Fandom The Gathering of Death Eater Children

[Hikari Chan]

"Goodbye..." August replied, his eyes following Nova who walked off in the direction of the pendulum ride. ...I wonder if it was a coincidence that Nova had been here during the same time as me and Celeste... He thought oddly. ...Perhaps he also enjoys these silly rides like she does…?

August followed Celeste through the portal and was surprised that their table had been reserved ahead of time and remembered the first time when they had dined at Silvery Serpents; their table had also been reserved ahead of time. He did not doubt that it was her doing in the both cases now.

"Welcome. Your table has been reserved ahead of time." one of the waitresses led them to the same table they had occupied last time.

Celeste thanked the waitress once they had been seated, using a formal tone. Dante had separated from them, walking off to a different part of the restaurant.

Once the waitress had returned with cold glasses of water and menus, Celeste discreetly put a vial of neon green liquid in August's hand

"If you want your meal to stay in your stomach, I strongly advise you to take this." Celeste said firmly, before drinking one herself.

He glanced at the vial in his hand. The neon green color made feel much sicker than the pendulum ride had made him, and he closed his hand around the vial to avoid looking at the neon green colored liquid. ...The hell with this liquid, I will not drink anything that has a funny color...even if she drank one herself, I do trust her, but this color... He thought for himself.

"Thank you," He smiled softly and put his hand atop of hers for a couple of seconds. He was still holding the vial in his other hand and it went straight into his pocket. "I shall take it, but first I feel I need a glass of water..." He took a large sip from his glass of water and glanced down at the menu in front of him.

...I shall have some white wine...it always makes me feel better whenever I feel under weather...and... hmm...Cacciatore...mmm...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Celeste nodded in a way that said she knew that August had understood, and that she didn't care when he took it because she had already warned him and whatever he did after that was his responsibility. She studied the menu, and was ready to order by the time August had made his choices.

"Are you ready to order?" the waitress from before asked.

"Yes; you're just in time." Celeste replied, not looking up from her menu. "He will go first."
She nodded in August's direction. It seemed that she wanted to rethink one of her choices and hence needed a moment, during which August would order.

"Alright, then. What would you like, Sir?" the lady directed her attention at August while holding her writing pad.

"I would like Caesar salad, mushroom cream soup, roasted chicken breast with asparagus sauce and a side of grilled potatoes...and black mead." she added with a smile. Still, her eyes hadn't left the menu, and she didn't reply to the lady when she said "Of course." before walking off.

"On our next date..." Celeste began after a moment, looking directly into his eyes "...you will choose what we do. You have until next Wednesday to plan it. I'll see you then, in Knockturn Alley at noon." She gave him a look that meant 'I know that you didn't enjoy today as much as I did, so you can control the next date to make up for it.'

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Insalata caprese, Soup alla Canavese, Cacciatore and white wine," August placed his order. He was still looking in the menu when Celeste ordered her choices, studying the different kinds of desserts, however he had no interest in indulging dessert today.

He closed the menu when the waitress walked away and took another sip of his water.

"On our next date..." Celeste began after a moment, looking directly into his eyes "...you will choose what we do. You have until next Wednesday to plan it. I'll see you then, in Knockturn Alley at noon." She gave him a look that meant 'I know that you didn't enjoy today as much as I did, so you can control the next date to make up for it.'

"Alright, I shall think about something...until next Wednesday..." He replied with a smile.

...Already so soon...I have no doubt that she will desire to see me every Wednesday....and why particular Wednesdays…it must be her favorite day of the week...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Alright, I shall think about something...until next Wednesday..." He replied with a smile.

"Lovely." she nodded, seemingly satisfied. Ah, I'm happy that we fixed that without a long conversation. So, he doesn't like swings, and he doesn't like amusement parks. Oh, and he also doesn't like novels. And he cannot play an instrument...Well, there must be some secret, amazing qualities that I simply haven't seen yet. Qualities that make up for the things that he is missing. One excellent quality is that he has managed to keep his eyes on me this whole time instead of letting them wander to other ladies. He does have good taste in food. And he didn't give me any perverted looks once I took my cloak off, so he passed that test. Now I won't have to wear it around him anymore. Yes, those are all good things. Even if our personal interests aren't similar, he is a good person, so far. I'm not at the point that I trust him yet, but it is imperative that I gain his trust before the seventh date. That way, he will believe me when I tell him about the Demon Realm and now I am not human. She smiled to herself and laughed softly, although she was looking in the direction of the sky, so it looked as though she was imagining something humorous.

Later, once they had passed through the portal and returned to Knockturn Alley, Celeste elegantly said goodbye to August.

She curtsied elegantly, and at the same time Dante bowed his head to August. "Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow." she said softly, before turning with Dante and disappearing in the space between two buildings.

"You want everyone currently working at Mahoutokoro to believe that you were a professor there for the past year?" Nova asked, looking up from Reign's note.

Reign nodded.

Nova continued reading. "...And that you were teaching ..." he looked up at Reign as if he was confirming that Reign was serious about which class he had been 'teaching'.

Reign nodded seriously.

"Very well, then. Just keep in mind that Mahoutokoro is a day school, not a boarding school like most other Wizarding schools. Oh, by the way, have you seen Celeste's latest?" he asked suddenly.

Reign shook his head.

"Well...I hope he isn't boring her to death. From what I've seen so far, he didn't have the strength to pass Celeste's 'Amusement Park Test', although from what I can gather he has passed all of the other tests so far. Do you think that you have the ability to stomach Celeste's choice in amusement park rides?" he asked with a smirk.

Reign shrugged.

"Do you want to try tomorrow? I tried all of the rides that caused August's sickness, but nothing surprised me."

"Sure."

"Well then, tomorrow will be a very interesting day. If you foresee yourself getting sick, don't worry about it; we'll come back here right away." Nova said in a perfect imitation of Diana. "After all, I don't want my precious Reign getting hurt in any way." he embraced him the way that Diana did, and then broke out in laughter. "Oh, I don't know how you deal with her." he shook his head, sitting back down in his place.

"She is getting better."

The next day, Nova and Reign visited the amusement park.

"Turns out that even you can handle these rides." Nova shrugged after they had tried them all. "I'm going to go on the Pendulum Ride again."

Nova separated from Reign, walking in the opposite direction, while Reign continued to walk toward the resting area.

When Nova had finished, he came to see a woman in her mid-twenties and her eight-year-old daughter sitting on either side of Reign's bench.

"...so, we would love to see you for lunch sometime, wouldn't we Emily?" the woman turned to her daughter, who was busy braiding Reign's hair. The daughter nodded absent-mindedly. "You'll come, won't you?" she turned back to Reign with a romantic look in her eyes.

"No." Reign said firmly, with a cold look in his eyes.

"You don't mean that." the woman insisted, moving to put a hand on Reign's shoulder. At the same time, Reign's hands, which had been clasped together, tightened a bit, and he sighed tiredly while keeping a cold and calm countenance.

