Fandom The Gathering of Death Eater Children

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Luna remained silent during their walk, deciding just how long it would be appropriate for her to remain in the library.

Alright; I can come back whenever I please, so this will not be a real visit; it will only be a reconnaissance of what the library has to offer. So, I need to make sure that I don't keep him waiting too long; I don't imagine him to be the type to say 'That's enough, let's get out of here.' after an hour or two, but he did say he had something to do. I'll start with an hour and go down until it seems appropriate; alright. One hour... she imagined Elias sitting with a bored expression on his face on a chair in the library. Too much. She decided. Fifty minutes...still too much...Forty minutes...almost, but still too close to fifty. Ah; twenty five, or rather, thirty minutes sounds perfect. It will be a large place, but I will work fast. She concluded just as they came to the entrance. Instead of looking around first, she took note of the time, planning to check it every now and then until her time was up. Only after she did that was she able to gaze in wonder at the spectacularly extensive selection of books that filled the library.

"You may leave your book at that desk. I forget 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.

Why do wizards enjoy using House Elves for manual labor. Luna thought with a sigh. She put her book on the desk Elias had indicated, and walked back to him. "Do you know how are the books organized?" Luna asked Elias, seeing as the librarian was temporarily unavailable. I need to know, that way I know how to browse through them as efficiently and quickly as possible. If he, or she wasn't busy, I would just ask that librarian.

"So you will already take me there to show our new place in the distant future?" Aislynn laughed, releasing Alastair from her hug.

"Yes, if you'd like it that way." Alastair said. If you'd like it that way then, I mean.

"Well, I would not say no...I would love to visit it...”

"You sound excited." he smiled happily. "I am excited as well; no one I've ever met has been as understanding as you. You seem to accept things that normal people don't." he said gratefully. "Well, shall we begin our flight?" he asked, waving his hand at the dishes, which picked themselves up and flew out the carriage door.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Well, no...and yes..." Elias replied oddly and then laughed. "You see..." He gestured towards the book shelves. "There are smaller signs above each shelf and bigger signs above each column of shelves. The smaller signs indicate information about the first letter of the last name of an author. The bigger signs indicate information about the subject. And everything, the columns and rows of shelves start in alphabetical order. Simple, right? So, for instance, Cooking with Magic, it must be your favorite since you are teaching that subject at Hogwarts, mustn't it? ...let me show you, my lady..." He took one step backward and bowed for Luna before taking her hand and leading the way to the book shelves, his eyes at the larger signs. "A... Arithmancy....B... Beasts......B... Boggarts....C... Care of Magical Creature....C... Cooking with Magic..." He nearly whispered, talking more to himself as he went through the subjects. "Here we have it! Cooking with Magic!" He smiled.

"You sound excited." Alastair smiled happily. "I am excited as well; no one I've ever met has been as understanding as you. You seem to accept things that normal people don't." he said gratefully.

Aislinn blushed deeply as she became speechless, not knowing how to reply him.

"Well, shall we begin our flight?" he asked, waving his hand at the dishes, which picked themselves up and flew out the carriage door.

"Yes...or No, wait! I need to check so I got my necessities with me," She laughed. "I will be quick!" She rushed out from the carriage.

She was back three minutes later with her bag back which she had bought yesterday.

"Now I am ready," She smiled.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"...I will be back quick!" Aislynn said.

"Take your time." Alastair replied politely as she rushed from the carriage.

He expected her to be ten minutes at the least, so he pulled out the book he had been writing in from before, and wrote out a few more pages. When she returned sooner than expected, he looked up in mild surprise and put his book away again, quickly.

Raven closed the door and the flight began as usual.

"Excuse me." Alastair said politely as soon as they had taken off and were high in the air. He stood up, and walked straight to his bedroom, then closed the door. He would emerge in the same clothes as before a few minutes later; he hadn't changed his kimono since his time spent with Luna.

"Well, no...and yes..." Elias replied oddly.

How can it be both? Luna wondered, half curious. She thought he was joking, and then he laughed, confirming her assumption.

"You see..." He gestured towards the book shelves. "There are smaller signs above each shelf and bigger signs above each column of shelves. The smaller signs indicate information about the first letter of the last name of an author. The bigger signs indicate information about the subject. And everything, the columns and rows of shelves start in alphabetical order."

What a precise way to categorize these books...You'd be able to find what you wanted at the drop of a hat, wouldn't you? She thought, amazed at such an efficient system.

"Simple, right?"

Absolutely! Luna nodded, feeling gratitude and respect for whomever had come up with such a wonderful, organized system.

"So for instance, Cooking with Magic, it must be your favorite since you are teaching that subject at Hogwarts, mustn't it?"

Luna nodded again. You're right again; I love everything about cooking: the smells, the way you everything can be cooked in a different way to produce a different flavor, the way some things cannot be cooked and others cannot be served raw; there are so many rules that it is like a very fun game just to make one meal! She thought with a smile as he bowed to her.

"Here we have it! Cooking with Magic!" He smiled.

"Thank you very much." That's spectacular! But how can I tell him that I want to be left alone for just a little while? I'll say nothing; he'll probably get it. She thought, immediately turning away from him to the Cooking with Magic section, scanning through the titles and authors quickly, absorbing the information. I've read that one, and that one...Never heard of that one...That sounds interesting...Another new one; I thought I just purchased the latest volume and now they've already come out with a Volume Seven... She walked through the entire alphabet, skipping things that were of no interest to her like Arithmacy or History of Magic.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Take your time," Aislinn replied as she put down her back bag and sat down at the couch.

When Alastair closed the door behind him, she rummaged through her bag and picked up her candy corn. She had bought a lot of candies yesterday and still had a lot of it left, though mostly hard sour candies. She conjured a glass bowl and poured all the candies in it. There were a few licorices left, which she ate up because she recalled that he had told her once that he did not like that sort of candy. And Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Bean....though he cannot say no to these colorful hard sour candies. They just taste sour like lemons with a bit of sweetness and nothing weird at all...She thought.

When Luna turned away, Elias walked over to other shelves and picked out a book about Arithmancy to occupy himself with while she engaged herself with her favorite subject. He sat down on a nearby wooden chair and checked his pocket watch. Two till three hours should be fine unless if she wishes to leave earlier or later...we could remain here until six o’clock... He thought before he started to read the book which he had selected for himself.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

She put out candies? Alastair wondered as he sat down next to Aislynn; they had begun their descent. He looked away from them, seemingly uninterested, and looked out the window. They were back in Osaka, and Raven was nearing a rooftop, preparing to land. "And we have returned." Alastair said, looking warmly at Aislynn. He stood, and offered her his hand to help her up. He got out of the carriage first as Raven held open the door, and then he turned to help Aislynn, once again offering his hand. "A lovely night..." Alastair remarked, as they stared at the lights and the water, and the stars in the darkened sky.

"The time is eight-thirty-two in Osaka. " he said, checking his pocket-watch. "Shall we?" he asked, pulling out the key chain with his car on it.

"If you wish-" he suggested charmingly. "-we could skip the drive and I could carry you there. After all; it is such a lovely night." he said with an adoring look in his eyes.

"I'm ready to leave." Luna announced twenty-nine minutes later. "I do hope I didn't keep you waiting too long." she said, her tone slightly apologetic, but it also sounded as if she didn't expect a reply. I'm declining any dessert. She thought, firmly deciding. 'I'm on a diet.' she imagined saying, and he would laugh. I need to think of a decent excuse...What about 'still satisfied from lunch?' But it really wasn't a heavy lunch, and it has been close to an hour!

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Carry me?" Aislinn giggled and blushed as something which crossed her mind at the same time made her heart beat three times faster. An illusion appeared in her mind, she was almost seeing herself newlywed and being carried by Alastair, her arms around his neck...

"Eh...the car please..." She blurted embarrassed and then smiled. "I like to listen to some nice music on the way to the agency.."

Elias looked up in surprise when Luna spoke to him.

