Yami To Boushi to Hon no Tabibito: Ever After
Negima! ONE
Note: This is a continuation of my fanfic for Negima, 'Endings and Beginnings.' You don't have to have read that fic, but it might help.
Hazuki frowned as the black haired woman warily took in their surroundings. They had been ferried down from the floating island they had arrived on, watched over by a band of very suspicious looking women all dressed in armor resembling a Valkyrie.
"You had better point that lance somewhere else," Lilith warned one woman flatly, the blonde frowning at the knight who was, indeed, pointing a lance-like weapon at her.
"Sorry, miss," Collet said with a surprising degree of politeness as she raised her weapon, the dark skinned girl smiling as her glasses gleamed.
The other leader of the guards, Emily Sevensheep, frowned at her friend then directed that frown over at Quill, Hazuki and Lilith. "So, it's just a coincidence you arrived at such a important date?" she demanded crossly.
Quill seemed fascinated with the readings she was getting from her device, Cadeus, so it fell to Hazuki to try to explain. "We're on a quest of great personal importance," she told them, being careful to leave her sword at her side, "we have no wish to create problems."
Negi Springfield looked over at Emily and Collet, "They seem quite sincere to me." The young man in a suit shrugged, "I think we should take their word for it."
"You think so, Negi-sama?" Emily asked respectfully.
"I do," Negi said, blushing slightly in embarrassment.
"All right," Collet said, "you'll have to wait until after the wedding before we can ferry you to the ground or one of the other flying cities."
"Wedding?" Lilith and Quill asked, looking interested.
They quickly found out that two important people were getting married, and messengers were sent to the people involved. They soon received permission to stay and watch, with a warning not to interfere with the ceremony.
The men and women around them wore a variety of formal wear, some based on armor, the others more traditional skirts and suits. There were also a lot of the Valkyrie guards wandering about, keeping an eye on things apparently.
Moving through the crowd Hazuki caught snippets of conversation, discovering at least some of these people were from Earth, and that this place was called Mundus Magicus. Apparently it was a separate world connected to their Earth somehow, though how she wasn't sure.
"Damn it," a massive bear of a man in a suit sniffled as carefully he wiped his eyes, "I always cry at weddings."
"I didn't think you'd show, Rakan," the smaller man with glasses noted, standing with his hands in his suit pockets.
"She was my student for awhile, Takamichi," Rakan shrugged heavily muscled shoulders, "and I always liked the kid."
"Me too," Takamachi agreed as the three women moved by him.
The wedding ceremony surprised Hazuki, seeing two women in the process of getting married. One was a pale woman in light armor, a formal design resembling that of a samurai, with exotic silver and black hair. The other woman was a bit older with black hair too, full figured as she gazed at the other woman lovingly.
"Wow," Lilith murmured as they watched the ceremony.
They ran through the oaths, a old man leaning on his staff. Finally he declared, "You may kiss the brides!"
Hazuki raised a hand to wipe at her eye, surprised to feel a few tears there. Lilith looked up at her, smiling slightly as she said, "It's very beautiful, isn't it?"
Hazuki wanted to say something sharp, but she couldn't quite manage it. "I suppose so," she admitted, noticing Quill sniffling too.
"What?" Quill smiled shyly as she admitted, "I always cry at weddings."
As various guests went up[ to talk to the newlyweds Hazuki looked around, her expression thoughtful. "Lilith," she asked quietly, "is there any sign of Hatsumi?"
Lilith frowned, the busty young woman looking around her thoughtfully. "It's hard to tell with all the background magic," she admitted after a moment, "but I do feel trances." She frowned, "Actually, it's strongest around those armored girls."
"That's interesting," Hazuki admitted.
"Then let's go talk to them," Quill suggested mildly.
Both Emily, Collet and several other girls were sniffling, dabbing at tears along with a black haired girl who was standing near Emily. "Excuse us," Hazuki smiled, "we came here because we are searching for a missing woman."
"Really?" Emily gave the black haired girl a smile, amused by a private joke.
"Yue Ayase," the black haired woman identified herself, "don't mind them, I was a missing person for awhile. Who were you looking for?"
"Her name changes at times," Lilith admitted, then described the red eyed blonde who just happened to be mute.
"That sounds like the former assistant librarian at Ariadne," Emily noted, surprised, "Rei."