"Ouch!" the woman exclaimed, drawing her hand back quickly after having received a sensation equal to a strong electric shock when she touched Reign's shoulder. She seemed to think about something for a moment with a distant look in her eyes, then returned to the present moment. "Oh, Emily, we have to get home to make lunch for Daddy! Will you help me peel the garlic with those good hands of yours?"

Nova watched with an amused look on his face as the woman ran off with her daughter, listing ingredients for the meal that they would make.

"More shameless flirting?" Nova asked rhetorically, sitting beside Reign on the bench. "I don't understand these human women!" he flailed his hands in the air dramatically "Either they get the wrong idea about your gender with your long hair, or they can't keep away from you. Is there no 'neutral' setting? Well, was she seriously flirting with you even though she has a husband?"

Reign nodded.

"Argh, that daughter of hers will most likely grow up to be a useless, disloyal woman, just like her! That goes for any other children she may have. I wonder if I could leave her a hint of my existence somewhere? I would be glad to grant her a wish in exchange for something..." he smirked, with the lady's daughter on his mind. That way she could be a useful lady instead of a disloyal flirt. Just like I did with so many children, most recently Stephan and Penelope, I would like to save every human girl and boy from terrible parents.

 

[Hikari Chan]

August waited until Celeste had left with Dante, disappearing between two buildings as usual. He did not try to follow her and respected her privacy. When they were gone, he took a deep breath and apparated. When he appeared outside the gates of Hogwarts, he realized that he had made a mistake.

He clutched his abdomen as if he was trying to end the pain. He lost his balance and fell down on his knees and threw up the entire dinner. He felt as if he was going to throw up his stomach and intestines and almost winced because of the pain. He moved away from the mess he had made, half creeping and half walking to the nearest tree, which he leaned against, on the other side of the gates.

....I should have taken that potion she gave me...would it do any good now if I drink it?...but the color...I cannot...August drew out his wand with a shaky hand and spoke to the emerald with a hoarse voice, nearly stuttering every syllable: "…I...v...a...n...M...u...l...c...i...b...e...r..."

"I was supposed to drink that before the dinner. Do you think it would do any good if I mixed it with a cup of black earl grey? I cannot stand that green color..."

"And what if it turns out be poison?" Mulciber was holding the vial between his thumb and forefinger, eyeing the liquid suspiciously.

"What makes you think that?" August was half laying and half sitting in his bed in his office. He was feeling a bit better; however, he was still feeling sick. "She drank one herself..."

"And how well do you know her to trust her your life? The vial she has given you might not be the same as the one she drank herself. Despite of the colors were exact the same, it could have been an illusion created by her..."

At this August remained silent and looked away.

"Did you ever consider why she took you to an amusement park for a date?"

"If you think she is trying to kill me, why do you not check that potion?"

"Sure...if you excuse me, please..."

Mulciber left and returned, after fifteen minutes, to August's surprise with a cup of tea.

"It is safe..."

August rolled his eyes, with the look on his face that said that it was obvious the entire time that the liquid was safe to drink.

"I even tasted one drop, it got a subtle taste of fresh mint which I believe will disappear if I mixed it with this cup of tea..."

"It does not matter, just pour the entire content in the cup...otherwise I won't be able to drink it…its color is terrible..."

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

28th July, Friday

"...and this is Reign, sloth's representative." Nova introduced the last of the seven representatives to Penelope who, due to spending all of her time in the Demon Realm since she had first came, looked to be about seven years of age.

"Hello, Prince Reign." Penelope curtsied elegantly, lowering her gaze in respect as she did so.

"You don't have to call him 'prince'-" Nova began.

"-but it wouldn't hurt to do so." Diana smiled.

"Prince Reign, may I be so blunt as to ask a rather forward question?" Penelope asked softly, standing up straight and still eyeing the floor. She resembled an old-fashioned doll; her blonde hair was elegantly-braided, and she wore short white gloves, a doll-like red dress, and black Mary-Janes with long socks.

"Yes?" Reign asked, surprised by her elegant wording at such a young age, as well as her lovely posture and graceful bow. It gave the immediate impression of a gentle, clever, and well-behaved lady, and thus contrasted sharply with her youth.

Reign wasn't the only one who was surprised; the other representatives all had surprised expressions as well, although Alastair and Dante's surprise only showed in their eyes. Damien, who was present as well, and Asmodeus raised their eyebrows. The former was impressed, and the latter was a bit concerned for how strict Nova's parenting was.

"How can you enjoy such long hair to the point that you resemble woman?" Penelope asked. It would have been acceptable if she had spoken it with an innocent tone. However, Penelope's voice had sharply expressed feelings of contempt toward Reign.

"How dare you use such a condescending-" Diana began heatedly.

Nova moved to take Penelope's hand and exit the room to explain that her behavior had been unacceptable.

However, Asmodeus held up a hand to stop them both, and they obeyed. "Why would you ask such a thing, in such a tone? You have studied, according to Nova, all of the different cultures of the Human Realm, and thus I am certain that you understand your question did not deserve an answer. Unless you wish to retort that Nova has been lying to me?" he paused, awaiting her reply, but he continued when it was clear she was at a loss for words. She wanted to look away from Asmodeus's frighteningly disapproving eyes, yet something prevented her from doing so. "It was a blunder, for you have now succeeded in making yourself look dull-witted and ill-mannered. You may now speak: come, explain your tactless remark." Although spoken softly, his words seemed to be powered by some invisible force, and everyone in the room was glad that those words hadn't been directed at them.

"I apologize." Penelope surrendered to Asmodeus after a prolonged silence, finally looking away from his eyes.

"Not to me." he didn't look away.

Penelope slowly turned toward Reign, and uttered the words as if each syllable pained her "I apologize."

28th July, Saturday

When Reign opened his eyes in the morning, he felt a bit out of sorts. Something felt unusual, but he couldn't place it. He rose normally, and made his way to the bathhouse like he did every morning. He had slept in again, as per usual, so it was closer to noon than what most people would consider 'morning'.

It was on his way back from the bathhouse that he got a glimpse of his reflection in the waters of the garden.

His eyes widened a bit in surprise, for surely he should have predicted such a large change.

He dressed quickly, and made his way to Nova's castle.

On the way, Diana spotted him.

"Oh!" she said in mixed confusion and disappointment, momentarily at a loss for words. "Did you do that?"

"No." Reign replied.

Diana's feelings turned to rage in an instant, and she studied his facial expression as she tried to understand whether she was over- or under-reacting. However, his countenance revealed nothing, so she resorted to taking deep breaths to calm herself as she spoke. "You're going...to visit Nova to...wish to know the person responsi-"

"Yes." Reign replied, continuing on his way. As he jumped away he heard Diana calling "Tell me who it is so that I can kill them for you!"

"Sir Nova, Reign is here to see you." Eric announced.

