Pyra woke up unusually early that morning. With how much she and Mythra had partied the night prior, she assumed she'd sleep straight on til sunrise. But when she looked out her window, the sky was still colored a light opaque color and the songbirds had only just begun singing their song. Every now and then she'd hear a car pass on by to add to the still ambience… or rather, disrupt it. Well, she couldn't go back to sleep, so there was only one thing to do.
On this particularly quiet Sunday morning, Pyra kept her white sleeping shirt on and quickly pulled over a pair of pink shorts as she walked out the room completely barefoot. She put the tea kettle on high and waited for its usual scream as she helped herself to a few cookies, wistfully looking out the window, not thinking of anything in particular. The quiet that accompanied her was strangely unique. Her old life certainly wasn't this still, and even when she would wake before Mythra and Frankie currently, either they'd be soon to follow to break the silence, or the sound of faraway music would be outside to accompany her. In an almost trance-like state, Pyra breathed slowly and heavily, reflecting on how much fun last night was… she almost wished Frankie had been there to experience it… but she also commended him silently for taking charge on this months long mystery they've been trying to solve. Whether it was for them or himself, she was happy nevertheless he was pushing himself forward.
Yet… deep inside her heart, she still felt a twinge of doubt about… something. It was difficult to decipher and it gave her an uneasy feeling in her stomach. Just perfect… all she could do was sigh sadly and mull over what exactly she was feeling, after all this time and all this growth, what more could she POSSIBLY be asking for?
Before she got too up over herself, she heard a loud and throaty moaning noise come from the den. Rushing over to see the commotion, she felt herself yelp in alarm as she saw Frankie in his getup from yesterday. No pajamas, his socks still on… it didn't even look like he had taken a shower. She took the time, as well, to observe the scattered mess of notes and electronic devices that littered the recliner he had fallen asleep on.
"Oh, Frankie…" she sighed as she walked over to him, humming to herself as she viewed his person. "Honestly… I don't know what to do with you sometimes…" She chuckled lowly to herself as she played with his hair in an effort to wake him up. "But I guess all… bonds need to have some things that keep you on your toes, eh…?" The unconscious Frankie didn't respond and only continued his snoring. Pyra could feel her eyes drooping dreamily, blinking ever so slowly as she continued to just… stare.
Instinctively, Frankie leaned into her touch while he was still asleep, smiling peacefully as he felt her warmth graze his face, nuzzling up into her hand while breathing heavily. Already naturally warm, Pyra felt herself heat up even more intensely as Frankie unknowingly returned her affections. She pulled away quickly and trotted around the room in a small circle, ranting to herself in utter embarrassment.
"O-ohmygoodnesswhattheheckwasithinking?Pyrayoulecherousfiendwhyonearthareyouplayingsomerrilywithanunconciousbodyyoushouldbeashamedofyourselfohgoodnessohgoodnessohgoodnessoh-"
"Mm… Pyra…?"
Frankie's groggy question halted Pyra immediately. She turned herself around quickly and tried to fix her face, lessening her blush as best she could and adjusting her facial features to… look less needy in her eyes. Just as quickly, she turned back around with an awkward half smile and eyes widened just enough to tell something was a bit off… not like Frankie would notice, rising from his slumber so lazily, stretching and moaning comfortably. He scratched his belly and smacked his lips as he woke up completely to the sound of papers falling beneath his feet.
"Mmm… cmonnnnn…" He complained as he slumped down in his seat.
"G-good morning, Frankie! D-did you sleep well?" Pyra asked, her breathing quick and nervous.
"Hmm…? Is this the den…? Mmm… I coulda swore I went to bed last night…"
Pyra would then be saved from any more awkward conversation by Mythra's own waking yawn as she walked into the kitchen to greet them both.
"Morning, Pyra… morning Dummy… what're you making us for breakfast today…? Something yummy?" She asked as she opened the fridge carelessly, rummaging through the crispers for some kind of tasty appetizer.
"Mythraaaaa… I just woke uuuuppppp… we'll order in todayyyy…" He complained.
"Mmmmmmmmmmmm…! But I want yooouuuurrrr cookiiiiiinggg…"
"N-now, now, you two, we don't have to get all uppity over this! I'll be happy to make us breakfast today! It's been a while since I've had a hand in Sunday breakfast…"
"Sunday…? Sunday?!" Frankie was wide awake all of a sudden. He jumped out of his seat and ran over to the calendar on the wall. There it was, clear as day, Sunday, November 2nd. "¡¿En serio?! Girls, we're gonna HAVE to order in today! I need your help!"
And without another word, Frankie ran outside to unlock the shed.
"H-hey! Frankie, wait! Help with what?!" Pyra called after him.
