu. "What's with that thing?"
"I'm not sure…" Ryuu said with a shake of her head. "It may be… a shrine of some kind?"
Mikoto tried to wrack her brain for what could be happening. "Did we… perhaps overthink this situation?"
Nobody wanted to say it, but as Lillie and Lady Hestia finally clung onto the hedge and looked over it. Mikoto looked, as Cian stood before what seemed like Ryuu said to be a sort of shrine. It was set up with slabs of rock. It reminded Mikoto of some of the altars and monuments they had back in the Far East. Except instead of chimes, bells and other things like that, it seemed that Cian and Mebd had decorated it with elaborate flowers and wreaths. They all watched as Mebd walked over with a match, and lit what seemed to be candles sat on the alter, as Cian stood in front with his head down, his spear now leaned against one of the hedges.
"What… is all of this?" Lady Hestia asked quietly.
Lillie shook her head. "Maybe… some kind of ritual? Well… Lady Riveria did mention they 'do things different in Ulster'."
"This seems like a lot of work before getting down to the act though," Welf said. "Maybe uh… maybe we did jump to conclusions a little quick."
"He's right…" Ryuu said slowly, her face getting a tinge redder as she tried to look calm. "But… what could all this be?"
Mikoto turned back, as she watched Mebd stand in front of the altar with the lit candles. She held up another match and Mikoto realized what seemed to be a fire place was in front of the altar. The match was lit, and Mebd dropped it into the pit, before a small crackling fire began to smoke. Its smell drifted to Mikoto's nose, the smell of pine and crackling wood was delightful, but what Cian did next confused her. He walked up next to Mebd, and got down to his knees, his hands rested on his thighs as he looked up at her.
Mebd took in a deep breath and reached down to a small cloth package.
"That's what they got from the Loki familia!" Lillie realized, as they watched Mebd unfold it.
What they had all been trying to see they had gotten now seemed so simple in the end. Mikoto realized that when she did see it, her chest felt like a weight was being lifted off of it. She watched Cian not move, his eyes closed as he sat there on his knees, waiting for Mebd.
This… doesn't seem like a date…. Oh gods, what was I thinking? She thought, feeling ashamed.
"A…book?" Lady Hestia whispered. "He went through all the trouble of going to Loki's for a book?"
"And he and Lady Mebd don't… seem like they're on a date," Lillie said slowly.
Master Bell breathed a sign of relief. "See! I told you! We should never have followed the two of them, we should have trusted-."
"Okay, you guys can come out now."
"MOVE YOU STUPID PRUM!"
"YOU MOVE YOU CRAZY GODDESS!"
"GAHH!"
CRASH.
Mikoto had felt something, Lillie's entire body fall onto her. That caused her to fall onto Welf, who fell onto Ryuu, and when Master Bell tried to help, he tripped over Lady Hestia who'd fallen off the hedge, and it resulted in all of them spilling forward over it.
Mikoto felt someone on her back, leaves and hedge trimmings flying into her mouth. She spat the bitter leaves out of her mouths and groaned. It turned out to be Lillie who was on her back, she rolled off Mikoto, but bumped into Lady Hestia who was climbing off Master Bell, and when they all finally untangled from each other Mikoto had a throbbing headache. She rubbed her head, and finally looked up when everyone else did.
"C…Cian!" She said first, making all of them turn.
"Ha… hey Cian!" Lady Hestia said nervously.
"Cian I promise I told them this was a bad idea!" Master Bell pleaded from the ground.
"So did I!" Welf shouted.
"No you did not!" Lillie yelled back at him.
"I did! I said we should stop following them," Welf shouted red faced. "It was Lady Hestia who insisted!"
"Hey, Ryuu and Mikoto agreed!" Lady Hestia yelled, picking twigs out of her hair.
Ryuu from next to Mikoto went wide eyed, before looking away sheepishly. "I… perhaps that's true."
Mikoto looked back at Cian. Mebd looked half confused, half annoyed as she stood with the book open next to the crackling fire. Cian stood and looked at them all on the ground, he was hard to read at first, and Mikoto felt her face getting hot. She wanted to promise him it wasn't what it looked like... but that would be a lie, it was exactly what it looked like.
I... I'm acting so irrationally! Crazy is the only way to describe my actions, and after working so hard to make it up to him! She thought horribly, as he sighed and walked over to them.
