Episode 37: The Honeypot Festival
Honeywell | Honeycomb Tavern
"Ah, Lady Ariana said you would come here."
The Phoenix Fire Mages who fled from the hospital (Lero) like their life depended on it scream when they run into their room at the tavern and find a familiar pastel red haired man waiting for them.
"Avacid!" Myling gasps. "You startled us!"
The strong looking man smiles apologetically at her. "My bad." he says. "But, if you would fulfill one more request before you leave, we're having the Honeypot Festival tomorrow." Avacid explains. "I'm sure you noticed all the decorations on your way here," he says.
They did not, in fact, notice.
Avacid quickly explains the purpose of the festival - a yearly celebration of the founding of Honeywell - and asks the Phoenix Fire Mages to stay and celebrate with them.
"Lady Ariana says we're also going to announce several new safety measures to ensure we're never caught off guard again like we were with those three Dark Mages." Avacid says. "And…" he rubs the back of his head awkwardly. "Lady Ariana is going to confess and apologize for her part in creating Kozune's current condition."
Mana frowns.
Myling looks around at the younger Mages. "It's up to you." she says. "I-I would rather just go home, but-"
"We'll all be staying."
"Eeep!" Myling squeaks when a pair of hands roughly drop down on her shoulders.
"I'm very interested in seeing these guys dr - OW!" Nelio cries when Myling whips around and slaps him across the face.
Caia and Alistair, standing behind him, sigh. "We told you that was a bad idea." Caia says and shakes her head before turning to Avacid. "Like he said, we'll all be staying." she says. "Theresa is helping Ariana make arrangements with Forsaken Roses - they'll be done by the time Ariana makes the announcement during the festival."
Emile grins. "Well, I don't mind staying. A festival sounds fun!" he says.
Veiss narrows his eyes. "You just want to get your hands on the alcohol."
"Because no one else but the guild lets me have some!" Emile whines.
"Because you're underage." Akane says bluntly.
Emile points an accusatory finger at her, "So are you!"
Akane waves him off, "I'm less underage." she says matter-of-factly.
"That doesn't-"
"And I don't complain about not being served alcohol." Akane continues. "Also, when you do have some at the guild you're not allowed to leave until the next day." she says.
"You-"
"If I may interrupt," Avacid clears his throat. "The legal drinking age in Honeywell is eighteen," he says. "So you all should be free to drink as you wish."
Emile's eye twitches while Veiss, Akane, and Novem try to stifle their laughs.
Avacid looks confused.
"I…I turn eighteen in December." Emile grumbles.
"Oh. Then you will not be served alcohol." Avacid says simply.
"I want to go home."
A few hours later, Caia, Alistair, and Nelio have gone back to their rooms in Ariana's house, leaving the rest of the Phoenix Fire Mages in the tavern.
"What's wrong with her?" Veiss asks when he walks into the girl's room to find half of Mana's body hanging off the edge of her bed.
Akane looks up from her book, glancing at Mana. "She's upset because of the Kozune thing." she says. "And she's still refusing to talk to Mary." Akane says, looking back at her book.
Mana makes an unintelligible noise.
"I see." Veiss says with a frown. "And you're just-?"
"Aha!" Akane gasps, abruptly standing up and marching over to Mana. She shoves the book in her face, "I was right! The only countries in Ishgar that start with the letter m are Minstrel and Midi!"
Mana's eyes widen.
Mana nods and smiles back and the secretary closes the door.
Immediately, Mana stands back up and peers over Kozune's desk.
When the secretary opened the door, Mana spotted a paper on her desk with her name written on it.
Dear Manami,
You mentioned something about amnesia and you said to write everything down, so that's what I'll do.
Your name is Manami - but obviously you know that much already. Do you remember your family name? Where you came from? What happened to you for you and your family to end up in Revenant Beasts' hands in the first place? I read some of your information on one of my mother's documents before and she's spoke about you and your family freely in front of me many times.
Your name is Manami Thorne. You're from the country of M
Mana's blood is roaring in her ears. The reveal of her family name, the fact that she's not from Valiance, and the fact that what is very clearly blood spatter covering the name of whatever country Kozune wrote down…
Mana snatches the letter and hightails it out of Kozune's office.