"Hey, Dummy! Get back here! I'm not finished talking to you yet!" With her arms stretched towards the sky, Mythra ran off after him with a hungry glare in her eyes, leaving Pyra alone in the den.
As dead silence suddenly crept over her, she took notice of Frankie's papers on the floor… namely how many there were… The sight of it all made her smile, even if she couldn't quite put a finger to the sights at hand, she was happy to see Frankie was progressing just as much as they were and clearly having a grand time with it, and yet… she still felt off for whatever reason.
…
Up in the corner of the den by the back door, Frankie had a table set up with pictures of people Pyra and Mythra… ALMOST recognized, older people, at that. Surrounding the pictures were assortments of decorated skulls, candles with holy paintings on them, a crucifix, and sweet bread, of which Mythra almost took for herself, drooling happily, she reached down to grab one, only for Frankie to cry out to her to leave it alone. Not in an overly upset manner, but out of alarm more than anything. Mythra was beyond miffed and asked why even bother putting out all this food if they couldn't eat it.
"Dia de Los Muertos." Frankie answered, very seriously.
"H-hah?" Mythra tilted her head in confusion.
"The day… of the Dead… right, Frankie?" Pyra asked, almost knowingly.
"Yeah… yeah, that's exactly it…! How did you know, Pyra?"
"E-er… w-well… it just… sounds familiar to me." Pyra responded, nervously breaking eye contact.
"Huh. You know, you say that and… now I think I remember it too…" Mythra said aloud.
"Well… regardless, today's the day we… appreciate loved one's who've… gone back home… so to speak…" He broke multiple times as he spoke, choking up at each pause and turning away to hide his misty eyes from the two girls. His slumped and downcast posture was far from the only thing that gave home away, but Pyra and Mythra understood his emotions all too well and gave him the bit of silence that he needed for the moment… and when they decided it was finished, Pyra was the first to break the silence.
"Are… are these who I think they are, Frankie?" She asked in her usual kindly drawl, bending over to look at the pictures of the pale old lady, the toothy grinned old man next to her, a darker skinned but still very polite looking old lady… and the wedding photo of a very tall dark skinned man and a short and chunky curly haired lady, already a small bump forming in her belly.
"Heh… I think I know who big sports man over here is…" Mythra looked to the wedding photo herself and then up to the large picture of the same dark skinned man, older and noticeably more plump, but still smiling as wide and proud as ever… Frankie's father.
"Mm hmm- if I had to harbor a guess myself…" Pyra followed Mythra's gaze, letting out her own smile as she looked back to Frankie again.
"Yeah… those are my folks… Frank and Gigi Guosmán…" He admitted.
"Oh? You were named after your father, Frankie? That's so sweet!" Pyra clasped her hands happily together, giving Frankie a bright smile. The little action got him to let out the slightest of laughs as he humored Pyra's comment.
"And he was named after my grandpa… so that's Frank and Teddy Guosmán you're looking at side by side…" Then he motioned to the other old lady, "And my maternal grandma… Becky Bocanegra."
"Didn't have too good a relationship with your maternal grandfather, Frankie?" Mythra asked as she inspected the ofrenda.
"Mythra…!" Pyra shushed the blonde quietly only for Frankie to pardon her politely.
"No, guys, it's okay… I never knew him, actually… he passed before I was born and my grandma took the one good picture we had of him to her grave…"
Pyra and Mythra looked back at the pictures of everyone once more, this time more forlorn as they attempted to piece together their next question. Clearly, Frankie was eager to answer… but would any send him over the edge? Pyra was the first to find out.
"These aren't… your only family you have left is it, Frankie…?"
"Mm-? N-no, of course not! I told you before it's just… hard to reach out…" Frankie rubbed the back of his head shyly. Pyra pouted lightly as she looked at the large picture of Frank II just above the ofrenda and then back down to the smaller wedding photo of him and his wife. With a happy nod, Pyra took to her knees, getting Frankie and Mythra's attention, clasping her hands together and gently shutting her eyes before speaking again.
"Oh, Family Guosmán… thank you for raising such a wonderful son and grandson…" Frankie felt his heart race and face flush with red as he stood up straight, hanging on to each word Pyra uttered right alongside a curious Mythra. "I may not be aware of all your customs… culturally or otherwise, so I apologize if I come off the wrong way, but truthfully, even if you can't see him… I want you to know he's doing absolutely fantastic… he was a little broken when we first met him… but he's done so much for us in so little time… and for that I guess I have to thank you…"
"P-Pyra…" He tried to stop the waterworks… but he couldn't exactly stop what was already building, now ultimately coming to a peak. He could hardly get his breath in as he tried to fight back his tears. And that was when Mythra decided to join.