He was sitting in the gardens, reading to Penelope, who was smiling innocently as she swung on a swing-set that Nova had gotten for her in exchange for a wish. However, there was a smug, victorious look in her eyes as she listened to his story, as if she had done something that she knew was wrong and she was happy to have gotten away with it.

"Lead him here." Nova said, pausing his reading.

"Awww...." Penelope said, immediately abandoning the swings and hugging Nova. "...can't you please read to me some more?"

"We have a visitor-" Nova said in a jokingly important and snobbish voice, snapping the book shut and placing it on the table "-so please remember to give them a proper greeting."

"Yes, father." she smiled obediently.

"Oh, hello Reign." Nova began cheerfully.

"Hello." Penelope curtsied elegantly to him.

"Oh did you cut your hair?" Nova asked in surprise.

"No. I wish to find the person responsible." Reign replied.

Penelope snickered.

"Very well; in exchange, I request that you play one song for me on your erhu." Nova said hurriedly, forgoing the usual playful attitude.

Penelope snickered again.

Reign nodded.

"?" Nova turned in shock and disappointment to Penelope. "You cut his hair this way?"

Penelope burst into laughter, rolling on the grass because she couldn't even stand up straight. Her whole body shook with laughter.

"I will take her to Asmodeus." Nova said apologetically, staring at Penelope in disbelief. "He will have a solution for you when you return. For now, you have to go, or else you will be late."

Reign nodded, and jumped.

He landed just in time at the tree near the Hogwarts gates where he had been reading the previous times. He didn't have enough time to foresee what sort of explanation he should give Melody for his hair. Penelope had left the long fringe nearly covering one eye, but she had cut the rest so that it was as short as Alastair's.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Melody woke up very early in the morning. She was already awake at five o'clock to eat some healthy breakfast: oatmeal with sliced strawberries and a cup of green tea. When she was done, she went through her notes on how to put on a kimono for the hundred time. It was not difficult to dress, but the tricky part was wrapping the kimono belt. She had already chosen to wear the blue kimono which Reign had bought for her. She was hoping that they would visit Mahoutokoro later today and thus decided to wear something suitable for the visit. It took her one hour to finish tying the belt. When she was done, her arms ached so much that she did not have the energy to make her hair for the moment. But she could not take any rest. While waiting the soreness in her arms to go away, she practiced walking with the okobos.

Melody could not help but grimace at her own clumsiness and the loud stomps she made while walking with the Japanese sandals. Besides the difficulty of walking around with them, she also found the tabi socks uncomfortable to wear.

She sighed and changed into a pair of simple white flats. Then she made her hair into an elegant hair up-do and attached some white flowers to the right side.

This time she did not take any bag with her, because she looked so odd in the mirror when she saw herself wearing a western shoulder bag with an exotic attire. She already felt odd about wearing a pair of flats instead for the traditional sandals and hoped that the kimono was long enough to hide her feet.

While waiting for the right time to walk out to the gates to meet Reign, Melody sat down by her desk and tried to memorize all the Japanese phrases and things she needed to know as a tourist from the book she had bought before her first visit to Japan. Though she was too excited about today, almost daydreaming about what Mahoutokoro was like, that she almost checked the time every minute.

When it was time to meet Reign, Melody walked happily and excitingly to the gates. She had the brightest smile on her face and was feeling very excited about the meeting. She was hoping that would be able to visit Mahoutokoro. When she spotted Reign, she noticed that something was weird. She almost did not recognize him and when she came closer, her smile almost faltered.

...Did he get a haircut? ...that was unexpected.... She thought surprised.

She had been practicing saying good day in Japanese, however at the sight of his different hairstyle she almost got speechless and nearly stuttered.

"Ko--ko--kon--kon...eh...hello..." She blushed deeply and felt very awkward about the situation.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Reign greeted her elegantly before explaining, in as few words as possible, that Nova's adopted daughter was currently going through a 'rebellious phase' and mischievously cut his hair, that he hadn't had time to magically lengthen his it without being late, and that he hoped Melody wouldn't mind if he left and returned a half-hour later after he had fixed his hair.

"...I don't see what the problem is." Penelope said innocently to Asmodeus. "If I had cut it with my magic, then he wouldn't have been able to lengthen it. But, I cut it normally, so he will fix it and that's that. It was for his own good! I just thought that after he had seen how handsome he looked when he didn't look like a girl, and how easy short hair is to wash and style in contrast to long hair, that-"

"-Dear dear-" Asmodeus sighed "-it wasn't your decision to make. How would you like it if I were to do the same thing to you?"

"If my hair was that long, then-" Penelope argued pridefully.

"-Ah, I see where this is going." Asmodeus replied firmly, immediately putting a stop to Penelope's excuses. "You are going to remain here for a while, with me. I will teach you just how nice it is to have all of your decisions made for you. What was that you said? 'For his own good', was it? Well, then-" the look in his eyes instantly changed from patient to strict, warning Penelope not to interrupt him "-it's for your own good. First things first, why not change your clothes? An elegant lady's clothes shouldn't be worn whilst cleaning."

"Cleaning?!" Penelope exclaimed, outraged. "I...I won't do that!" she tried to keep up her prideful and self-righteous facade, but it was faltering.

"Won't you?" Asmodeus asked softly, the look in his eyes only intensifying. It felt as though they were gazing directly into Penelope's soul, in a way that made it increasingly difficult to lie and keep up her prideful act.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Oh..." ...Merlin's beard....what should I say...how old is Nova's adopted daughter anyway...I know that teenagers can be rebellious.....what has Reign done to her to gain a haircut by her...and how did it even happen...

"I will wait in my garden for a half hour," Melody replied. "Will you please come there when you are done with your hair? ...It is at the greenhouses..." ...Is this a coincidence? I am going to show him the strawberries I have grown...and the rest of my garden...besides I would be bored if I waited outside the gates for half an hour, while I instead can tend to my plants meanwhile, he fixes his hair...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Of course." Reign replied, before turning and jumping away.

He landed in Melody's garden fifteen minutes later, with his hair back to normal. He wore it in his usual style.

"Please? I can't clean the house all by myself! You've seen it, right? It's so large and I don't have much experience cleaning. I would be so grateful for your assistance." Penelope finished elegantly. She was doing her best at feigning innocence.

"Of course I'll help you." Rosaleya replied with a kind smile. "But can you please help me with something in return?"

"If it is within reason, I will try my best to repay this favor." Penelope replied elegantly with a curtsy.

I feel like she was lying about being only seven. "Do you have any magical powers, yet? I don't know how it goes with demons, or demons who were once human, so-"

"Yes, I do. I am able to cancel out others' magical powers."

"Oh...Well, then...Never mind." Rosaleya seemed a bit disappointed, but she moved on quickly "I'll think of some other favor."

"What was your original favor?" Penelope asked curiously.

"It's not important." Rosaleya insisted.

