Episode 8: Magic Training
Somewhere in an unknown location…
"Oi! Where's the Master? I have exciting news to report."
Everyone's eyes turn towards the doors of their base. Murmurs fill the room at the sight of the young man at their doors: clothes tattered, blood smeared across his mouth, and a number of twigs and leaves sticking out of his hair.
Only one person there seems unfazed.
"Yes, because you look oh so presentable for a meeting with Master." a young woman says sarcastically. She looks terribly bored and is slouched over, her head resting on the table in front of her. "Go clean yourself up, Onizuka."
Kenji Onizuka gives her a fake, sickeningly sweet smile. "Oh Hibiki, lover of sleep and all things boring and not fun, I'll leave you alone for the next week if you fix my clothes and tell me where Master is." he says.
Hibiki sighs and waves her hand in his direction. Several barely visible threads fly towards Kenji and weave in and out of his clothes, fixing up the holes and tears in them. Another thread goes through his hair, picking out all the leaves and twigs. When Hibiki's done working her magic, Kenji's clothes look as good as new.
Kenji smiles, pleased, and bows mockingly at Hibiki. "Thank you, dearest one."
"Fuck off." Hibiki says and stands up, stretching.
Hibiki is an average sized young woman, not ridiculously short or ridiculously tall. She has long white hair and pretty light blue eyes (although people barely get the chance to look at them because of how often she sleeps). She wears a blue crop top with matching shorts that show off the blue Revenant Beasts emblem on her left thigh and white sneakers.
She looks around the table she was sitting at with a frown. "Where the hell's my cloak?"
Hibiki bristles when she hears Kenji whistle from behind her. She turns around rolling her eyes when she sees Kenji dangling her simple pink Mage's cloak from his hands. "I believe you still owe me a little piece of information, Miss Ito." he says, his amusement fading in the blink of an eye. Kenji looks at Hibiki dangerously, "Where's Master Raoul?"
"Keep your mouth shut, Hibiki." a gruff, harsh voice booms from the front of the guild.
A rough looking man is standing where Kenji was not too long ago. He's a tan and muscled man who looks like he could make a child cry just by looking at them. He has messy, wild black hair and bright sky blue eyes. He wears heavy, stark white armor.
Kenji doesn't even spare the man a glance. "Last I checked you weren't the Guild Master, Finn." he says, still staring at Hibiki. "I'm just collecting the information I'm due." he says.
"Hibiki isn't gonna tell you jack shit until you spill the beans on Mana and the brat." Finn says.
Kenji smirks. "You don't want to hear about Calypso?"
"I could care less about that purple haired freak." Finn snarls. "Tell me what you learned about Mana and Mary."
Kenji yawns. "Well I suppose you could listen in on my report to Master." he says, throwing Hibiki's cloak at her. "You were always good at sucking up to him, I'm sure he'll let you listen if you grovel and kiss his boot again." Kenji says snarkily, sparing Finn a mocking glance. "Now Hibiki," he says, turning back to her. "Where is our beloved, all powerful Master?"
April 11, X793
I think there's something wrong with me.
Well, not wrong, but different. I had a completely broken rib about three days ago and I woke up today with absolutely zero pain coming from it. When I lifted up my shirt to check on the bruising, it was gone. I pressed and rubbed my fingers against it but I'm completely fine now. It's not even tender.
Mary thinks it has something to do with whatever Revenant Beasts did to me. She said she'll keep an eye out for any changes or different feelings our body gets.
Mary scoffs, pulling Mana out of her writing trance.
What? Mana asks, closing her journal and shoving it under her pillow.
It's not our body, it's yours. I'm just...a guest. Sort of. Mary says as Mana flops onto her back. I don't want you to get used to having me in your head twenty four hours a day. We'll figure out a way to get me out of here, alright?