"We were… and still kinda are… lost, scared, and confused… we've done a lot of stuff that we're not proud of… but he accepted us regardless… he gave us a home… a friend… and a family now too, I guess… so bless him if you truly can…"
Just like that, the sound of rushing feet and a slam to the ground broke the quiet of the room as Frankie erupted into hysterics. Not quite sobbing uncontrollably, but his breathing was most certainly rushed and his speech was quite blubbery. The two girls faced him in surprise the moment he put himself in between them. He was such a mess it was hard to even parse together what he was saying… but they could certainly feel the emotion and earnestness and trying every last difficult word that spilled out of his mouth said, and they did manage to catch a few.
Sorry. Love. Miss. Proud. Trying. So long. Need. And thank you.
The two shared tired but accepting smiles as they both drew closer to him, wrapping him up in a soft and supportive embrace… letting him do what needed to be done. To break him from this moment wouldn't sit right with them. Of course, seeing their good friend happy and gung-ho, ready to tackle his next ventures head on… but they knew all too well what holding back any sort of emotion could do to someone… so they stayed there… with him… for as long as he needed. When he finally settled down and even the candles stopped burning as bright, he sat up straight and sniffled, wiping his tears dry as he looked straight at his family once again… and then over to Pyra and Mythra, who were smiling just as before.
"Is there anything you need from us, Mr. Frankie?" Pyra asked sweetly.
"You know we got your back, big guy… don't be afraid to just… say something." Mythra pat his back as she tried to force herself into his view.
"S-stop it you toaster… I'm trying to be sad…" He chuckled as he pushed her face away.
"Well don't be so mean to her for starters~" Pyra cooed as she poked his cheek. As the three of them shared their tender moment together, Frankie swallowed hard and looked at the ofrenda deeply once more.
"I-I'd like to pray the rosary… if that's okay…" He requested.
"Oh, Frankie… if your folks are half as faithful as you are, I know they'd be beaming with pride…" Mythra commented. Frankie took three rosaries from the ofrenda and handed two to Pyra and Mythra, both of whom were transfixed by its simple but intricate design, three or five beads at a time, one separate from the others before repeating, all culminating into a crucifix at the bottom. Pyra in particular looked between it and her core crystal, happy to feel so… related to, was how she thought it.
"We aren't the most familiar with these customs… could you lead us through, Frankie…?" She asked.
"Mm… happy to… just follow my lead…"
And taking them all in hand, that's exactly what they did.
"Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive us our trespassers. As we forgive those who trespass against us… and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, and the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever…
Hail Mary, full of grace, the lord is with thee… blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death, amen.
Glory be to the father, and of the son, and of the Holy Spirit… as it was in the beginning, it is now and forever shall be, amen… Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell… lead all souls to heaven… especially those who are in most need of thy mercy…"
They repeated each verse as duly woven into their artifacts… quiet, but meaningful… solemn, but honest… together, but all on their own…
When they had finished, Frankie looked at his mother's picture in particular once more, as he got up and took a deep breath, proudly staring, "I'm doing what I want now, mama… I know you and daddy are watching over me… and grandma… just… be there for me… guide me… amen…"
With one final sign of the cross, Pyra and Mythra joined him in looking over the ofrenda one last time…
"You've been hyping up your finals for a while now, haven't you, Dummy?" Mythra asked, not drawing her attention away from the display.
"I still have time but… you know…" he said with a sigh.
"You have us here… I don't care how many times I have to say it… I'll say it til I'm blue in the face… please don't forget that…" Pyra stated.
"I haven't forgotten… but… I really need to focus for now… really get into the nitty gritty of what Miko and I researched."
Pyra and Mythra felt a familiar twinge spark in their brain once again. Nothing too specific flooded their mind this time… but the honest, subdued, and determined way he spoke certainly caught their attention. And apart from being so subdued, it almost seemed rather familiar…
"Anything you wanna tell us specifically?" Mythra asked again.
"Well… the final'll be open to just about everyone… I'll tell you everything then…"
Everything. The word lingered in the air for a few minutes as the trio stayed in exalted peace, allowing it to dance around them as excitedly as its implications allowed it to… what everything even meant… only time would tell…
With one last affirmative nod, Frankie pulled the two ladies in for a tight hug, as they hugged him back.
"I wouldn't be doing this without you two… just let me get to work…"
"We'll be here, Dummy… we won't think ANY less of you…"
"All of us…"
"Every last one…"
The pictures seemed to smile right along with them…
…
November had only just begun, yet with how busy all of Pyra, Mythra, and Frankie were, the month seemed to completely pass them by. Days grew colder and colder with each passing day and it seemed like the three of them only saw each other before and after work for dinner. Mythra in particular would be too tired to partake in much of anything outside the weekends… and even in those weekends, Frankie would be hard at work, away in his room typing furiously and reciting verses to himself.