"But you're my friend; I told you that I was in trouble and you are helping me with my punishment to clean the manor! You're deciding to help me even though you might get Asmodeus angry! Please, as a friend, I want to know what you made that disappointed face for!" She's buying the innocent act so well! What a fool!

Rosaleya was surprised by Penelope's kind words, and also because she hadn't remembered making a disappointed face. I thought I hid it well! Darn it! But I can't tell her! "I don't want to tell you. I'm sorry if I sound rude, but I really don't want to."

"Oh..." Penelope seemed deeply disappointed.

"Come on, let's go clean the manor." Rosaleya said cheerfully. "And if Asmodeus returns to the manor before we're done, do you promise to help me hide until he's gone?"

"Of course! I wouldn't want you to get in trouble for me." Penelope smiled, taking Rosaleya's hand in both of hers.

"I still have some of the potion that lets you go to the Demon Realm." Rosaleya pulled her hand away, perhaps a bit too suddenly, and walked over to her dresser.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Melody noticed something appearing, jumping down to the ground in the corner of her eyes. She was tending to her gooseberry plants and turned around to see that Reign had arrived earlier than expected. ...He said half an hour... She thought, though she was happy that he had come back sooner and that his hair was returned to his normal and usual style.

"Ah....I did not recognize you earlier with short hair..." She exclaimed. She found it amusing that he seemed to have longer hair than her and that she could not imagine him in a very short hairstyle and chuckled about the fact. "Do we have a lot of time today? I want to show you my entire garden..." She began but then remembered it might take a whole day since she also had seven greenhouses. ..I guess it will be enough with the strawberries, because they are the ones that are the specials....slightly bigger than usual strawberries and besides they grow so fast...I planted them in the evening and found fully grown strawberries the next day... "...eeh I mean the strawberries..." She hurried to say and walked further away from the gooseberries towards the strawberries, pointing at the plants that were slightly bigger than usual strawberry plants.

"Do you remember the strawberry bouquet?" Her mouth nearly watered at the thought of juicy and sweet strawberries. "I saved a few and planted the seeds, because it was such a delightful taste...and they grew so quickly!" She bent down and picked a couple of strawberries. "And they never seem to get stop growing. I pick them and then the next day I see that they have grown out again, ripe, juicy and sweet..." She could not help but laugh and walked over to him. She held up her hand towards him, offering him to take the strawberries and taste them. "They are not only magical, but exotic magical," She smiled.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Ah....I did not recognize you earlier with short hair..." She exclaimed.

It is nice to see that she prefers my hair the way it is now, rather than trying to change me. He wondered briefly what Penelope was doing at that moment before Melody interrupted his thoughts.

"Do we have a lot of time today? I want to show you my entire garden..." She began. "...eeh I mean the strawberries..." She hurried to say and walked further away from the gooseberries towards the strawberries, pointing at the plants that were slightly bigger than usual strawberry plants.

"There is plenty of time." Reign assured her gently. "And I also enjoy gardening." he smiled in a way that insisted that he would love to see her whole garden because he shared the same affinity for gardening as she did.

"Do you remember the strawberry bouquet?" Her mouth nearly watered at the thought of juicy and sweet strawberries.

Reign nodded. He was surprised by her creativity with the second bouquet of strawberries he had gifted her.

"I saved a few and planted the seeds, because it was such a delightful taste...and they grew so quickly!" She bent down and picked a couple of strawberries. "And they never seem to stop growing. I pick them and then the next day I see that they have grown out again, ripe, juicy and sweet..." She could not help but laugh and walked over to him.

In time, you will understand why they grew at such speeds.

Melody held up her hand towards him, offering him to take the strawberries and taste them. "They are not only magical, but exotic magical," She smiled.

'Exotic' magical...how cute.

He opened his hands, forming them to make a bowl-like shape so that she could drop them inside. "What a clever decision to plant the seeds." he praised, looking at them closely. It was evident that he was happy she hadn't just eaten them senselessly, but creatively thought of a way to have more of them.

"I finished with the bathrooms, and kitchens!" Rosaleya smiled to Penelope, entering Asmodeus's study. "You should be done- Oh..." she said suddenly, noticing that Penelope hadn't done much dusting at all. Rosaleya had been certain that dusting was an easy task, and that she would have surely been done dusting Asmodeus's study by the time she had finished with the bathrooms and kitchens. "...That's okay-" she said patiently, still keeping up her kind persona. "-I'll dust in here. Do you think that you would...um....start with the..." She obviously can't dust, but she also can't just sit and do nothing! What can she find to be so difficult about fudging dusting?! Okay, calm down and think...Oh, maybe-

"Rosaleya?" Penelope asked, interrupting Rosaleya's thoughts "-why do you wear that ring on your finger?"

Rosaleya looked down at her ring; in her frustration, she had been fingering it. "Oh, just because." she shrugged, trying to make it seem less valuable than it was to her so that Penelope would stop asking about it.

"Just because it looks pretty?"

"Sure." Maybe if I ask her to mop the main area? But what if she doesn't know how to mop and she takes too long and I have to help her finish it? I can't hide from Asmodeus if that's the first room he enters when he comes back home, unless I happened to see him coming and was close enough to one of the paintings so that I could hide in one of the other rooms!

"So, it's not really important?"

But if I happened to be in the middle of the main room at the time?! I'd have to stay near the walls and keep my back facing the entrance? No, that won't work! What about-"...No." Rosaleya answered absent-mindedly.

"Then, can I wear it?"

Darn it, just stop with the questions and let me think about the more pressing matters! I don't know when Aluc- I mean Asmodeus is going to come back! I'm trying to do you a favor here so stop it! "Um...no, sorry."

"Why not? Is it actually important after all?"

"No." Rosaleya seemed to finally lose a bit of her composure; a bit of her impatience had shown in her voice.

"Then why have you been fingering it this whole time, as if it's comforting you?"

"Because it is, okay?" Rosaleya finally lost it. She couldn't see a reason to pretend to be cheerful if Penelope was putting in no effort at all. She was talking in a loud voice, halfway between yelling and talking normally "How hard can it be to pick up a cloth-" she snatched the cloth from Penelope's hands -" and just run it over something?" she dusted off one of Asmodeus's books as if to demonstrate, for sarcastic reasons, how simple it was. "What the hell were you doing all that time, huh? I cleaned a bunch of bathrooms and a huge fudging kitchen, and you're telling me that you have the ability to travel to my world to invite me here, but not so that you can run a cloth over some stuff? I'm trying to do you a favor, and you...you just called me here so that you could slack off, didn't you?!?!"

Penelope had tears in her eyes, and seemed honestly hurt by what Rosaleya had said. "What are you talking about?" she asked, her voice shaking with genuine-sounding sadness "I cleaned half of the bathrooms, and I mopped the kitchen floor and organized the kitchen cupboards! How could you say that I did nothing? I'm sorry that I only had the chance to dust off a few of Prince Asmodeus's books...I'm sorry that I didn't do enough to satisfy you." she sobbed.