"Already?" He smiled. "Not at all, my dear…you actually took the shortest time than I expected, since I thought you would spend hours here..." He added with a laugh. He closed the book he was reading and set it aside on the table. He picked out his pocket watch and checked the time. "Nearly half an hour had passed. We could spend more time here in the library if you wish. There are of course other entertainments in this village, a magical theater, opera, wizarding chess tournaments, dueling. Sometimes balls are hosted. Though these activities are only available during the weekends. Anyway, what do you think about having some sorbet in the beautiful weather outdoors? It is a perfect summer dessert, especially after the brunch we had. Sorbet does not contain any dairy like usual ice cream."

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Carry me?" Aislynn giggled and blushed.

"Is that a question, my lady?" Alastair asked, unsure of why she was uncertain.

"Eh...the car please..." She blurted out, embarrassed, and then smiled. "I like to listen to some nice music on the way to the agency..."

"Ah. Very well." Alastair said in a polite, understanding voice. With a shallow bow, he disappeared with a small pop. He re-appeared in the space between the building they had landed on, and the one to the right of it. He enlarged the car faster than usual, and was holding the car door open for Aislynn by the time she joined him. "Choose whatever you wish. All you have to do-" he explained once he had closed the door for her and went around to sit beside her in the driver's seat. "-is remember the song you wish to hear. If you concentrate clearly, you can almost hear that song in your head. Once you can almost hear it, press this button." Alastair pointed. "And it shall play. " He finished in a way that suggested he didn't wish to choose; he wanted her to. Once she did, he began driving.

After they had listened to her song, he smiled as if he was pleasantly surprised "I'm surprised. Your tastes are delightful."

"...you actually took the shortest time than I expected,"

How long did you think I was going to make you wait?

"...since I thought you would spend hours here..." He added with a laugh.

I wouldn't do that to you; it would be outrageously inconsiderate. Unacceptable.

"Nearly half an hour had passed. "

Yes, exactly. Luna thought, satisfied.

"We could spend more time here in the library if you wish. "

No thank you. I'll come back later, so that I don't waste any more of your valuable time doing something I could easily do alone. She imagined replying.

"There are of course other entertainments in this village, a magical theater, opera, Wizarding chess tournaments, dueling. Sometimes balls are hosted. Though these activities are only available during the weekends. Anyway, what do you think about having some sorbet in the beautiful weather outdoors? It is a perfect summer dessert, "

No...I still haven't prepared an excuse...I'll just have to throw something together! She thought, worried.

"..especially after the brunch we had. Sorbet does not contain any dairy like usual ice cream."

He also caught the fact that we needed to have a dairy-free dessert after that sushi...He's so sharp. "Perhaps," she began politely. "we could simply enjoy the wonderful weather without the need to indulge any further?"

Not enough!

"I have had plenty of dessert within the last week. " she added logically.

Done.

She linked her arm with his and began to lead him toward the exit.

Change the subject!

"Those activities would make for a charming weekend, don't you agree?" she asked with a smile. "Any one of them would be quite fun."

 

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn took her seat beside Alastair in the car and tried to think of a song before pressing the button as he had instructed her to do.

She was feeling a bit distracted of her previous thoughts, but she tried to focus on which song she liked to listen to. It nearly took her one minute until she finally decided for one. When she pressed on the button the first tones of a metal symphonic song began to play (A mixture of opera and hard rock)

"I'm surprised." Alastair said, smiling as if he was pleasantly surprised. "Your tastes are delightful."

She blushed.

"You have great taste in music as well…" She smiled, complimenting him in return.

"Perhaps," Luna began politely. "we could simply enjoy the wonderful weather without the need to indulge any further?"

"I was thinking about small portions, my dear. It is a lovely dessert," Elias explained smilingly as he rose up from his place.

"I have had plenty of dessert within the last week. " she added logically.

"I understand, but one can never have enough of desserts," he laughed.

He had barely returned the book to its shelf when she linked her arm with his and began to lead him toward the exit.

"Those activities would make for a charming weekend, don't you agree?" she asked with a smile. "Any one of them would be quite fun."

"Of course, my dear, it would be lovely..." He smiled. "Well, since you refuse any dessert, I will take you for a walk around in the village. The blossomed apple and cherry trees are such beautiful sights...."

Adela nearly fainted of exhaustion, yet she was feeling so overjoyed that she had finished grading exams in about three hours. Her legs trembled as she walked out from her office, with stacks of parchments under her arm, and then descending the stairs. She had not eaten any breakfast and was feeling extremely hungry. When she had reached the Entrance hall, which she felt was feeling like forever to reach, she hurried towards the dungeons where she expected to either find Shadowwalker or Quinn. She knocked at the office of the dueling professor. She repeated her knock when no one opened the door and she stood there for nearly ten minutes until she realized that he perhaps would be found in the headmaster's office since he was the headmaster of the school. She sighed and walked over to Quinn's office instead. Adela did not have the energy to walk the entire way to the headmaster's office. Quinn was the assistant principal which meant that she would substitute as headmistress in the absence of Shadowwalker.

"Good afternoon, professor Quinn!" Adela greeted the professor when she entered the office after having been allowed to when she had knocked on the door.

"Good afternoon, you do not need to address me as professor," Natasha chuckled. "You are not my student but my colleague now. Only address me as Quinn, that will be fine…" She smiled.

"Well…eeh…pro-...eh Quinn..." Adela stammered slightly, suddenly becoming nervous. "I have finished grading my subject..." She put down the stacks of parchments on Quinn's desk.

"Oh great, that was just in time, I was going to ask you whether you had finished or not, because the other professors have done their work and I am in hurry to prepare the full grade reports to the students, because I need to send them soon during the first days of July..."

"There you are!" Faeryn laughed when she accidentally walked into Adela. It was not the fault of the former but the fault of the latter, because Adela was nearly running in the corridors trying to find her friends. She still had not eaten anything since she had left Quinn's office.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"That would be an excellent thing to do." Luna agreed.

Once they were outside, Luna asked, "Elias? What is your favorite drink?"

When he returned her question, she replied. "Lemonade. I prefer it more sour than sweet."

"You have great taste in music as well..." She smiled, complimenting him in return.

He turned to her for a second, and in that second he conveyed a feeling of such warmth from his eyes to hers, his lips curled upward in a subtle smile. Even though he turned away the next moment to face the road, it was as if he was still looking at her. The feeling remained; warmth and admiration...friendship and trust...happiness and loyalty...

"Here we are." Alastair said, parking in front of the Shiki Agency a minute later. He opened her door and offered her his hand, and then his arm, as usual. They entered, and went for the elevator. Alastair pressed the button to close the elevator, and kept his finger there, so that they remained alone. "I neglected to ask you; would you like to pick up your pay before or after today's mission?" he asked politely.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Well...obviously wine..." Elias laughed heartily. "Though besides that I also favor tea and lemonade. What do you favor to drink?

"Lemonade. I prefer it more sour than sweet."

"Sour lemonade you say. I also prefer sour over sweet, especially when it is ice cold lemonade. It is so refreshing during summer days." He suddenly got an idea. "Would you love some lemonade now?" He smiled. "We do not need to sit indoors, there is a drink booth over there, so we could take our drinks with us while walking." He gestured towards an outdoor booth which was selling various of ice-cold refreshing summer drinks, including lemonade. "Now don't tell me that you had enough of lemonade like desserts..." He said jokingly and laughed.

Aislinn had no words or explanation for what she felt during the moment when Alastair looked at her. There were no words enough to express how happy she was feeling that moment. Instead for looking out of the windows, she looked at him with admiration.

"Here we are." Alastair said, parking in front of the Shiki Agency a minute later and Aislinn suddenly wished that the car ride would not have ended. She sighed inwardly as she got out from the car, taking his hand and then his arm.

"I neglected to ask you; would you like to pick up your pay before or after today's mission?" he asked politely when they were in the elevator.

"I think it is more convenient to pick it after the mission," Aislinn replied.

"Now?" Faeryn looked at Adela with a frown.

"Yes," Adela nodded excitingly. "I am in urgent need of clothes. I have been wearing the same robe since I was freed from Azkaban. Now when we have nothing to do but the music project every evening until the day of the graduation, it is perfect to visit Madam Malkin’s in Diagon Alley today and enjoy some ice cream since it is such a warm weather."

