Fandom The Gathering of Death Eater Children

[Hikari Chan]

"Yeah, we can leave," Aislinn nodded. ...I usually drink so many mocktails and cocktails during a party, but I need to drive back, and I won't get to any restroom until I am back home. Public restrooms can be disgusting, and I would never feel comfortable...

"Sure. But I have one more question before we go." Crystal said, putting her finger up in the air as if to say, 'just one'.

"Yes?" Aislinn had already slipped down from the bar chair and remained standing, looking at Crystal with a look which was saying that they also could talk all the way to the parking lot.

"If you could have a really pretty purse, what style would it be? I hate clutches, because I don't want to have to hold something the entire day. I prefer a cross-body style. "

"Well..." Aislinn was slightly surprised by the question because she was carrying the back bag she had bought earlier today.

"..I prefer both back bag, like the one I bought earlier today and cross body bag, which I happen to have. Preferably black and simple. I am not really into fancy things," She laughed. "Both are convenient when you can carry on them at the same time as you have your hands free, right?"

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Exactly. " Crystal smiled, getting down as well. "I knew you were already carrying one, " she explained. "...but I wanted to know your favorite type of purse. "That would make a good birthday present. "Well, let's get going." she said to Aislynn before turning to the bartender, "Thank you, Sir."

The bartender merely nodded without making eye contact; he was concentrating on mixing a Long Island Iced Tea for another lady at the bar.

Then, Crystal turned back to Aislynn, prepared to follow her back out. "Thanks...for today. That was a really nice surprise." Crystal said once they were out of the main room. She pulled her coat from her pocket as they were walking; it was still the size of a piece of paper; and she unfolded it until it was back to its normal size. She proceeded to put it on, and then took off her top hat, shrunk it, and then put it into her pocket. She had finished her candy cone during the walk from the arcade to the nightclub. "It's funny that if I had done these things; the activities that we did today, that is...alone, then it would have been sort of...meh." she shrugged, suggesting that it would have been slightly boring. "But I really enjoyed doing them with you. I find your company enjoyable." she smiled cheerfully.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"I am happy that you enjoyed going out today," Aislinn chuckled. I am amazed how everything turned out, when I had not planned anything at all. The only thing that had been on my mind was to hang out with Crystal, just like girls do when they go out...and it turned out to a great day that time have elapsed so fast...

"It's funny that if I had done these things; the activities that we did today, that is...alone, then it would have been sort of...meh." Crystal shrugged, suggesting that it would have been slightly boring. "But I really enjoyed doing them with you. I find your company enjoyable." she smiled cheerfully.

"I know, right..." Aislinn laughed. It would have been different if I had been alone indeed....I would not have spent an entire day and evening alone in such places...When I was a teen I enjoyed to play games at the arcade and I did not care if I had company or not and I would easily remain in the arcade an entire day, that was before I graduated from Hogwarts...Nowadays I won't spent time alone in an arcade...

Aislinn drove back to Diagon Alley, following the same way as she had taken to Piccadilly. The way back was feeling much shorter than it had been when she had been driving the opposite direction earlier today. As if time is still running fast as it does when one is having fun... She thought as she passed the same surroundings. She soon entered the familiar small street where the old motorcycle shop was located.

"Are you often shopping in Darkest Creatures?" Aislinn asked Crystal as soon they both got off the motorcycle. "…Like every weekend? I was thinking that I just could come to Darkest Creatures and meet you there anytime we want to hang out. Because eh..." She burst out in giggles. "...my time is a bit unpredictable; I don't want to keep you waiting in a certain place... you know what I mean...." Aislinn laughed heartily. She did not know how to explain for Crystal that she was working with Alastair and at the same time dating him. ...it is better to introduce them to each other on a special occasion, such a party or a ball or something....
"Well, until the next time..." Aislinn smiled, waving to Crystal as she led the motorcycle away to the shop.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Are you often shopping in Darkest Creatures?...Like every weekend? I was thinking that I just could come to Darkest Creatures and meet you there anytime we want to hang out. Because eh..." She burst out in giggles. "...my time is a bit unpredictable, I don't want to keep you waiting in a certain place... you know what I mean...."

"Yes, I know what you mean. ...I don't really shop there a lot; I go there to hang out with Rosaleya. Her father won't let her leave the store for too long, you see; he's beyond overprotective." she sighed tiredly. Not only for herself, but if she was feeling exhausted for Rosaleya as well. "So, if you don't find me there, I'm at Hogwarts teaching. In my spare time, or when I'm grading homework, I'm either downstairs with Rosaleya, or upstairs in the apartment right above the shop. Rosaleya and her father live there, and Rosaleya lets me use her room. Half of the time we spend together is in her room. " She explained. "I just wish that she could have fun for once..." she said quietly, more to herself. Her father takes her places on the weekends...But it's not the same when she's like a dog on a short leash. Who can let loose that way? Imagine if the Hogsmead trips had a rule where chaperones where required; that would have been awful, having a professor count the Butterbeers you drank.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"...ah..." Aislinn frowned, wondering for a split second how old Rosaleya was. If she is under seventeen, shouldn't she be at Hogwarts? But she seems to look older than seventeen and in the Wizarding world we become adults and independent at that age...her father must be weird...why so overprotective when she is a witch...or is she perhaps a squib? Merlin knows...

"So, if you don't find me there, I'm at Hogwarts teaching. In my spare time, or when I'm grading homework, I'm either downstairs with Rosaleya, or upstairs in the apartment right above the shop. Rosaleya and her father live there, and Rosaleya lets me use her room. Half of the time we spend together is in her room. " Crystal explained. "I just wish that she could have fun for once..." she said quietly, more to herself.

