The air outside the Mystical House shimmered faintly with the residue of magic. The storm of energy that had filled the chamber earlier was gone, leaving only the quiet hum of wards recharging under Merlin's enchantments. A soft drizzle misted the lamplight, turning the Third District's cobblestones into rippled glass.
Helios stood at the edge of the light, his posture loose, expression unreadable. "It's been a long day," he said finally, voice carrying just enough authority to end the quiet. "We should decide who's bunking where before Merlin tries to stuff us all in a teapot."
Merlin, who was idly adjusting his hat, gave a scoff. "I'd never! Well—unless I needed the space."
Thalen blinked, still rubbing his temples after the day's relentless experiments. "B–bunking?"
Before he could process what was happening, Helios slung an arm around his shoulders with brotherly finality. "Boys' dorm it is—you're with me. Back to the Moogles. They've got more circuits to calibrate, and you need more practice."
Thalen sputtered, caught mid-drag. "Wait…hold on. I didn't—ugh—agree… to that!"
"You didn't have to." Helios's tone was smooth as ever, half amused, half serious. "Consensus is an overrated formality."
Kurai's scoff was quiet but sharp. "So much for transparency."
Helios looked over his shoulder, unbothered. "You're always invited to come. I never said no. You know I'd never turn you down."
A muscle twitched near her jaw, but she didn't answer. The streetlight caught her eyes for a second—cold, amber, and unreadable.
Aqua sighed, breaking the tension. "That leaves the rest of us."
Circe's grin was immediate, the kind that promised chaos wrapped in charm. "Perfect. We'll take the old man's house." She hooked an arm through Helga's before anyone could object. "I plan to drain every ounce of magical wisdom from the wizard and his fairy friend before dawn."
"Their names," Helga said flatly, "are Merlin and the Fairy Godmother."
"Yes, yes," Circe waved dismissively. "Titles of grandeur. I'll be sure to address them with reverence while dissecting their spell compression theory."
Helga exhaled long enough to make her irritation audible. "I'm going to regret this."
"You always say that," Circe replied cheerfully, already towing her partner toward the glowing doorway. "And yet you still follow me. Maybe you secretly enjoy it."
"Because arguing with you is more exhausting than going along with it."
Their bickering faded as Merlin chuckled softly. "I do appreciate enthusiasm in students," he murmured.
Fairy Godmother smiled warmly. "Enthusiasm, yes. Sleep deprivation, less so."
Skuld gave a small smirk. "That one's going to terrify your furniture."
"Most of my furniture can defend itself," Merlin said with pride.
Aqua's attention shifted back to Skuld, who stood beside the still-flickering fountain. "Since I only truly trust you, Skuld," she said, measured but sincere, "we'll split—one stays with Merlin, one at the Vacant House."
Skuld hesitated, glancing at Kurai. Her stance was still, her aura like a shadow folded neatly in the light. "Then I'll stay with her," Skuld said at last. "You and she would just… step on each other's bottom line and fight."
Kurai tilted her head slightly. "How refreshingly self-aware," she said, her voice soft but razor-edged. "At least someone here appreciates my comfort."
Aqua crossed her arms but didn't argue. "Fine. Just—keep your guard up. If she decides to kill you in your sleep, I'm not taking responsibility."
"I'll be fine," Skuld replied evenly.
Merlin broke the tension by clapping his hands together, delighted. "Splendid! A bit of rearrangement always keeps things intact." He traced a sigil midair, and a key of golden light materialized, spinning lazily before landing in Skuld's palm. "That opens the Vacant House. Try not to burn it down."
Fairy Godmother fluttered her wand with a soft whoosh of pastel light. "And for each of you—sweet dreams and softer nightmares. May your hearts rest easy tonight."
Helga, already halfway gone, called back, "Define soft nightmares!"
"Oh, the kind that teach rather than torment, dear," the Fairy Godmother said, tone honey-sweet.
Kurai muttered under her breath, "So pain is fine as long as it's poetic."
"Growth rarely comes gently," Fairy Godmother replied with an uncanny smile, as though she'd heard her perfectly.
Helios finally loosened his grip on Thalen, giving a lazy salute. "Try not to set anything on fire while I'm gone. I don't have money for reconstruction."
Circe's distant laugh echoed from the stairwell. "That's fine—we'll just bill it to you!"
He chuckled, steering Thalen toward the fog-shrouded street. "Adding it to my tab? You wish. Pay your own damages."
The lamplight flickered as they walked away. Kurai followed at a measured pace, her coat trailing behind her like ink across paper. Aqua lingered, watching Skuld slip the golden key into her pocket.
"You really think you'll be fine?" Aqua asked softly.
Skuld smiled faintly. "I've fought Heartless, darkness, and destiny itself. Sharing a house can't be worse."
Aqua's lips curved into something between a smile and a warning. "You don't know when she might try to stab you in the back."
Kurai's voice drifted from the doorway. "Still here, you know."
"Good," Aqua replied, crossing her arms. "Then you can hear me when I say—don't corrupt her."
Kurai's grin was slow and humorless. "That depends entirely on your definition of corruption."
Merlin's staff struck the floor, sparks of soft blue light scattering. "Now, now, ladies, no dueling. My carpets are still recovering from the last 'conversation' between Skuld and Aqua."
Even the Fairy Godmother laughed at that. "Come now, Merlin. Carpets are resilient creatures."
Helios paused at the edge of the street and looked back once. Aqua stood beneath the archway, framed by the faint glow of the Mystical House. Skuld lingered beside Kurai, the key glowing in her hand like a miniature moon. Circe and Helga had vanished inside, their argument echoing faintly against the cobblestones.
For a moment, they looked like fragments of a constellation—separate stars orbiting an unseen center.
Helios exhaled softly through his nose, a faint smirk curving his lips. "See you all tomorrow," he murmured, voice low but certain.
Thalen adjusted his collar. "You think… they'll actually get along?"
"Of course not," Helios said with quiet amusement. "But friction creates heat. And heat… is energy. Which can…be good I guess."
Kurai caught up just as he said it. "You're romanticizing chaos again."
He glanced sideways at her. "No. Besides, I thought you were following Skuld."
She gave a dry laugh. "You really think you can quantify human stupidity?"
"Given enough data, anything can be graphed."
Kurai's eyes narrowed, but there was something like reluctant admiration behind the glare. "Whatever you are a fool. I decided to follow you for tonight. I'll return to that house tomorrow."
He shrugged. "Reminds me of when you kept insulting me in my head every day."
Their footsteps faded into the mist as the clocktower struck midnight, its chime carrying through Traverse Town like the toll.