"Um… well, I know," He said, rubbing his head embarrassed. "Mebd and I have known you've been following us since we stopped at Loki's."
Mebd chuckled. "You know, you really all should work on your stealth skills."
"M…Master Cian!" Lillie said quickly. "I promise we were only worried!"
"Little bit's right, you skipped the dungeon a few times the last week," Welf said, getting to his feet with everyone else. "We went to check on you at your room, but you had already left."
"Syr said you met up with someone dressed differently," Master Bell said, shamefully looking down at the ground. "I… I didn't want too, but well… I guess Welf's right."
"We were worried about you," Lady Hestia said finally, flicking grass out of her pigtail.
Ryuu nodded from next to her. "So… we followed you."
Cian floundered for a moment and making Mikoto's chest explode… he looked over at her. Her eyes went wide, her mind began to go haywire, going into overdrive she tried to think why he'd looked to her after hearing all of that?
And is… is he blushing?
"M…Mikoto? You too?" He asked her.
She froze for a minute, before shame overtook her and she nodded. "Yes… I'm sorry Cian. We were worried as they said… for the last few days you seemed not like yourself, tired, worried. We-."
"We were worried you may go off by yourself again. Like you did with the Fomorian," Lady Hestia said, stepping up and grabbing his arm. "But we… we actually well… we thought that you were-."
"We thought you and Lady Mebd were going on a date!" Lillie finally said, stepping forward. "And you were getting ready for it all week!"
"D…DATE?!" Mebd shouted from behind him.
Mikoto looked at the girl, her eyes had gone wide, her face red as she loudly chuckled nervously. "Ha…hahaha! A date? What? No! No of… of course not, me and Cian on a date that's ridiculous! Hahaha… ha… no… no way."
She… isn't a very good liar, Mikoto thought.
Cian looked at them confused. "You… thought I was on a date with Mebd? Why would you think that?"
"You said she was the only one you needed!" Lillie shouted out. "When you were talking! You said that Lady Mebd was the only one you needed, and that it would be just like back at home!"
Mebd yelped, covering her face as she went red.
Cian scrunched his eyebrows, confused again. "Because… Mebd's the only other one from Ulster in Orario who's been to one of these rituals lately. I wasn't going to bother Lord Miach, Mebd was the only one who knew the customs and how to decorate."
"But Mebd said she was experienced! She said she used to do this all the time back at home!" Welf shouted, his eyes wide.
Mebd looked at them confused now. "Yeah, I did. I was the orator for the festival, and I used to sing for it every year. What… did you think I was talking about?"
"SE- OWWWW!" Welf started saying before Lillie punched him in the gut.
Mebd apparently figured out what he was going to say. She went white, as a ghost, her jaw dropped, and she started sweating.
"M…me and… Ci...Cian…" She squeaked, before trying to hide behind their altar when Cian looked at her.
"Ow… she said you were running her ragged!" Welf said, holding onto his gut.
Cian nodded. "I have been, she's been the one running around outside Orario to get all the right plants, and other materials we needed. Not to mention she's practiced the songs and chants."
"But… but I don't get it Cian!" Lady Hestia asked, stepping up to him. "Why did you need to go to Loki's?!"
"Oh, because neither Mebd or me could remember the opening chants and prayer," He said, walking over to the ground and picking up a leatherbound book. "I figured if any library would have it, it would the Loki familia's. So, I asked Lefiya is she could check, thankfully Lady Riveria helped her find it."
"And… you were inviting them to this… ritual, I'm guessing," Ryuu said slowly, meeting Cian's eyes. "Not… anything else?"
"What else would it be?" Cian said with a shake of his head. "No, I just know they're interested in history, and other cultures, and they helped so I invited them."
"As if I'd let that little orange haired tramp ruin our time together…" Mikoto heard Mebd pout from next to the fire.
Mikoto watched as Master Bell stepped up in front of his familia member. "But Cian… I don't understand still, what is all of this?"
Mikoto saw conflicting emotions appear on Cian's face, and she suddenly felt even more guilty. Here was the boy she had feelings for… she could feel herself beginning to love, and what had she done today? Follow him around, not trusting what he was possibly doing. The idea that he was on a date with someone else was so infuriating, made her stomach churn so much, made her so, so full of petty jealousy she just couldn't have helped it.