"Sure..." Aislinn nodded, wondering if Crystal had been wishing for Rosaleya to hang out with them both today. ...it must be so boring for Rosaleya to not leave that store for once in her life, with such a difficult father...I guess she has to remain within that store's walls round the clock, Merlin's beard...oh, I wonder how it went between her and Vincent....I forget to save some time today to see him and it is too late now, already past midnight now and he is obviously hunting....well eh...perhaps I will see him the coming weekend…

"Well...I will see you soon again…" Aislinn smiled towards Crystal, recalling how fast the time had elapsed today because it had been such an enjoyable and fun time. "Have a good night and sleep well..."

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"You too." Crystal smiled, before turning around and walking away from Aislynn.

"Have a good night and sleep well..."

"You too. Bye." Crystal laughed, turning around and walking backward for a few steps as she waved goodbye, then turned back around and walked normally.

Once she had returned to the shop, Crystal saw that Rosaleya wasn't downstairs; her father was behind the cash register.

"Hi." Crystal called to Leigh.

"Hello. Rosaleya is upstairs-" Leigh informed her.

"-in her room. Thanks." Crystal finished his sentence politely, before opening the back door and making for the stairs.

"That collection of hats has sold out fairly quickly." Leigh said. The way he said it sounded like a compliment to Crystal.

"Oh?" she said, turning slightly, pausing with one foot on the staircase. "Thank you." she said a second later, thinking that that was usually the reply to compliment.

Leigh gave her no reply; he was cashing out another customer.

Crystal saw it as a good time to continue on her path upstairs, and left without another word. She knocked a few times on Rosaleya's door, which was a plain white door with a painted silver door knob.

"Hi!" Rosaleya sighed, immediately embracing Crystal as soon as she opened the door and recognized that it was her friend. "It's you!" She said it in a way that she couldn't have been more relieved; like she couldn't have gone another second without her.

"What's up? Are you grounded again? What did you do?...take out the trash on your own?" Crystal asked jokingly.

"No. I've been forced to read more of this trash!" she breathed, pointing to her open book accusingly. "But now that you're here you can tell me everything...Tell me what you and your friend did...please?" she asked, like a child who wanted a bedtime story before bed.

"Sure. But first, I want to give you this." Crystal said, pulling an ordinary box out of her coat pocket. It was large enough to fit a very large book inside.

Rosaleya took it, a look of curiosity on her face. "It's empty, and it looks like a normal box..." she said, clueless about Crystal's reasoning.

"That's what it looks like, right?" Crystal smirked.

"Okay! What does it do?" Rosaleya said, getting excited as she recognized that there was more to it.

"Take a piece of trash-" Crystal explained, pointedly picking up the book Leigh had forced Rosaleya to read, and putting it inside the box, "-and it will...compress it for you."

She closed the lid of the box. "Count to sixty, like you're counting the seconds in a minute." Crystal ordered, pointing her finger like a child pretending to play a general in a game.

"One...two..." Rosaleya began immediately.

One minute later...

"...Sixty."

Crystal opened up the lid of the box, and the book was still there; it didn't look any different.

She took it out, and Rosaleya gasped in surprise. "It's...it's...thinner!" she stuttered, not believing her eyes.

It was only ten pages thick now, and Rosaleya felt both surprised and grateful.

"It has everything that was repeated, everything relevant, and everything that you would have remembered after reading it. Basically, anything important. That's ten pages out of...whatever it was...300-something." Crystal laughed. "And it looks like a boring box so that your Dad won't suspect it." she explained.

"I get it now..." Rosaleya said, hugging the box like it was her new best friend. "But what if he asks to see the book after I'm done reading it?" she asked, suddenly worried.

"Do the same thing; sixty seconds inside and it's back to normal." Crystal winked.

"YES! Thank you!" Rosaleya had put the box down and embraced Crystal again.

"So, why don't you finish your book" she said in a sneaky tone "while I freshen up a bit. See you in...five minutes?" she giggled, squinting to see the book. "Oh, there it is...It was so small that I-" she couldn't finish her sentence; she was laughing too hard.

 

[Hikari Chan]

After returning the motorcycle and the keys inside the closed shop, Aislinn appeared a couple of minutes later in her bedroom in Luna's manor. She placed down her back bag before washing and changing to her black pajamas. It was too late to enjoy a bubble bath which she had planned to do in the evening and postponed it for another evening.

Aislinn did not fall asleep immediately and was lying awake for an hour thinking about the day that had passed away. She still had some candies left in her candy corn, mostly hard sour candies. She wondered if Alastair enjoyed sour candies and playing games at an arcade. Perhaps he is too old for going to arcades... Aislinn thought with a frown as she tried to imagine Alastair dressed in Victorian suit playing a racing game with her on the arcade. ..When he is able to drive a car in real, he might be bored of even trying a racing game with me...well eh....whatever, I will let him pick leisure activities that suit us both whenever we do not have to complete tasks for the agency...

Meanwhile, at Hogwarts, when almost the entire castle had fallen asleep, Adela was lying awake in her bed, chewing on her lower lip and brooding on many possible excuses she could use for going to Knockturn Alley alone. She did not come anywhere with her ideas, finding the excuses to petty. She thought for a split second that she could just leave the castle whenever no one saw. …But what about the consequences... She felt ashamed at her own thoughts, feeling that she could never betray her brothers and friends. ...I better prove them that Monroe's cousin is innocent and harmless.... Adela thought suddenly and started to ponder on how she possibly could prove that for her brothers and friends. ..Should I perhaps ask Monroe for help?...euff no...I cannot do that...she would never help me anyway...I was a Ravenclaw and she a Slytherin...I would just embarrass and humiliate myself if I ever... Adela remembered how Monroe used to treat Sherwood during their times at Hogwarts. ...I pity William....I wonder what happened with him...I have not seen him since our graduation...I heard that he had joined the P.O and D.A. but I never found him among the ones we killed when we took down the Ministry of Magic....his friend was there...

Adela was about to fall asleep when a sudden idea struck her mind and she sat up with her eyes wide open. ...oh of course...this is so splendid...why did I never think about it before hehehe...

She laid down in her bed and closed her eyes, but she was feeling to excited that it was difficult to fall asleep, that she did not manage to do that until four o'clock in the morning.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Hmm...Is there anywhere you need to go before we return home?" Alastair asked with a smile.