"Minstrel or Midi…" Veiss repeats and looks down at Mana. "Do either of those sound or feel familiar?" he asks.
Midi?
Or Minstrel?
Where is she from?
She repeats the names over and over again in her head, one of them striking a chord with her…but which one?
Akane frowns thoughtfully and turns the book back so she can continue reading. "Mm…we could play some music and make her dance for us." she suggests.
Veiss raises an eyebrow. "And why would we do that?" he asks.
Akane taps on a page in the book. "Minstrel is regarded as the H-"
"The Holy Land of Dance." Mana finishes, slowly pushing herself up into a sitting position as she recalls the memory that surfaced around the time she first arrived in Zaflior. "Minstrel…"
"Manami c'mon just let me play-"
Mana cringes, "Please don't call me that."
"That's your name."
"Okay, Magnuson." Mana shoots back.
Before Magnus can respond, a feminine voice interrupts them. "Children, please." a woman with a blurry face says, approaching the bickering siblings.
Mana frowns. "- - -, he started it!" she accuses her brother.
"No, you started it by not letting me play with you!"
There's a vague hint of a smile on the woman's blurred face. She crouches down to Magnus' and Mana's height. "I'm sure we can resolve this peacefully?" she proposes. "What exactly won't Mana let you play with, Magnus?"
"I just want to read her book." Magnus pouts.
Mana sticks her tongue out at him. "Well I'm reading it now so go away."
"...Magnuson you want to 'play' with a book your sister is currently reading?"
"W-Well-"
"Dummy." the woman says, bonking him on the head. "Leave her alone, go play with your brother and sisters who are actually playing a game."
Mana smirks at his punishment and turns to the woman. "- - -, where are Mommy and Daddy?"
"Yeah," Magnus says, still by Mana's side. "I thought Mommy and Daddy would only be away for a second."
"They should be here soon." the woman says. "And then we'll leave for the festival, just like I promised." she says, patting Mana's and Magnus' heads. "Next year, the five of you will be old enough to dance with - - - ! Isn't that exciting?" the woman asks, another vague hint of a smile on her blurred face.
The memory is still incomplete but it's getting clearer.
A festival…and dancing…
And now she knows for sure that that woman was taking care of her and her siblings. But just who the hell is she?
"What's wrong with her?" a freshly showered Emile and Novem ask, walking into the girl's room.
Veiss brings him up to speed.
Emile's face lights up. "Minstrel? I love Minstrel!" he says and wiggles his eyebrows. "Especially the way they - oof!" Emile groans when Novem headbutts his stomach. "I-I wasn't gonna say anything bad!" he cries as Novem climbs up Emile's body and settles down on his head.
"Cry about it." Novem says and shuts his eyes to sleep.
Veiss scoffs, sitting on the edge of Mana's bed. "That look on your face said otherwise." he yawns.
"Minstrel…" Mana mumbles, staring at the ceiling with a dazed look on her face.
Emile pouts. "She's not even listening!"
Akane rolls her eyes and turns to go back to her own bed.
Mana grabs her wrist before she goes too far, making Akane turn back around. She gives Akane a tired smile. "Thank you, Kanny." she says.
"...Sure." Akane says, looking anywhere but the other three in the room. She goes back to her bed when Mana lets go of her wrist.
Emile hums, a pleased smile on his face. He changes the subject, "Where did Myling go?"
Veiss, Akane, and Mana look around the room in surprise.
"...Where did Myling go?"
Honeywell
"Ehehe…" Myling giggles to herself. "You're so tiny and cute," she coos, scooping up the object of her adoration in her hands. "And so quiet too. Do you want to come home with m-?"
"Myling?"
Myling jumps slightly but relaxes when she recognizes the voice of one of her calmer guildmates. She turns her head and smiles meekly, "Caia." Myling nods in greeting.
Caia raises an eyebrow. "Whatcha got there?" she asks when she sees Myling's cupped hands.
Myling turns around and presents it to her:
"A spider."
"Isn't your house full of them already?" Caia asks like she didn't just step five feet away from Myling.
Nelio, coming up from behind Caia, slings an arm around her neck. "Why are we standing so far from Myling?" he asks dryly.
"I invite you to remember what you are and what kind of magic I have." Caia states bluntly.