"Well...when you mention it...I also need to refresh my wardrobe...Let me call on Endewyne so all three of us can go..." Faeryn was excited about leaving Hogwarts to do something else for once.
...it seems that Adela has come to her senses... She thought, feeling revealed that her friend had asked her to accompany her to Diagon Alley.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

What kind of wine? Red or white? What kind of tea? He chose Chamomile the other day. I'll have to clarify...

"Sour lemonade you say. I also prefer sour over sweet, especially when it is ice cold lemonade. It is so refreshing during summer days."

Luna nodded in agreement. More sour than sweet...How odd that Alastair prefers more sugar in his...

"Would you love some lemonade now?" He smiled.

Yes. Actually, that sounds delectable... She was about to say that when he continued...

"We do not need to sit indoors, there is a drink booth over there, so we could take our drinks with us while walking. Now don't tell me that you had enough of lemonade like desserts..." He said jokingly and laughed.

Luna smiled, then turned to face the man selling the drinks at the booth. "We'd like two ice-cold lemonades, please. More sour than sweet, and with a touch of mint, if you have it." she said, with the same elegance used to order drinks at a high-class party. A few minutes later, their drinks were ready, and Luna put the right amount of coins on the counter before Elias could say or do anything. Then, she took both drinks, thanked the man, turned to Elias, and handed him his drink. "Another lovely idea." Luna remarked casually after taking a sip of hers. You paid for the meal, and I'm certain that the price of these drinks pales in comparison to the bill he paid. "Do you prefer red or white wine?" Luna asked a moment later.

"I like both, but it depends on what I am in the mood for at the time. " she answered. "What is your favorite kind of tea?"

"Mine is Earl Grey, with milk and two sugars. What kind of biscuits do you prefer to eat with your tea, if you were to indulge in some?" she asked next. Your birthday is coming; I should have all of these answers memorized by then. Were in June, and his birthday is in September...Yes, I think that should be plenty of time. I need your favorite drinks, favorite meal, favorite dessert, activity, place...It would be such a surprise if he woke up on his birthday to discover that we had flown to his favorite place during the night. What if I slipped something into his drink and then Raven could help me get him into a room in the carriage? There would be no harm in that, and I doubt he would be angry if he awoke to the Eiffel tower in the morning. But it is a matter of trust; he trusts me enough not to check the food I serve him when we dine together, so if I did that he wouldn't trust me now would he? She thought foolishly. Not a very bright idea...Maybe it doesn't have to be a surprise? Or, I could tell him to pack a bag for a trip, and I wouldn't tell him where we were going? Oh...he would probably want to spend his birthday with his family... she thought, thinking that she was selfish for thinking about what they would do together when he had a family that he enjoyed spending time with so very much. He had mentioned something about taking Lily out for her birthday. Elizabeth and Alexander probably already have both of their children's birthdays planned out perfectly. Really, I would have no business being there. She tilted her head upwards, toward the sky, closing her eyes. She took a long, deep sigh. And then she continued walking as if nothing happened. "It's such a lovely day." she said before Elias could ask why.

"I think it is more convenient to pick it after the mission," Aislynn replied.

"Of course." he replied, pushing the button for the tenth floor.

"Konbawa." Mirari greeted them when they left the elevator on the tenth floor. She was very cheerful, as usual.

She shook hands with both Aislynn and Alastair, then handed them both a file.

I wonder if Aislynn will ask what happened to Reiji, since he usually greets us and Mirari is usually developing gadgets on a different floor. Alastair wondered after thanking Mirari. Although, I assume she will be more intrigued than terrified of what happened. He thought with a smile.

Mirari replied with "Doidashimastei.(Your welcome.)" in her usual cheerful way, and walked off to greet another person who was leaving the elevator.

It seems that Mirari has gotten very organized in her new position. Alastair thought when he opened the file.

There was a week's worth of targets for each Aislynn and Alastair, translated into English for Aislynn. There were seven villains in each file. Names, ages, blood-types, and heights. Then, there were the victims and/or charges, and their last seen or known locations so that they could move from there.

"Would you like to choose which villain we handle, or shall I decide?" he asked after they had had a chance to glance at the papers inside their folders.

 

[Hikari Chan]

A few minutes later, their drinks were ready, and Luna put the right amount of coins on the counter before Elias could say or do anything. He sighed inwardly, for he had reached his hand into his inner pocket but removed it when she was faster than him. ...Well, I will invite her for dinner later...a couple of hours before we need to leave... Then, she took both drinks, thanked the man, turned to Elias, and handed him his drink.

"Thank you, my dear..." He smiled, taking the lemonade.

"Another lovely idea." Luna remarked casually after taking a sip of hers.

He smiled warmly before taking a sip of his drink. Would she think lemonade sorbet would be a lovely idea as well? Sour lemonade sorbet...Not today, though another day I will surprise her with it…

"Do you prefer red or white wine?" Luna asked a moment later.

"Well, I prefer red for fine dining. In other circumstances I prefer crystal, cherry blossom or moon wine. Crystal wine is transparent like water and a bubbly drink. The cherry blossom wine one is also transparent though it has a shade of cherry blossom pink, also bubbly kind. Moon wine on the other hand has a shade of moon blue. And they taste like their names suggest, hehe they are wizarding wines after all. What about you?"

"I like both, but it depends on what I am in the mood for at the time." she answered. "What is your favorite kind of tea?"

"Any kind of herbal tea without any sugar, and you? What do you prefer?"

"Mine is Earl Grey, with milk and two sugars. What kind of biscuits do you prefer to eat with your tea, if you were to indulge in some?" she asked next.

"Well when I drink herbal tea, I never eat biscuits," he chuckled. "I only eat biscuits with Earl Grey, which is also without milk and sugar. I love crisp almond biscuits." He smiled and wondered what she would ask him next.

She tilted her head upwards, toward the sky, closing her eyes. She took a long, deep sigh. And then she continued walking as if nothing happened. He looked at her astonished and wondered what was ailing her.

"It's such a lovely day." she said before Elias could ask why.

"You are more lovely, my dear..." He said charmingly. "Now it is my turn to ask you..." He smiled, pausing for a second before continuing: "What do you favor for dinner?"

Aislinn was surprised when Reji did not show up, but Mirari. She greeted Mirari politely and was curious about why yet revealed that he did not turn up when they had entered the floor.

"Would you like to choose which villain we handle, or shall I decide?" Alastair asked after they had had a chance to glance at the papers inside their folders which Mirari had handed to them.

"You decide," Aislinn winked. "I trust your decision."

"I have a suggestion..." Adela said as soon as they had reached to Madam Malkin's clothing shop but not entered yet. "We will first visit another clothing store before Madam Malkin's-"

"Why?" Faeryn looked curiously at her. "You did not tell me this before we came here. I thought we only agreed on to visit Madam Malkin's-"

"Yes, I know, though I just remembered another clothing store. We cannot enter there with clothing packages from Madam Malkin's, if we first go to her, because the former store is filled with clothes...I mean it is not like the latter one where you have to order clothes, getting measured and then the clothes sewed…you know that it is fine to enter Madam Malkin's clothing shop with shopping packages or bags, so let's visit Darkest Creatures first-"

"Darkest Creatures?" Faeryn and Endewyne exchanged looks with each other and then they both looked suspiciously at Adela.

"Oh, it is just a clothing store with dark colored clothes, mostly black...I have only seen one young girl, seemingly younger than us, a normal witch, who works there..." Adela hurried to say. "I saw a black gown there the first time when I visited that store and I really wished to buy it, but I was not carrying on any galleons like I do now." She was being honest ad Faeryn could see that.

"Well..." Faeryn said, her face expressionless. "Let's go there so you can buy the gown you dream about..."

Adela smiled gratefully and tried to remain calm as they entered Knockturn Alley. When they reached the store which she had been talking about, both Faeryn and Endewyne looked curiously at it.

"Hello," Adela greeted gaily as soon as they had entered the store. She winked towards the girl who was standing behind the cashier before she vanished with her friends among the clothes in the women's section.

"The gown is very simple and modest…" Faeryn commented when Adela was trying a gown in the dressing room.



"That is why I wanted to purchase it. I prefer to dress modestly and this one is perfect for commonplace and casual situations. I am not here to shop fancy ball gowns," Adela laughed.