"Is she still there?" Hazuki asked intently. Not that it sounded like it from the 'former' comment, but she could hope...
"She resigned mysteriously just before her sixteenth birthday," Collet said, "and left the academy."
"Then she's probably shifted worlds already," Lilith frowned.
"Could we go there?" Quill asked curiously. "If we could examine someplace she has recently been we might be able to follow more quickly."
"Shifted worlds?" Yue raised her eyebrows, intrigued.
Hazuki sketched in the details she knew about Hatsumi's world jumping, leaving out her own personal connection to her. Though considering how Emily and Yue exchanged glances, she wondered if the two would be all that surprised.
"We'll need to talk to the headmistress," Collet said, looking towards the two recently married women, still surrounded by friends.
They had to wait until the reception and meal had ended, the three staying with the rather good natured security guards. Finally Naoko Kanoe broke away from the guests and visited, listening intently to the three women's story.
"I have no objection to your visiting our academy," Naoko said warmly, "in fact, you can travel with us when we take a flying barge there."
"And what would you like us to do for you?" Lilith asked, suspicious of such good fortune.
Naoko looked more amused by that reaction than anything else. "Ariadne studies magic," she said, "any help we provide you will probably increase our own knowledge. It's worth wile to us, even if we don't directly profit."
"Thank you," Hazuki bowed a bit.
"You're welcome," Naoko smiled back then walked off to rejoin her bride.
"Wow," Quill murmured later as they broarded the ornate flying barge, soaring across the skies of this strange world. Hazuki and Lilith seemed similarly awe struck, though Lilith tried to look like it was all perfectly normal.
"Asuna, please make sure to stay away from the flight system," one of the knights warned a tall, orange haired woman, her hair tied up in twin tails.
"I have my magic cancel under control," Asuna sniffed, the woman wearing a formal looking armor with a family crest on her tabbard.
"Magic cancel?" Quill asked curiously as the woman walked by.
Asuna shrugged, looking irritated. "I have the ability to cancel out magic, obviously. It's sometimes a pain, though."
"I can imagine," Hazuki admitted. From what little they had seen of this place magic was used almost everywhere. Accidentally canceling it out would be very troublesome.
Asuna smiled back slightly, "Thanks." She was someone and waved, "Collet!"
Collet picked her way across the crowded barge, having shed most of her armor and dressed in a casual looking tunic and skirt. She plopped down beside Asuna, smiling as she said, "I'm looking forward to you visiting our school."
"I hope there's some good food there," Lilith sighed, poking at the backpack sitting by her feet.
"Leave the food in there alone," Hazuki chided, "it's for emergencies."
"But Hazuki!" Lilith pouted sweetly.
Collet chuckled, "There's a banquet table set up near the prow, you can get a snack there."
"Excuse me," Lilith bounded to her feet and headed off.
Asuna had to laugh, shaking her head. "Is she always like that?' she looked over and asked Hazuki and Quill curiously.
"I haven't known her too long," Quill shook her head wryly.
"She's flighty," Hazuki admitted, "but she settles down quite a lot when there's trouble."
"I have friends like that," Asuna admitted, thinking of some of her old friends back at Mahora academy. "How long have you been traveling?" she asked curiously.
"A couple of months," Hazuki admitted, "though Quill has just joined us."
Looking over at Asuna Quill asked, "I'd like to use my device, Cadeus. It channels magic, would that be a problem?"
"I don't see how," Asuna conceded.
"Cadeus, staff mode," Quill ordered as the gen unfolded into a steel staff, glowing fiercely. "Interesting," she murmured, "area scan, Cadeus."
A magic circle flared to life around Quill as the staff answered, "Area scan running."
"It talks?" Asuna blinked.
"It's sort of magi-tech," Hazuki offered as they watched the spell work.
"Area scan complete," Cadeus announced. "Magic levels 400% normal, physical features inconsistent with Earth. Nearest data match, Mars."
"Mars?" Hazuki blurted, blinking even as Lilith returned with a full plate of food.
To be continued...
Ever After
Negima Two
"Mars, huh?" Lilith murmured, the busty blonde frowning a bit as she tried to digest that. "I'm guessing just in this universe?" she asked.
"I think so," Quill mused thoughtfully, "though I must admit I don't think Nanoha-san ever did a up close scan of Mars in our universe. I should ask her to one day..."