He hadn't felt this hyped in ages. Whether it was the vigor Pyra, Mythra, and even Pneuma naturally instilled in him or his nervous curiosity transforming into an angry but excited plunge deep into all these articles, these pictures, words, people, he could hardly tell, but as he stated to the mystery person with Miko, this was more than just a grade to him… it was paving the way towards not only his future career… but the possibilities of putting all these worries that had been brewing up since he first met these two to rest… he wouldn't let them know, but that was what he was excited to get to do more than anything.
For every written word and every delinquent halted, Pyra and Mythra not only felt Frankie's own emotions… but pondered them as well. Every action they took on the job and out of it was noticed by their co-worker and their friends individually.
Mythra reprimanding black market vendors in such an ultra specific, enunciated matter not only shocked those coming into custody, but Mia as well, who, if not witnessing it firsthand, would hear back from the job all too well done. She was proud, of course, and seeing such emotion spill out before her own eyes was just what she wanted, but she still kept a close eye on her regardless. For as commendable as she was showing herself as, she didn't want her to get hurt…
Something as simple as knocking over bowling pins with the ladies Miko, Rubee, and Pyra was something the very first would tease her for imagining they were "obstacles on her love quest" would be met with not the usual flustered rage she had expected, but a very straight forward and to the point, response of,
"Can't help it. I'm pumped."
She was almost impressed. Rubee was certainly getting into her spirit as well, showing off to Pyra by overly accentuating her movements towards the lane and dramatically expressing her emotions over a gutter ball or a strike- she desperately wanted to show her she was taking this future lead role of hers very seriously, even off 'the clock.'
Indeed, Pyra had set up a little get together group of her small cast she had built up. A little underground setup in the den, nothing big at all- even here, Miko was still by her side keeping tabs on her. Even before her reminder, Pyra knew she couldn't exactly make a smash hit in one night… it was best to keep it underground for the time being and get some good word of mouth out there- might draw a niche audience… but that was where all the buzz would drum up from then on.
But her demeanor there was very different from that first day… or ever for that manner. She studied and picked apart each movement her ensemble had performed for her. When Rubee and Clover were to dance in unison, signifying their bond as Driver and Blade, enacting a gentle pirouette, quick as a whip, she snapped them back into place for Clover turning on his sole rather than his toes as instructed. The energy of the room was very different from the almost game-like feel they had found themselves in previously. Neither of them thought any ill of her, however, they both assumed that with her project getting off the ground, she'd just take things more seriously.
There was, indeed, a semblance of truth to that. Even these some weeks later that odd tingly feeling in her heart never quite left her, still unable to piece together what it was trying to tell her- not that there'd be any time to search herself further, she WANTED to keep this laser focused attitude. Mythra could do it, Frankie was most definitely doing it… that's all she kept telling herself, what they all did, so many thoughts and emotions swimming around in their heads at once… it all had to be done…
And then the final full week of the month was upon them. Mythra had picked Pyra up from a late rehearsal that night, neither one of them really said much of anything to each other on the way home, all they could do was groan and sigh in utter content the very moment they entered the kitchen and switched the lights on.
"FINALLY. It takes ages to get anything through to these alkies' heads sometimes- how hard is it NOT to drive when you're completely shitfaced…?"
"Mmm… I can only imagine, Mythra…" Pyra felt herself cough and choke on a small bit of spit, swallowing it down just as quickly as she caught hold of it. "I think I might be coaching Clover and Rubee a bit too much… I think my voice is giving out…"
"Heh… you're just working the pipes- I'm sure they don't think much of it… then again I guess you WERE never the type to raise your voice~"
"Yeah… and I wonder who's fault that is…"
"I 'unno what you're talking about."
Mythra turned at Pyra's low and pouty growl childishly. Pneuma, still tucked away far in their recesses, watched and listened intently. It was a nice little sight to see before resting once more… the two of them just… BEING. Christmas was close by, wasn't it, she wondered? She had to admit she was almost jealous… but they most definitely deserved it. In that moment, however, just before shutting her eyes for the final time that night, she was able to redirect their subconsciouses to a rather… peculiar sound coming from Frankie's room. She was the first to notice, it'd be polite to let it be known, and sure enough, without another word, the duo crept up closer to Frankie's room to hear the mixture of furious tapping, page turning, and the loud grumbling of his stomach.
"Oh, Dummy… what are you doing in there…?" Mythra wondered aloud, the two of them posted up against his door carefully.
Pyra put a hand to her core crystal and moaned discontedly.
"He's not doing too hot, I can tell you that…" She said.
"Yeah… I don't like the feel of it either… do you think we should barge in and help him out…?"
