"Many years ago…Deep within the northern mountains of Kabool, there once existed a peaceful town… known as Paratown."
Skysin held a flashlight beneath his face, shadows creeping across the walls of the Ai Mei's cozy library.
"It was a calm, serene place," Skysin continued ominously. "Children played. Beasts and people lived together in harmony. Crops flourished. The rivers and lakes sparkled beneath the mountain moonlight…"
Crim already looked exhausted, sighing.
"BUT!! One fateful night…" Skysin hissed like a snake, narrowing his eyes, "two maidens fell in love with the same man."
Elaine sat cross-legged nearby, in a simple pajama set, listening with amusement. Ai Mei, on the other hand, quietly pulled her sleeves over her hands as they gently quivered.
"The man, however, chose one woman over the other," Skysin went on. "Consumed by jealously, the rejected maiden killed the man! The entire town turned against her. She lost everything! Her family! Her friends…!"
The flashlight flickered upward, "she was imprisoned…and executed the very morning…"
The room dimmed, clouds passing over the windows outside as Skysin continued, "but the rage she felt…" he slowly lowered the flashlight beneath his chin, "caused her chaos to become something far…far worse…"
Skysin paused dramatically.
Ai Mei shuffled over to Elaine discreetly, "what…what was it…?"
"A PHANTOM!!!!"
Ai Mei jumped slightly.
Crim scoffed, "dude…a ghost? Seriously?"
Skysin lowered the book, his face dull, squinting at Crim, "that's what the book says, dumbass. How the hell would I know?"
Crim merely shrugged.
Elaine softly giggled, "what was her name?"
Ai Mei's eye twitched, yelling in her head 'why would you ask that, 'Laine??! What if it summons something??'
Skysin noticed, grinning. He lifted the book over his mouth, "huhuhu…"
Ai Mei narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
"Her name, you ask?" Skysin paused again. Everyone stared at him, waiting.
"THE GHOST OF DESPAIR!!!!!" A scream erupted behind Ai Mei.
"OH GODS!!!" Ai Mei launched herself into Elaine's arms.
Crim blinked.
"Why're there two Skysin's?" Elaine asked, eyeing the two.
One Skysin held a book, doing some weird arm dance.
The other behind the couch was laughing like some gremlin.
Crim blankly stared, "What…"—He pointed—"what in the hell am I looking at right now?"
The dancing Skysin raised his hands as his body slowly dissolved into an afterimage.
"That was supposed to be cool, guys," the actual Skysin laughed again, walking from behind the couch.
"YOU FAT JERK!!" Mei grabbed a pillow and launched it directly into his face.
WHOMP.
Skysin toppled sideways onto the floor, still laughing while Crim nearly choked, trying not to burst out cackling himself.
"Wait…" Crim wheezed, "…are you afraid of ghosts Mei Mei?"
Mei straightened herself, "n-no…"
Skysin and Crim exploded into cackles, and another pillow flew across the room.
"Both of you, SHUT UP!!"
Elaine covered her mouth, also trying not to laugh.
Skysin rubbed his face, "it was literally in YOUR library! Be mad at yourself!"
Ai Mei paused, "…wait…" She looked towards the bookshelves, "how'd it end up here??"
No one spoke.
Mei stood with haste, horrified, "we need a priest. STAT!"
Elaine raised a hand, weakly, "uhm…guilty."
Mei clutched her chest, nearly falling to her knees, "how could you, 'Laine?! Why would you DO such a thing?!"
Elaine nervously laughed, "well…I kinda planted it when we were little kids…"
"WHAT??!"
"I-I figured I should get some kind of revenge…after you scared me from that spider prank…"
Mei huffed from her nose, "shameful."
"I'm sorry, Mei Mei!"
"No!!"
Skysin and Crim were laughing their asses off now.
Ai Mei pointed aggressively at them, her finger slightly trembling, "both of you idiots, SHUT UP!" Ai Mei snatched the book, stomping towards the doorway, "this thing needs to be exorcised."