Mana pouts. But I like having you in my head. You're safe there and I always have someone to talk to. Besides…
...You're afraid of what'll happen to us if we separate. Mary sighs. I am too, but isn't that what's best? What about when you find someone you like and want to date and marry someday? she asks. Those intimate moments won't be...intimate. Because I'll be there. Regardless if I'm asleep or not, I'll still end up experiencing all of those memories when I wake up.
Mana scoffs, Romance isn't exactly on my mind right now, Mary. It's not a priority. I don't even know what it feels like to have feelings like that for someo - she stops, a knock at her door interrupting her train of thought.
"Jeez…" Mana murmurs as she gets up to go answer it. "Isn't it a bit early for Cooley to be annoying me?" she mumbles to herself and opens it, pleasantly surprised to see that it's not Cooley. "Oh." is all Mana can say. She doesn't recognize the girl at the door. She looks to be around Akane's age.
"Hi, you must be Mana." the girl says, smiling kindly at Mana. "We haven't met yet - I actually just got back from a mission last night." she explains. "Emile asked me to help you train today, something about you having trouble manifesting spells?"
Mana can see the purple Phoenix Fire emblem on the girl's left hand so she doesn't see any reason not to trust her. Anybody in Phoenix Fire is a friend, right?
"U-Um, yeah." Mana says shyly, a bit embarrassed that she's most likely the only Mage in the guild unable to create any spells. "I managed it one time but it wasn't really mine, if that makes sense. I was just copying what I saw." she says.
"That's fine!" the girl says. "Progress is progress, right? Oh, and I'm Madelaine, by the way. Madelaine Zehir. You can call me whatever comes to mind: Maddy, Mads, whatever. I don't mind." she introduces herself with a smile.
Madelaine looks to be about the average height and has an average build - not too muscular but not too thin either. She has long white hair that goes down to her mid-back and bright green eyes that almost look like emeralds. As for her clothing, she wears a mid-thigh length orange dress with yellow straps adjusted to her waist and brown sandals that tie up to her calf.
Mana suddenly frowns at her, staring at her intensely.
Whats wr - oh.
Her eyes remind me of Morgan.
Mana-
I know she's not actually Morgan - her eyes are the only part of her that reminds me of Morgan anyway - it just surprised me, that's all. It's like how Acro reminds me of Magnus. Mana says to her. Like I said this morning, romance is not a priority. Getting strong enough to fight Revenant Beasts and finding my siblings are.
Right. Mary says. Sorry. I know it's not a priority but anything could happen, you know? You can't control your feelings.
I know-
"Erm, Mana?" Madelaine once again pulls Mana out of her thoughts.
"Hm?"
"Y-You were staring at me like I did something wrong." Madelaine says awkwardly, scratching the back of her head. "Did I wake you up or-?"
"No no no," Mana says quickly and smiles apologetically. "Sorry. I was just - um, you know about Mary, right?"
Madelaine lets out a sigh of relief and nods. "Yeah, Emile filled me after he asked me to help with training." she says. "Have you eaten breakfast?"
Mana shakes her head. "I've been awake, I just haven't actually gotten up yet. I'll take a shower and meet you and the others in the hall after."
Madelaine nods and smiles. "Right. I'll see you then." she says and walks towards the main hall.
Mana sighs and closes the door. She goes to gather her clothes for her shower, rolling her eyes when Mary continues with the earlier topic: So there's absolutely no one on your mind right now? Mary probes.
Mana groans. You know there's not. I've only known them for a week, Mary. Why do you keep pushing for this? Mana asks.
I'm just concerned about your romantic future.
As long as my general future involves me finding my brothers and sisters, I don't care if I have a romantic future. Mana retorts.
Your future could involve finding your siblings with a significant other. Mary proposes as Mana strips and enters her shower.
Mana rolls her eyes for the hundredth time and turns the shower on. Fine. Let's say, I do start dating someone. Who's the first person that comes to your head? she asks.
...Well, I know the first person that came to your head. Mary says, sounding all too pleased with herself. I'm a bit surprised though.
Choke.
If I choke, you choke. Literally.