"First of all, that's not how it works…I'm pretty sure." Nelio says like he didn't just step five feet away from Caia. "Second of all," he says. "If it did work that way, that would be a crime…probably."
"Just what the hell are you children doing out here?"
The three of them turn to see an exhausted Theresa in her pajamas.
…
…
…
…
…
"Oh don't give me that look." Theresa scowls. "Alistair came to my room to bother me because you two left him alone." she says to Caia and Nelio. "Go back and entertain him."
Nelio tilts his head to the side. "He doesn't like to be alone-"
"And you left him alone anyway…?" Caia mutters.
"-who's he bothering now?"
"Got any nines?"
"Go fish."
…
"Got any fives?"
"Go fish."
…
"Got any sixes?"
"Yep." Ariana says and hands over her six. "Got any queens?"
Alistair shakes his head. "Go fish."
"Ariana - Bella - whatever her name is." Theresa says with an exasperated sigh.
Nelio hums. "Sounds interesting. I'll go back." he says and starts heading back towards Ariana's house, leaving the three women by themselves.
"And you two?" Theresa asks, crossing her arms.
"I was going to go to the tavern to get something to eat and found Myling crouching in the corner like a hoodlum." Caia says immediately, pointing a finger at her fellow S-Class Mage.
"I-I was not crouching like a hoodlum!" Myling cries.
Theresa grumbles and turns around to go back to Ariana's house without another word to the women. "I'm too old for this…" she says to herself. "Just gonna find my grandson and retire…back hurts…"
Caia and Myling exchange a look.
"...Hoodlum." Caia coughs.
"Caia!" Myling whines.
"Only delinquents and hoodlums crouch in alleyways after the sun's gone down giggling to themselves."
"It's not like that-"
"Come on, I sense your children causing trouble." Caia yawns.
Myling blinks. "T-Trouble?"
Honeywell | Honeycomb Tavern
Veiss, Emile, and Akane freeze in place when Caia and Myling open the door to their joined rooms.
Veiss, a marker in one hand and his other hand on Mana's shoulder.
Emile, a marker in one hand and his other hand on the back of Mana's head.
Akane, a dagger in one hand and her other hand on a nervous Emile's shoulder.
Mana, asleep in a chair.
…
…
…
Caia turns on her heel. "They're your problem." she says and quickly leaves before Myling can say anything.
Myling slowly turns back to the three conscious Mages.
"Myl-"
"Listen-"
"It's-"
"Zzzz…"
"Hand of Death."
"MYLING NO-"
The next day…
Honeywell | Honeybun Square
Caia narrows her eyes suspiciously as the group of five approaches her, Alistair, and Nelio. "You seem…suspiciously well rested, considering how I left you four last night." she says.
Mana frowns. "Does that have anything to do with why I woke up with whiskers, a mustache, and a cartoon eye drawn on my face…?"
Emile and Veiss pointedly turn away from Mana.
"Myling made sure that we were asleep all night," Emile answers Caia, a shiver going down his spine as he looks at a nonchalant Myling. "I slept very well, but…"
Veiss shuffles away from Myling. "The way she put us to sleep…" he says, a look of fear on his face.
Akane scowls. "It's your fault she got mad." she says and crosses her arms. "I was innocently caught in the crossfire."
"You had a knife to my neck-"
"Inconsequential details. And it was a dagger, actually."
Veiss frowns. "Speaking of, where did you even get that-?"
Akane waves him off, "Inconsequential details." she says.
Alistair sighs. "Anyways," he says. "Ariana is going to make her announcement within the next fifteen minutes. After that, should everything go according to plan, the festivities will begin." Alistair informs them.
"Woo! Par-tay!" Emile cheers.
"Woo." Nelio nods.
Theresa sighs.
Meanwhile, like she has been for the past few days, Mary is trying to get Mana to talk to her.
Mana?
No response.
Mana come on-
Only because yesterday put me in a good mood. What do you want? Are you going to tell me why you were lying about your magic?
Mary winces. I wasn't - I wasn't lying, exactly-
You told me and Cooley you couldn't use your magic. Clearly you can. Mana frowns. And once again, you tried to kill somebody using my body.
And I told you I was sorry-
'I'm sorry for almost putting you on the same level as the woman who tortured us for years. Forgive me?'
