The Way Back

*Crowley sighs as he sees the mist start to clear.*

Crowley: <Ah, this is better...>

"I... really don't want to go back to the village Lin. You know that."

---

Creed manages to kick Spade off him somehow. Preferably headed off the side of the cliff and off the mountain.

"It's nice."

Kentaro:<I guess. In its own way.>

"You don't like it?"

Kentaro:<It's not that it's just... I've never actually been outside Sephira. Although I gues you could say I don't really like the cold.>

~Kari & Kentaro~

*They hear a familiar voice coming from behind them.*

Jade Rabbit: <HELLO!>

=====
~Creed & Crowley~

*Spade does a backflip and lands on his feet, but not without first launching a flurry of fire blades towards Creed. He then dashes towards the knight and punches at his gut.*

=====
~Lucien & Allina~

Lin: <I didn't say I was taking you to the village.>

*Soon, they have lit a fire near the ship. Aera and the crew and sitting around and Allina is walking around in the shallow water when Lin arrives with a basket of freshly fished tunas.*

*The two turn around. Kari squats down with her arms out when she sees the rabbit.*

"Hello."

Kentaro:<Welcome back.>

*Crowley runs until he's right behind Spade and jumps into the air, throwing 2 knives at Creed simultaneously.*

"Thanks Lin" Lucien bows he then stares at the Amethyst pack ring on his finger briefly before looking up into Lin's eyes before quickly looking elsewhere.

---

Creed barely dodges again. The glow in his eyes goes brighter as he launches two Absolutes in ether direction. One at Spade and one at Crowley.

~Kari & Kentaro~

*He leaps into Kari's arms and hugs her neck tightly with its little paws. The red crescent moon-shaped gem on its forehead seems to shimmer briefly.*

Jade Rabbit: <Guardiaan. So, I went to Toros with Derek. It was terrible.>

=====
~Creed & Crowley~

*Both Crowley and Spade fade out before being hit. They're suddenly back in Fahren's tower. The fat bandit and the blonde thiefess are sitting on the floor drinking tea and eating cookies, looking mighty pleased. Creed also appears a few seconds later.*

Fahren: <That was rather interesting.>

*He reaches into a pocket on the inside of his robes and takes out Kelphy's necklace. Spade widens his eyes in shock.*

Fahren: <I'll be returning this to its proper owner, if you don't mind. Do drink some tea. Tell me Master Creed, how has everyone else been doing?>

=====
~Lucien & Allina~

*Soon they're all eating around the fire. Lin and Lucien are standing a bit far from it, with Allina kind of staring at them from afar while eating.*

Lin: <I'm sorry I acted the way I did earlier.>

"Its a natural reaction. Besides I got to tickle you again at least" he lets out a half-hearted yet sheepish laugh.

---

Creed blinks like, ok, before speaking, "Alto is currently training with the Aeldi Luna, Kelphy is well, Kari and Kentaro are in denial of their love for each other as usual. Dunno about Lucien. OH yeah... do you know of any tracking magic? Allina sort of vanished during the crisis in Sephiran after Derek's uncle, the late king was murdered by Origin."

*Kari hugs the rabbit.*

Kentaro:<You went to Toros?>

*Crowley quickly digs into his pockets and finds the necklace gone. He shrugs to Spade and sighs.*

Crowley: <Well then, that's disappointing.>

*Acting as if a fight to the death didn't happen a few moments prior, he goes and sits down to drink tea.*

~Kari & Kentaro~

Jade Rabbit: <D'yeah. We went there on the airship, then the King of Toros was showing Derek some new magic research stuff and there was this huge carnivorous beast that scared the hell out of me. I had nightmares all night. Then on the way back here, we got attacked by a weird chicken/dragon crossover and Derek had to go kill it and I had to pilot the airship on my own. That's right. What have you guys been doing?>

=====
~Creed & Crowley~

Fahren: <Well, I can probably track her, but I'd rather not if there is a chance she doesn't want to be found.>

Spade: [Allina... Could they be talking about...?]