They sat in the carriage together; Luna had showered and dressed and was now sitting beside him, looking at the view below through the clear glass in the flooring.

"No, thank you." Luna said politely. I just have to pick something normal to wear to see Elias. This kimono was lovely...The trip was lovely...I loved it all. It's just that I have so much free time. Even though I teach two classes, grading the papers is really easy. It takes no time at all; not when I took the time to go back to that store and buy a pendant like the one I gave Aislynn...I worry what the other teachers are doing. I would hate to find out that all of their spare time was going into teaching those children and correcting their work. If that's the case then they'll quit one by one...Eventually....till there's no one left...That's it; I'll have a meeting with them soon. I'll discuss this issue. I can't have them be unhappy; unhappy people seek change...always. She thought, determined.

"Is there anything I can assist you with?" Alastair asked kindly, putting a hand on Luna's shoulder. Her energy is worried, yet determined. I've felt her this way before.

"No, thank you." Luna said, coming back to reality.

"Have you read anything good lately?" He asked, with the familiar sparkle in his eyes that meant he was getting an idea.

"A few spellbooks....Some cookbooks...And I refreshed my memory of the History of Japanese Wizardry. That's...it." she said, as she couldn't recall anything else.

"Anything fictional?"

Luna shook her head.

"You've already read the Phantom of the Opera and The Count of Monte Cristo, have you not?" Alastair asked, naming the first two books that came to mind that he thought Luna would enjoy.

"Yes; both spectacular birthday presents." Luna remembered, her tone grateful.

"I'll see if I can find you something nice to read." Alastair smiled, his eyes promising her that she wouldn't have to wait long.

"Thank you. I appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to spend some time with me." Luna said, deeply grateful for yesterday. Unintentionally, her tone had an apologetic sound to it, as if she was also apologizing. I probably bored him...I don't make very good conversation and I'm not a very interesting person in reality.

For a second, Alastair's eyes were wide with shock, his lips slightly parted rather than his mouth being open wide. Then he closed his eyes and sighed, his expression pained. "How could you think that I don't enjoy..." he said, shaking his head. He opened his eyes and looked at her, struggling to understand "...every second spent with you?" he asked.

Because I believe that you do it out of obligation...Like a husband goes to work every day; a job that he hates. He is obliged to provide financial support for his wife and possibly...usually; children. Just like an owner has to walk their pet so that they don't use their excess energy tearing apart the house.

Alastair waited for the reply. How can I tell her? How to explain such a thing to her, when she has no heart? If she did, she would know, without having to explain to her that I-

"I just cannot understand why you have treated me so nicely since the second we met. I've never done anything for you. " Luna tried to explain. "I've always just been there and you've just been protective and kind and thoughtful; I can go on." she sighed, becoming slightly frustrated at her lack of eloquence. There has been no limit to your virtue...It's like your...perfect. "I thought it was out of obligation...I apologize; it appears I was wrong."

"You need not apologize." Alastair said, his tone suddenly very serious. "You need only accept that nothing...." he stressed the word genuinely, an intense look in his eyes as he looked into hers "...nothing brings me a greater pleasure in this entire world than spending time with you. I will never forgive you if you forget that." he finished, in an overly dramatic voice, crossing his arms as if he was angry, and looking away from her.

Luna laughed softly, and they began their descent.

Elias? Luna thought, touching her pendant as soon as she was inside her room again, alone. She had disappeared in a puff of smoke as soon as they had landed, while Alastair had remained inside the carriage for reasons she did not wish to ask about. Have you chosen a time and place for our meeting? She removed her finger from her pendant. I remember something about the afternoon....but nothing else...My my; yesterday's confrontation seems so far away now.

 

[Hikari Chan]

When Aislinn woke up in the morning, she took her usual habit to look out through the window. She recognized the carriage she used to travel with Alastair in, and wondered for how long it had been there.

She washed and dressed in her usual attire, a pair of black trousers and black turtleneck shirt before walking down to the kitchen. There she prepared a quick and easy breakfast, scrambled eggs and sliced cherry tomatoes and cucumbers. She found some baguettes in the pantry and preheated them with an easy spell to keep them warm and soft. She placed everything on a try along with two tall glasses with ice cold water. That was all she could do and hoped that he would love it. A couple of minutes later Aislinn entered the carriage with the tray hovering behind her.

"Good morning," She called out and the tray flew over to and landed softly and quietly on the small coffee table.

No... I have not...not yet... Elias thought with a smile, fingering his brooch, as he was laying in his bed. He was already awake but still dressed in his night robe, even if he was not feeling sleepy but alert, he was only laying there on his back to relax. Is there a place you love to visit today?

Adela opened her eyes as bright sunbeams shone right on her face. She had forgotten to pull the curtains last night because she could not stop staring at the crescent moon which had been shining so brightly. She was feeling tired and sleepy at the same time. She tried to sit up and half dozed for a couple of minutes before rubbing her eyes to wake herself up. She changed her clothes slowly and then dragged herself to her office and sat behind her desk. She sat heavily down and looked down at the rest of the exams which she had to finish grading. ...you can do this...just finish these and then report the grades to Quinn....and then you are free for two weeks... Adela looked at the clock with a sleepy and drowsy look, not really seeing if the time really was eight or nine as her vision was slightly blurred. What is it...? Eight? ...I will just relax for one hour.... She rested her head against the parchments and dozed.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Alastair sat in the carriage, on the couch that sat in the center of the main area. He was writing in a plain looking black leather-bound book, with neat lines for writing. He had begun to write a fictional story, and he was making it up as he went along, his mind busy imagining the events of the story.

"Good morning," Aislynn called out and the tray flew over to and landed softly and quietly on the small coffee table.

"Good morning to you as well, my lady." Alastair said, looking up from his book and quill. He had lost track of time, which had seemed not to exist until he looked up at that moment. He put the book, quill, and ink away, and retrieved his pocket watch. He had been writing for nearly an hour and a half. "What a thoughtful surprise." Alastair remarked a moment later, seeing the food she had set down. "Have you slept well?" he asked politely.