What the hell? How...? Why...? Rosaleya's brows were furrowed as she tried to understand what was going on. Is it...April first in the Demon Realm? This is all a joke, right? When is Nova going to jump out and smoothly declare 'April Fools!' with that mischievous look in his eyes?

Rosaleya jumped when she felt someone's hand on her shoulder, causing her to lose her balance and fall over in surprise. She looked up just in time to see Asmodeus asking "What is going on here?"

He was addressing Penelope as if Rosaleya was invisible.

"She...she was yelling at me because she thinks that I-" Penelope said dramatically in between sobs.

"-I overheard the end of your conversation. But why is she here?" Asmodeus asked. It appeared that he was also choosing to ignore Penelope's dramatic persona.

Oh, I get it! Rosaleya thought. This little gremlin was manipulating the conversation's end so that it sounded like-

"She was cleaning Nova's manor, and she heard from him about how I was being punished. She came over here and insisted that she helped me, so I thought that she was being so nice! And then, she yells at me for not doing enough! I was trying my hardest! I didn't even ask for her help!"

With each lie Penelope told, Rosaleya's eyes became wider and wider in shock, and Asmdoeus's eyes became narrower and narrower.

No! I totally look like the liar if I even try to open my mouth! She's too convincing, and I don't know how close they are! Compared to me, they're close friends and I'm a complete stranger, I'm sure! What should I do?

"You-" Asmodeus turned away from Penelope and tuned to Rosaleya "-come with me."

And now I'm scared again! His voice and face are too difficult to read! Rosaleya thought as Asmodeus left the room, clearly expecting Rosaleya to follow him. I can't tell if he's angry with me or not, or if he believes Penelope or not! What a jerk...she betrayed me! She thought as she rose from the floor and quickly followed Asmodeus. She could hear her fast heartbeats inside her ears, her face felt too hot, and she subconsciously fingered her ring as she battled against her trembling legs to keep up with Asmodeus's fast pace.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Well...my garden is not that big..." Melody blushed as she showed Reign the outdoor garden, where she grew all the plants that did not need to be in a greenhouse.

There was one row with different kind of berries: hawthorns, raspberries, blackberries, elder berries, bilberries and blueberries, which would not get ripe until Autumn arrived. On the second row she had red rose bushes of which she used the petals and later the rose hips when Autumn arrived. Beside the rose bushes she had the gooseberries, the exotic strawberries, the usual strawberries and the wild strawberries. She picked some of the two latter kinds of strawberries and offered Reign to taste them.

On the third row she grew all kind of herbs that were used both by the potion master and professor, Mulciber, and by the Kitchens at Hogwarts. On the fourth row she grew vegetables and the fifth row was a flowerbed without any visible plants. It was for growing and harvesting pumpkins.

There were also trees of apples, pears, cherries, plums, hazelnuts, chestnuts, walnuts, acorns and beech nuts around at the place, most of the trees were closer to the small cottage, where Melody had her office, than to the flowerbeds. The greenhouses were located behind her cottage and she took turn into showing Reign inside each greenhouse, because all the seven greenhouses were unique since the students learned different kind of plants for each year they advanced.

Melody got carried away and was feeling to excited about showing Reign around that she did not check her watch until they had left the seventh greenhouse, noticing that she had bothered him with her garden and greenhouses for nearly one hour.

...Merlin's beard... She blushed. ..I hope I did not bore him out...he said earlier that he enjoy gardening...did he say that to be nice to me...or does he really have his own garden...I cannot tell for sure...it is so hard to know...just like first time when we dined by the lake...he told me I had a good taste...but I could not tell if he was meaning my attire or the meal...

"Well...what's your plans for today?" She asked, looking up at him. ...I hope he...that he does not misunderstand me or take it personally if I do not show him around inside my cottage....it is not that I do not trust him...but I...I cannot invite a man to enter my place...

"Honestly, I do not care about her because she does not listen to me. But, if you still are interested in her, it's up to you to make her feel interested in you...whatever actions you take...whatever you need to do to change her mind about you...I do not care.."

Adela rushed to her window, thinking it was an owl from Vincent, when she suddenly, holding the card in her hand, realized that it was not from him at all.

...and he would not send me owls...he does not use owls...... She thought oddly and looked at the card she was holding in her hand.

An animated illustration of a green garden with a rippling fountain and white moonflowers covered the front of the card.

...it looks like something Faeryn would send me...but...we have not been talking since the summer feast...

A short text, written in black ink covered the back of the card.

...and it isn't her hand writing at all....

Adela read the short message and her eyes widened in surprise.

...Whoever it is...this person wants to go the amusement park with me?......I would almost suspect
Alexis for this...but…this is not his handwriting...who could this secret admirer be? I bet he must be
a coward who do not have the courage to reveal his name...

She clenched her fist around the card but refrained from throwing it in the fireplace and burning it until only ashes remained.

...I am going...but not alone.....I am taking Alexis with me...and Faeryn and Endewyne will also tag along...I am going to use this to make up with them... Adela thought, thinking that she would be safe if she had company when meeting up with this secret admirer and she hoped that if they had fun enough at the amusement park, her two friends would understand that she was still herself and hopefully understand that her relationship with Vincent was harmless.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Reign followed Melody while slowly eating the strawberries she had offered him, savoring them. He had an interested look in his eyes, and a serene posture; nothing about him suggested impatience or boredom. It was evident that he was enjoying the tour. He took the non-magical strawberries that Melody offered him as well, wondering if Melody would like more seeds from the Demon Realm for her garden. He assumed that if he told her that they came from his 'home', then she would plant them as eagerly as she had planted the strawberries.

"Well...what's your plans for today?" She asked, looking up at him at the end of the tour.

His eyes showed a bit of surprise, as if he had been expecting the tour to go on a bit longer. He knew that he would be allowed inside of her cottage eventually, and that it would be rude to inquire about it at this point in time, but he still felt curious about it. "I wish to give you a tour of Mahoutokoro." Reign replied.

Asmodeus led Rosaleya up one of the staircases and through a hallway. He stopped abruptly and opened a door, gesturing for Rosaleya to enter. "Wait here, please." he said calmly. She entered, and he closed the door, locking it. "I will return momentarily." she heard his voice through the door, followed by fading footsteps as he walked away.

Rosaleya looked around; it was a lovely sitting room.

The north and east walls made entirely out of glass to reveal an endless sky of stars and a calm lake. It looked as though the sitting room was located very close to the Midnight Garden, and the beauty made her forget her stressful situation. Then, she began to notice other details about the room; the writing desk near the north window, the pretty wallpaper on the other two walls, a full-length mirror located next to an open closet door next to the main entrance of the room. On the west wall there was another door that was closed. Rosaleya wondered briefly what lay behind it, but she didn't even try to touch it.

