The Way Back

"Ball? Its your birthday isn't it Kelphy... OH SHIT I DIDN'T BUY ANYTHING!" he panics even though Kelphy is right there.

---

"We should get her something together I mean Allina. I told you, I'd become your strength now. You don't have to worry about me going away."

Kentaro:<That is a good question. Something clean counts as formal, right?>

Crowley: <...Yeah. Let's get going.>

Derek: <Okay... how do I word it...>

*He sits down and begins scribbling on paper.*

~Kari & Kentaro~

Jade Rabbit: <How am I supposed to know? Ask someone who knows about this stuff.>

=====
~Lucien & Allina~

*She smiles and kisses him in the cheek before standing up from the bed.*

Allina: <I need something to wear and I can't go shopping by myself. To Alda! Oh yeah, I went to call Razz and his friends earlier. I think I'll ask Kelphy to let them go. I'm sure she forgot all about the necklace incident.>

*Allina reaches into her pocket and takes out Kelphy's necklace, chuckling.*

=====
~Derek~

*I assume Derek is still writing.*

=====
~Crowley~

*And so they get going.*

Razz: <It's only about 20 minutes away on foot.>

Blonde Thiefess: <It's all over, huh guys?>

Fat Bandit: <I think is all just starting.>

*They look at the fatty and smile.*

=====
~Kelphy & Alto~

*Kelphy giggles and shakes her head before walking out, leaving Aera staring at Alto embarrassed.*

Crowley: <I must admit, I'm kinda looking forward to seeing where a normal life might lead.>

Kentaro:<I'm actually quite comfortable.>

*He picks the Jade Rabbit up and rolls over, holding it close.*

"Hi" Alto scratches his head now that he's alone with Aera.

---

"You are... so amazing Allina" Lucien's eyes sparkle.

~Kari & Kentaro~

Jade Rabbit: <What are you doing? Guardian!>

=====
~Crowley, Lucien & Allina~

*Soon, they meet with Lucien and Allina at the Capital Sephira aerodrome to take an airship.*

Fat Bandit: <Last time we here, we sneak into one.>

Blonde Thiefess: <Haha, yeah.>

Razz: <So, guys, you know Allina.>

Allina: <Hi there! And this is Lucien.>

=====
~Kelphy & Alto~

Aera: <Hello. So you've been training with Luna? As in the Aeldi?>

Crowley: <So... what are we doing, exactly?>

"Yes. I never mentioned it to anyone save a select few but my magic is born from my true nature as an aeldi myself... or at least partially. I'm not a full blooded Aeldi but born of the same source given human flesh... its... complicated..."

---

"Hello again" Lucien waves.

Kentaro:<Shhh. It's hard to sleep when you're yelling.>

*As he cuddles up to the Jade Rabbit, Kari laughs.*

~Kari & Kentaro~

Jade Rabbit: <(SHOMEBODY HULP ME!)>

*Someone knocks on their door.*

Kelphy: <K-Kari, Kentaro?>

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~Crowley, Lucien & Allina~

Allina: <Well... you know princess Kelphy? She's holding a mega ball for her 17th birthday in three days. I want to ask her if you guys can go. Also you guys have something you have to return to her.>

*She takes Kelphy's necklace out of her pocket and throws it to Crowley.*

=====
~Alto~

Aera: <I see... You've missed a lot. And you've been missed just as much. Allina and I were talking about you just the other day.>

"Oh? What about me?" Alto smiles warmly.

---

"I still want to skin you for that Crowley..."

Crowley: <Ahahaha... yeah, about that....>

*Crowley lowers his head for a second and then looks back up.*

Crowley: <Nothing like that'll happen again. I promise.>

*Kari answers the door.*

~Kari & Kentaro~

Kelphy: <Oh, good morning. Are you coming downstairs for breakfast?>

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~Crowley, Lucien & Allina~

*And so they rent a room on an public airship headed to Capital Alda. It's a small room with two queen sized bed and little furniture. Allina throws herself onto a bed upon entering the room, and yawns.*

Allina: <I had to wake up so early today.>

Razz: <No one forced you to go see me.>

Allina: <Jerk.>

Razz: <Hehe.>

=====
~Alto~

Aera: <...It's not important.>

*She smirks.*

Aera: <I'm sure you're eager to see them all again, huh?>

"I am but I was most eager to see you Aera" he whistles and holds his arm out as the hawk flies from the grave and lands on his arm.

"Good boy Aelo" he reaches up and takes the pouch off his neck and opens it. "I got this while I was in Mysteria training my swordsmanship" a teal colored stone of impeccable purity falls out. "Its called a Guide Stone. It'll lock on to and point towards whatever you want the most."

---

Lucien crash on the ground near Allina's bed. "You could have woken me up too" he grins.

*She looks over her shoulder at Kentaro who's still harassing the Jade Rabbit then back to Kelphy.*

"We'll be there."

*Crowley goes and lies on the other bed.*

Crowley: <I must say that this is way more relaxing than a cave...>

~Kari & Kentaro~

Jade Rabbit: <GUARDIAN, SAVE ME, SAVE ME!!>

Kelphy: <Okay.>

*She chuckles and walks away.*

=====
!~Crowley, Lucien & Allina~

Allina: <Hey... thank you for helping me yesterday, Lucy...>

*She blushes noticeably. Razz glares at Lucien and walks to the other bed, shoving Crowley off of it.*

=====
~Alto~

*She widens her eyes in surprise and takes the stone, which reacts to Alto. She blushes like never before.*

He places his hand on her's, "I guess I made an impression on you before after all?"

---

"You're welcome Allina" he smiles and leans on the bed to look at her smiling.

*Crowley gets up and sits against the wall, then sighs.*

Crowley: <You've changed, but you haven't gotten too much friendlier, it seems.>

*Kentaro begins chewing on the Jade Rabbit's ears.*

"Kentaro, spit him out. Kelphy just asked if we were going down for breakfast."

*Kentaro spits the Jade Rabbit's ears out of his mouth and begins fluffing them up when he sits up.*

Kentaro:<All right.>

*He stands up and the two leave.*

~Kari & Kentaro~

[Bahamut ZERO: <Why did you spit him out...?>]

Jade Rabbit: <FINALLY.>

*At the breakfast table, Kelphy smiles to them.*

Kelphy: <Did you get the invitations?>

=====
~Crowley, Lucien & Allina~

*Razz smirks and lies down on the bed. Allina just sort of sighs, staring at Lucien, and then rolls over so he can lie down too if he wants. The thiefess goes to sit with Crowley, while the fat bandit is looking out the window at the clouds.*

Fat Bandit: <Look like giant cotton candy...>

=====
~Alto~

*She smiles, looking into his eyes.*

Aera: <Thank you. I should go see the princess, now.>