When Aislynn asked him if he had slept well, he replied with a simple and convincing "Yes."

"Did your day go as expected?" Alastair asked, thinking of yesterday.

"I am happy that it turned out well." he said genuinely.

No...I have not...not yet... came Elias's reply. Is there a place you love to visit today?

Luna pondered her reply, then touched her brooch. I have no preference; I am contented with whatever place you choose. Do let me know once you've decided. Luna thought, sounding polite.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Well..." Aislinn laughed, blushing. She had just prepared an easy and simple breakfast and suddenly realized that she had forget to squeeze some orange juice or making any tea. ...Merlin's beard...how could I forget... "Thank you...I had a good sleep; did you sleep well too?" She asked as she sat down beside him on the coach, the look in her eyes was hoping that he did not had any nightmares about his past. She nearly frowned when he just replied with a yes because she had almost been expecting him to say something more, though she did not question him anything about it. Perhaps he is not that talkative about everything ...

"Did your day go as expected?" Alastair asked, thinking of yesterday.

"Yes, I had a great time with my friend..." Aislinn replied smilingly.

"I am happy that it turned out well." he said genuinely.

"And how was your day?" She asked, handing him a plate with filled with one portion of scrambled eggs along with some sliced cherry tomatoes and cucumbers.

Well...what do you think about a lovely brunch in Serpentine Village? Elias thought as he fingered his brooch. "You cannot deny eating anything today, can you?" He spoke to himself, smiling. ...Then let's meet there at eleven sharp at the fountain which is close to the entrance of the village...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"And how was your day?" She asked, handing him a plate with filled with one portion of scrambled eggs along with some sliced cherry tomatoes and cucumbers.

"Thank you." he said first, taking the plate from her before setting it down before him in mid-air, as if there was a table there; rather than move one of the nearby tables. "My day went just as expected. It was carefully planned from start to finish, and not one thing went wrong." he said contentedly, looking off into the distance, at the large part of the sky that was visible just outside the windows of the carriage. "I'm looking forward to returning to the Agency today." he said, with excitement in his eyes as he looked away from the window, to Aislynn. "And, today is Monday, so we will be able to pick up our weekly pay-checks. The Director asked me to inform you of the Agency's payment options. If you wish, you can switch your payment plan at the Agency to something different. You see; there are two options. Yours is the standard plan. You get the same amount, every week; regardless of how many villains you defeat. It is reliable, and consistent. " He explained, in his usual voice when explaining things. "My payment plan is different; it depends on the amount of villains I take each week. For each one I defeat, I get a varying amount of yen based on the damage they caused, the people they harmed, and how well done the job itself was executed. My payment varies from week to week, but I can earn more than if I had the standard payment plan, if I work hard enough." he paused momentarily. "Tomorrow, you can make your decision about your payment plan, after you see if you are content with the amount of yen you receive today. You will report to the Director about your choice, and he will take note of it for the future. You can also decide if you would like to be paid weekly in smaller amounts, or at the end of the month, all at once." he added, hoping that she had caught everything and that he wasn't confusing her.

Well...what do you think about a lovely brunch in Serpentine Village?

Sure. Luna replied.

...Then let's meet there at eleven sharp, at the fountain which is close to the entrance of the village...

Very well. I look forward to seeing you then. Luna answered before removing her finger from her pendant.

She closed her eyes and let out a long sigh, tilting her head back.

Nagini tilted her head slightly to the side, curious. "Why don't you tell him that you're not hungry?"

Luna sat on the edge of the fountain, waiting for Elias. She had shown up early, at ten-thirty, and was reading a fictional book. She had stopped by a book store on the way to the village, having decided to try reading a fictional book. Her conversation with Alastair had left her thinking that reading one would be a good idea. She was four chapters in, and she wasn't faring very well. It was taking its sweet time to mention anything interesting, and was instead describing the how drab the life of the main character was. How bothersome...They could have just written a sentence; 'So and so had a very drab, boring life.' Or, they could have simply spent a few paragraphs...or perhaps even a chapter. But not four. And the writing style is very dry; the author lacks the whimsical feeling that comes with a written story; the ability to describe feelings as well as events. This....this feels like I'm reading a history book, and a boring one at that. I'll be patient... she thought, turning another page. If I reach half-way through this book and it still hasn't gotten any better, then I shall dispose of it.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"I am happy that it turned it well," Aislinn smiled and was about to ask Alastair what he had been doing yesterday when he changed the subject.

"I'm looking forward to returning to the Agency today." he said, with excitement in his eyes as he looked away from the window, to her. "And, today is Monday, so we will be able to pick up our weekly pay-checks. The Director asked me to inform you of the Agency's payment options. If you wish, you can switch your payment plan at the Agency to something different. You see; there are two options. Yours is the standard plan. You get the same amount, every week; regardless of how many villains you defeat. It is reliable, and consistent. " he explained, in his usual voice when explaining things. "My payment plan is different; it depends on the amount of villains I take each week. For each one I defeat, I get a varying amount of yen based on the damage they caused, the people they harmed, and how well done the job itself was executed. My payment varies from week to week, but I can earn more than if I had the standard payment plan, if I work hard enough." he paused momentarily. "Tomorrow, you can make your decision about your payment plan, after you see if you are content with the amount of yen you receive today. You will report to the Director about your choice, and he will take note of it for the future. You can also decide if you would like to be paid weekly in smaller amounts, or at the end of the month, all at once." he added.

"...Eh…" She had been listening and trying to absorb the new information but her mind was a bit distracted because she was curious about what he had been doing yesterday and she wanted to tell him what she had been doing in return though she had been taken by surprise when he had changed the subject so suddenly. "Which gives more payment, the standard or the varying plan?" She finally asked as she picked up her own plate with a portion of the meal and started to eat.