Hazuki sighed, wondering if she was the only normal one in this conversation. There was a MAGICAL CIVILIZATION ON MARS! It should be... she didn't know, maybe awe inspiring? But everyone seemed to be taking it so calmly.
Yue gave her a sympathetic look. "If it helps any the idea threw me for a loop too, at the time," she told her.
Asuna grinned as the orange haired girl noted, "Well, for a little while at least. You didn't stay shocked for very long."
"I'm a philosopher by training," Yue shrugged, "I was taught to deal with facts, even if I find the ideas unpleasant."
"Hmm," Hazuki murmured, looking out over the landscape.
The land of Mundus Magicus was a incredible sight, with what looked like the usual rugged ground level of Mars contrasted with floating islands of civilization. Some of the islands held cities, others forests, and many other conditions spread out over the world. The flying craft flitted between islands, made in all shapes and sizes. There were barges like this one, what looked like trucks, sailing ships and even something she felt sure were military craft.
"Is that a war ship?" Hazuki asked, pointing.
"It is," Collet sounded regretful as she said, "in the past, there were conflicts between the northern and southern nations. We've largely worked that out, but tensions still remain."
"Captain!" a woman yelled, pushing to where they were sitting.
Asuna sighed, "Even on my day off, the work never ends..."
Emily Sevensheep smiled, the dusky skinned blonde giving both Hazuki and Lilith wary looks. "Sorry to interrupt," she said, "but Setsuna-sama wants a few extra warriors up front as we move through the contested territory."
"Makes sense," Asuna conceded as she got up. She nodded to the newcomers, "I shouldn't be too long." She looked at Emily, "Keep an eye on them for me."
"But...," Emily started, a slight blush coloring her cheeks as she looked at Yue.
Yue smiled back as she said firmly, "It'll give us a chance to catch up."
Hazuki hid a smile as the blushing Emily settled down on a bench not far from Yue. It had been awhile since she had seen young love, but she was pretty damn sure Emily had it bad for Yue. And interestingly the serious young girl looked like she might return those feelings.
Hazuki moved to look out over the railing to give them some privacy, noting that Lilith was too busy eating to care and Quill was still intently working with her device Cadeus. After a moment Collet joined her, the brown haired girl smiling faintly.
"They're kind of cute, aren't they?" Collet murmured as they looked out over the swirling banks of clouds.
"Yeah," Hazuki agreed, smiling. It should have felt sort of bittersweet, considering her own lack of luck in love, yet somehow she could only feel happy for the two kids. 'Well, happy and a bit amused,' she added mentally.
Collet looked at Hazuki thoughtfully a moment, then blushed faintly. "Pardon me if I'm out of line, but are Quill and Lilith your girlfriends?" she asked.
A bit of something went down the wrong pipe and Hazuki began coughing, even as Collet hurried over to help. "I'm fine, I'm fine," she waved the girl off, "uhm, what makes you think that?"
Collet looked sheepish, "From how Lilith looks at you so... possessively. And I think Quill has a bit of that too, if more subtle."
"We're not," Hazuki shook her head firmly, "Quill is just a friend."
"And Lilith?" Collet asked after Hazuki paused.
"I'm... not sure what to say about her," Hazuki admitted after a moment, sighing.
Collet smiled gently, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't press."
"It's fine," Hazuki said as she looked off into the distance, "I don't spend enough time thinking about things." They settled into a companionable silence as they took in the view, the great barge moving along at a steady pace. Something off in the distance glimmered, and Hazuki frowned as she focused on it. "Is there something moving towards us?" she asked, pointing.
Collet looked towards where she was pointing and her eyes widened slightly in alarm. "Yes, they are," she agreed, then hurried off to tell someone.
Hazuki hurried over to where Yue, Emily and Lilith were sitting, her expression intent. "It looks like there might be trouble," she said as the first attacker swept by, firing off blasts from a lance like weapon.
"Down!" Yue yelped as she grabbed Emily and Quill and dove for the deck, even as Hazuki dove forward and sent Lilith to the floor too.
They sat sprawled on the deck, Lilith on her back as Hazuki lay atop her. "Why, Hazuki, I didn't know you cared," Lilith purred, fiercely hugging Hazuki and not incidentally mashing her face against Lilith's breasts.