Har har.
Mana scoffs.
(Nelio puts his thumb and index finger under his chin. "Is this what I look like when I'm talking to my bot buddies?" he asks no one in particular.
"Yes. And never call them your bot buddies ever again." Alistair says dryly.)
While Mana quietly argues with Mary (quietly besides the angry and annoyed noises), the rest of the Phoenix Fire Mages make conversation amongst themselves until Ariana arrives to make her many announcements.
Unfortunately, both Mana and Mary seem to miss the announcement because they only tune back into the world around them when it gets eerily quiet.
"...So I understand if you no longer wish to live here or if you want me to leave town." Ariana says, standing on the stage in front of the crowd of Honeywell citizens and bowing her head. "I will accept whatever judgment you give." she says.
The citizens start to talk amongst each other:
"Well, that's what the new council thing is for, right?"
"It's not our apology to accept."
"Let's wait for Kozune to wake up."
"Remind me not to get on Lady Ariana's bad side…"
"It's just one mistake."
"One mistake but a mistake that put our best doctor in a coma."
"Lady Ariana has been a good leader…aside from the Kozune thing."
"If the new council is here to keep her and each other in check, then it should be fine."
Overall, the general consensus of the crowd was to continue on with their lives in Honeywell and wait to hear Kozune's opinion before committing to Ariana's judgment. And, of course, to accept the leadership of Ariana and the council until then.
See? They can forgive Ariana, so why can't-?
They literally just said it wasn't their apology to accept.
Mary huffs and she and Mana are once again pulled out of their personal bubble when someone else takes center stage:
"ALRIIIIIIGHT!"
Myling and her assembly of young Phoenix Fire Mages pale.
"LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED-LERO!" Lero cheers when the crowd delivers their response to Ariana and her new council.
And the five traumatized Phoenix Fire Mages retreat back to their room in the tavern.
Alistair, Nelio, Caia, and Theresa give each other a look.
"Just what in the world did he do to them?" Theresa wonders.
Caia frowns. "Maybe it's best that we don't know." she says. "Come on, let's follow them."
Nelio nods. "I want to see what Akane and this guy look like drunk." he says.
"I don't like drinking." Alistair says dryly. "And I can't get drunk anyway."
Caia raises an eyebrow. "Oh? Why not?" she asks.
Nelio scoffs and attempts to put a hand on Alistair's shoulder. "Don't be - oh." he blinks when his hand goes right through Alistair. "Water body. Nice. I have a metal body…parts."
"That's why." Alistair yawns. "So there's no point in it for me," he says. "I'll go help keep an eye on them though." Alistair says to Caia.
Theresa nods. "Very well. I still have a few things to discuss with Ariana so I'll see you all tonight or on the train tomorrow."
Unfortunately for them, Nelio is still coming along.
And Nelio is a bad influence.
Honeywell | Honeycomb Tavern
An hour later…
Alistair and Emile really shouldn't have agreed to go out and get snacks.
The two of them aren't sure what they should've expected when they were sent out, but it definitely wasn't this.
Emile also isn't sure if he should be jealous or thankful that the Honeywell townsfolk refused him alcohol, because if he's anything like his teammates when he's drunk…
"M-Mana," Akane slurs. "Mana c'mere," Akane hiccups, trying and failing to grab the front of a just as wasted Mana's shirt and causing the girl to flop onto her back.
Mana hums, lolling her head around. "Hmm…heh…heheh..." she giggles when Akane straddles her waist, glaring down at her.
Poor, poor wasted Veiss struggles to crawl over to the pair as he glares at Akane. "G'off…get off 'er…" he slurs and drops to the ground mid-crawl.
Emile face palms. Yeah, maybe it's for the best that he stays sober.
He and Alistair exchange a look.
"That's your problem." Alistair says and points at the other trio. "That's my problem." he says.
"B-But-"
"Nope." Alistair says and heads over to Myling, Caia, and Nelio, the former two passed out drunk and the latter swaying from side to side with a drunk flush on his cheeks.
Emile sighs as Novem jumps off of the back of Veiss' head and climbs up Emile's body. "They had a drinking contest, Emile." he says as he jumps from Emile's shoulder to the top of his head.
"I can see that, Novem."