When she was done, she walked over to the cashier with the one dress in her arm. She smiled towards Rosaleya and payed. "Thank you..." She said politely when she took her shopping bag. She walked out from the store with her friends walking behind her.

When Adela, Faeryn and Endewyne had stepped out from Darkest Creatures, Adela's heart skipped several beats. She did not see how pale both Faeryn and Endewyne turned, because her eyes were only on him.

"Oh hello, how nice to meet you again..." Vincent smiled, glinting on his fangs.

"...Eh…erhm…He...hello..." Adela, to the contrast to her friends, turned red as she blushed deeply.

"…You look so lovely when you blush so deeply and your sweet blood rushes to your face..." He flirted charmingly.

Adela looked away and giggled. Endewyne was paralyzed of fear and feeling impotent to move. Faeryn finally came to her senses and drew out her wand.

"Faeryn, no!" Adela nearly screamed and rushed in between Vincent and Faeryn. She was hit by the cruciatus curse which was actually meant for him...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"You are more lovely, my dear..." Elias said charmingly.

Luna gazed at him, a subtle smile at the edges of her lips, her eyes conveying the message that she appreciated the fact that his flattery was not contrived.

"Now it is my turn to ask you...What do you favor for dinner?"

"Tonight?" Luna asked, surprised. I thought this was it. I didn't think he would want to have lunch as well. It's fine; I'll just have something light; he suggested it with such a kind smile...I don't feel like lying about having other plans... "Wherever you like." She replied a second later. "Your decisions are invariably flawless." she stated confidently. Unless you happen to choose your place, which would make it impossible for me to have a simple salad when your house elf prepares such large meals. It would be an obvious insult to merely eat the salad.

"You decide," Aislynn winked. "I trust your decision."

"A touching compliment, my lady." Alastair said warmly. As he spoke, he offered her his arm so that they may return to the elevator together. Once inside, he pressed the button for the ground floor, and spoke while they were going down. "There was a specific case that caught my eye; an adult male, middle-aged, who is rumored to have raised his son on his own. His late wife left him for some unknown reason-" he explained darkly, reading from the file "-and was brutally murdered a month later. There was no evidence on who killed her. However, six years later, a police officer noticed that the son, now ten years old, had some bizarre bruises on his leg. The son denied the officer's request to have him examined at the school infirmary, and that only aroused his suspicions further. This report-" he looked at Aislynn, "-was made by that concerned police officer. It goes on to say that the father of the child had always been very strict about curfews and very over-protective about the son. The children at the school say they have never seen the young boy eat anything at lunch, and the child's homeroom teacher has seen him holding his head, as if in pain. 'Like he had a headache.'" she stated. Alastair closed his file just as they reached the ground floor; he had been reading rather quickly. "Child abuse." he finished, his eyes seething and his tone certain. "The child's school is in Tokyo, so it will be an hour's drive, or two minutes by carriage." Alastair calculated out loud. He opened the door to the car for Aislynn.

Five minutes later.

Raven opened the carriage door for them, surprised to see them back already.

Alastair turned to Raven as Aislynn entered. "We need to reach Tokyo as quickly as possible." he explained.

"Yes, I understand." Raven nodded.

Once inside the carriage, Alastair turned to Aislynn. "The boy's father is named Takashi Nasujima, and the boy's name is Ayasei. The father has him enrolled in an all-boys private school, and they live in a lavish apartment that is closer to a penthouse than an actual apartment. Takashi seems to be the average moneylender, but he is, in truth, taxing his customers with unfair interest rates. In the end, they cannot pay the price. Many of them happen to disappear." he sighed. I have to save that child; nothing is more important to me than saving a child who is being abused by...Why?! Why would a parent do something to an innocent child who trusts them?!

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Tonight?" Luna asked, surprised.

Elias laughed. A look which flashed his eyes for a mere second was telling that he had on his mind to dine with her before they would leave the village.

"Wherever you like. "she replied a second later. "Your decisions are invariably flawless." she stated confidently.

"I was not only thinking for tonight," He confessed. "Of course, we will eat something before we leave. I am just curious what you mainly favor for dinner..." He smiled.

Aislinn listened quietly when Alastair told her about the specific case.

It is so obvious... She thought. ...The man must have murdered his wife...

Once inside the carriage, Alastair continued: "The boy's father is named Takashi Nasujima, and the boy's name is Ayasei. The father has him enrolled in an all-boys private school, and they live in a lavish apartment that is closer to a penthouse than an actual apartment. Takashi seems to be the average moneylender, but he is, in truth, taxing his customers with unfair interest rates. In the end, they cannot pay the price. Many of them happen to disappear." he sighed.

"It is strange that the police cannot do anything, because it so obvious that he is guilty..." Aislinn commented thoughtfully.

The only sound that could be heard in alley was of the wand which hit the cobbled pavement.
Adela fell at the same time, falling softly in Vincent's arms who kneeled down and caught her just in time before she hit the ground. She was pale and unconscious as if she was dead.

"...." Endewyne seemed to have lost her voice of shock. She looked at Faeryn as if she was seeking for an answer or solution. The latter one was cold sweating and so shocked of fear that she trembled. She did not know where to look. For a second she looked at the dead pale Adela and then for another second she looked at Endewyne with a look which was saying: It was just a cruciatus curse...it does not kill....she cannot be...

Vincent was eyeing Adela's neck with a piercing look as if he was looking past her skin. He ran his finger softly at the spot where her pulse flooded with blood. Her pulse was faint. What no one knew was that she had not eaten anything since she had woken up. Therefor when the curse had hit her, she had been so weak due to lack of nourishment that she had fainted rather than screamed of pain.

"If you had killed her, I would not have hesitated a second to end you here and now," Vincent spoke coldly yet calmly as his dark eyes flashed dangerously whilst looking straight into Faeryn's eyes. And he meant it.

Faeryn could not take it anymore and fainted of fear. Endewyne who was dreadfully paralyzed, feeling unable to move, had no idea what to do. She looked one second at the vampire who rose up from his kneeling position, with Adela in his arms and the handle of the shopping bag around his hand wrist, then she looked at Faeryn who was laying pale and unconsciously at the ground. Endewyne watched helplessly and terrified as he left Knockturn Alley, vanishing through a corner, with Adela.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"It is strange that the police cannot do anything, because it so obvious that he is guilty..." Aislynn commented thoughtfully.

"There was no evidence." Alastair explained. "If you could simply arrest someone on an instinct, the whole system would fall apart." he sighed. "That man is too cautious..." he finished, his tone resentful. Alastair turned to Aislynn a second later. "We know that that man is guilty for harming both his son and his wife." he stated logically. "But for the lack of evidence, we would be able to assassinate them as soon as we locate them. What do you suggest we do?" he asked. His eyes held a look of such intrigue. It was apparent that he could easily formulate a plan, but he wanted to observe Aislynn's technique. He was certain that she would not fail. That confidence in her was also shown in his eyes.

He wants to dine again so soon?! Luna thought when she saw the look in Elias's eyes.

"I was not only thinking for tonight," He confessed. "Of course we will eat something before we leave. I am just curious what you mainly favor for dinner..." He smiled.

"Oh..." Luna thought for a moment. "...My favorite lunch is sushi, every time. Same for dinner. Although, if I happen to have had sushi already for breakfast..." she remembered the time when Alastair has suggested it and they had actually enjoyed having it for breakfast "...or rather, lunch." she continued, trying to sound more logical since she doubted Elias would consider sushi a breakfast food. "... I would love a slice of fresh bread and tomato basil soup for dinner. " It is my favorite kind of soup. Some restaurants make it too thin, but I use many tomatoes and blend it so that it is very thick, and very flavorful with fresh basil and milk, and a bit of cooking creme. Ah...I can almost smell it. And the French bread is baking in the oven as I stir the pot...

Before Elias could say a word, she stopped walking and faced him, her expression serious. "Would you mind parting ways for a few minutes? You could go to your manor, collect the book you mentioned, and meet me back at my manor, where I would have the soup and bread ready? We would dine together, and then you could attend to your business." she explained. That would both save me the worry of the restaurant not making the soup correctly, and the fact that the bill would be outrageous for a simple soup and bread. Please agree with me on that. She thought, her eyes not leaving his.