Even if this was Eric's house, the least intimidating demon I've met, I wouldn't even think twice about trying to open it. It can be unlocked for all I know; it's a matter of Asmodeus's privacy that I won't touch anything here... she thought considerately.

She busied herself by admiring the various items and pictures that were hung up on the south and west walls. Beautifully painted portraits, some depicting scenery, abstract art, or demons that she recognized. Ancient yet polished Medieval swords, human skulls, trinkets that she recognized to be historically important but couldn't name, a shelf of varied music boxes, masks, exotic-looking instruments, a shelf of books with intricately decorated covers, a shelf with countless bottles of different shapes and sizes and glowing liquids, different small hand-held instruments, a Kyowagasa, a telescope, a multitude of alluring rings, stones and gems, magic wands, a shelf of different eccentric hats, fencing swords, and many more interesting yet random items. The strangest thing was that they were all arranged in a way that made them look organized, like a museum exhibit, and not at all like a cluttered mess of random objects.

Rosaleya eyed a shelf of wrapped gift boxes of different colours, shapes, and sizes. She had no desire to open them, but decided to play a game with herself to imagine what sort of gift was inside each box. She was enjoying her observation of Asmodeus's collection of items so much that Penelope's problem was the furthest thing from her mind. Now she was imagining what sort of sentimental memory each item might have for Asmodeus. She forgot where she was and what she was doing there, fully enjoying her daydreaming. So much so, that she jumped in surprise when Asmodeus tapped her shoulder.

"I'm sorry; I didn't see or hear you come in." Rosaleya said, turning to face Asmodeus.

"How kind of you to not break any of these items." Asmodeus smiled.

Rosaleya took a second to remember what they were supposed to be discussing. When she did, her eyes widened in her anxiety, and she struggled to find something to say. An apology? A defense? I can't decide if explaining my story would sound like a lie or the truth! Rosaleya was so wrapped up in her nervous thoughts that she didn't speak for a whole minute, during which Asmodeus seemed to be waiting for something.

"Listen-" Rosaleya finally said, with a determined look in her eyes. "-this is going to sound like a lie, but I am going to explain what happened."

She had decided to calmly explain what had happened, in the hopes that Asmodeus was as logical and understanding as she perceived him to be. During her explanation, he gave her his full attention, never interrupting her once and listening with a patient, benevolent look in his eyes.

"-so now I'm here. I'm so sorry; I knew that I wasn't supposed to help her, but I did." she was looking down at the floor now, unable to face Asmodeus after admitting that she had fully intended to help Penelope without his permission.

"Why did you help her?" Asmodeus asked, with an intrigued tone.

"....I...I think that I remembered how angry I used to be when I was being punished by my father. Usually, I split the chores into different days, so that I'm not cleaning the apartment all in one day, taking the whole day to do it. The kitchens one day, the dusting another day, you understand....But for my punishments when I would act out of place, he would make me clean the whole apartment in one long, tiring day. During those days, I knew that I had done wrong, but I still longed for someone to help me nonetheless. So, when I saw Penelope in that situation, I did what I wished someone would have done for me, and decided to help her out, without getting your permission. Again, I'm so sorry for angering you." she apologized, hoping that it sounded as sincere as she felt.

"I am not angry, Ms. Rose. In fact, I only wanted to ask you not to repeat your 'kind act' again. She doesn't deserve it at this time in her life, for she will only abuse it. She, unlike you, doesn't believe that her actions were wrong. In fact, she tried multiple times to argue her point."

Rosaleya breathed a deep sigh of relief.

"However, I must inform you that you have been misinformed." Asmodeus continued.

"Huh?" Rosaleya gave him a questioning glance, meeting his eyes again.

"Penelope was not being punished for truancy. She cut Reign's hair in his sleep so that, with the exception of his fringe, it closely resembled Alastair's."

"What??? Why would she do that to that perfection? That-"

Asmodeus held up a hand to stop her from talking. "Moving on from her mischief, I ask for you to forgive me; I was in charge of supervising her punishment, but an urgent matter arose that I had to give my full attention to. And thus, she was able to steal valuable studying time away from you."

"No no, that's okay. I'll direct the curses in my inner dialogue toward her, not you." Rosaleya joked with a smile, happy that the matter had been resolved. "And I won't help her again."

"Very well, now that this matter has been solved, I have something else for you. You see, I've been wanting to give this to you, but I haven't been able to decide upon the perfect time and place for it." he walked past Rosaleya to one of the walls. Her eyes grew wide in excitement; any one of those items was amazing in its own unique way, and any one would make an extravagant gift.

"Please select whichever one catches your eye first." Asmodeus said, gesturing to the shelf with the varied gift boxes. "Turn around-" he instructed, and Rosaleya obeyed "-and on the count of three, turn back around to face this shelf. The first box that your eyes fall upon is going to be your gift."

"Okay." Rosaleya nodded "Wait, shouldn't we play the 'No, I can't accept such a lovely and extravagant gift' game? Dad makes me do that when relatives visit..." she added, more to herself than to Asmodeus.

"Well, I'll hold you captive in this room until you choose one, so does that answer your question?"

Rosaleya could hear that he was smiling, and she laughed at his jest.

"One...two...."

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Ah..." Melody smiled brightly and excitingly when Reign mentioned that they were going to visit Mahoutokoro, however she could not help but wonder why he had suddenly looked so surprised when she had asked him about this plan for today. ...Did he expect me to have a plan? I cannot recall if he ever told me last time that I should think about something for the next meeting... She thought. ...however it seems that he always take me to places I desire without me telling him a single word about it.....so do I really need to have plans about what we could do after the tour at Mahoutokoro or I should perhaps wait to the next time we meet?...The only thing that comes to my mind right now, would be sushi dinner after that tour.....and then watch the sunset in Tokyo before returning to Hogwarts...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Ah..." Melody smiled brightly and excitingly when Reign mentioned that they were going to visit Mahoutokoro.

Another happy smile... Reign thought, admiring her expression for a moment before offering his hand to her.

He led her past the lake, the Hogwarts gates, and into the woods, enjoying the scenery during the walk. They walked through a portal like on their last date, and appeared on the shore of a peaceful island.

Reign extended his hand to Melody with his sights on the topmost point of the island, where they could see an ornate and exquisite Yamajiro made of Nephrite. He concentrated for a moment on his intended destination, then, a second later, both of them were soaring upward. He held her hand firmly without causing her any discomfort, and soon enough they landed near the school's gates.

During Reign's tour, each professor that they passed kindly greeted them briefly in Japanese, to which Reign replied with a friendly and respectful nod before continuing with the tour. None of the professors were especially friendly to Reign as if they knew him, and none of them seemed recognize him. It was more like they just accept his presence at the school, and less like they worked with him personally.

After the tour, Reign took Melody to a rooftop sushi restaurant in Tokyo, decorated in the traditional Japanese style. The tables were far apart, and each one was surrounded by four sliding doors. Two of the doors led to other tables, one door led to the hallway that connected to the entrance, and the last door opened up to reveal a lovely view of the horizon so that they could watch the sun set. The menus were in Japanese.