"Good day, my dear..." He sat beside her on the edge of the fountain. Elias had appeared at the gates fifteen minutes earlier than the appointed time, finding Luna occupying herself with reading a book. He had not wished her to keep waiting for him, but rather being there before her and waiting for her, yet he was not surprised to already see her by the fountain. Deep inside he knew she would beat him to it and be there before him. ...Yesterday she was waiting for me and now today as well? Merlin's beard, I told her eleven o'clock...how long has she been here.... He thought, feeling a bit guilty.

"I hope I did not keep you waiting too long…" He was not asking, rather apologizing to her. Today he was wearing a white shirt with black dress pants and jacket with silver details along with his black cloak.

"Ah..." He smiled and then asked, genuinely interested: "What kind of book are you reading?" He was suddenly feeling a tinge of missing of not reading anything at all. He loved to read books and he used to read a lot when he was younger, though lately he had not found any time for reading.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Alastair assumed that Aislynn was carefully thinking the matter over. When she opened her mouth, he expected to hear her decision.

"Which gives more payment, the standard or the varying plan?" she asked.

Alastair resisted the urge to put his hand to his forehead in frustration. I thought that my explanation was clear; obviously I was not clear enough. "The standard plan gives you the same amount every time. That means that if, for some reason, you are unable to handle as many villains as you like, it won't affect your pay-check. However, if you plan on taking down a large number of villains, and you are certain you can do so without fail...The other payment option would pay more. More people tend to go for the standard plan because it is consistent, and they fear instability. " He explained. Was that thorough enough? Perhaps the pros and cons of each payment plan weren't as obvious as I thought... he thought, feeling foolishly guilty for not having explained it properly the first time. He had forgotten completely about his own portion of the meal; he was focused on the day they had ahead of them, and making sure that Aislynn picked a suitable plan. It's not like you can just change the plan on a whim...That would be very complicated. You have to choose one and stick with that. But perhaps the Director could be convinced to allow her to try going the next week on my payment plan; like a trial period. So that she could be certain in her final decision.

"Good day, my dear.." Elias said as he sat beside Luna on the edge of the fountain.

"Good day." Luna said politely, placing a plain, rectangular-shaped piece of parchment between the pages, and closing her book, rather than use a book mark. She placed the book down beside her, on the side that Elias was not sitting. He's fifteen minutes early; he was also early to the meeting in the office. It looks like I'm better at showing up early than him. She thought comically.

"I hope I did not keep you waiting too long..." he said, his tone apologetic.

"No no...." Luna insisted. "...only a few minutes."

"Ah..." He smiled and then asked, genuinely interested: "What kind of book are you reading?"

Ugh; I do not wish to converse about such rubbish. She thought in irritation. But I didn't write the book; neither did He. I wouldn't be offending anyone if I spoke my mind about it. She reasoned. "A novel I purchased on the way here. I thought it may be nice to read something fictional, but this book in particular is not quite up to my standards. Not yet, at least." she picked up the book and showed it to him sideways, so that he could see that she wasn't very far in. "The beginning is very slow, and I dislike the writing style...I was planning to dispose of it if I reached the middle and still disliked the story." she finished, putting it back down.

Luna was wore a black dress and black flats. Her hair was down and in its naturally wavy state, since she had simply let it dry after washing it. She wore no jewellery.

"Do you have any suggestions?" Luna asked, hoping that Elias had read some memorable novels in his past.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"...Well I think I will choose the standard payment," Aislinn replied. "...Because I am thinking that I am only capable to handle one mission per day...as for how many villains…well…it depends on if the villain is a wizard or a muggle. A muggle is easier to defeat of course, and I can possibly handle two or three muggles at the same time, but if the villain is a wizard then I am only capable of handling one at the time...So standard payment would suit me the best..." She finished and was about to take another bite of her food when she noticed that Alastair was not eating. "Are you not going to eat?" She asked him.

"Ah....well, there are books whose stories are very dull in the beginning. It takes some amount of time, probably about several chapters, before a certain story becomes interesting," Elias explained. "But if the writing style is tasteless, the story won't be that promising. Please, don't force yourself reading it..." He laughed heartily. "…Raising Stony Mayhall is an example of a book that was somehow dull in the beginning and some chapters were long and drab, though the overall story was heart touching. If I would suggest you something else, besides the one I mentioned...hmm...well, have you ever read Wuthering Heights? It is a dark and romantic yet interesting fictional story."

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"...So standard payment would suit me the best..." She finished.

Her reasoning is quite logical. I agree that something more stable would be best for her.

"Are you not going to eat?" She asked him a moment later.

Alastair raised his eyebrows slightly before turning to look at the plate in front of him. I was so focused on the conversation that I... He picked up his fork and took a bite. "How thoughtful of you to make breakfast for us." Alastair said, putting down his fork. It was elegantly spoken, and meant to be both a compliment and a sign of gratitude. He smiled warmly, and took a sip of water before continuing on with his meal.

"Aislynn?" he asked once he had finished; it hadn't taken him very long. "Do you think that Hell is frightening?" He was looking at her with an odd expression, that was equally curious and very serious at the same time.

"...But if the writing style is tasteless, the story won't be that promising. "

Hmm...I suppose that is logical...Even if the story is interesting, I wouldn't truly enjoy it if the way it is told is....tasteless.

"...Please, don't force yourself reading it..." He laughed heartily. "..Raising Stony Mayhall is an example of a book that was somehow dull in the beginning and some chapters were long and drab, though the overall story was heart touching."

Hmmm...I have not heard of that book...

"If I would suggest you something else besides the one I mentioned...."

So he's not recommending it to me...Understood.

"...Well, have you ever read Wuthering Heights? It is a dark and romantic yet interesting fictional story."

"No, I haven't heard of that book. However, it does sound intriguing. I will try to find it in some of the book stores or libraries I know." she said, making mental note of the title. "Thank you for the recommendation; I shall inform you of my opinion of the book once I have completed it." she finished, promising him that she would read it.