"So, how are you doing today?" Crystal asked, entering Darkest Creatures.

"So nice! I woke up early today, and I didn't have to babysit the cash register since it was really early in the morning! So, guess what I did with that time?" Rosaleya asked mischievously.

"What?" Crystal asked, having no idea.

"I read more manga than I've had time to in a whole month! Now that I don't have a problem with Dad shoving books down my throat, I can really enjoy myself!" she stated happily.

"I'm happy that you had a nice time." Crystal smiled, waving as she walked away from the cash register, to the back room. "Maybe you can come upstairs later and help me with the new line of dresses that are due by the end of this month." she called as she began walking up the stairs.

"Sounds like fun!" Rosaleya called back, smiling. Crystal does the work; she just lets me put on some nice music and she asks me about my opinion on certain aspects of the clothing from time to time. It's more talk than work for me, which is why it's fun, since I really don't know what I'm doing when it comes to making clothes.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"I understand..." Aislinn nodded seriously.

"We know that that man is guilty for harming both his son and his wife." Alastair stated logically. "But for the lack of evidence, we would be able to assassinate them as soon as we locate them. What do you suggest we do?" he asked

"Well, I think the best is to observe their living place using those special contacts to get a good view of everything inside their home. You said they live in an apartment, we could land on the rooftop, keeping the carriage invisible if possible," She suggested. "We are two against one. Muggle or Wizard, we will easily take him down. I think we will get a good idea what to do when we get a better view of the culprit's place…"

"Ah..." Elias smiled. He was about to speak when Luna stopped walking and faced him, her expression serious.

He gave her a surprised and curious look.

"Would you mind parting ways for a few minutes? You could go to your manor, collect the book you mentioned, and meet me back at my manor, where I would have the soup and bread ready? We would dine together, and then you could attend to your business." she explained.

"If it is what you wish, my lady, then I have no obligation. I need to be back at Hogwarts before seven o'clock this evening. Since the time is..." He checked his pocket watch. "...four o'clock, I think it is convenient to part now..."

Endywyne with the help of Mary-Jane, Melody and Flora, put Faeryn who was almost revived to bed in her office. She was still very pale and stared with shocked eyes at the ceiling.

"Please remain by her side, while I speak to Adela's oldest brother..." Endewyne spoke with a trembling voice and left.

She rushed down the stairs, nearly stumbling over her feet. She tried to calm down and breath calmly when she reached August Dolohov's office. She knocked twice at the door.

"Yes…?" She heard him calling out and she entered.

August was going through his collection of books of Ancient Runes when he turned around and looked questioningly at Endewyne who was looking so mortified. She burst out in tears when she saw him.

"What the bloody-?"

"It is Adela..." Endewyne said with a thick voice.

"And what's with her?!" There was slight tone of impatience and arrogance in his voice.

"She was abducted by Monroe's cousin and he threatened to kill Faeryn..."

"So?"

"So? You are her brother, that's why I came to you, I even sent you a message through my emerald, asking you for help. Please, we need to save Adela…"

"I got your message-"

"So-"

"If I did not reply to your message or arrived at Knockturn Alley as you suggested, what do you think it means?"

Endewyne became speechless, staring horrified at August.

He smiled coldly and haughtily before continuing: "Adela has brought disgrace to the name of our family since she was eleven years old. I had high expectations on my little sister, but she disappointed me when she was sorted in Ravenclaw but not Slytherin. Back then, I thought over the issue and remembered that I read in one of the history books that the one who revived the Dark Lord in 1995 was a Gryffindor himself, so I tried to soothe myself with the thought that Adela would stay a true Dolohov and pureblood even if she was sorted in a different house. But no she did not. She befriended every mudblood in her house. After her graduation I tried to marry her away to Mulciber, so that she could be better protected since she became of age, but she refused the proposal and recently she have been chasing a vampire. She deserved to be abducted. I hope that will teach her a lesson for once to at least listen to me, being her oldest brother. When she regrets that she has disobeyed me it is too late. For what good does regret when you cannot fix a mistake?"

An awkward silence filled the office for a minute and then he snarled at her: "Now get out of my office and do not disturb me again.

Endewyne trembled as she hurried out of the office, nearly slamming the door behind her. Once she was out in the corridor she fell down at the floor, crying hysterically.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Her plan was the same as mine...How unexpected. Alastair thought. "And we shall do just that." Alastair smiled.

His patronus was summoned, and he informed Raven of their plans.

"Here you are..." he said when he had sent it off. He pulled a pair of the contact lenses from his pocket, handing them to her.

He put on his pair just as they landed on the rooftop of the apartment building.

It was a very tall building, rising above most others nearby as they saw once they had left the carriage, in their usual way.

"Mr. Nasujima's apartment is consequently just below us. The top floor; the largest apartment in the building." he pointed to the floor, which was the ceiling in Nasujima's apartment. "Your orders?" Alastair asked.

Ah...three hours is more than enough time... "Then the moment we finish our drinks-" she continued walking "-we shall part ways temporarily." She took another sip. I'll get the book without having to go to his manor, avoiding eating there. And, we avoid eating at a restaurant. Perfect.

Once they finished, Luna waved goodbye to Elias and left for her manor.

She returned quickly, and immediately began making preparations for dinner.

"You're rushing so eagerly so that it will be perfect when he arrives. You look so determined." Nagini remarked, slithering into the kitchen. But the way she said it was like she was questioning Luna. Questioning who she was really preparing the meal for.

Luna ignored Nagini, and, just as planned, had the food set out perfectly in the center of the labyrinth two full minutes before he arrived. With the remaining minutes, she transformed the center of the labyrinth beautifully, preparing to surprise him.

The dining table was simple and immaculate, and above it was a gazebo made of birch wood. Around the pillars which held the top of the gazebo up were vines of roses, either white or black. But the most spectacular part was the sand that had replaced the grass. So soft and clean; the sand led to an ocean that lea to the sky, creating a lovely scene. It was, of course, an illusion, but it was wonderful to behold.

"I thought that he said he didn't like illusions...That he preferred the real thing?" Nagini said once Luna sat down in her place at the dining table.

"He said that about the candles, not the labyrinth." she reasoned.

"Still...." Nagini persisted slyly, before slithering away.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Perfect!" Aislinn smiled, happy that her ideas were of great use for the mission.

"Here you are..." Alastair said when he had sent a Patronus to Raven. He pulled a pair of the contact lenses from his pocket, handing it to her.

She took them and already put them on before they landed on the rooftop of a very tall building.

"Mr. Nasujima's apartment is consequently just below us. The top floor; the largest apartment in the building." he pointed to the floor, which was the ceiling in Nasujima's apartment.

"That's very convenient. We can easily look into his place without the need of looking through others to search for him."

"Your orders?" Alastair asked.

"Well you already know," Aislinn smirked. "It is time to spy..."

Elias arrived just in time with the book he had promised Luna, in his hand. He walked over to the manor but then stopped in his tracks. Did she mention exactly where? He thought amused as he turned around and looked towards the labyrinth. The dinner room, the kitchen or... He entered the manor, walked past the kitchen and towards the dinner room which he found empty.
Well, I guess it is outdoors... He smiled.

When he entered the center of the labyrinth, he gazed in surprise. He stood still for a minute, admiring the beautiful scenery which reminded him about the beach, the sea and the summer days he used to spend with his family in his younger years whenever they went on vacation to their cottage by the sea. A warm smile was spread across his face when he walked over to Luna.

"What a lovely surprise, how did you know that I love the beach?" He handed over the book to her. "Wuthering Heights, I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did..."

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Have you remembered to bring the earpiece that Mirari gave you?" Alastair asked. The one that allows you to understand Japanese and hear it as if it is English.