Mana walks into the guildhall and comes upon a rather strange sight - Akane with her head down on a table and Veiss and Emile over her, triumphant and mischievous grins on their faces.
"What's wrong, Nene? Cat got your tongue?" Mana hears Veiss say as she gets closer.
Akane grumbles incoherently in response.
Emile pats Akane's head obnoxiously, "I can't believe you're two years older than us but nicknames of all things are what get you embarrassed, Kane." he says.
Oooh. So that's what's happening... Mana thinks to herself.
...You're going to make her mad.
It'll be funny.
I don't recommend it.
Too late.
Mana approaches them from behind and puts on a sweet smile. "Good morning, Kacchan." she says.
Veiss barks out a laugh, "I knew you would be on our side!"
Akane grits her teeth and tackles Veiss and the two start grappling and wrestling as Akane cusses him out for starting...whatever that was.
"Anyways, what took you so long, Mana?" Emile asks. "You're usually up earlier than this." he says. "you okay?"
Mana frowns and explains what she discovered when she woke up.
Emile raises an eyebrow. "I've never heard of Magic healing a broken bone that fast…" he says.
Akane pauses in the middle of choking Veiss out with one of her chains, looking at Mana in confusion. "You were in pain yesterday, weren't you? Now it's just...gone?" she asks.
Mana nods. "I don't know why or how, but I feel completely fine now." she says. "I mean other than it being completely abnormal, I can actually participate in training instead of just thinking of spells to...what the hell?"
Madelaine suddenly approaches the table with five plates of breakfast balanced on her arms, making them all go silent.
Emile blinks, staring at her in shock. "Um, whatcha doing there Mads?" he asks.
"Breakfast." Madelaine says simply.
"We already ate, remember?"
"I know, obviously." Madelaine says and somehow places them all down on the table without dropping anything. "This is for Mana."
Mana's jaw drops. "Er-"
"Manifesting spells requires energy. And for someone who doesn't even know where to start, it's gonna take a while so you need even more." Madelaine says, grabbing Mana by her shoulders and sitting her down next to Emile (while Akane and Veiss resume fighting [of which now includes arguing about whose Chain Magic is better {which is Akane's, obviously, she doesn't have just one chain spell}]). "Now eat." Madelaine says.
Mana was only able to eat all five plates of food because Emile supplied yet another suspicious potion. While she does feel full of energy, she still can't help but wonder who exactly this 'contact' is and why a seventeen year old boy knows someone like that. But, nonetheless, it worked and that's all Mana needs to know right now.
Team No Name and Madelaine are up on the third floor of the building, Emile and Akane sitting off to the side with the other three standing in the middle of the room.
"Lesson one," Madelaine starts. "when you're creating new spells, the first thing you do is spend a good amount of time thinking about what it is you want to do." she starts. "You said something about copying a spell you were hit with, right?"
Mana nods. "It felt like Darkness Magic when it hit me and I saw it clear as day when it was coming at me, so…" she shrugs. "It looked like a giant bomb so that's what I called it." she explains. "I didn't exactly spend a lot of time thinking about it but it worked so I'm happy with that."
"I see." Madelaine murmurs and smiles. "The miracle of combat. Anyways, you guys said you were leaving at the end of the month so now you have all month to think about spells." she says. "If you can come up with a mental catalog now, you'll be all set for your trip in a couple weeks."
Mana frowns. "I get that, but where do I even start?" she asks.
"Wait," Veiss says, giving Mana a look. "What about when you were zapping me and Akane with your Magic?" he asks. "Wasn't that a spell?"
Mana bites back a laugh when Akane once again starts grumbling unhappily. "No." she answers. "I was just releasing a bit of Magic in your direction whenever you guys got too close."
"So you have that much control of your Magic already." Madelaine hums, intrigued. "And you were able to do that without putting on, uh...what's it called?"