And what right did she even have to be jealous? He had saved her multiple times, he was much stronger than she was. Did she even have any right to be mad at what he did, even if it had been a date?
"I… I'm sorry I made you all worry," He said, sighing as he turned, his smile returning as he gestured to the altar and beautiful decorations. "The truth is well… Mebd's been helping me put together a mini-Samhain festival."
"Samhain?" Lillie asked.
Cian nodded. "Yes, it's one of four festivals they throw in Ulster. Lady Scathach last year actually came to Orario for supplies for our festival."
"I think I remember that!" Lady Hestia said smiling. "She came to buy all kinds of food, fireworks, I'd never seen her buy so much!"
"Yeah, but… what is it?" Welf asked.
"Samhain… it's sort of like a holiday, I remember now," Ryuu said, looking between them all and Cian. "It was a time to mark the change and the season, and… it's said the gate to your afterlife is open, right?"
"Your afterlife…?" Mikoto said slowly, looking at Cian.
Cian slowly nodded. "Yes… Samhain it's said is the day the pathway to the Otherworld is open. And well… it was a day that's said you could communicate with loved ones. You could send a message to them in a prayer, and sometimes legends say… they'll send one back."
Cian turned away from them, and Mikoto saw his hand shake. "It could even reach the gods… so well… I wanted to send a message to Lady Scathach, Chu… everyone else."
Mikoto's heart sank, she could feel a cold breeze blow by that sent shivers down her spine. Everyone else who was with her seemed to experience the same thing. She knew of course, could tell just by how he talked about them, how he seemed to revere them, that his old familia had meant everything to him. She couldn't help but think of her own life, her parents died when she was young, and she'd found a new family with Lord Takemikazuchi at the shrine. What would she have done if she suddenly lost all of them.
"Cian…" Lady Hestia said, grabbing his arm. "Why wouldn't you tell us about this?"
"Yeah, she's right Cian," Master Bell said, meeting his friends eyes. "We would've helped you out."
Cian bit his lip and looked at the ground. "I… didn't wanna bother you all with something like this. It's a festival from some foreign country, I… thought you'd think it was stupid and-. OWWW!"
"Idiot," Ryuu said, after having hit the top of his head. "Do you really think so little of us?"
Cian floundered again, rubbing the top of his head. "I… I just-."
"Cian," Mikoto said, suddenly finding her voice.
Everyone looked at her, and she suddenly shivered. For a second, she felt like shrinking back behind everyone, but then she saw Cian meeting her eyes. His mouth was slightly parted, as if he'd dropped everything to see what she had to say.
I… I wanted him to look at me like that… I want it to stay that way, she thought, stepping next to him in front of the fire and smiling.
"Would it be alright if… I participated in this ritual with you?" She asked him.
Everyone looked at her… but she didn't care, all she cared about was how he looked at her.
And he went wide eyed. "You… really?"
Mikoto nodded, going to sit on her knees like he had. "Yes… you said it helps us commune with past loved ones right? I… believe there are some people I'd like to send messages too."
"Yes… I believe I do as well," Ryuu said, joining Mikoto and looking at Cian. "Cian?"
"I can think of some folks I'd talk to if I could… sounds nice," Welf said, joining them on the ground.
Lillie nodded after this. "Yes… I think I'll have some too."
"G…guys you really don't have too," Cian started saying. "It's just some silly-."
"It's not silly Cian," Lady Hestia said, squeezing his arm and sitting on her knees herself as she smiled back at him. "If it's important to you, it's important to us!"
"She's right Cian," Bell said, gripping his friends shoulder before kneeling. "I… think I'd like to send a message to my grandfather, if I could."
"You… you guys…" Cian said, wiping his hand at his eyes before, chuckling and smiling at all of them. "Sure… thank you."
And Mikoto managed to smile since he was. She went to look at the fire but then… Cian said next to her. Her eyes darted over to him, and she realized that he hadn't sat next to Master Bell or Lady Hestia… but next to her. He met her eyes for a moment and smiled, and it was then… she thought that perhaps this day really hadn't been such a loss.
He smiled at her before looking up at Mebd. "Okay Mebd, you can start now. Alright everyone, hands in front, eyes closed…. You need to listen to Mebd's chants, breath deeply and… be sure to visualize the people you wish to send messages too."