Below them, they could see the entire apartment clearly with their lenses. Takeshi and Ayasei were eating dinner together in the kitchen. Neither person said a word. It was clear that Ayasei was very nervous as he ate quietly, seemingly afraid to say the wrong thing so he chose not to speak at all. Takeshi, on the other hand, had an expectant kind of look, observing Ayasei as if he was waiting for something to go wrong and then react. When Takeshi finished eating, Ayasei finished his last few bites quickly before rising from his place and clearing the plates. He used no magic, but he managed to collect all of the dishes in one trip, taking them to the kitchen. He returned with a clean sponge, and wiped down the table, then dried it with a clean towel. Then, he deftly began washing the dishes, while Takeshi remained seated. He had been simply watching quietly the entire time, his expression blank. The boy finished quickly, leaving a spotless kitchen behind as he turned to leave the room.

"Ah..." Takeshi said, grabbing the boy's hand just as he passed him. The boy froze in his place, his eyes wide in fear. "...Anata no tesuto ga do natta ka oshiete kureta koto o wasurete shimatta. (You forgot to tell me how your test went.)

"Kanpeki. (Perfectly.)" Ayasei replied confidently. "Hyaku-pasento. (100 percent.)"

"Sasuga. (Just as expected of you.)" Takeshi said, and he let go of Ayasei's hand. Ayasei was relieved. "Neru. (Go to bed.)"

"Mochiron. (Of course.)" Ayasei said, hurrying away to go brush his teeth before bed.

While Ayasei was preparing to go to bed, Takeshi moved from the kitchen to the larger of the two bedrooms, getting ready for bed himself.

Takashi finished his preparations first, and stood by his bed expectantly.

A minute later, Ayasei came inside the room with a cold glass of water, which he put on the bedside table. "Oyasumi. (Good night.)" He said, bowing.

Takeshi watched without a word as Ayasei completed his bow and left the room, closing the door behind him. He drank his water in a single gulp, put the glass back down on the table, turned out the lights, and went to sleep.

Ayase went to sleep as well.

Now what? We happened to show up on a night without incident? Alastair thought tiredly. What are we going to do, watch them sleep for nine hours? Alastair eyed Aislynn; he prepared to say nothing until she gave her next orders.

"Thank you." Luna said, taking the book from Elias. "You mentioned a while back that the sight of the water calmed you. I cannot remember your exact words, but I do remember that I agreed with you." Luna answered, remembering the time when she had fainted after sharing her memories with Elias, and he had taken her to a place by the sea. He said it was...owned by his parents, I believe. Yes; I specifically remember him saying that he didn't want to try fooling about in the kitchen for my sake for fear of ruining his mother's China collection. She laughed softly.

"What is your favorite breakfast food? And your favorite meal for lunch, and dinner?" Luna asked.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Of course," Aislinn replied and picked out the translating device from her bag and put it on.

Merlin's beard, he is treating his own child as a servant, what an awful father... She thought as she watched in silence.

She nearly jumped of surprise when she saw the man grabbing his son by his hand and she thought that something awful would happen at that very moment. But to her astonishment nothing terrible happened at all.

Tsk...he cannot even give the boy a break, he seems to have very high expectations on his son...I do not remember my father but this does absolutely not look like a normal interaction between a father and a child..

"It is Monday today, isn't it..." Aislinn said, meeting Alastair's look. It was not a question, but rather something she stated. "I think we only saw the surface of the abuse..." She said thoughtfully. "This interaction between them, even if nothing awful occurred, is not something normal. He does not treat him as his son but more as a house elf. Thus, I draw the conclusion that the abuse can happen any time during a day. It is Tuesday tomorrow and this boy will go to school of course, so the question is when does the worse kind of abuse really happen. The boy must have been at school today, I don't know how muggle school systems are like, but let's say from around nine o'clock morning to two o'clock in afternoon. We have not seen what had happened from the time he got home until the supper time. And I think I know what might have happened during that time. The boy must have been doing his homework. Since his father has very high expectation on his son, the son must have studied during the afternoon and the evening to please his father. In the mornings he will get ready for school and I hardly believe that something worse will happen. The only things that will happen during the mornings would undoubtedly be something similar like the incident which we observed just now. This left out the weekends when the boy does not go to school, but I still do not think that any worse abuse will happen during the daytime even if it was a weekend, because I think that the boy has to study and doing house chores since his father does not lift a finger to do anything. The boy might cook food, clean the house, do laundry and yeah.....so this lefts out the nights...what do you think?"

"True..." Elias smiled when he remembered that night, he had taken her to his family's cottage by the sea.

"What is your favorite breakfast food? And your favorite meal for lunch, and dinner?" Luna asked.

"Well, for breakfast I prefer natural yogurt, poached eggs, green tea and French buttered bread. Anything light for lunch such as meats, sandwiches, salads, soup. As for dinner I love steaks and roasts, especially roast beef with roasted potatoes, creamy rosemary sauce and mint leaves. What do you favor?"

The healer who was giving Adela some healing potions, had one suspicious eye at vampire who was standing further away looking out through the window, and one eye on her visitor. Adela was half laying with in a bed in St Mungo’s, looking cheerful as took her potions obediently. Ten other healers were present, both guarding the healer who was helping Adela and keeping an eye on Vincent. None of them trusted a vampire and they were feeling very suspicious about his visit.

"I feel better now, thank you..." Adela smiled, getting out from the bed.

"But you need to rest for an hour at least-"

"I am fine..." She jumped out from the bed and nearly rushed towards Vincent. "Let's leave.."

The healers looked horrified and shocked at her, wondering how the girl could be so fearless and relaxed around a vampire. They could hardly look away as they watched with eyes so wide, that their eyes nearly popped out from their sockets, when the strange pair walked out from the room.

"How do you know this place, if I may ask?" Adela inquired Vincent as soon as they walked out from St Mungo’s.

"My cousin was born here..." He replied, getting a distant look in his eyes

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"...The boy might cook food, clean the house, do laundry and yeah.....so this lefts out the nights...what do you think?"

Alastair had been listening with great interest. Her thoughts follow a logical pattern. She put that together very efficiently. And yes, the father is more than a little strict. "I agree with you. We have the time Ayasei gets home from school, and the night time for an incident. Anything that would occur outside of those times would be either too mild, like tonight, or merely verbal, which wouldn't be enough to allow us to act." he nodded in agreement to Aislynn's statements. "Now then, what do you suggest we do? Shall we watch them in shifts? Or, should we leave and come back at the approximate time when Ayasei would get home from school the next day?" he asked, presenting her with two logical options. If she is like me, she wouldn't leave until the job was done. She had, in a sense, mirrored my thoughts thus far, unintentionally. A house elf indeed.

Luna tried to remember every detail as Elias spoke, so that she could quickly write it down later. "I prefer a light breakfast. Something barely mentionable, like an apple. My favorite kind are the green ones, because they are sour." Or sometimes no breakfast at all. "And I have already told you what I prefer for lunch or dinner." she finished. Sushi or soup and bread. This particular soup. Elias cannot cook. I wonder if he would like to learn, or if he has no desire at all to learn. I wonder if Lily is serious about learning how to cook and bake...

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Well..." Aislinn pondered for a couple of a minutes before answering: "My suggestion is to watch them around the clock because we can only speculate and do not know when something worse might happen until we have witnessed it. One can think that nothing might happen at the night because they both need to sleep, since the boy need to go to school the next day and the father needs to work since he is a moneylender. But we cannot be for sure. So, it is best to remain here and keep a watch to confirm our speculations. Should nothing happen during this night, then we keep watching them every day and night throughout the week and see if anything happens the other days or during the weekends. We can watch in shifts if anyone of us need to rest, as for now we can watch together, I am not really sleepy or tired...I am able to stay awake until four o'clock in the morning."

"Oh, you have a very little appetite..." Elias commented with a frown. Merlin's beard, only sour apple for breakfast? Would she eat if I invited her to eat apple pie made on sour green apples...? "I hope you are not on diet, my dear?"

"Ah.....how old was you?" Adela blurted out, becoming a bit to curious.

"Seven..."

"Oh so you..." She stopped in her tracks when she realized it. "Merlin's beard," She exclaimed turning around facing him. "You cannot be thirty-one?" She looked at him with surprise. "I thought you were like twenty-four or five...you look so young!"

Vincent laughed. "I am past twenty...already thirty-one, yes, we vampires age slower and live longer than human beings," He explained. "How old are you?"

"I am twenty-three..." Adela smiled. "I will turn twenty-four about three months....my birthday is 10th September, when is yours?"