"I call it the Black Mask!" Emile supplies happily. "It gives Mana Darkness Magic and it has those dark stripes on it so-"
"Without putting on the Black Mask." Madelaine continues, interrupting Emile. "That means even without your masks, you can tap into some of their power." she says. "The mask just focuses that power even more, making it and you stronger. Put it on." Madelaine says. When Mana raises her hand to her face, Madelaine quickly stops her. "No, without the hand thing. Use the name."
"But-"
"This is step one in being able to create spells. Just try it." Madelaine insists. "Use the name as a trigger."
Mana frowns, remembering that Emile said something similar during their first training session.
"You got a name for it?" Emile asks.
Mana pauses, "Um, no?"
"Names have power, you know. Calling out for the mask instead of doing that hand motion could make the whole process faster and conserve Magic Power." he says. "Your Magic might even be a Requip variation. But never mind that, we can talk about that later and help you come up with a name." Emile shakes his head. "Ready?" he asks.
"You know what the mask looks like and you have a name for it. As long as your mind can associate that name with the mask, you should be able to manifest it by just calling for it." Madelaine encourages.
Mana lets out a breath she didn't realize she was holding and closes her eyes, concentrating. "So, what? Do I just say Black Mask?" she asks, tensing when she suddenly feels the familiar weight of her mask on her face. Mana opens her eyes and reaches up to touch her face. "Oh. I didn't think it'd be that easy." she says when her hands meet the cold material of her mask.
Madelaine and Veiss smile, pleased with the progress. "Good." Madelaine says. "Now, onto the spells." she says. "In the heat of battle, you need to be able to visualize your spells as solidly and as quickly as possible. It's the same thing as summoning your mask - picture what you want to happen and come up with a name as a trigger." she explains. "So, what've you got?"
Mana frowns and stares down at the dark red energy swirling her hands. Who can she take inspiration from?
She's only seen Akane's Chain Magic and there's nothing she can really take from that. Moldable Darkness and chains don't really mix.
Veiss is definitely the most adaptable to her Magic out of the three and while he does have an interesting variety of spells, there aren't any Mana has seen that she feels like she can emulate.
Emile-
Emile. Mana gasps, her eyes lighting up. I can do that too, right? Something like his Elysian Bomb….an explosion. I just need a name. Something about the dark or nighttime or evil or something. Maybe just 'Darkness' for now.
Now wait just a minute, what you're thinking of has a pretty wide area of effect-
It's fine. They're professionals. she says dismissively. It's not like it's going to be that strong or anything.
Mana focuses her Magic in the palm of hand and pictures what she wants - a sphere of Darkness. She opens her eyes, beaming when she sees a Darkness sphere growing in her hand. Mana throws the sphere up in the air and as it's coming down, she coats her foot with Darkness and shatters it with a kick, "Darkness Scatter Shot!"
The initial explosion of the sphere sends Veiss and Madelaine stumbling backwards. When the explosion starts sending out projectiles of Darkness, it sends the four spectators screaming and scrambling to dodge. When they start ricocheting off the walls, however, that's when everyone starts panicking.
Mana squeaks when one of the beams scrapes her cheek. "Um, why are they doing that!?" she yells as she dodges another beam. "This isn't what I had in mind!"
Emile smiles nervously as he ducks, dodging a beam. "The enchantments on the building were doubled on this floor for obvious reasons-" Emile shouts, narrowly dodging another beam. "This happens sometimes, don't worry!"
"What do we do!?" Madelaine cries, ducking away from another beam.
"Hell if I know!" Veiss says, expertly cutting a beam in half with his sword when it comes at him.
Akane grits her teeth as she creates a four pronged chain and grapples everyone's legs, pulling them along with her as she runs out of the room. "We RUN, dumbasses!"
Once they're all safely out of the room and in an awkward body pile behind Akane, she drops the chains, setting them free, and she drops to the floor beside them. They're all out of breath from yelling and running around.
"Well," Emile speaks up, wiping the sweat off his forehead. "At least we all got a bit of training in, amirite?"