"That's… tricky, isn't it?" Pyra put a finger to her chin, standing up straight as she stared at the door.
"Huh? Tricky? What's tricky about it? He's beating himself up right now and all he's got is us right now! It can't be any more simple than that!"
"I hear you, Mythra, really, I do… but you know how he is… once he makes up his mind on something, he's gonna stick to it no matter how long it takes… I worry we might just disturb his concentration…"
She trailed off loudly, looking away as Mythra stood in the mist of the silence Pyra slathered over the area. It didn't take much or long to press her further.
"There's more." She said matter of factly. Pyra moaned yet again, wringing her hands shyly as she turned away even further. "No… none of that, come on, spit it out, you're just as important to me as he is. I'm serious, Pyra. Out with it."
"It's… just…" Pyra looked down dimly. She knew all too well hiding anything from Mythra was impossible… after all, she pulled the same trick on her… it was best to just keep it simple. "Things are still so… up in the air regarding us… and our own little flashes of the past haven't been the most prevalent, lately… I guess… I'm just scared what we might find if we drop in unannounced…"
Mythra grimaced. She could feel Pyra all too well in this moment. Still, there was a part of her that wanted to call her out for even thinking about staying on the sidelines in a time like this, especially since she could feel Frankie suffering much of the same before and even during this moment! Did she have to help them both now? It certainly seemed like it… so she would.
"Hey… I think I know how we can fix this… all of this!"
"Mmm…hmm…? What do you mean?"
Mythra pulled Pyra further from Frankie's room, leaning in to whisper in her ear, clearly excited about whatever information she was about to relay.
"Listen… Frankie's still feeling pretty crummy about the stuff regarding his own family… I think now it's starting to really hit him just how hard it must be to be so distant from them."
"I…I do think I'd have to agree…" Pyra said solemnly, placing her hand on her core crystal yet again. "And… relate to, I suppose… but what's that got to do with your idea?"
"It's simple. Mia's been talking about this holiday called Thanksgiving for the past week now. I dunno much about it and don't really wanna embarrass myself in front of her, but from what I hear, it's a day you gather all the people you love together, have a big huge feast, and just… well… be thankful!"
Pyra sniffed a bit before chuckling and wiping a tear from her eye.
"That… that does sound nice… I wouldn't mind making a meal for such a big celebration…" She admitted.
"Right. Let's not go snooping around to get the contact info of his family or anything, though. We gotta ease him into it. Let's keep things small. Just the three of us. I'm sure Kaito and Miko'll have their own things planned… either way, it'll be a nice reward for all the hard work he's been doing… don't you think…?"
Pyra hummed lightly and looked away wistfully, already imagining the look on his face, remembering the first time she had ever made food for the two of them… and to have Mythra there with them this time…
"O-okay… I think we can give it a shot…"
"Emphasis on we…" Mythra said with a nod, tightly shutting her eyes as she continued. "I-I wanna help…"
"And you'll have me right there no matter what… okay, Mythra…?"
"I-I know… but let me get a handle on things to start, alright…?"
"Wouldn't have it any other way…"
"I'll ask Miko about the details tonight… for now… I think the lot of us need our sleep, especially you. We get started first thing in the morning, got it?"
"Of course! …confident you'll be able to wake up that early though?"
"…be quiet… just… say a quick prayer for that dummy in there with me, kay…?"
Pyra looked at the door and then back at Mythra inquisitively… and then she smiled.
"I'd like that… and I know he would too…"
Mythra nodded happily in agreement as the two made their way over to his door, repeating much of the same prayers they recited during the day of the dead before putting in their own requests, one after another.
"I call to you once more, o Heavenly Father… bless our Frankie… whatever evil thoughts and worries are running across his brain… destroy them… keep him focused… don't let his passion falter… guide him and protect him… just as the both of you have us… for all this time…"
"And just remind him that everything is gonna be okay… no matter what he finds… and let those findings come to the light that we may see and… recollect ourselves as such… let him rest… all of us rest… take care of things one day at a time…"
"In the name of the father, son, and the Holy Spirit… amen…"
And just like that… the tired and overworked Frankie, who had heard every last word from the inside, fell fast asleep…
…
True to her word, Mythra woke up just about as early as she could have… not the earliest but the air was still chilly as she and Pyra stepped outside to get everything prepared. Mythra looked at her phone, showing Pyra the text Miko had sent her- a list of essentials they'd need for a three person feast.
Potatoes. Corn. Bread. Sweet Potatoes. Pie. Turkey… good luck, was what the text had emphasized for the last one.