"Caia and Myling lost, Emile."
"Thank you Novem."
"Veiss, Mana, Akane, and Nelio are the only ones left conscious, Emile."
Emile sighs.
Akane sticks her tongue out at Veiss. "Ha. Shtupid Veiss." she says with a laugh. "She's…she's mine." Akane says. "You don't get to tell me what to do."
Emile raises an eyebrow as he deposits the snacks on the table, keeping an eye on the scene.
Veiss pushes himself up onto his arms. "She's not yours," he says, grumpy. "she's a hu-"
Veiss' and Emile's jaws drop when Akane pulls Mana into a sitting position, grabs her face, and licks her cheek from jawline to cheekbone while glaring at Veiss.
"See? I licked it. It's mine now." Akane says smugly and lets go of her, letting Mana flop back to the floor.
Mana blinks, staring at the ceiling as she drunkenly tries to process what just happened. Then, as Veiss and Akane argue about whether or not you're allowed to go around licking people, she nods to herself in understanding.
"Akane you can't just lick people-" Emile scolds.
"HA! I tol - I told you!" Veiss hiccups.
"Oh my." Novem says, scandalized.
Akane glares at them. "I do what I want-"
"It's my first time, please be gentle with me." Mana says, sounding resigned to her fate as she untucks her shirt and starts untying the small bow keeping each half together.
Akane immediately sobers up and snatches Mana's hands away from her shirt. "Wh-What the hell do you think you're doing!?" she cries, the drunk flush on her cheeks turning even darker with embarrassment.
Mana frowns in confusion. "Emi-" she hiccups. "Emile said that's what I'm supposed to do when - hic - when you put your mouth on my - on my face."
Veiss snorts.
Akane narrows her eyes. "He said…he said me spesh - speci - stop that - specifically?" she stutters, still trying to shake off her drunken haze. She also has to smack Mana's hands away when she pulls her hands back and tries to take off her shirt again.
Mana nods. "Mhmmmm" she confirms with a hum.
Veiss whistles as he rolls over onto his back. "You're a deaaaaaaad man, Emmy." he drawls.
Meanwhile, Alistair is left to deal with Nelio and the two unconscious women who were supposed to be supervising Nelio and the younger mages.
Alistair dumps the snacks in his arms on the table and puts his hands on his hips. "What did you do?" he asks.
Nelio hums, swaying from side to side in his seat. "I don't know what ya mean, Ally-stare." he says, sounding much more put together than the younger Mages.
Alistair moves behind an unconscious Caia and Myling, picks up one of their arms in each of his hands, and lets them go, dropping them against the table with a thud. "They're out cold. What did you do?" he asks again.
Nelio tilts his head to the side. "Mmmph…I told Caia I would behave for a month if she beat me in a drinking contest," he says. "Today we both found out she sucks at holding her liquor." Nelio nods to himself.
"And Myling?" Alistair asks with a sigh.
"I told her I'd make her a little spider bot for a pet." Nelio says. "I mean, I still will, but like…not until her birthday," he says.
Alistair sighs again. "And the others?"
"Akane and Veiss are very easy to provoke. Mana just wanted to be included." Nelio nods.
Alistair facepalms and takes the open seat next to Nelio. "You're a piece of work." he says.
Nelio shrugs as he pours another glass of whiskey for himself. "You enjoy my company," he says. "Doesn't matter what else you say 'cause that's enough for me."
Alistair rolls his eyes. "Whatever you say." he says, poking Caia's head. "So - if you still have the capacity to respond - what do you think about what we found?" Alistair wonders.
Nelio glances at the group of younger mages. "I think we should keep it to ourselves," he says. "Telling her will just get her involved - we don't need to add any more bad memories related to Embershore." Nelio says.
Alistair follows Nelio's gaze. "You're right. If she needs to know, Master Nadine will tell her." he agrees. "And it's not like she has any plans to go back anytime soon."
Nelio nods and the two sit in silence for a moment.
"...You know, Alistair, I've been wondering something-"
"That's not a good sign."
"-ever since you showed us that water body trick." Nelio says. "When you have to use the bathroom-"
"Stop."
"I'm just saying-"
"Stop talking."
"But-"
"No."
"No as in 'no' or no as in you're not answering the question?"