And that's how it went for the rest of the day.
Madelaine would help Mana come up with a tentative spell and if it got too out of hand, Akane would yank them all out of the room. Veiss and Emile stayed to watch and offer suggestions when Madelaine or Mana became stumped.
"So boring." the Dark Mage says to themself. "I've been watching them for days and they still haven't noticed." they say, spying on the group through a crack in the ceiling. "I'm done for the day. I don't need to see these losers train what's rightfully ours." they say and start crawling towards the way they came in. They smile when they spot the golden handprint they left behind on the hatch they used to enter the crawlspace.
Once they're outside, they pull out a Communications Lacrima Crystal from the bag they left behind and charge it up with Magic Power. They smile when they receive an answer. "The ones who took Mana from us plan on visiting Arkcester around the same time that the Vice President plans on going after Master Xander." they report. "What say we give him a heads up so he can collect the girls for us and get rid of those guild Mages in one fell swoop?"
The grunt relays their message and nods. "Master approves." the grunt responds. "Kenji has returned, by the way."
The Dark Mage's smile falters. "Only Kenji? Where's Devlio?" they ask.
The grunt shrugs. "Kenji said Devlio went off on his own."
The Dark Mage grits their teeth. "Tell Kenji I'm gonna shove that dagger of his up his ass if-"
"Is that Queen Midas?"
The Dark Mage's eyes widen. "Devlio?"
"Move."
"Y-Yes sir-" the grunt stutters as they're shoved out of the way.
The Dark Mage, 'Midas', beams when Devlio's face fills the Lacrima Crystal. "Devlio!"
Devlio pulls down his mask and gives Midas a soft smile. "Queen Midas." he says, resting his head on his hand. "How goes the mission?"
Midas rolls her eyes. "I told you not to call me that." she says. "And I think it's going well. If Master Xander doesn't screw anything up, the girls should be back in our custody by the beginning of May." she reports. "But when all is said and done, we should visit Zaflior together!" she says excitedly. "If we ignore all the guild Mages running around here, which isn't all that much really, the town and its beaches are gorgeous - I think even you could enjoy this place!"
Devlio gives her a small smile. "Maybe one day." he says. "But focus on the girls, okay? Keep an eye on their progress - and make sure Mana and Mary don't separate. It'd be annoying to get Mana under control if that happens."
Midas nods, giving Devlio a mock salute. "Of course." she says, flipping her hair. "What do you take me for?"
Later that day, Team No Name (sans Mana as she's still full from eating five full plates of food that morning) is eating dinner together peacefully. That is until Mana starts staring at Veiss with an odd look on her face.
"Veiss." Mana says.
Veiss raises an eyebrow, putting his fork down. "Mana."
"I don't know anything about you."
"Is that right?"
Mana nods. "I know Emile was raised in Arkcester and Akane has daddy issues-"
Akane sputters, gawking at Mana. "I-I-I never s-said-"
"I can infer." Mana says, waving her off. "You have issues with Cooley whenever he gets bossy." she says, leaving Akane speechless and making her jaw drop. "Anyways, like I said, I know something about them and you know things about me." she says. "Tell me something about yourself."
For the first time since meeting him, Veiss looks defensive. "I don't like talking about myself." he says.
"It doesn't have to be something big, just something about you."
"Like what?"
"I don't know…" Mana trails off, unsure of what to ask.
Emile joins in, "C'mon, Veiss, even Akane has shared more about herself than you have!" Emile says, gesturing wildly at the girl next to him. "And you know how she is!"
Akane nods in agreement, not even bothered by the comment.
Veiss sighs as the two continue to berate him. He turns to Mana, a 'look what you did' look on his face.
"Sorry not sorry." Mana mumbles under her breath, sipping on a drink as she looks anywhere but Veiss. As she's avoiding Veiss' gaze, Mana spots Madelaine heading towards the front doors. She gets up quickly, chasing after her. "Madel - Maddy!" she calls. "Leaving?"