Mikoto did so, closing her eyes… she had faint memories of her parents, but she hoped they were enough. Either way… she couldn't visual much as Mebd started speaking.
The girl started speaking in the Ulster language, before transitioning into a chant and eventually a song. The flowers, the fire, everything smelled, looked and just felt beautiful as she sat there.
But all she could visualize, was Cian smiling.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Cian
"Lady Scathach… Chu, Diarmuid, Finn, Uathach, Fergus," Cian thought, visualizing all of them in his mind as Mebd finished her chant, the scent of the fire wafting to his nose. All was silent, and just like always he could visualize them, see their smiling faces, hear their laughs, and cheers.
He'd thought about it for a while… but eventually he was able to put his thoughts into words.
"All… all I've thought about since you've all been gone…. Is what I would say to you all if I got one more chance to talk to you all. I don't even know if this will work, I used to always laugh at the idea of Samhain but… maybe that was because I never had anyone I truly loved die. I guess that's where I should start. I loved all of you… more then I ever expressed, even you Diarmuid, and I'm sorry if at times I didn't express it… if at times I seemed ungrateful for what you all did for me.
I just always thought I needed to act tough, act a certain way to prove my worth to you all. That was all I ever wanted, to stand by all your sides and be a true member of the Scathach familia… and I was so blinded by that, I never even realized, you all accepted me from the beginning. Even when Diarmuid you or Finn would tease me, when you would baby me Uathach, or when Fergus you would teach me simple things like cooking and cleaning. Chu you… you and Lady Scathach, you were looking out for me from the beginning, all of you were… so thank you for that, and I'm sorry if I never expressed how thankful I was for it.
Fergus… thank you for teaching me how to be self-sufficient. I used to hate wearing an apron and cooking, doing laundry, I won't lie I felt like a pushover and wondered how someone like you could stoop so low as to volunteer for stuff like that. But… I realize now, thanks to you, it doesn't matter what others are going to think of you, all that matters is you're happy with yourself. I learned, that to be in control of your life, you need to be in control of your mind… you taught me that, so thank you.
Finn… thank you for teaching me to look at the whole picture. You taught me that it's okay to admit you don't know something, you taught me how important knowledge really is. I used to think all I needed to be a hero was a good spear and skill to go with it. But… beyond the battlefield, you taught me how the importance of valuing those around me, and having fun. If not for all that you taught me, I'd be dead… so thank you too.
Uathach… I still don't really know how to tell if I'm in love with someone, but I'm pretty sure I was in love with you. I'd never met someone who was so kind, caring, sympathetic. You used to treat me like such a little kid, and I won't lie, that annoyed the hell out of me then. But… but now I'd do anything for you to make sure I went to bed on time, eat less chocolate or tell me not to toss a dagger between my hands. You taught me how important it is to let other people help you, to value your familia and loved one… so thank you.
Diarmuid… I won't lie, I hated your guts for a long time. I used to think you were just some arrogant punk who enjoyed picking on the new recruits but… but now? I'd give anything to hear one of your insults, to hear you call me squirt and point out all the wrong things I did with my footwork during katas. You just wanted me to be the best hero I could be so… thank you for looking after me in your own way during that time. Thank you… for teaching me how to move on from my mistakes, and to not let failing stop me from getting up and trying again.
Chu… I never had a father before; I never knew what having one would be like. But… but I'd like to think you were one to me if that's okay. You were hard but fair, you pushed me when I needed a push, consoled me when I needed to be consoled. You were everything that I wanted to be, and still are. Every time I pick up the Gae Bulg I remember everything you taught me, and aspire to be the hero you always believed that I could be. So, thank you… for giving me the confidence I needed, for believing in me, and for showing me what it truly means to be a hero.
Lady Scathach… I love you, my goddess. You took an orphan boy who needed a bath off the street and gave him the greatest thing that he could have asked for. A family. I had never seen a god or goddess before, but all ones I see now I compare to you… and still, nobody will ever be you goddess. I love Lady Hestia but… I miss you, a lot. I hope I haven't disappointed you, I've lived my life like you told me too. I'm still learning, I still have a long way to go, I know that but… but every day I'll grow stronger, I'll live that long life like you ordered… and I'll become the hero you believed I could be. Then… one day I hope I'll get to see you again… and I can tell you that I've completed your last mission… my goddess.