"I hope you choke on your whiskey."
Nelio looks at Alistair.
Alistair looks at Nelio.
…
…
…
"What about when you're, y'know-"
"Dear God." Alistair groans, rubbing his temples.
Nelio huffs. "Fine. Then answer me this - can you clean yourself by doing the water body thing?" he asks.
"No." Alistair states bluntly.
"Then can you use your own water to hose yourself down?" Nelio wonders.
"I strongly dislike your drunk company." Alistair says and tries to wake up the two women again by dropping their hands. "...No? Nothing? …Ugh." he groans and stands up.
"Ally-stare come on now-"
Alistair answers Nelio by grabbing the lens of his goggles, pulling them up, and snapping them against his head.
"Ow!"
"I'll come back when you're sober." Alistair says and walks over to the younger mages. "They're about to tear each other apart so they have to be supervised anyway." he says.
"Kanny~"
"G-Get your hands off - put your goddamn shirt back on!"
"Stop the violence…"
"I wasn't built to bear the body weight of three people on my back…"
"If you die, will I get the church?"
Alistair sighs.
This is going to be a long day.
Cresthill Train Station
The next day, Ariana and Donatello accompany the team of four to the train station (a bonding exercise, Lero had called it). Theresa, Myling, Caia, Alistair, and Nelio are staying behind to make sure the transition goes smoothly and Ariana doesn't have another freak out.
Mana cradles her head in her hands, groaning. "I'll never ask to be included ever again…" she sighs.
Akane scowls, blushing embarrassed as she thinks about yesterday. "I also need to you never take lessons-"
Emile shoves Novem in Akane's face, shutting her up. "Don't take this away from me." he says lowly.
Veiss blankly stares ahead.
Ariana glances at Donatello. "They had fun…right?" she asks as Akane slaps Emile's hand away from her, Mana and Veiss still looking like they're on the verge of passing out.
Donatello nods.
Fortunately, when they reach the train station, the train is already waiting.
"Well," Emile says and turns around to face Ariana and Donatello. "Thank you for esc - oh dear." he blinks when he turns to see the pair bowing. His teammates turn around at the sound of his reaction and mutter similar statements.
"Thank you for all your help." Ariana says. "If you five hadn't been there when those Dark Mages arrived…I'm afraid Forsaken Roses might've been too late." she says. "So thank you." Ariana says.
Veiss scratches the back of his head awkwardly. "No problem?" he tries.
Ariana stands up straight, Donatello following suit. "And I promise to keep you updated on Kozune's condition." she says, looking pointedly at Mana. "In the meantime…I hope you find the answers you're looking for."
Mana frowns and nods. "Me too."
Ariana and Donatello wait until the train is but a speck in the distance before turning to each other. "I suppose we should be heading back-"
"B-Bella?"
Ariana's eyes widen.
Donatello gives her a reassuring nod when she looks at him in shock.
Ariana slowly turns around, her heart pounding against her chest.
…
…
…
"Mom? Dad?"
Ariana's parents, much older and more gray than the last time she saw them sixteen years ago, smile warmly at their daughter.
"The blue hair suits you quite well, I think." her father says with an approving nod.
Her mother smiles, "I don't suppose you have room for two more in your town?" she jokes as she and her father approach.
Ariana's eyes well with tears. "I-I wasn't expecting you so - so soon." she stammers. "I was - I was having a house prepared-" Ariana says, her voice shaky.
"We came as soon as we got word from Donatello that you wanted us to join you." her mother says, holding Ariana's face in her hands. "It's okay, Bella."
"You're not m-mad at me for leaving?"
Her father shakes his head, putting a comforting hand on Ariana's back. "Of course not. Of course, we were upset when we found out you left without saying goodbye but we both realized it was our fault for not listening to your concerns." he says. "We're just happy to be here with you now."
Ariana finally cracks and throws her arms around her parents, crying.
Donatello smiles ever so slightly at the reunion.
…
…
…
…
…
"So, do we have any grandchildren waiting to meet us?"
"M-Mom!"
"If not, you're still young enough to give us at least one."
"Dad!"
PF x AH x SS
A/N SLAY it took me a month to write this chapter
honeywell is finally done and now we return to zaflior for a moment of respite
or not
maybe