"Have you read the Count of Monte Cristo, or the Phantom of the Opera?" she asked. Both exceptional; there are others, but at this point they are two of my favorite novels. I think there are ten that are my absolute favorite, but I feel a slight embarrassment at sharing the other titles with him. That is, assuming he had read them.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn smiled, her cheeks blushing, and continued to eat in silence. I prepared such a simple meal for breakfast and Alastair is thankful...I bet he would even be thankful if I had only made some oatmeal porridge and tea...another kind of meal which is very simple and easy to prepare and besides that...spreading some chocolate or peanut cream on bread slices with a cup of tea...

"Aislynn?" Alastair asked once he had finished; it hadn't taken him very long. "Do you think that Hell is frightening?"

He was looking at Aislinn with an odd expression, that was equally curious and very serious at the same time. She gave him a peculiar look in return, wondering what on earth he was talking about. …Hell…?

"What?" She laughed.

"I have read the Phantom of the Opera but not the Count of Monte Cristo. I have actually planned to read the latter one, I purchased the book a couple of weeks ago, but it has been left untouched on my desk..." Elias chuckled. "...By the way, I actually have a copy of Wuthering Heights at home. We could take a turn to my manor before I need to leave for the music meeting this evening," He promised and checked the time. His pocket watch showed him that twelve minutes had passed.

"Where would you love to eat? I am starving because I skipped breakfast for your sake today," He said half-jokingly and laughed. It was true that he had not eating anything in the morning though even if he was hungry, he was not really starving in that sense.

Slowly, Adela opened her eyes and gazed drowsily at the clock. It was a couple of minutes past eleven. She stared at the hour hand several minutes before she realized what the time truly was. She sat up with a bolt, her heart pounding as if something had scared her. ...the last time I overslept, Faeryn woke me up...but this time...perhaps she is still mad at me?... Adela thought and tried to calm down. She looked at the door of her office as if she was expecting it to be opened by Faeryn any minute. A couple of minutes passed in silence and nothing ordinary happened. Adela picked up her quill and tried to focus on exams she had to finish grading.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"...I purchased the book a couple of weeks ago, but it has been left untouched on my desk..." Elias chuckled.

He has no idea what he's missing out on. Luna thought, imagining him finally opening up the book, starting to read it, and then the look of interest and excitement in his eyes as he kept turning the pages, the clock ticking nearby, the time growing later and later as he still did not put it down.

"...By the way, I actually have a copy of Wuthering Heights at home. "

How convenient.

"We could take a turn to my manor before I need to leave for the music meeting this evening," He promised and checked the time.

"That would be much appreciated. I will be certain to return it to you in the same condition you lent it to me in." she stated matter-of-factly. I wonder if I can keep him here talking for a while and then stop by his manor on the way home. "Oh; how the time has passed! Well, I suppose there is no time for that brunch now..." she imagined.

"Where would you love to eat?"

No such luck! She thought in frustration.

"I am starving because I skipped breakfast for your sake today."

Oh... Luna thought guiltily. He...must be very hungry. He probably wasn't even really joking...I...

"Wherever you would like to eat; I have no preference this morning." Luna said, putting on a cheerful mask.

For your sake...For your sake... Luna heard his words echo inside her head, intensifying her contrition.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Alright," Elias smiled happily as he rose up from his place. He bowed towards Luna as he reached out his hand for her, his palm facing upward. When he helped her up, he offered his arm to her.

"By the way, you may dispose of your book in the library of this village..." He suggested. "You have not seen it, have you? It is a large library and in contrast to muggle libraries it can hold countless of books, records, and anything that you may find in a Wizarding library...it is mostly stuffed with magical literature though and it is located further away in this village, so we might find it on our way to a restaurant.."

...which is perfect... He thought. ...we will first have a lovely meal before going to the library...

The village was grand and therefor it took about ten minutes until Elias found the place which he got on his mind. It was the Asian restaurant, where they once had sushi together for the first time.
Since Luna did not have any preferences of where to eat, he had decided to take her to a restaurant which he believed was her favorite because it had been her choice the first time when they had been visiting the village.

He led her to a corner table beside a window view inside the restaurant. The corner place was his favorite in a restaurant since it gave him a kind of control instead for being watched. He did not like to sit at other places for that reason.

"What would you love to eat?" Elias asked smilingly as he picked up the menu, after they had sat down. "I might order a bit of everything if you do not choose," He laughed.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Elias bowed towards Luna as he reached out his hand for her, his palm facing upward.

So elegant... Luna thought as she took his hand.

"By the way, you may dispose of your book in the library of this village..." He suggested.

I haven't read half of the book yet, but I agree with his comment earlier...I won't enjoy the story if the writing style is terrible, so... Luna nodded, agreeing to his suggestion.

"You have not seen it, have you?"

"No...Not yet."

"It is a large library and in contrast to Muggle libraries it can hold countless of books, records, and anything that you may find in a Wizarding library...it is mostly stuffed with magical literature though and it is located further away in this village, so we might find it on our way to a restaurant.."

It sounds very interesting...And it also sounds like that's where I'm going to be spending a lot of my free time in the very near future...

Ten minutes later, they entered the restaurant Luna had chosen during their first visit.

How thoughtful of him to bring me here; it's as if he chose the place that I would have chosen this time... Luna sat down, and found herself annoyed once more. The corner again? Is this a habit of his? He's aware that in most restaurants you don't get as wide of a view if you sit in the corner, right? As she sat straight, her hands were in her lap, and she unconsciously clenched her left fist.

"What would you love to eat?" Elias asked smilingly as he picked up the menu.

Whatever you-

"I might order a bit of everything if you do not choose," He laughed.

"I would like one order of the salmon sushi roll. Just one." she specified politely. "And cold water to drink, please." she added, thinking that he may ask her what beverage she desired. If it's just the one order, I can handle it...It's like having a salad. The salmon roll has always been my favorite roll...Of course, I always dilute the wasabi with a bit of soy sauce because I've never taken a liking to spicy food. 'Elias...don't order anything else for me, please'... she imagined telling him. Please. She stressed the word with more force than necessary.