Thank you… for everything all of you. Watch over me from the land of the gods and the Otherworld. I swear, I won't let the life you all gave me go to waste, every day I will live for you… my familia."
Cian kept his eyes closed. Their small circle of prayers and messages was silent. He didn't open in his eyes but could hear Mikoto's breathing on his right. A warm feeling swirled around in his stomach.
Was she… really worried I was out with another girl? If that was true… he didn't want her to worry again. Of course, he had friends who were girls but, he put it in the back of his mind to make sure to try and keep her worries to a minimum.
Well… that was a Samhain prayer. They say its rare for your loved ones to send messages back, but either way… it was nice too-.
"Cian," Cian nearly fell back when he heard it.
A cold, freezing gust of wind blew past his face, his eyes shot open and he looked around for the voice… but found nothing. He was just about to shake Bell and ask if he'd heard it too, when the gust of wind came back, when his eyes drifted to their fire… he recognized the voice, as it went on again.
"Cian… never forget the lessons me and the others taught you," Fergus's gruff yet soft voice said, before chuckling. "Ha… remember the stew recipe, remember to always take control of your mind… and be the hero we know you can be."
"Cian, remember kid you don't gotta be the smartest guy in the room to be the best strategist," Finn's voice said with the next gust of wind. "And… never forget we're rootin for you. You will be the best of us, we always knew."
"And never forget we loved you from the start Cian," Uathach said, her soft calming voice as soothing as he remembered. "We may not be with you in person… but we're always watching. Never forget to cherish your new family, like you cherished us."
"If I can tell you one thing squirt, keep your spear close, your friends closer, and the keep the ladies closest of all!" Diarmuid said over the wind with a laugh. "I never hated you squirt… and I never will. I had to be hard on you because I saw so much of myself in you! Go on… Cian, and be the best damn hero Ulster and this world has ever seen."
Cian felt his eyes tingle, before he cried, unable to not smile… but after Diarmuid's voice, it was silent. A part of his stomach fell… had Chu and Lady Scathach not heard his message?
He didn't let that bring down his mood… they didn't answer yes but he knew that they had heard, and that they knew… somehow he just did.
Finally, he looked next to him, at all the friends who had followed him all day they were so worried.
Lady Scathach… everyone… I'll do it. I'll cherish them all and be the hero you all believed I can be, I swear it to you.
Next Time, Tales From Orario: The Thousand Elf: Lefiya has an urgent problem and only Cian can solve it! Lefiya is tired of feeling like she holds everyone back, to further practice her concurrent chanting and learn more about close range combat, she figures her staff is close enough to a spear… right? She begs Cian for help learning to fight and concurrent chant, and after everything she's done, Cian is happy to help! However, when they head down into the dungeon, they get a little more than they bargained for.
A/N: Second Tale From Orario in the books! This one didn't contain any action, and it was sort of an OVA, but I just thought it would be cool to develop more of the Ulster Culture and add some more Cian and Mikoto moments, it's a good break from so much non stop action in the last few chapters. Also, while I did mainly play it off for comedy, the actual Samhain ritual connects back to the major reveal a few chapters ago.
Why would Scathach and Chu Chulainn conveniently be the only ones who didn't send Cian a message back huh ; ) anyone remember a few chapters ago? Also, we really get to see just what Mikoto is thinking now in terms of Cian. I'm sorry if some of you think this was a waste but… I wanted to write it so actually I'm not lol. This was SO much fun to write, I love just writing characters interact.
We have TWO more Tales From Orario to go! Next we have one centered around Lefiya who I loooove. For real, when I was thinking about who Cian's pairing would be, she was third on the list behind Mikoto and Ryuu. I also considered putting Cian in the Loki familia at first, but since I haven't read all of Sword Oratoria yet, I decided against it, in that alternate universe he was definitely with Lefiya. What do you all think about that alternate universe of Cian joining Loki?
ALSO, I have a mini side project for this story, it'll be called Familia Chronicle: Scathach, and be a small story maybe 5 chapters about the Scathach familia, but that's down the line haha.
As for this story, we're approaching the War Game Arc, which is gonna be HUGE! I hope you all enjoyed, please, please review if you can! Tell me what you think up to this point, and make sure to follow to stay up to date, thanks a ton!