Skysin wiped a tear from his eye, sitting up, "damn, she's actually pissed."
Elaine could only sigh fondly, "a usual thing. Mei Mei's like an angry dragon when she gets like that. She'll calm down in a few minutes." A small smile crossed her face, "Mei Mei's feisty."
Skysin smirked deviously to Crim, almost immediately, "hear that?" Skysin made a mocking expression, poking his lips out, "your crush has an attitude, dude…"
Crim scoffed, pushing Skysin's face back, "yeah whatever, asshole." He stood, slipping his hands into his pockets, heading to the exit, "I'm gonna check on Lucy."
Crim paused, squinting his eyes. Skysin's definitely going to say something because he didn't deny the statement. "And I don't have a crush, dumbass."
Skysin and Elaine shared a knowing glance. "Sure…" They said together. The two could swear Crim daydreams about Ai Mei.
Crim flipped them off, especially Skysin, and dipped out.
The library settled into silence from Crim and Ai Mei leaving. Which only left Skysin and Elaine behind. Elaine adjusted one of the pillows, awkwardly in her lap, "I bet she's really embarrassed now."
Skysin snorted, "she jumped on you like a cat."
"She hates being scared," Elaine giggled.
"Which makes scaring her even more hilarious. Crim would definitely agree."
Elaine shook her head, a helpless smile on her face, "you and him are terrible influences."
"Crim's the bad one. I'm innocent in all this."
Elaine's expression grew flat like paper, "you made two of yourselves, just to scream behind her."
Skysin grinned, gesturing an okay sign with his hand, "innocently…"
Elaine chuckled from Skysin's attitude. He always had something loaded in that brain of his. But it was obvious things had grown calmer, much more peaceful. Especially from the initial battle against Greyvus. Things were chaotic, almost nonstop. Guild work, replacing everything that was stolen. Helping the refugees because of the conflict.
Elaine was grateful, just for Crim and Skysin helping them. Though the boys didn't hide the fact it was for their own reasons.
Elaine looked to Skysin, "thanks again, Sin."
Skysin raised a brow, "for what?"
"For helping us, silly. With Greyvus, everything that's happened so far," Elaine's dainty fingers lightly tapped the pillow.
Skysin shrugged, "well, couldn't leave you guys hangin', y'know?"
"Still, you stayed. That meant a lot, to both of us."
Skysin looked towards the window, rubbing the back of his neck, "guess so…" The young man felt his stomach grumble, then looked to Elaine with a crooked grin, "wanna grab some food?"
Elaine blinked, "at this hour??"
"Why not? Nothing wrong with a late-night snack." Skysin's grin widened, leaning forward, "and afterward…we scare Mei Mei again…"
Elaine looked conflicted. Ai Mei's wrath was like a natural disaster; after all, she experienced it numerous times… The girl tapped her pink lips thoughtfully. "High risk…"
"Extremely."
"A very…VERY low reward."
"Just a small maybe."
Elaine giggled, a smile creeping on her face, "butttt…"
Skysin chuckled evilly, rubbing his hands like a mad scientist, "we ride…after food!"
Elaine laughed, following Skysin as he headed out the door.
The kitchen itself was quieter compared to the rest of the mansion-guild. Soft lantern light glowing against the counters. Skysin went at it, rummaging through cabinets like a trash bandit with a mission. Bowls, milk, powder mix, fruit, way too much syrup. Skysin's hands were just grabbing things and sitting them down.
Leaning against the counter, Elaine watched, her curiosity growing by the second, "you know how to cook?"
Skysin looked over the ingredients like a proud chef, "absolutely, I do!"
Elaine was a bit impressed; she wasn't expecting that.
That was until Skysin raised a finger, "only griddlecakes."
Elaine's face had flattened instantly, like a disappointed child, "are you serious?"
Skysin pointed, "don't disrespect the craft, lady…"
"You only know how to cook one thing…"
"One PERFECT thing!"
Elaine laughed under her breath, "why griddle cakes?"