"19th May-"

"Oh!" It was a month ago.... She looked away, seemingly to ponder about something when her eyes fell on a muggle cafe further down the street and then she got a splendid idea.

"Erhm...Vin-...eh...Mr. D’Arcy, I would love to invite you for a late lunch to celebrate your belated birthday and thank you for taking me to St Mungo’s…" She looked at him with big pleading cute eyes, as if she was expecting him to accept her invitation.

"Are you going to..." He looked discreetly around and then added in a low sarcastic voice. "...catch a human for my lunch?"

"I would indeed do that for you, of course only during the night...I owe you that because you helped me today..." She looked very seriously at him, meaning every word she was saying. "Though now I thought that we could have some pasties for lunch..."

His sarcastic smile faltered and was replaced by an astonished look. "Pa--pasties? How did you?"

"Well, I learned about your species when I was a student at Hogwarts, so I know some things..." She smiled. "Well, shall we?" She clung arms with him and lead him to the cafe.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Very well, my lady." Alastair said, in a tone that explained he was completely fine with remaining there as long as necessary. He conjured a chair, just behind Aislynn, so that all she needed to do was sit down. "Please-" Alastair gestured to Aislynn's chair, "-you needn't stand for the entirety of this mission." he said charmingly. He himself remained standing, looking from the father to the son intently, as if he believed that something may happen any moment.

When Aislynn offered to conjure a chair for him, he replied "I wish to stand, my lady. But do not worry; I do not tire easily." in a very polite tone.

Two hours and thirty-four minutes later.

Ayasei awoke in his bed with a start, as if he had had a nightmare. Even with all of the lights out, the windows weren't covered, so moonlight illuminated parts of the room, making it much easier to maneuver. He got out of his bed, and went into the kitchen for a glass of water. He drank with a shaking hand. It was clear that he was deeply disturbed about his nightmare. He returned to his bedroom without incident, and tried to go back to sleep. Tossing and turning, he was unable to do so easily. Then, he sat up, and started to weep.

He must have had a very intense dream. One so vivid, it was almost real...Those dreams are the sort that bother me that way...

Soon, Ayasei was unable to contain his feelings, and began sobbing.

Alastair looked to Aislynn, wishing to see her reaction. He looked back to the father's bedroom, only to see that he had turned on his light, left his room, and was making his way to Ayasei's room with the light that came from his open bedroom door.

Alastair was surprised, and worried at the same time. What will Takashi do?!

Takashi opened Ayasei's bedroom door, and stood there with the same blank face he had had earlier. "Ayasei." he said. His tone asked, 'what are you doing?'

Ayasei looked up quickly, startled. "Watashi...(I...)" he began, his voice uneven. There was fear in his tone as well as in his eyes. "Nanimonai! (Nothing!)" He insisted. He was a terrible liar.

"Hontoni? (Really?)" Takeshi asked, not really asking. "Anata wa nani no tame ni anata no meiwakuna oto de watashi o megasameta? (You woke me up with your annoying sounds for nothing?)" He asked, turning on Ayasei's bedroom light, which nearly blinded him since he had been in the dark. "Naze naite ita nodesu ka?(Why were you crying?)" he asked, his tone annoyed as his gaze fell on Ayasei's red eyes.

Ayasei looked down at the floor, and did not answer.

That look...The look you give when you cannot tell someone something out of fear that you will trigger a raging storm...Alastair thought.

"Oshietekudasai! (Tell me!)" Takashi said forcefully, quickly advancing on Ayasei and holding him by the shoulders firmly.

"Ah!" Ayasei gasped in pain; Takashi's grip was too firm.

"Oshietekudasai! (Tell me!)" Takashi repeated mercilessly.

"Watashi wa... Anata ga watashi o mo aishite inai to itta koto o yumemite imashita...(I...I dreamed that you told me you didn't love me anymore...)" Ayasei confessed, and his tears started falling again. "Anata wa watashi ga anata ni futandeari, haji o kaka sete iru to iimashita. (You told me that I was a burden to you, and a disgrace...That you hatedme.)" he sobbed. "Soshite, anata wa watashi o nagesutete, moichido watashi o mitakunai to itta....(And then you threw me out, and said that you never wanted to see me again.)" he sobbed even harder. "Kesshite moichido...(Never again...)" he repeated, and his words became a jumbled mess in all of his distress.

Alastair was watching with a shocked expression. He wants a father to love, and to love him in return...So much to the point that he believes...

"Ayasei." Takashi said, his voice quiet with anger. "Watashi wa anata o aishite iruto dare ga itta nodesu ka? (Who told you that I loved you?!)"

And he pulled a shocked Ayasei out of his bed, and threw him onto the floor. "Dare ga anata ni watashi no ai no kachigāru to itta nodesu ka? (Who told you that you were worth my love?)" Takashi asked, nearly yelling in merciless anger, his eyes full of hatred. "Anata wa dorehodo orokana nodesu ka? Watashi wa anata no koto o ki ni suru koto ga dekinaito anata o rikai shite imasendeshita ka? (How foolish are you?! Didn't you understand by the way I treated you that I could care less about you?)"

Ayasei was clutching his head in pain: it had hit the floor with a dull thump since he hadn't expected the fall. "Mewosamasu! ( Wake up!)" Ayasei yelled to himself. "Sore wa chodo warui yumedesu! (It's just another bad dream!)"

Let's go, now Alastair thought. It's proof enough. Throwing him onto the floor wasn't enough, but the things he are saying and his lack of compassion...It's escalating too quickly. He's about to hurt him terribly! He was angered, and his eyes were purple again.

"Anata wa megasamete iru, baka! (You are awake, you idiot!)" Takashi breathed, bending down and grabbing a fistful of Ayasei's hair. "Anata wa watashi no panchingubaggudeshita. (You were my punching bag, that was all!)"

Alastair disappeared in a puff of smoke before Aislynn could do or say anything.

"Ie... Watashi wa anata o totemo aishiteimasu... Watashi o aishitekudasai, chichi! (No...I love you so much...Tell me you love me, father!)" Ayasei pleaded as Takashi pulled on his hair, raising his head an inch above the floor. He was about to slam it down forcefully when he let go suddenly.

Thud.

"Otosan! (Father!)" Ayasei yelled, getting up off the floor. His pupils shrank with fear when he saw his father's form laying still, his eyes closed. "Anatahadare?! (Who are you?!)" Ayasei asked, turning immediately to Alastair accusingly.

Alastair lightly touched Ayasei on the shoulder, and he fell unconscious. He bent down, and caught the boy in his arms before he hit the floor. "I apologize; I should have waited for your orders." Alastair said apologetically to Aislynn. "But now that man is..." he turned coldly to Takashi. His eyes faded from purple back to their normal brown as he stared at the result of his actions; Takashi Nasujima's corpse.

A...A diet? A diet is for people who need to lose weight. He has eyes that work; why would he ask such a question? Luna wondered, slightly disturbed by the fact that Elias had even asked. I have nothing to say...Should I change the subject? Or should I remain silent and wait for him to speak? But when he doesn't speak it will become awkward. What was that about honesty being the best option? Wait, he understood about my heart, and my asexuality. He would also understand about this because it's not nearly as bad as the first two!

"No, actually, I have close to no appetite at all...Many days I don't eat lunch or breakfast and just eat a moderate dinner. " Luna confessed. "I didn't say anything because I have these...irrational...fears that you won't accept each fault I reveal to you." she finished honestly. "There are just so many...I fear that every time I reveal one, you'll just think that they will never stop coming...Like Pandora's Box." she paused. "Or that perhaps you'll try to change me, fail, and then leave because I can't be who you want me to..." she stopped talking, realizing that she was being selfish again. Talking about myself when this was supposed to be a pleasant dinner...Wasting his time with problems like this...And he'll just assure me that his love for me has no boundaries, and I will believe that he doesn't mean those words...I am not the one for him, not when I am so selfish and problematic...

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Oh...thank you..." Aislinn smiled gratefully, taking her seat and looking at up at Alastair. “...but what about you?"

"I wish to stand, my lady. But do not worry; I do not tire easily." He said in a very polite tone.