"Lilith!" Hazuki yelped, blushing intently even as weapon's fire rained down around them.
Lilith reluctantly let her go even as a flyer banked above them, the silver armored figures dressed in miss-matched armor and gear. They rode upon what looked like wooden 'saddles' with a larger base, each carrying lances or swords that shot forth beams of energy.
Hazuki drew her katana, then blinked as the sword flared and shimmered with unearthly energies. "What the...?" she muttered.
Quill had Cadeus in her hands, running the device over Hazuki even as members of the barge's crew shot back at the invaders. "Your blade is reacting to the large amounts of ambient magic," she noted, "though I don't know if you'll be able to use it."
"I guess we're going to find out," Hazuki said as swarms of attackers met swarms of girls in Valkyrie armor, weapons blazing. And somehow a boy made of pure lightning was bouncing all over the battle, dropping attackers with frightening ease.
A flyer swept in close as several wedding guests screamed and ran for cover. Hazuki braced herself then swung, her eyes widening as her sword coughed up a wave of destructive energy that not only cut down the leader, but swept over the men following him in too.
"Wow," the black haired noblewoman murmured, watching from nearby.
The older woman grabbed her and hustled her to cover. "Dear niece, you don't need to be swooning over tough swords women, that got you in enough trouble when you were younger," she told her scoldingly.
"Sorry, Aunt Naoko," Konoka said sheepishly.
Naoko Konoe, recent bride and headmistress of Ariadne watched with some awe as the stranger rushed to the prow of the ship, taking up a combat stance and throwing bolts of magical power from her blade. "I wonder if we could get her to stay at the academy and be studied?" she murmured.
"Down, ma'am," Collet said as she forced the two to duck.
"I thought you'd be out there with Setsuna and the others?" Naoko blinked.
"Captain Asuna ordered me to keep an eye on you two," she answered dryly. "And Setsuna-sama said she'd kill me if you got hurt."
Another raider tried to break through the knights swirling around the barge, then suddenly Hazuki was there, cutting him down even as Collet fired off a shot from her lance, blasting another fighter away. "Is there someplace safe we can take the barge to quickly?" she snapped, the young woman looking a bit winded as she and other warriors kept the barge clear.
"We're in neutral territory, but our allies control lands nearby," Naoko said simply. "I don't think these are anyone's army, they look more like pirates."
"Raiders after the wedding gifts?" Konoka suggested. She smiled gleefully, "Boy did they attack the wrong wedding."
Hazuki had noticed that almost all of the wedding guests had joined the fight, and that it looked like nearly everyone could throw magical bolts around or other stunts. It made a dimension hopping swordswoman feel nearly ordinary, in comparison.
"Damn, the kids these days are pretty impressive," Jack Rakan noted, the muscled warrior watching the battle with a smile.
"Why aren't you joining in, Jack?" Naoko asked him curiously.
"I ain't getting paid, for one," Jack countered with a laugh. The big man gestured to the battle, the lights and violence gradually dying down, "Besides, I think they're about done."
Indeed, it appeared the remaining attackers were scattering, trying to get away by fleeing in as many directions as possible not including towards the barge. The fighters were willing to let them go, the Knights of Ariadne and their allies returning to the barge themselves.
Setsuna descended like some kind of warrior angel, her white wings flashing in the sun as she settled to the barge deck. Her armor only had a few scuffs but Naoko hurried over anyway, smiling at the taller woman as they hugged.
"I'm glad you're all right," Naoko said quietly.
"You too," Setsuna hugged her close, "a few attackers managed to break through our lines, you didn't have any trouble...?"
"Collet and Hazuki here were a great help," Naoko nodded to the young woman as she stood beside Setsuna with Konoka nearby.
"She was very impressive," Collet admitted, "she helped us cut down several attackers."
"Then I am in your debt," Setsuna bowed her head slightly to Hazuki.
"I was just protecting myself and my friends," Hazuki said gruffly, "it was nothing."
"So that wasn't you I saw running up the barge to help beat back a attack?" Konoka teased as Hazuki blushed faintly.
"Don't tease her," Lilith said as the blond emerged from wherever she had been hiding and latched onto Hazuki's arm, "that's my job."
Naoko and several of the watchers laughed, even as Quill kept her giggles mostly silent. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to help," she said to Hazuki quietly, "but my Cadeus device isn't loaded with many combat functions."