*Creed's pact ring starts glowing and he hears Celsius inside his head.*

[Celsius: <It can't be...! I'm feeling his magic...>]

*Fahren widens his eyes and looks at Creed as if he heard the Aeldi's words as well.*

Fahren: <Is everything all right, Master Creed?>

=====
~Lucien & Allina~

Lin: <I have to ask... do you still have feelings for me?>

*Allina sort of chokes on her fish and looks away.*

Aera: <Don't eat so fast!>

Allina: <I'm sorry, I'm sorry!>

*Crowley looks up in confusion.*

Crowley: <Eh? What the hell's going on now? What're you blabbering on about, old guy?>

"Celsius is feeling his magic. Fahren... is Maxwell's shrine nearby?"

---

Lucien is render speechless. Unable to answer the question. Only odd noises come from his mouth. "I..."

Kentaro:<We went to the spa.>

"That's right. And we brought something back for you. We just have to find the maid who took it."

*The two go inside the castle looking for the maid from the day before.*

~Kari & Kentaro~

Jade Rabbit: <What is it? Is it food?>

*He hops after them. They find the maid from the day before peeling potatoes in the kitchen. The rabbit's gem starts glowing again. This time he notices it and rubs it with his paws a little but nothing happens. Then it stops.*

=====
~Creed & Crowley~

Fahren: <I wouldn't say. It is said to change positions every new moon.>

[Celsius: <It's him, I'm sure of it now.>]

*A sphere of blue light flies out of Creed's chest and out the window.*

=====
~Lucien & Allina~

*Lin widens her eyes and looks at him. She smiles warmly for the first time.*

Lin: <And... what are you going to do now?>

"Excuse me?"

"I... don't know..." Lucien answers honestly. He's a bit shaken and at a loss.

---

"ACK Madame Celsius waaaait!" Creed follows her out the window using an ice slide to keep himself from falling.

*Crowley kinda scratches his head in confusion.*

Crowley: <Eh?>

~Kari & Kentaro~

Maid: <Oh, good morning. Looking for your ice cream cake?>

*She goes to get it from a drawer filled with ice and holds it out to Kari.*

Maid: <Here you go, Lady Kari.>

=====
~Creed & Crowley~

*Fahren looks at the bandits.*

Fahren: <What are you waiting for?>

*He points towards the window with one hand and swings the necklace around with the other. Spade narrows his eyes to glare at him and slides down the ice after Creed. The light flies away from the sea into the forest.*

=====
~Lucien & Allina~

*Lin just kind of stares then staring into the horizon.*

Aera: <Where have you been all this time, anyway?>

Allina: <I... You know, training and stuff. I was kind of tired of being the weak link in the group.>

Aera: <Wait, is that a rapier?>

*Allina pulls the cloak back to reveal a silver rapier sheathed by her waist.*

Allina: <Humm... Yeah.>

"Thank you."

*She squats down holding the box out to the Jade Rabbit.*

"Here you go."

*Crowley gets up and, without hesitation, slides down the ice as well.*

Lucien does the same but eventually he takes Lin's hand and continues to stare whilst holding her hand.

---

"Can't you slow down a bit Madame Celsius!?" Creed follows quickly.

~Kari & Kentaro~

Jade Rabbit: <YES!>

*He dives into the box and starts devouring the ice cream cake, until something weird happns. His gem starts glowing intensely and the scenery around them shifts to a dark starry sky, like they're floating in outer space. The rabbit looks back and widens his eyes.*

Jade Rabbit: <Blood...>

=====
~Creed & Crowley~

[Celsius: <Madame?>]

*The fat bandit and blonde thiefess follow Crowley. Soon, they all arrive at a small cave entrance. The light fades out. The bandits seem somewhat disappointed.*

Blonde Thiefess: <Oh, I know this cave. This is it?>

Spade: <As do I. It's a dead end. A bat nest.>

=====
~Lucien & Allina~

*Lin pulls her hand away from his.*

Lin: <Lucien... I can't...>

Aera: <Why did you come along too though? I'm just curious.>

Allina: <Hum, no particular reason.>

Aera: <I think I'm sailing towards Alda after this.>

Allina: <Can you drop me off at Sephira? I think I want to visit Fahren.>

Aera: <Sure. Have you seen the rest of the group?>

Allina: <Not since the attack, no. I miss Kari, and Kentaro, and Alto. And everyone else of course.>

Aera: <I hear tell Her Ladyship Princess Kelphy's birthday is coming up.>

Allina: <Really? I didn't know about that...>

*She looks over to Lucien.*

[I guess it must be hard on him...]

Crowley: <I still don't have a clue what's going on here.>