Mythra scoffed at Miko's suggestion, in her head, she already knew that she wasn't about to waltz into any old supermarket and pick out the fattest bird she could find, all frozen and processed and mechanically plucked and what not- nonono- this was the very reason she woke up so early. Pyra would handle the starches… Mythra was ready to go hunting. The drive to the turkey hunting land was quite a drive away, but certainly manageable. She'd be home in time to start prepping dinner at least. And with a cookbook at the ready, Pyra heartily and dutifully prepared herself for the walk to and from the store, her heart beating nervously at just how many shoppers would be out at this time… but there was absolutely no time to worry about that. They needed to get to work. With a screech and a hop, they were off to the races…
It was almost sunset when Mythra came back. Pyra had already prepared most of the foodstuffs while she was away; creamy mashed potatoes, buttery cobs of corn, toasted sweet rolls… raw yams- those were the things that Mythra insisted she would take care of. And with a perfectly cleaned and dressed bird that she had done up totally and completely all by herself -with some assistance, but Pyra didn't need to know that- she was feeling especially confident.
'The parfait… just remember that… don't get too crazy…'
She repeated that to herself over and over again as she peeled and diced the sweet potatoes, all while Pyra was tenderizing and preparing the bird. Mythra fought against herself not to sample anything… just as these legends said, it was for the family… one big thanks, she didn't dare want to break that. All she had to do was just focus… read… and reassure herself… …dessert did seem to be missing from this cornucopia…
He woke up unfathomably late. He was working himself so hard that he didn't notice the time he fell asleep, but he sure noticed the time he woke up… almost 5PM? How could he be so stupid? The paper was almost done… he didn't find anything upsetting just yet, everything was in order, but he still internally struggled with himself as he scrambled out of bed, pacing around the room in a heavy-breathing panic, trying to figure out what to do next. Three weeks seemed like three hours at this point in time, he wouldn't be able to get that out of his head. Could he turn to his medicine? No- no, that was only for the gravest of emergencies, the kinds that Pyra and Mythra couldn't break him out of… but what WAS this feeling if not a big emergency? No, it wasn't, three weeks- three weeks… three hours, minutes, seconds… what was even real anymore? He spun around and around, locked in his darkened, paper-scattered room as the world around him closed within on himself, everything crumbling down and dissipating into nothing all at once before his very-
Knock. Knock. Knock.*
"…p…Pyra…?" He asked himself in a terrified whisper. Frankie recognized her knock anywhere.
Mythra's was more rapid and demanding… she couldn't have been any more gentle even if she tried… just as quick as everything seemed to speed up… it all slowed down yet again. Frankie took another look at his open laptop- asleep, his papers scattered across his desk, but in a meticulous way, one even he could see from that far away how he wanted to tackle it. And then he looked at the door again. With a few timid steps forward, and a nervous hand reaching out… he unlocked and opened the door… and sure enough, there she was… as radiant as when he first met her those few months ago… and just like that, his heartbeat finally settled.
…
As Frankie opened the creaking door, he heard that warm, inviting voice once again.
"Welcome back!"
It was Pyra's. Without thinking too much about it, Frankie opened the door further. The site he saw was…strange. It seemed to look vaguely like their dining room, albeit it looked a bit more…naturalistic. The walls and floors were more visibly made of wood, the table and furniture much the same. His eyes then drew to Mythra, sitting happily on a table that was adorned with plates and appetizers.
"You're late, Frankie! Where did you wander off to?" Mythra teased, as Pyra set a pot down on the table.
Welcome back? Wandered off? Frankie wasn't sure what they were talking about. It sounded as if he had gone off somewhere out of the house, but to his recollection, nothing of the sort came to mind.
"Pyra…Mythra…" He started to try and ask them something, but was cut off as Pyra walked over and opened the door further to welcome him in.
"Come on, let's go ahead and eat-" She looked at him warmly, before pulling him towards the table. "I cooked up a whole bunch of your favorites, I hope you've got room!"
Frankie simply allowed her to guide him to the table, still dazed and unsure what to make of this whole situation. He eventually caught Mythra's gaze, which followed him happily as he sat down.
Once he did so, without having been asked, Mythra took a bowl and the ladle from the pot Pyra had set down, pouring a serving of the stew she'd made. It was a creamy, cheesy wild rice based soup with chicken and peas… it had been so long since it had such a hearty, warm, and delectable kind of delicacy, his eyes already dancing in delight… and that was when he took a look at the rest of the feast. Turkey? Mashed potatoes? Bread rolls, corn, butter- then it occurred to him- it was Thanksgiving! He looked to the calendar on the wall and nearly felt his heart skip.
'H-have I really holed myself up for that long?' He asked himself before looking back at the peaceful, inviting faces of Pyra and Mythra, and lowered his brow in deep regret. "Girls… I'm- I'm sorry… the days were so lost on me I didn't even-"
"Oh, nevermind that. We've all earned this- just sit down and grab a plate already, Frankie!" Mythra joked as she served herself more of the cornucopia.