"It's fine," Hazuki smiled at her. She sighed as she added, "Let's hope the rest of our trip to Ariadne is quieter than this."
"Don't bet on it," Asuna said as she and Yue arrived from mopping up, "something always goes wrong for this group. It's a rule."
"Don't be such a pessimist," Konoka scolded her friend.
To be continued...
Ever After
Negima! Three
Sadly, Asuna ended up being right about trouble coming, The flying barge ran into a stray Griffin later that evening, though the Valkyries had no trouble driving it off. Somewhat more troublesome was the dragon the turned up the next day, that required Hazuki to pitch in along with the others.
"Well," Quill noted mildly as the black haired, brown skinned woman followed the others off the barge, "you can now add dragon slayer to your resume."
"I don't want it on my resume," Hazuki rolled her eyes as the black haired girl looked around at the massive school.
"Wow," Lilith had to say, the busty blond also looking around wide eyed.
Ariadne was as impressive as they had been told, a city state that was the largest independent educational establishment in Mundus Magicus, yielding to no outside authority. It's Mage-Knights were legendary as were all the great magicians and scholars they turned out. It was a combination of floating islands and massive land development, the strange buildings covering a entire mountain, pretty much.
"We could get lost for days here," Hazuki noted as they walked along a main artery into the city, surrounded by the chattering mob of wedding guests and students.
"I wouldn't mind finding a private corner for just us," Lilith winked, leaning in close to whisper to Hazuki.
"Lilith," Hazuki blushed, but didn't actually pull away.
Collet Rallendoll trotted up to them, the young woman apologetic. "Sorry, I didn't mean to lose track of you," she said meekly.
"It's fine," Quill noted, having extended her device Cadeus into staff mode and was busily taking reading while she could.
"Do you think you could take us to the library Eve worked in?" Hazuki asked her briskly.
"Of course," Collet agreed, the young woman leading them off at a trot.
The academy was as impressive inside as the view from outside had implied. There were seemingly thousands of students streaming back and forth down marble paved hallways, hundreds of classrooms and the evidence of magic in use all around. And much to Lilith's annoyance there were a lot of young women giving Hazuki admiring glances.
"Why are all these women paying attention to Hazuki?" Lilith asked Collet as yet another girl lingered to stare at her.
"Uhm," Collet looked sort of embarrassed, "you see, the wedding of Setsuna and Naoko was very important to the students here, so it and the trip there and back were shown magically around the school."
Quill looked amused as she asked, "So they all saw Hazuki fight against a dragon and help beat back the raiders?"
"Pretty much," Collet agreed. She dropped her voice to add, "Her popularity isn't all that surprising, nearly. She's a tall, dark and handsome woman who's saved the two most loved figures at the school. She even has a fanclub, I hear!"
Lilith whimpered, "You have got to be kidding me..."
Hazuki, thankfully, was largely unaware of the fangirling going on, focused like a laser on finding clues to where Hatsumi might have gone. They made they way to the library, which was as awe inspiring as the rest of the campus. The library seemed to stretch to the sky as rows and rows of books were laid out on multiple levels, students either walking or flying to reach various shelves.
"Wow," Hazuki found herself repeating, craning her neck to look up at the higher levels.
"I could move in here," Quill noted, looking around her in awe. Under her breath she muttered, "I wonder if Cadeus' translation spell would let me read here..."
Deciding to just ignore Quill's book-gasming for now, Lilith asked Collet, "Where did Eve work in here?"
"In the arcane research area." Collet said, leading the three women to a lift to carry them up. Hazuki had to stop and go back for Quill, who had already popped a book open and was trying to scan it with her device.
"But Hazuki!" Quill complained as she was tugged along.
"We'll probably be sticking around a few days," Hazuki comforted her, "you can look around after we've looked for Hatsuki."
Lilith fought back a laugh as they rose through banks of books, the students looking and whispering as they passed. "Hazuki, can we rest a few days?" she asked.
"If Hatsumi isn't too far ahead of us, I don't want to lose any time," Hazuki fretted. She sighed, "But I did tell Quill we could..."
"If you don't rest up occasionally, you'll be too tired to go after her," Lilith pointed out to her gently. Hazuki had incredible determination, but she worried that the young woman would run herself into the ground.
"You're right," Hazuki smiled at her slightly, "thank you, Lilith."