Madelaine stops and turns around, smiling at Mana. "Yeah. I live in town with my parents. They don't like it if I'm not home before dark; unless I'm out on a mission obviously." she says. "You guys should come over when you're not busy with training." Madelaine offers. "My parents don't get out much so I'm sure they'll enjoy the company - even if we're just a bunch of kids." she laughs awkwardly.
Mana nods and smiles. "Definitely." she nods. "I just wanted to thank you again for helping me with spells today. You were a big help."
Madelaine nods and smiles shyly. "It's not a problem, I'm always happy to help." she says, bowing lightly. "I'll leave you to it. Goodnight, Mana."
"Goodnight, Maddy."
Mana, fresh out of the shower, freezes when she hears a knock on her door.
Who's that?
Well maybe you should ask, genius.
Mana rolls her eyes and sticks her head out of the bathroom. "Who is it?" she calls.
"Your better male teammate. Can I come in?" comes Emile's voice.
Mana rolls her eyes again and smirks. "Oh, Veiss? Sure give me one second." she says and continues drying herself off.
Mana can practically see the offense on Emile's face when he gasps. "No! It's Emile!" he says petulantly.
"Oh really? My fault." Mana says as she hangs her towel up and pulls her pajamas on. "You said the better male teammate so I just assumed it was the one with more than two braincells." she says impudently.
Emile gasps in offense again. "I - you know what? I don't want to talk to you anymore. Goodnight." he says.
Mana pokes her head out of the bathroom again, peering at the gap between her door and the floor. "I know you're still there, Solflare." she says. "I can see your shadow."
"...I still want to talk to you."
Mana huffs and drapes her towel over her shoulders. "Yeah, I'm coming." she says, heading towards the door. She opens the door, frowning at him. "What's wrong?" Mana asks. "You don't usually stay here this late."
"I keep forgetting to give this to Mary." Emile says, pulling out the silver pistol that Illusion Mary/Calypso had on her back in Veneto. "I'm not sure why I was the one who ended up holding onto it but," he shrugs. "it's rightfully hers, right?"
Mary?
R-Right. Mary says. Not three seconds later and Mary is in control. She tentatively takes the gun from Emile, staring at it curiously. "It uses Magic Bullets." Mary says out of nowhere.
"Oooo," Emile says, looking the pistol over too. "How do you know?" he asks.
Mary frowns. "I'm not sure." she says. "I just...know? If that makes sense?"
"Hmm." Emile says. "Did you have any Magic of your own before you were merged with Mana?" he asks. "Maybe you inherited Cooley's or developed some sort of variation." he suggests excitedly.
Mary nods. "I don't know what I had but I had something. Something Revenant Beasts deemed powerful enough for me to be merged with M-" she stops when the pistol suddenly starts turning into orange Ethernano until it eventually disappears from Mary's hand. "Oh."
Both Mary and Mana get startled when Emile starts jumping up and down excitedly, screaming about the Ethernano being orange. "Do you know what this means!?" he asks
"Um-"
"EMILE IF YOU DON'T SHUT THE FUCK UP AND GO HOME I SWEAR TO THE GODDESS I WILL END YOUR ENTIRE EXISTENCE AND YOU'LL NEVER GET THAT CLOSURE YOU WANT ABOUT YOUR FAMILY!" Akane screams from her room down the hall.
Emile instantly stops, freezing. He's silent for a moment before aggressively whispering, "That was your own Magic! Mana's is dark red and that was obviously orange, so - congrats! And also I wanted to tell you about this Gold Mage or something that Novem just told me about but it's a bit of a long story and I already told Calypso so go ask her before you go to bed okay alright goodnight!" he says quickly and flees, running down the hall and out of the guild.
Mary blinks, relinquishing control back to Mana as she takes in what just happened.
Your own Magic, huh? Mana says with a smile. Cooley uses some sort of Guns Magic too, doesn't he?