"Favorite food. Had them all the time as a kid." Skysin spoke as if they were the most sacred thing in the entire Omiverse, "without griddlecakes, there is no life…"
"Oh my Malerenz…"
"You'll understand one day," Skysin rolled his sleeves, then paused, looking to Elaine, "y'know how to crack eggs properly?"
Elaine sighed, knowing exactly how this was going to go. She rolled up her own sleeves, standing next to him, chuckling, "I'll help you."
Skysin was relieved, rubbing his forehead, "thank Malerenz."
"You. Are absolutely hopeless."
"Creatively functional."
"Literally means nothing silly."
The two began to work around the kitchen. Elaine was moving with precision; Skysin was just causing events. Mixing ingredients aggressively. Flour nearly launched into the air and flipped a spoon across the room. But Elaine calmly fixed every impending disaster before it grew into a hazard.
Skysin glanced at Elaine as she stirred the batter, "you're pretty good at this, 'Laine."
Elaine softly smiled while slicing some fruit in half, "my mom used to cook with me and Mei Mei when we were kids. We used to try and help her whenever she was making something for us." There was a certain tone in her voice: a hint of sadness. But also, nostalgia, the good times.
Skysin scoffed, "from what I've seen at the tent, I think Mei Mei might wanna retire from cooking."
"She managed to burn soup once…somehow."
"And I thought I was worse."
"With the war zone I just went through with you and that flour…you're not far off," Elaine giggled.
Skysin waved it off, spinning an apple on his finger, "just warmin' up, yknow?"
Elaine chuckled again, shaking her head, still stirring the batter. She was happy, though. With the boys here, the guild did feel…warmer. Conversations flowed, and there was more noise from the garage because of Crim tinkering with Lucy. Skysin was practically everywhere at once, with occasional rage-bait for Ai Mei.
Elaine noticed that Ai Mei was lighter as well, compared to the past. Nowhere completely healed, but the boys were a reason for Ai Mei's brighter mood.
The two stood side-by-side at the stove, Elaine, quietly mixing still. Skysin was aggressively attempting to flip a griddle cake with too much confidence.
It launched upwards.
Both Elaine and Skysin reacted, reaching out. Their hands brushed lightly together. Not roughly, but enough to feel each other's warmth.
Elaine felt it almost immediately.
Skysin didn't seem to notice, however. "Meant to do that," he declared, proud, watching the griddle cake somehow land back onto the pan.
Elaine blankly stared at him.
Skysin continued, "an accident crafted by destiny."
"That makes zero sense, Sin."
"Exactly…"
Elaine laughed aloud as Skysin continued rambling on about nonsense. Something about the griddle master fighting the waffle-men. But Elaine found herself staring at him quietly.
And by Malerenz' name, he was handsome. Annoyingly so.
Those sharp yet lazy violet eyes always looked half amused. The small mole under his left eye, oddly adding to the charm. His wavy golden hair swept wildly backward, like the wind itself was his personal gel. Even the way he smiled felt unfairly natural. Bright. Cocky. But warm.
And Elaine found him funny.
Which she wasn't used to.
Elaine was not used to boys at all. Training, helping her sister, navigating life, and surviving after everything that happened. There was never really time to think about something like romance. Interest, or even butterflies.
Yet Elaine was here, watching Skysin nearly destroy the kitchen with enthusiasm. Her face was slightly growing warmer. The smallest roses were showing on her cheeks. A strange, tiny flutter in her chest.
Elaine quickly turned her head before she could stare too long.
Skysin's attention remained on the griddle cakes, "I'm telling ya, 'Laine, people are just too shy about the syrup."
Elaine covered her smile behind a wrist, "you're ridiculous."
Downstairs, the lower levels of the mansion were a bit louder than the kitchen upstairs. Metal clanking as tools on screws rattled. Coolant dripping from exposed pipes.
Lucy's massive frame rested in the center of the bay, beneath work lights that hung from the ceiling. Her polished exterior reflecting streaks of gold and orange across the smooth concrete floor. Half ship and street machine, Crim's pride and joy.