Chalking that up as a win Lilith hummed slightly as they left the lift, navigating the rows of books. It reminded her of the great library she and Eve had shared, thought thankfully it lacked the little pests. As they passed certain sections she felt a tingle, a faint trace of Eve's presence. It had been some time since she left, but Eve had definitely left a presence here.
"This is the desk she worked from," Collet said as a black haired girl got up, blinking in confusion.
"What's going on?" Aisha asked curiously.
"Aisha, we just need to borrow your space for a moment," Collet said politely. She looked at the other two, "How do you want to...?"
"I'll start," Lilith said briskly, "Quill, can you use your device to scan whatever energies I can make manifest?"
Quill let her device switch back to staff mode, Cadeus glowing faintly. "Ready," she reported.
Lilith stepped by the woman named Aisha and put her hands on the seemingly simple desk. As she did so it began to shimmer and glow, motes of green light dancing in the air around her, as well as appearing on nearby bookshelves.
"My goodness," Aisha gasped. As the shimmering green light washed over her she saw, for a moment, another her using a pole arm and fighting off armies of bandits.
"Interesting," Quill noted, "we're getting more multiversal bleed through than normal. It may be because of the higher background energy in this universe."
"Be careful," Hazuki cautioned, "I don't want you hurting yourselves."
Collet watched, using a small magical stone to record the events for the headmistress. "This is remarkable," she noted quietly, carefully not disturbing them.
"All right, I have the readings," Quill said as the green light died away, "Lilith?"
The green light cut off, and Lilith slumped tiredly. "Lilith!" Hazuki hurried to her side, helping support the woman before she fell.
"Sorry Hazuki," Lilith recovered after a few moments, "it was harder than usual, with all the extra energies around here."
"I'm glad you're all right," Hazuki said, helping her into a nearby chair.
Lilith enjoyed Hazuki touching her, but fought the urge to snuggle close. She knew being overly affectionate could drive Hazuki away. "The traces from Eve were unusually strong too," Lilith noted, "but I'm not sure why. We're... I'd guess at least several weeks behind at this rate."
"Agreed," Quill nodded, "though I did get better readings on the unique energies Lilith and Eve use. Hopefully we can track it better now."
"Let's hope," Hazuki agreed.
"So you came here looking for Rei?" Aisha asked curiously as they waited for Lilith to recover more. "I worked with her a bit..."
"Can you tell me about her?" Quill asked curiously.
"Very full of life," Aisha recalled, "everyone seemed to like her. She wasn't that good at her job, honestly, but no one minded because she was so sweet."
"I can imagine that," Hazuki admitted, smiling fondly. She looked at Lilith, "I think you're right about us needing a rest."
"Really?" Lilith beamed.
Hazuki looked over at Collet and asked, "Do you think your headmistress would object to us staying a few days?"
"I don't think she'd mind," Collet answered promptly, "though I hope you wouldn't mind letting a professor or two look you over?"
Hazuki made a face but nodded, "I think we could do that."
The group navigated their way out of the library, Lilith rapidly recovering her strength. The many fangirls continued to 'squee' over Hazuki, but she ignored it stoically as they walked the halls of the academy looking for someone in authority.
"The headmistress is probably already away on her honeymoon," Collet admitted, "but her second should be around."
The vice-principal was not the sort of person Hazuki was expecting. The tall, blue haired woman seemed quite serious, yet humor glinted in her eyes. Her family name was Chōun, but as she waved them to seats she asked them to call her Sei. "So," she asked as she leaned against her desk, "how can I help you?"
Quill had to fight not to notice how her white dress was split, showing a generous amount of leg. "We were wondering if we could avail ourselves to your hospitality for a few days," she said diplomatically.
Sei seemed quite aware that Quill was noticing her body, and it didn't terribly bother her. "I believe we can accommodate you," she smiled, "but we have a great deal of guests visiting because of the wedding. You might have to share rooms."
"That would be fine," Hazuki said, even though she dreaded the idea of sharing with one of the students here. She felt so much older than them, even though she knew that physically they were all about the same age.
"I think I can bump a student and let two of you share a room," Sei seemed to read Hazuki's mind as she continued, "and one of you could use my couch."
"I'll take it," Quill flashed a smile.
Sei smiled back warmly, "I thought you might."
To be continued...