"O-oh…thanks…" Frankie said, still a bit anxious. He started looking around at the spread, only partially catching Mythra reaching for a tall bottle.
"Hey, do you want some wine?" She prompted the bottle in her arms to him. Frankie glanced at her in an unamused fashion, looking between her and the bottle.
"Mythra… you know how I feel about alcohol…" He said flatly
"Oops- you're too young, silly me-" Mythra pulled the bottle back teasingly, sticking her tongue out childishly at Frankie, who tried to protest.
"Oh- well EXCUSE me for not being a bazillion years old like the two of you!"
The two of them squabbled like children for what seemed like minutes on end as Pyra steadied everything up. Though they couldn't see her, she was smiling the whole way through. Even if the two were arguing with each other… it was nice to hear them just… be. But- she couldn't let this continue on much further, lest the food get cold.
"Hey! Frankie, come on now! You can't be sitting down to eat without washing your hands first, that's a faux pas!" Pyra walked over with a few more plates, speaking more like a stern mother than usual. She put the plates down and continued. "Go, wash your hands, right now!"
Still unsure of this bizarre set of circumstances, Frankie found himself responding in a way neither he -nor Pyra, it seemed- expected.
"O-oh! Uh… yes Pyra!" He said suddenly before glaring at Mythra. "This isn't over, toaster…" Mythra turned away playfully, paying no heed as he followed Pyra's instructions… he was still trying to latch himself on to this whole situation at hand. For as surprising and alien as it was, it was also incredibly welcome. Even after giving Mythra a bit of stink eye, he couldn't help but let out a still shaky and nervous chuckle as he washed up. He knew these girls. He knew them inside and out at this point. Whatever game they were trying to play here didn't need to be played.
As he dried his hands, Frankie made up his mind.
He wasn't sure if this was a dream, or a vision, or whatnot. But…that didn't matter. He knew what he needed to do, what he needed to say to them. He had to... the date was drawing closer and closer... Pneuma was drawing closer and closer, he could feel her even now.
He opened the door once again. Pyra and Mythra were both sitting anxiously…just like he was.
"Mm… girls…? Is everything okay…?" He asked.
"Hmm? What do you mean? You doing okay, yourself, Frankie?" Mythra asked as Pyra dipped a bit of her bread into the gravy she had made from the turkey gizzards.
"I-I guess I'm fine but...?"
"Mmf? Yew don' like relaxin wif food all of a' suddn?" Pyra cut him off, mumbling her speech with the bread still in her mouth.
"Nonono! Of course that's not it! But just… you've been acting weird..." He said bluntly
"Mmm... I guess we did get off on a bit of an awkward foot today, didn't we...?" Mythra asked Pyra.
"Yeah... we're sorry Frankie... we just wanted to make today extra homey for you, is all." The redhead apologized with a bow.
"Oh, you two, c'mon, I didn't mean it like that, but just... you put all this together… for me?" He sat himself down at the front of the table like usual, looking between the two for an answer, one Mythra would happily provide for him.
"Mm- don't give yourself too much credit, Dummy… we wanted alllllll of this to happen just as much to ourselves as we did to you." She explained as she wiped her mouth clean.
"And besides… even if it wasn't as complicated as it is now… Would that really be so bad?" Pyra asked pleadingly, getting Frankie's full attention. "I mean… if I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times… we can FEEL exactly what you're feeling, you know! And these past few weeks haven't been very nice at all!" She huffed.
"O-oh… I-I'm sorry- I hadn't-"
"Let me stop you right there- you're not apologizing for anything, and that's final. What kind of friends would we be if we policed how you felt? That's lunacy! Don't worry about us too much on this front, Frankie… we may not remember every last little detail, but we ARE used to it… just a part of being a Blade…" Mythra cut him off firmly, ending off her statement by taking a bite of her turkey… and then upon feeling the delicious juices hit her tongue, focused on savoring the taste above all else in that moment.
"And it's just like Mythra said… we wanted this for ourselves too… forgive me if I'm being a bit ignorant here… but with a holiday like Thanksgiving, shouldn't we show appreciation for the things we're thankful for in a grander sense than just saying we ARE thankful for them? That, and… you know… we like being a part of this little family…"
And just as Pyra said that, Frankie looked beyond the table and closer to the den- where he saw the ofrenda from earlier that month posted up yet again. The family he showed them still up there… along with a few blank spaces and photos of Kaito and Miko off to the side.
"Hey, we may not remember them all… but we know they exist so… I guess you can say they're there in spirit or something mushy like that…" Mythra explained.