Leaned under an opened side panel, Crim was tightening a series of newly installed coolant pumps with his wrench.
Meanwhile, Ai Mei continued pacing nearby, like some angry ghost that refused to pass on. "I'm serious," she muttered. "Why would someone even WRITE that kind of story?!"
Crim chuckled without looking up, "because creepy stories are fun."
"No. They are not."
"They absolutely are."
"Nope! And it gives Sin more ideas to mess with me." Ai Mei scoffed dramatically, "Malerenz preserve me; that idiot is like the annoying little brother I never asked for."
"C'mon…" Crim smirked, poking his head from under Lucy, "you can't lie. It was kinda funny."
Ai Mei opened her mouth, then paused. With a silent ponder, her lips poked out, "…maybe just a little…" She agreed, rubbing her arm.
"Knew it," Crim snorted.
"Do NOT tell him that."
"Oh, I'm gonna tell 'em."
"Traitor…"
Crim softly laughed as he slid back out, an old tube resting in his hands. Ai Mei's hazel eye locked onto him, her head tilting curiously. "What're you working on?"
Crim held the pump up proudly, "new coolant system."
Ai Mei raised a brow, "…that explains nothing."
Crim sat the old coolant pump onto the table and slid his grease-covered gloves off, "Lucy overheats too fast when I push her too hard." He motioned toward the exposed internals. "So, I'm rerouting the coolant pressure through secondary pumps to stabilize it."
Ai Mei just stared at him.
Crim blinked, "what?"
"You sound like an alien."
Crim laughed, "basically, I'm making sure she won't explode when I push her."
"Oh!" Ai Mei nodded, "that I understand now."
Crim smirked before crouching near Lucy again, "wanna help?"
Ai Mei pointed to herself, "I know nothing about machines."
"Didn't ask if you knew stuff," Crim shrugged.
"Fair point…"
Crim handed her a flashlight, "hold this."
Ai Mei took it into her small hands, aiming the light towards the exposed engine systems. The garage settled into a rhythm of comfort. Metal clinking, wrenches clicking. Ai Mei occasionally asked questions, and Crim explained them.
Ai Mei quietly watched Crim work, his hands steady, calm, and a relaxed focus. This was his element, and the young man knew exactly what he was doing. No help needed.
Compared to Skysin's chaotic energy, Crim felt grounded. The kind of person who even made a noisy garage feel peaceful, somehow.
Ai Mei caught herself staring a bit too long, "you really love this stuff, huh?"
Crim glanced up, "machines?"
She nodded.
Crim smiled, nostalgia on his expression, "yep. Been around 'em for as long as I could remember."
"That's nice…" Ai Mei fondly smiled. She liked hearing about Crim's life, what he does. Just him in general.
Crim looked back to the engine, "y'know…you're weirdly easy to talk to…"
Ai Mei paused, registering what Crim said. The girl felt a tinge of rose building on her cheeks, and looked away, "…don't say weird things…" She crossed her arms.
Crim grinned, "see? Feisty. Which I don't mind at all."
Ai Mei threw a rag directly at his face.
After finishing up, Crim took off his gloves, "that's it. Managed to finally finish this crap. I'ma head upstairs and clean up after I'm done. Back hurts like hell now." Crim looked to Ai Mei, "Thanks for helpin' out, Mei Mei. You can head up."
Ai Mei chuckled, "have no idea how you can even have the patience to do all of that. But of course. Night Crim."
"Night Mei."
Ai Mei slipped from the garage, and Crim merely watched, shaking his head. As much as he hated to watch her go, he loved to watch her leave.
As Crim cleaned a few things, it wasn't long until Ai Mei shrieked through the halls as if it was bloody murder.
"OH MALERENZ!!"
Both Skysin and Elaine could be heard, laughing their asses off.
"I SWEAR I'M GONNA OFF BOTH OF YOU!!!" Ai Mei screamed.
Crim shook his head, laughing, "unbelievable."