 

[Hikari Chan]

...Ah...so this is Mahoutokoro... Melody thought excited when they landed in front of the gates of the Japanese wizarding school. …it looks so different from the British castles...so Reign was a teacher here before the summer... I wonder if he will continue to be a professor at this school or if he is really going to transfer to Hogwarts...I am curious about what subject he used to teach here before the summer and what subject he wishes to teach if he is transferring to Hogwarts....of what I know, there is no vacant job...all the teaching positions are filled...perhaps he has applied for the librarian or caretaker position? Because there have been no librarian or caretaker since we took over Hogwarts....Some of us have been taking turns in taking care of the library and patrolling the corridors at the nights...Or perhaps he will be replacing one of the teachers?

Elias was the only one who knew that Raven was an Angel and the rest seemed that they did not know her at all, they were aware that Luna had chosen her friend to teach students flying, but none of the professors had been interacting with her or seeing her around at the school.

"Ehm...What subject did you teach at Mahoutokoro just before the summer?" Melody asked Reign when the tour at the school had ended and he had taken her to a rooftop restaurant in Tokyo. "Are you going to transfer to Hogwarts?" She asked without giving Reign any time to answer her first question. She realized she had asked two questions at once and blushed deeply. She had gotten to excited when she had entered the restaurant, finding the interior charming and that the thought they were going to watch the sunset from their table was too exciting.

...I am getting too excited and carried away...I must calm down...oh frick! there's no chairs here in this restaurant...whatever, I will make myself comfortable on the cushion

She did not make any verbal comments and only smiled happily when Reign answered her questions. She picked up the menu to distract herself with something so that she would not bother him with her questions. Her face turned much redder this time when she noticed that the menu was not written in English but in a foreign language with odd letters. ...How I am supposed to read this?... She thought, feeling embarrassed that she had not taken any time to study the Japanese language before today's date with Reign. ...I studied everything about the culture, history, food and clothes...and I even bought a book with easy words to learn to speak....but uh oh...I should have made time to learn how to read the Japanese letters and characters...did Reign expect me to learn about the language in beforehand...? I hope not...

"Ehm..." She put down the menu on the table. She had planned to say, 'I would like salmon sushi, please', but instead she said something quite else: "I am sorry, but I cannot read Japanese..."

She blushed even more when she had realized her mistake. ...oh frick...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Ehm...What subject did you teach at Mahoutokoro just before the summer?" Melody asked Reign when the tour at the school had ended and he had taken her to a rooftop restaurant in Tokyo. "Are you going to transfer to Hogwarts?" She asked without giving Reign any time to answer her first question. She realized she had asked two questions at once and blushed deeply.

Reign explained the truth without using too many words. He had never told Melody that he worked at Mahoutokoro, only that a woman named Crystal Thorne had assumed he worked there. He had wanted a tour of Hogwarts only because Nova had suggested that he see the magnificence of the school, and not to take a teaching position. His profession was to teach children how to play different oriental instruments magically at a different school, although he didn't specify which school.

She did not make any verbal comments and only smiled happily when Reign answered her questions. She picked up the menu to distract herself with something so that she would not bother him with her questions. Her face turned much redder this time when she noticed that the menu was not written in English but in a foreign language with odd letters.

Reign read the menu normally, seeming to forget that Melody couldn't read it as easily.

"Ehm..." She put down the menu on the table. "I am sorry, but I cannot read Japanese..."

Reign had a momentary look of surprise in his eyes, before saying "I forgot." in a slightly apologetic tone. It wasn't spoken obsequiously like Alastair's apologies, but spoken with a surprised expression, as if he was surprised that he had forgotten and was sorry for his mistake. Because of what Penelope did, she changed the entire day's predictions, so I did not have time to check them again. Or else I would have predicted this and translated the menu in the morning.

"Please, wait." he said as he retrieved a paintbrush and inkwell from one sleeve, and a scroll from the other. He began translating the menu casually onto the scroll, and had completed his task minutes later, handing her the scroll then as if it was no big deal at all. It was written so professionally that it almost looked like it could be the real menu for the restaurant.

I carry these items with me wherever I go, in case there is a prediction that I need to share with another demon.

Then, he took her menu and continued reading from it, finalizing his decisions on what to order.

Rosaleya eyed the box that now sat on top of her dresser, still unopened.

"Now listen closely-" Asmodeus had said when handing her the box "-you mustn't open this unless you feel certain negative emotions. Uncertainty, loneliness, rage, despair...those sorts of emotions that are difficult to tell others about. The ones that isolate you on the inside; I'm sure you're familiar with the feeling?"

Rosaleya nodded, reluctant to admit it, but still refusing to deny it.

"And you must be feeling these emotions so strongly that it is difficult to control your actions and think rationally. Do you understand?" he gave her another one of his piercing gazes.

I feel like he can read my mind, and like it's so difficult to lie when he looks at me like that...It makes me feel like I should tell him the truth because he can see it anyway...But also because he can understand things so deeply that I'm free from Dad's harsh judgment...I've never felt a gaze like this before. It's a little strange and demanding, but also gentle.

"Yes, I understand." Rosaleya nodded genuinely, taking the box.

"Well, then, off you go." he smiled, opening the door for her. "Good luck with your studies."

She felt tempted to open the box now, but she had a feeling that Asmodeus had given her that piece of advice for a reason. She felt like he was trustworthy, especially after he had believed her side of the story without hesitation. And that situation had made her certain that next time she was in trouble, he wouldn't have a problem believing her side of the story, even if the evidence was stacked against her. She realized why the other demons praised him so highly with such a look in their eyes; a look of admiration and love.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Reign had a momentary look of surprise in his eyes, before saying "I forgot." in a slightly apologetic tone.

Melody was about to speak to tell him that is was fine and that he could order the same for her, however she closed her mouth before she had a chance to utter any word when he asked her to wait. She looked surprised as he retrieved a paintbrush and inkwell from one sleeve, and a scroll from the other. He began translating the menu casually onto the scroll, and had completed his task minutes later, handing her the scroll then as if it was no big deal at all.

"Oh…thank you..." Melody almost whispered breathlessly. ...It looks like a professional menu...totally spotless...and it only took him a couple of minutes to translate it...