"Hell-" Alastair explained in his explanatory tone. "-is a place that humans believe wicked people's spirits go to be punished after death. It is supposedly filled with raging fires and demons ready to torture those perpetrators for all eternity. Heaven, on the other hand, is where the good people's spirits supposedly go after death. It is rumored to be a place of eternal peace and serenity." Supposedly... Alastair thought to himself.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"…demons ready to torture perpetrators for all eternity…?" Aislinn repeated Alastair's words, looking puzzled at him. "So, Hell is a place where your father came from?" She was feeling confused. "Yet he was living here at the Earth...thus Hell is part of the Earth or is it a different place to where he returned?" She was half talking to herself and half talking to him when she suddenly realized something that made her feel cold inside. If Alastair is a half demon, part angel and part human...then... "You...you w-ould not-not re-return to-to that place, wou-would you?" She stuttered suddenly and anxiously thought about what would happen after the death. It was not only the place such as Hell that scared her but also the thought of being separated from him. "I... I want to be with you in the afterlife..." She confessed as she embraced him.

Elias smiled happily and ordered two plates with delicious salmon sushi and cold water for them both. One plate consisted of five grand sushi rolls. Along with it came a bit of wasabi and soy sauce. He also ordered sliced lemons because he preferred lemons with fish rather than wasabi which he disliked because it was uncomfortable too hot to eat. When Luna had said that she only liked one order of salmon sushi and even intensified her words by repeating the word one, he had understood it as if she only wanted one portion meal and not really just one sushi roll, because he could not imagine someone to only be satisfied with one sushi roll.

"Bon appetite!" Elias smiled as he picked up his sticks when the meal arrived. He was holding his sticks correctly as if he was a veteran and this was only his second time for using sticks for eating a meal, for he had paid very close attention to Luna the first time they had eaten sushi together.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Alastair was about to explain to Aislynn that Hell was not a part of Earth, but someplace else entirely when she went on.

"You...you w-ould not-not re-return to-to that place, wou-would you?" She stuttered suddenly.

"...Don't worry; I'll be fine." he said comfortingly as he embraced her.

"I...I want to be with you in the afterlife..." She confessed.

Ah...we would have drifted apart long before then...I doubt you would ever want to see me again. "Hell is not part of the Earth, but a different place entirely." he explained, removing his arms from around her and returning to his former position on the couch; he had moved closer to her in their embrace. "Hell is different for everyone that goes there. While they are alive, demons have the ability to come and go as they please; even half-demons, until their death, in which case they would remain there. If you are a demon, it is a remarkable place;" he said, his eyes looking elsewhere, as if he was picturing it. "A continually red sky with streaks of orange, like an everlasting sunset. Waters of the same colour, and breathtaking horizons. Cobbled streets and calm demons walking in different directions. No one needs to lie or avoid any responsibilities because we're all the same; there's no use lying to a friend. The streets are lined with flowers that resemble lilies; they're red, and in the center is a wick which is burning with a tiny flame, like a candle. And behind those lilies are houses; each one unique. Each one reflects the tastes of the inhabitant, making each street a marvel to behold. It is a very large city that is built in a circular shape; like Paris. In the center is a grand castle; a place that everyone respects. The ruler of Hell rests there when he visits; his powers are greater than any demon's, and he is fair yet absolute. It doesn't sound so awful now, does it?" he asked, looking into Aislynn's eyes with a soft smile; he had never been able to explain this to anyone else. No one he knew would believe him, he thought.

"When the spirits of mortals go there, they enter a place that is designed to torment them according to their sins. For instance, if the sinner was a thief by choice rather than necessity, he goes through what he views as a life in which he has everything, and eventually has it stolen from him, little by little. After he has reached the lowest point possible, the sinner usually attempts suicide. And then, their 'life' starts over, and they go through the same thing again, but this time with the memory that they have gone through it before. The game continues, repeating forevermore." he said the last sentence with a certain dark elegance, as if he was describing a tragic ending to a play. "Demons work at re-creating that perception of events for the mortals continuously, until they lose their minds to the insanity that is certain to follow." he smiled, his eyes flashing a vivid purple for a mere second. "When that happens, their souls disappear into a void, and they are gone forever. It satisfies us to see them change over time from the prideful wretches who will blame all others but themselves, to the helpless mortals they really are, begging for mercy. Not one of us would feel any mercy, for they are the same sorts of filth that the Shiki Agency gives us permission to execute. Do you understand what I am saying, or are you frightened?" he asked, his tone suddenly becoming very, very serious. Even his eyes held a very stern look, as if he feared she would think ill of him for having said such things. If she misunderstands... Alastair thought, imagining a very bad scenario where she labeled him as untrustworthy and tried to run away. Her memories of this conversation will be removed and I will try to explain it to her again later...She has to understand.

"Bon appetite!" Elias smiled.

"Thank you." Luna said, reaching for her water rather than her chopsticks. She was looking at his hand, and the way he was holding his chopsticks.

"I just can't use them!" She had nearly cried when she was young.

Living at the DiVilliers estate at the time, table-manners had been an important part of her lessons. One lesson had been about mastering the use of chopsticks, since 'The Japanese make excellent business partners." Evelyn had said on more than one occasion.

"I'm so sorry for this; but my fingers can't-" she began apologetically, as one chopstick dropped from her hand onto the floor.

"I'll teach you." A warm, charming voice said in her ear; Alastair's. Young Luna turned to see a smiling, cheerful Alastair right behind her. "Then quite soon, I promise, you won't even think about it while you do it; like using a fork." He laughed, handing her a new pair of chopsticks. "Discard the other one you have and use these instead; they're bamboo; lighter than the porcelain ones you were just using."

"This is delicious, thank you." Luna said to Elias, after taking the first bite. She had been reminiscing while she diluted her wasabi with soy, and it wasn't until she had swallowed her first bite that she realized something was missing.