Yeah...I think...I think Mama might've had Spatial Magic. Mary says slowly. So if that's true, and the gun disappeared by itself…
Gun based Requip Magic? Mana suggests.
I think so. Mary says. But Emile said something about a Gold Mage?
Yeah. Last time Calypso came to talk to me it was later than this so I don't think she's asleep yet. Mana says. Let's go ask.
So apparently there's a Dark Mage with some sort of Gold Magic after us. Us being myself, Mary, and Calypso. Mary and Calypso don't remember anyone like that from Revenant Beasts so we won't be able to recognize them that way. I just need to be more aware of anyone I don't recognize watching me or following me. Calypso said she would do the same.
Anyways, I met someone new today. Madelaine Zehir. She's nice and pretty intelligent. She was able to explain the whole spell creating process in much simpler terms than Veiss, Emile, and Akane have tried to. Madelaine was happy to help and she was good at it, but outside of training she seems a bit socially awkward. But maybe it's because we just met, I dunno. I hope we can be friends. She did invite me and the others to meet her parents so that's a step in the right direction.
All throughout training today I was expecting my rib to start hurting again but it didn't. It doesn't even feel all that tender. It's weird but for now, it is what it is.
Mana yawns and Mary immediately starts bickering with her: Go to sleep.
I'm not done writing.
It's not a priority.
Oh but finding me a significant other is? Mana challenges. I just want to write one more paragraph- Mana stops, her jaw dropping when her hands 'move on their own' and shut the journal. "Mary!" Mana audibly gasps, dumbfounded by what just happened. Her shock only increases when Mary forces her to put the journal and pen in her bedside drawer.
Go to sleep.
You're so annoying.
You're the one who said this was our body. Mary says sassily. And I want our body to go to sleep.
Fine. Mana says, pulling her covers over her. Goodnight, Mary.
Goodnight, Mana.
The next morning…
"Will you be training again today?"
Mana looks up from her bowl of cereal, pleasantly surprised to see the guild's resident loners standing in front of their table with a very unexpected third accompanying them.
"Yeah." Akane answers for her. "What's it to you?" she asks.
"We will be accompanying you." Nelio says.
Alistair nods. "As will Calypso." he says, gesturing to the poor girl who looks like she just woke up.
Calypso doesn't say anything, instead just standing there and blinking groggily. She's still wearing her pajamas and her hair is still disheveled from sleeping - it's like the two of them literally just pulled her out of bed.
Akane side eyes Emile, glaring at him when she sees him openly staring at Calypso with lewd eyes. She jabs her fingers in his eyes, making him cry out. "Stop perving on her when she doesn't even know what's going on!" Akane scolds.
Emile cries, pushing her away and shielding his eyes. "Ow! I-I wasn't perving on her, I was just-"
"Emile's...a pervert?" Calypso yawns, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.
Emile flushes embarrassedly. "N-No!" he says. "I-I was just a-appreciating how cute your pajamas are!" he insists.
Veiss rolls his eyes, sipping on his coffee as he watches the scene play out before him. "Pervert." he mumbles under his breath.
Novem pops his head out of the front of Emile's kimono. "Oh he was totally perving." Novem says. "His heart is racing like whenever he lays eyes on a new girl."
Emile blushes furiously, peeking at him through the cracks in his fingers. "Shut your mouth!"
Akane raises an eyebrow. "Oh really?"
Mana looks at everyone in confusion. "What? Isn't this normal for him?" she asks.
Alistair and Nelio have no reaction and are just patiently waiting for something.
Akane just shakes her head, patting Mana's head and telling her not to worry about it.
Emile his cussing Novem out under his breath and Calypso still looks half asleep.
Veiss rolls his eyes and stands up. "I'm gonna go get Madelaine. We can start training when Emile learns how to keep it in his pants." he smirks.
"SH-SHUT UP!"
PF x AH x SS
A/N a triple update? :poggies: couldn't be me. but then again this isn't anything new so...
yay for catching up ! one more update and we'll be up to date and back where we used to be !