She was studying the scroll in awe that she almost forget that she was at a restaurant, though she remembered that she had to pick something for dinner and chose three different kinds of sushi:
Alaskan roll, Boston roll and California roll along with pickled gingers and soy sauce for dipping. She refrained to order any wasabi since she was not fond of eating anything to spicy. When it came to the choice of a drink, she hesitated for a moment and wondered if she should try Japanese rice wine or just have a glass of water. At last she chose a glass of water and decided against the wine. ...I will try it when Reign is not around, so if it tastes horrible, I won't embarrass myself in front him...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Reign decided on what he wanted quickly, and turned his head to see Melody studying the scroll in awe. He found her reaction to be a bit strange, since he had only written the menu down in the same simple way he had been writing her letters. Perhaps she is surprised that I carried the writing materials in my sleeve? Or that I was able to translate it so quickly since the language is so strange to her? Perhaps she has never been with a man that has cared to do something so simple for her. Perhaps other men, if she has been with any others, would have merely ordered for her instead...Or just read it to her carelessly? I wrote it out because I want her to make her own decision and take her time to do so...that's part of the fun of dining at a restaurant...deliberating about the various choices on the menu...I simply forgot that she couldn't read Japanese.

Melody ordered Alaskan roll, Boston roll and California roll along with pickled gingers and soy sauce for dipping, and water to drink. Reign ordered water to drink as well, Dynamite Roll, Rainbow Roll, Soho Roll, Vegetable Roll, wasabi, picked gingers, Japanese crab salad, and Miso soup. He also ordered one green tea and green tea ice cream. He ordered in flawless Japanese, with a relaxed air, giving the impression that he knew the language well. Reign paused his dialogue with the waitress, and turned to Melody. He began to speak to her in Japanese, completing one and a half sentences before stopping abruptly, closing his eyes and shaking his head to remind himself to switch languages. "Would you like dessert as well?" he asked, in a way that explained he had decided to have some himself.

After Melody replied, Reign turned back to the waitress, translating Melody's dessert order. His last sentence to the waitress was 'Arigatou gozaimasu'.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Melody looked as if she was feeling lost when Reign turned towards her and said things she did not understand. ...Is he still speaking to the waitress, talking about me…? She thought, feeling clueless.

He stopped abruptly, closing his eyes and shaking his head and suddenly spoke in English.
"Would you like dessert as well?" he asked, in a way that explained he had decided to have some himself.

"Ah..." She was visibly surprised and hurried to take a look at the menu once more. ...so, he was not speaking about me.... She thought, feeling flustered. For a second, she had thought that Reign had been telling the waitress about her. "Miso soup..." Melody said without thinking, being distracted by her thoughts, and soon realized her mistake. "...I mean green tea and green ice cream..." ...Green ice cream? ...oh no.... “...I mean almond and vanilla flavored ice cream and a cup of green tea..." She hurried to correct herself. She was feeling flustered about the situation and her face was red of embarrassment.

...I’m on a date dinner with a very handsome looking man and I make so many stupid mistakes...not that it is the first time I am seeing Reign, but eeh I am acting very strange today...first I get overexcited and carried away because of the visit to Mahoutokoro and now I’m getting distracted because of odd things happening at the dinner table.... She thought and suddenly heard Reign speaking a familiar word, this time he was facing the waitress. ...Oh...I recognize that word from my little simple dictionary...it means 'thank you so much'...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Reign remained silent while the food was being prepared, admiring the view. When it came, he informed Melody that she was welcome to try his rolls or his salad if she so desired. He didn't begin immediately, but kept admiring the view, sipping his glass of water for a few minutes. During their meal, whenever Melody’s water glass was empty, Reign refilled it.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Melody thanked Reign, smilingly, and offered him to try her choice of sushi rolls in return.

...so, do I also have to take a sip of water or can I start immediately…? She thought oddly, looking at Reign who was sipping his water while admiring the view. ...I should probably do the same... She thought and picked up her glass and tried to take a small sip while looking at the view but ended up drinking half of her water. ...I must be very thirsty today... She put down the glass. She picked up her chopsticks and began with the Alaskan roll, dipping it in soy sauce and eating some pickled gingers along with it.

Melody waited until Reign took one Boston roll from her plate before she took one vegetable roll from his plate. ....and his salad looks delicious.... She picked a bit from his salad and blushed. ...I did not plan to share food like this with him today... She was too distracted by her own thoughts that she dipped the salad in the small bowl with wasabi by mistake. She thought she had dipped it in her soy sauce. She realized her mistake when she popped the food in her mouth. It was as if she literary tried to eat fire. So strong was the wasabi, at least, for her. ...oh frick, what happened with the soy sauce.... Her face went deep red because of the very strong flavor. She tried to soothe her burning tongue and throat with the rest of her water, but it did not help that much. To her relief and surprise, Reign refilled her glass and she swiped off the entire glass at once. Once again, her glass was refilled, however she did not attempt to drink again, since it seemed that cold water did not help at all.
....it will get over with time...if I do not think about it and focus on my rolls and pickled gingers and soy sauce, I will be fine...just not think about it... She thought, trying to ignore the pain she felt when she tried to chew her food.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Reign discreetly summoned a white vial the way he usually summoned things. He assumed that she might want to try his wasabi eventually since she hadn't ordered one. He handed it to Melody, explaining briefly that it would make the pain from the spice go away if she decided to try his wasabi. He explained it in a way that reveals he hadn't noticed her mistake. The vial contained approximately two tablespoons of thin liquid which tasted like snow, acting like an immediate fire-extinguisher for her pain.

By the time their empty plates were replaced with their desserts and Reign had taken a few sips of his green tea, the sun was nearing the horizon. He turned to Melody and asked "Did you have fun today?"

When she replied, he smiled softly in a way that expressed he had also enjoyed the day, then continued "When would you like to meet again?"

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Oh...thank you..." Melody nearly whispered, taking the vial. ...How did he know that something from his plates caused me such painful discomfort...is it visible on my face? it must be, because I can feel how red my face is because of the spicy thing I ate...

She devoured the vial's content at once and was surprised that it tasted like snow. And the fire that had been bothering her was gone at instance, as if she had not eaten anything spicy at all. ..oh...I wonder if this potion has snow as main ingredient...

Melody finished her food and avoided to taste anything from Reign's plates because she did not want to experience the same discomfort with something to spicy again.

She was delighted when they were served their desserts and she took a spoonful of her ice cream and started to eat. ...I am not being healthy today...of what I have read, there is sugar in sushi...but it is only today....it is alright…I can allow myself for today.... She thought and looked happily at Reign who was looking at the horizon

He turned to Melody and asked, "Did you have fun today?"

"Yes..." She smiled.

He smiled softly in a way that expressed he had also enjoyed the day, then continued "When would you like to meet again?"

...well...last time when he asked me, I told him that we could meet whenever he desired...however he chose a time that was to soon...would he mind if I gave him a time that is two weeks ahead...? That we see each other on the 11th and 25th... But summer is soon over...only a month is left, and I have to start working and I won't have the time to see him every week or every second week...not even on the weekends, because I am going to deal with so many students, I will have classes with first up to seventh years, I will only have time on the holidays...and the next holiday will be the Halloween's eve in the end of October...which means we won't see each other for two months...

"At 18th August.." She smiled. ...I hope he doesn't mind that I gave him a date three weeks ahead...then I will have time to think about the best way of telling him that we won't be able to see each other for two months and the reasons...I hope he is not a clingy person...