"Excuse me;" she said to a passing waiter, who stopped and turned his attention to her. "would you please bring us a bit of pickled ginger? I've always been quite fond of it."

"Thank you." she said before he walked away.

"What is your favorite kind of sushi roll?" Luna asked Elias. In case I ever want to surprise you with some as a gift.

After replying that his favorite was also salmon, she said. "How interesting; my favorite is salmon as well." Luna said. "Does you sister Lily like sushi?" she asked interestedly. I know many young children that dislike it. "Ew! Raw fish!"...But I cannot imagine Lily being like that...Or does she have any allergies? Does Elias have any? I should know this...Or have I asked him already and forgotten?

 

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn was trying to absorb everything Alastair told her.

"Not at all, it rather sounds like a lovely..." She nearly whispered when he had described how Hell was for him as a half demon. She could not help but imagine a life with him in the afterlife, that she was smiling like a fool when he continued explaining how Hell was for sinners.

"Do you understand what I am saying, or are you frightened?" he asked, his tone suddenly becoming very, very serious. His eyes held a very stern look.

"Yes!" Aislinn nodded promptly. "I am not frightened at all, not at all! As long as we will be together in afterlife..." She moved closer to him and embraced him again. "I have nothing to fear...."

"You are welcome..." Elias smiled after he had swallowed a bite of salmon sushi. He had only dipped his sushi roll in soy sauce. He also did not touch the pickled ginger like the wasabi. He only loved pickled cucumbers and cherry blossom.

"What is your favorite kind of sushi roll?" Luna asked him.

"The salmon sushi of course," He smiled. "I also like the ones with tuna and shrimps…"

"How interesting; my favorite is salmon as well." Luna said. "Does you sister Lily like sushi?" she asked interestedly.

"Hmm...well, Lily has never tried sushi and she is very picky in food...in my home we only had and still have traditional English dishes. And French, Italian and some interesting dishes from the Middle Eastern Kitchen as well. She loves hamburgers, tacos, pizza and other Italian dishes. She is pickier when it comes to the traditional English and French...and unfortunately she detests the Middle Eastern Kitchen...My parents on the other hand prefer decent and healthy meals where everything is well cooked..." He explained. "Though I am going to surprise her with sushi..." He laughed, suddenly getting an idea. "It is her birthday soon and I have promised to take her out for her birthday, I think sushi will be perfect for that day hehe..."

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Hmm...I do hope you two have a lovely time." Luna said thoughtfully, picking up her second roll with her chopsticks. How interesting...I've wondered what sorts of meals they ate, since I have not really dined at their house a lot...The DiVilliers ate nearly every kind of meal...Indian, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese....I could go on.

"It was a pleasant meal, thank you." she said once she had finished. And I'll just decline any offered dessert, and I'll be fine.

"Yes!" Aislynn nodded promptly, and Alastair smiled immediately.

"I am not frightened at all, not at all! As long as we will be together in afterlife..." She moved closer to him and embraced him again. "I have nothing to fear...."

Again, you probably will not wish to, but I will let you dream. "Would you like to visit? If you are with me, it would be possible. There are a lot of nice demons there; they would be more than happy to meet you." he said charmingly. "We can go after the mission today; time passes differently in Hell, so if we spend the night there, we would have only wasted minutes in this world. That's how so much gets done over there. " He explained. "So, would you?"

 

[Hikari Chan]

“Thank you..." Elias smiled, looking forward to inviting Lily to try a new foreign dish.

I doubt she ever had tried sushi...the only places she had been to are Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, Knockturn Alley, this village and other places whenever she had been with me, father and mother abroad. I wonder what kind of food she tried out when she was on the muggle studies' school trip. I shall remember to ask her about it...

"It was a pleasant meal, thank you." Luna said once she had finished.

"You are welcome dear; I am happy that you enjoyed the meal. Now, let's head to that library I talked about."

And we will have some ice cream later, if she hopefully does not get stuck among the books... He thought amused.

The way to the library was longer than Elias had expected. Since the village was grand, it took about fifteen minutes to walk to the library. Located in the heart of the village, it was an old stone building with a wooden arch door. The door opened magically by itself as soon as anyone came closer to it. When they entered, they were met by a great hall with several open arched doorways leading to other grand rooms. Every room was furnished with wooden tables and chairs. Beside the candelabras which hung from the high ceiling, magical candles floated in the air. Book shelves covered almost every wall, from the floor to the ceiling. The walls which had not any book shelves either had open arched doorways or arched windows. Magically ladders, reaching from the floor to the ceiling, moved along the bookshelves from time to time to help any visitor to search among all the books. A grand wooden desk was placed to the left side of the great hall. Piles of books occupied almost half of the desk.

"You may leave your book at that desk..." Elias gestured towards it. "I forgot to tell you that this library is taken care of house-elves, but the head of the library is an old rich witch," He whispered to Luna. There was no librarian behind the desk. The librarian seemed to have taken a lunch break or perhaps she was elsewhere in the library since she was not behind her desk. There were two wooden signs hovering magically over the two empty spots which was not covered by anything. One sign was saying: Borrow and the other sign was saying: Return. An enchanted quill was hovering over a piece of parchment, moving forth and back to an inkwell. The quill was scribbling by itself on the parchment, taking notes on who entered and left the library and who borrowed and returned which books. The quill also registered how long each visit was. There were a few visitors in the library at this moment, mostly older witches and wizards who wanted to seek a quiet place to be in in comparison with the loud and crowdy places in the other parts of the village. Those who placed their books under the sign for return, their books flew over to and placed itself over the growing piles of books at the desk. Those who placed their books under the sign for borrow, their books flew back to them, hovering midair before them until they took their books in their hands.

"So, you will already take me there to show our new place in the distant future?" Aislinn laughed, releasing Alastair from her hug. "Well, I would not say no... I would love to visit it..." She was feeling excited about it and at the same she could almost not believe that it was possible for a mortal like her to visit a different realm which was not part of Earth.