Frankie felt his eyes water and he felt himself choke up on welled up tears. If they hadn't proved themselves already, then they sure did right now… they understood… they understood everything all too well… and he looked at the two of them with a big, happy smile and sniffled in nothing but unadulterated appreciation. Pyra and Mythra smiled back and rubbed his shoulders adoringly, getting him to look down gently and respond back to them in the only way appropriate in that moment.
"…thank you…" He said with the slightest of whimpers.
"Anytime, Mr. Frankie… just remember to take care of yourself, okay…?" Pyra suggested.
"Mm… I can try…"
DING!*
"O-oh! There it is…" Mythra gulped, getting out of her seat and towards the oven, looking back to Frankie and Pyra, the latter of whom urged her to go on.
"What's happening?" Frankie asked.
"Mythra was the one who -nearly literally- brought home the bacon, but she was also insistent on handling dessert too-"
Mythra revealed it to the both of them right then and there. A steaming hot sweet potato casserole topped with marshmallows and graham cracker pieces. Frankie sat up higher than before to get a good look at the treat Mythra timidly approached with. For as simple as the dish was… it smelled incredible. Sweet and rustic, warm and toasty… it smelled like home. For the longest time, home seemed so lonely to him… but this simple dish, on top of their happy and serene looking faces reminded him that that wasn't the case anymore… Finally, Mythra set it down and tucked her hands underneath the table, turning away nervously.
"Y-yeah… there you go… you can try it if you want… Dummy…" Mythra said.
Frankie looked over to Pyra, who nodded affirmatively- and with that, took a spoonful of the stuff for himself, blowing on it lightly to cool it down… and the moment he put it in his mouth, his eyes popped wide open in shock. It was smooth, perhaps a bit too smooth, creamy, tantalizingly sweet, the marshmallows toasted to perfection, and while the graham crackers had been cut a little too big, that almost didn't matter. This was a taste he absolutely HAD to savor.
"Mythra… this is delicious!" He cried, scooping up another portion onto his still empty plate. Mythra blushed heavily and tried to find the right words to deny her success.
"W-b-b-n-no-I-eh-y-w-b-d…. thanks…" She finished with a smile.
"Mythra… I think we found your specialty-" Pyra smiled with pride.
"Y-yeah… I think so too…" she sheepishly admitted.
"Well… before we dig in… I think we ought to pray… don't you think?" Frankie asked.
"Of course! How could we forget! Do you care to do the honors, Frankie?" Pyra looked at him excitedly.
"Yeah- you're good at prayers, Dum- mm… Frankie- lead the way."
With a nod and a smile, Frankie took their hands together, the lot of them gently shutting their eyes as they lorded over their food patiently, waiting for Frankie to start.
"Bless this food, lord, in the nourishment of our bodies… thank you for… letting us come together for this day, bless Pyra and Mythra for… everything they've done for us today… and thank you for sending them to me…"
The two women opened their eyes and stared at each other briefly as Frankie paused, really taking in his words… they felt a whole lot warmer than before. But, nevertheless, they shut them gently again and allowed Frankie to finish off.
"…and don't let Mythra stop calling me Dummy…" He chuckled as he looked her way. Again, Mythra looked at Frankie in shock and looked away in a pout.
"…dummy…"
Pyra and Frankie laughed lightly together just before Frankie did the sign of the cross one last time that evening, blessing their food proper.
"In Jesus' name we pray… amen… dig in!"
Mythra didn't wait for a further invitation, swiping a cob of corn for herself and feasting on it heartily while Frankie continued serving himself.
"Pyra, pass me the papas, please."
As she did so, she couldn't help but laugh.
"I've always liked how you call them that… it's so sweet!"
"W-well… that's just what they're called in my language…"
"Oh! That reminds me! I still don't have a proper nickname for you! But that changes today! From henceforth, apropos of you, yourself, you will now be known as 'Papa'!"
Frankie froze just as he slapped a heap of mashed potatoes on his plate, staring in embarrassment at her, unsure of how to… educate her.
"P-p-PYRA- THAT WORD IS A VEEEERY BIG DOUBLE ENTENDRE THESE DAYS, YOU KNOW!"
"Well I don't care! You're round and tan like the little guys AND you're always there when we need you most! It suits you perfectly, you got that, Papa?!"
"P-pyraaaaaa…!"
"Papa papa papa… Papa papa Papa…!"
Pyra danced around in her seat merrily as Frankie… well, lazily, tried to protest. A bunch of grunts and gibberish exclamations didn't sway her at all… not like he wanted to, he actually quite enjoyed it, unbeknownst to them. And as they did this, Mythra stopped eating to stare in amusement at them.
"Heh… dorks…" She said before continuing her feast.
And as they closed off such a long and arduous month, with each other as they wanted, it finally occurred to them at that moment… this all just felt… right.