She did not protest and turned her attention towards the two inhabitants of the apartment below her. It is useless to protest against a persistent demon. I will just let him have his own way... She thought smiling for herself. ...as long as he is happy and comfortable with his choices...

Aislinn watched in silence for two hours and thirty-four minutes until something happened.

What a heartless man... She thought. ...treating his own son this way...his own son...the boy does not deserve this, absolutely not, he so innocent and yet…?

She was so shocked at what she witnessed that she felt impotent to take any decision or resolution. The moment she rose up from her chair, Alastair disappeared and appeared in the boy's room. Aislinn followed him and when she was beside him, the man was dead and the boy unconscious.

"I apologize; I should have waited for your orders." Alastair said apologetically to her. "But now that man is..." he turned coldly to Takashi.

"It is alright...No need to apologize...I was feeling to impotent to give you any order…" She shook her head. "It was too shocking to witness what happened...will the boy be fine?" She asked. ...if his mother only had been alive... She thought sadly.

"I understand what you mean. I just got surprised because I remember you had greater appetite when we used to see each other before I was arrested," Elias replied calmly. "But why do you have these fears...put them aside my dear, no human is ever perfect. We all have our flaws and conditions. I also have some...well...I will tell you about it another time," he promised. "let's enjoy the dinner please, I cannot wait to taste the soup you have cooked for us. The smell is so lovely…"

"Please sit here while I buy a plate with pasties," Adela smiled, leading Vincent to a table for two beside a window. He sat obediently down, and she left her shopping bag with him as she walked over to the counter and ordered a plate with pasties.

She returned a couple of minutes later with a plate filled with at least ten pasties and placed at the table.

"Would you like to drink anything?" She asked him. "They have water, tea, coffee and soda drinks..."

"I only drink at night," Vincent replied, a little too loud and the waitress who was standing behind the counter and food display, gave him a very weird look.

Adela smiled apologetically towards her, with the look that was saying that her companion only drank alcoholic beverages in the pubs. She ordered Fanta, a muggle soda drink, for herself and came back with an orange colored can and a red straw.

"You may taste it if you like," She smiled as she placed the drink beside the plate in the middle of the table.

"Mmm..." Vincent mumbled, already chewing on a pasty. He looked suspiciously at the can where he heard fuzzing sounds as soon as Adela opened it and popped the straw inside the opening. Apparently, he did not like the fuzzing sound and decided against to try the drink.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

I feel relieved...I feared she may disapprove of my rash actions.

"It was to shocking to witness what happened...will the boy be fine?" Aislynn asked.

"Yes." Alastair said, with an unquestionable certainty in his voice. I am...fine. He will be as well...I just have to tell him first..."I'll contact the Agency so that they can send some Erasers* over. Then, we will take the boy back to the Agency with us. Mr. Natsumizaka will find a suitable place for him. Without resorting to leaving him at an orphanage." he added. "The Director takes great pleasure in finding homes personally for the younger victims. He hated the orphanage he grew up in for reasons he asked me not to divulge to others. So, he makes an effort to become acquainted to many responsible people....People with good hearts and personalities that would only want the best for their children." he finished. "Now then, let's walk back upstairs to the carriage." he said, walking out of the room without even a sideways glance at Takashi. "I can't keep him asleep and apparate at the same time." he explained, with a gentle glance at the boy in his arms. He doesn't just run the Agency...I have great respect for that man. We both share the same empathy for children like this one... Once inside the carriage, Alastair gently laid the boy in his bed, covering him in an almost fatherly way before closing the door on him.

The way he is caring for that boy... Raven thought as she flew. There was an astonished expression on her face. ...He's being so gentle, like the boy is made of glass...In his eyes it's like he's caring for his younger self...Like he's gone back in time...

"He'll remain asleep until I want him to wake up." Alastair said matter-of-factly as he sat down. He's safe...Takashi is dead...That boy's life is going to be so different now...So much better than....

Once they landed back in Osaka, Alastair turned to Aislynn. "One moment, please." Alastair said politely to Aislynn, leaving the carriage and closing the door with the air that he wanted her to remain where she was for a moment.

"Ravenna?" Alastair asked. "I-"

"-can't drive and keep Ayasei asleep because keeping him asleep should be your main focus. So, you want me to get Aislynn to the Agency while you jump there with Ayasei, since jumping is the easiest thing you know how to do and requires almost no concentration whatsoever?" Ravenna finished his sentence so quickly that he scarcely had time to become angry that she had read his mind again.

Alastair nodded without word, and turned, planning to return to the inside of the carriage and retrieve Ayasei. I'll just explain it to- he thought.

"I'll explain it to Aislynn, you just handle Ayasei. " Raven said helpfully, scarcely letting him finish his thought.

Alastair gave her a sideways glance which spoke many words in an instant.

"Sorry!" Raven apologized, her eyes conveying the fear she felt under his gaze. I just thought it would be faster to read his mind... she thought logically. But his eyes were so scary just then.

Alastair entered the carriage, and went into his bedroom without a word or a glance in Aislynn's direction.

"Aislynn!" Raven entered just after him. "Alastair is going to take Ayasei to the Agency, since he cannot drive, or apparate while he uses his magic to keep the boy asleep. Since you cannot apparate to the Agency since you do not know exactly where it is, I'll be taking you there." Raven explained, finishing just as Alastair came out of his room with Ayasei in his arms once more.

Once again, he didn't speak, but left the carriage with Raven holding the door open for him, and immediately disappearing into the night sky with an elegant jump.

"Are you ready?" Raven asked with a smile, turning toward Aislynn the moment Alastair was out of sight.

"Come outside." she instructed. Her energy was very happy, and excited at the same time. It looked as though she couldn't wait to show Aislynn how they would be getting to the Agency.

"Now, I have this other way to travel with a human, but it can only be used with one at a time, so it would be useless during missions." she explained, extending her lovely black wings. "But it's quite enjoyable." She looked upward, as if facing a friend, and gestured with her index finger for something to come nearer to them. A few seconds later, a large, white, fluffy cloud floated down, and stopped a few inches from the floor, right in front of Aislynn. "Please, have a seat." Raven gestured to the cloud grandly, proud of her work. Wait until she sees how fluffy it is! It's like nothing in his human world! Better than the best-quality bed.

Meanwhile, Alastair was half-way to the Agency, looking at Ayasei protectively as he soared through the air. The wind blew his hair away from his face, and it seemed like the moon was just behind him.

*Erasers are the Shiki Agency employees who clean/remove all evidence from a mission. They work so efficiently that they have kept the Agency a secret for so long...

"...greater appetite when we used to see each other before I was arrested," Elias replied calmly.

I remember that...I was taking a potion that helped with that...It allowed me to eat more without any discomfort. I just stopped using it because one of the ingredients cost too much for my liking.

"But why do you have these fears...put them aside my dear, no human is ever perfect. "

I've heard that before....But you're almost perfect...Besides that time with that French woman whose name I cannot recall...It took you so long to figure out that it was not me, but her. Or that time you pressured me into revealing Nagini to everyone at Easter...But you...well, you actually are perfect because I tried to dispose of you once, left you in Azkaban for longer than necessary for a tactical reason, and was literally using you until I realized that what I was taking for granted was an incredible person you seemed to accept one of my faults after the other without ever backing down...And you just weren't taking it, you were accepting it, which are completely different things...Like he was completely fine with loving both the good, and the bad in me... Luna thought.

"I also have some...well....I will tell you about it another time," he promised.

Luna's eyebrows rose in with an immeasurable amount of intrigue and curiosity, but she dared not speak, for he had decided to tell her on another occasion.

"let's enjoy the dinner please, I cannot wait to taste the soup you have cooked for us. The smell is so lovely..."

"Thank you." Luna accepted the comment gracefully. He said that he would tell me later....Which means that it is certain he will tell me...If it will happen eventually, then I can rest assured that I needn't count the minutes until it happens. She thought contentedly as she picked up her spoon. I feel a vast amount of guilt for what I put him through...Perhaps that is why I have these delusions that he doesn't enjoy spending time with me as much as I do with him...Or that if I reveal any of the faults he has no knowledge of, he will break like a fragile glass table that has been placed underneath a gigantic boulder. He will break and shatter, leaving me forever...