Magnolia was filled with people, all different kinds of people. This is what the man thought as he twisted his way through alleyways back onto the main street. He hummed a non-descript tune as he walked, more to have something to do while he thought than anything else. It was a nice tune, one he learned only recently.

It had been easy to spread the word of the love doctor establishment. He'd hardly needed to speak more than a few words about the "magical" nature of their help (along with a few words on how they'd been an absolute lifesaver to him recently) and not long after he left he could imagine the commotion that'd overcome the place. He chuckled a bit. He did hope it wasn't too overwhelming. Didn't want them to quit before the experiment was over.

As he made his way through the streets he glanced around. Magnolia was filled with oranges and yellows, some reds and even the occasional purple out in the street. More greens than he'd initially expected too. It was just that kind of town, which was perfectly fine for that, even if it did get a bit repetitive at times.

He didn't bother chatting with the few shopkeepers he'd gotten to know better. He needed to get back home in order to check and see if his experiment was on the right track. Picking up the pace, he exited the town and hurried down the main road, trailing off down a side path that ran up a small hill. At the top was a house one level away from being a mansion, with a balcony off the side on the top floor.

He pulled out a key and unlocked the front door, stepping inside.

Perse was in the front hallway as he entered, and she stopped what she was doing to look at him and give a small bow. She was short, with fluffy dark hair tied in a tight ponytail behind her, and dark eyes framed by thin, square glasses. "It's good to see you're back, sir. Were you successful in tying the string to the chair?"

He gave a smile and put his hands on his hips. "I certainly was Perse, but I need to check and make sure nothing's happened since then." He then tilted his head and gave a sigh, although his smile remained. "What have I told you about being so proper? I'm not your old boss, remember. Percy's just fine."

She blushed. "I'm sorry si-er, Percy. I suppose old habits die hard."

He didn't chastise her for her slip-up. "I suppose they do Perse. Now come, let's if our efforts will bear fruit."

—-

They climbed to the topmost floor of the house. Inside the room that led out to the balcony lay a single chair in the middle of the room. On it was a spool of dark, thin thread. Directly in front of it lay a window pushed open a crack. Besides the chair, no other furniture existed in the room. The outside balcony was more spacious decorated.

Percy walked up to the chair and cautiously touched the thread. He gave an experimental tug and grinned when it pulled tautly. It was still attached to the chair he'd tied it to, all the way on the other end of town. Satisfied with that fact, he nodded to Perse.

She felt around for the thread and touched it, murmuring a few lines. For a moment, the string glowed a faint white before fading to become nearly invisible. She gave a tired breath but smiled. "It's still intact. Because it's been embedded with magic it will not break, snap, or fall away unless I will it. No one should be able to do anything to it unless I will it to happen."

Percy nodded again and took out some scissors. Despite her early proclamation, Perse sweat as he took it to the thread. He attempted to cut it, once, twice, but to no avail. His smile gave way to a wide grin, and Perse exhaled in relief.

"I'm glad. Oh, Perse, what would I do without you?" She did not make eye contact as he continued. "This is wonderful! With the other end of the string finally, in place, the real experiment can finally begin! What wonders shall we find in that small shop of theirs?"

As if in mocking, his stomach suddenly rumbled. Perse finally turned to stare at him before failing to suppress her mirth, the sound joyful to Percy's ears. He shook his head. "Well, I suppose we can't experiment on an empty stomach."

"It's a good thing I made food before you returned."

"Ah, ever the prepared one. Let's eat now and see to other matters once Gilda returns."

—-

The food was excellent as always when Perse cooked. Percy enjoyed his salad as Perse dug into the meat part she'd prepared. He tried not to look too happy at the fact that she was eating with such spirit, he could still recall a time in which she'd barely touched any food that was offered. Digging into his own meal instead, he recounted his experience at the love doctor tent. At his mention of a second person assisting the main "doctor", Perse audibly gasped and lowered her head.

"My source didn't speak of more than one person...to fail at such basic intel…please forgive me."

"Oh, it's no trouble! It was a nice surprise more than anything." Percy really didn't mind, putting his hands up to show his sincerity. "They were both quite different in their answers as well. Something tells me they'll make a good match of helping people."

"But will it affect the experiment?" Perse asked.

"If it does, all the better I say," he answered. "It was never going to be a very clean-cut experiment, but if we don't go with the flow with any new changes, then we won't get very far. Besides, all that we really need is the base components, your string, my ability put into them, and we're all set. I couldn't have asked for an easier time finding the person to run it all, Perse."

She gave a small smile as her shoulders relaxed. Suddenly he remembered a line he said earlier and winced. "If anything, it should be I who apologizes. I may have let slip that I know more than they expected. Mirajane may ask you a few questions next time you meet. Be on guard."

"I will. Don't worry about me in that respect, sir. She's quite easy to bring to your side. All I have to do is say that I mentioned the business to a few friends in order to give it more attention. Which," she gave a rather calculating smile, "isn't technically untrue."

He gave a low chuckle. "Friends". He did hope she didn't mean him, more for her sake than his own. Still, he admired how cunning she could be. It came in handy when they had to figure out out the best way to deal with unsightly problems. It was an interesting contrast to her normally adorable, dependable nature.

They continued eating as Percy outlined the plan for the next few days. They'd have to keep a careful eye on the string, but it would be unwise to go near the building again unless a serious problem arose. Especially considering none of them knew the voices or faces of the people playing the actual love doctors, it would be quite troublesome for them to even accidentally meet up in this hour. If worst came to worst, they could always send Gilda, an unfamiliar face, in to scout it out. She was always the best at covering her tracks as well.

Eventually, they finished eating and retired to the living room area of the house. Gilda was still not back yet, but she was usually gone until evening anyway, so all they had left to do was wait. Perse asked if he wanted to check on the string again, but Percy decided to leave it. He would wait until tomorrow before checking for progress on it. He wasn't worried about it breaking or the like, he had complete faith in Perse's ability.

So, unconcerned with the string's fate, he took a nap, dreaming of what it might look like the next time he saw it. What colors it might be.

What kinds of bonds it would have the fortune of collecting.

A/N: Boy, what's up with that one guy huh? Anyway, tomorrow's the start of a new Day! Thank you for reading.