Chapter 7 - Chapter 4: The Gem-Consort and the Hero-Knight

An hour before the Brigade exited the airship:

-Mhm, mhm...it's aaalll coming together...aaaalll according to my master plan~

With a mischievous giggle, Lucy would pace around the inside of the ship, scarlet high heels clicking on the metallic floor, the blonde being careful to hold up her incredibly puffy dress's skirt so that it didn't drag along said floor and get it dirty right away. 

She would scan the entourage she had built with her Disguise War Chest, her new "maids" and "butlers" all lined up in a single file, with varying degrees of regret and annoyance on their faces. 

-Even the more scruffy ones are managing to pull the regal look off.- she said, with a passing glance at Allie, the Order's Lotus blowing a raspberry at her- Clean suits, all buttons in their place, every frill appropriately frilly...and yet...

She'd press her index finger against her faintly powdered forehead, an expression of deep concentration on her face, eyes shut tightly as she tried to materialize whatever feeling was nagging at her glitzy mind.

Then, like the crash of a lightning bolt, she'd jolt upright and stomp and heel-wearing foot on the metallic floor, fists curled up beside her waist. An expression of indignity coated her face, and her scarlet lips were curled up in fury. 

-IT STILL FEELS WRONG! ALL WRONG!

"WHAT?!"

After a few seconds to try and recompose herself, the collective shout nearly rocking the whole airship and forcing the platinum-haired "madame" to recoil and cover her ears, Lucy faced, with a sheepish expression, a furious entourage that had practically piled up on top of her.

-What do you mean, it's all wrong?! We followed your every stinkin' instruction and put on these constrictive suits the way YOU like it!!!- Merceny shouted at her, face already beet red in anger.

-I am NOT taking the damn dress off for the 20th time just because you're "just not feeling it" yet again!- Allie roared at her, her hands in a clawing motion, like she wanted to simply grasp Lucy's neck and squeeze it until her hollow head popped like a balloon.

-My crossdressing stunt has me itching all over the nitty-gritty, and yet it's not enough for you..?- Zeke gave Lucy a sleepy, but cold glare. He then summoned his Blade Waterwheel, the dress-wearing boy raising the naginata above his head, pointing its curved blade at the blonde. 

 -You vain, narcissistic, spoiled little bratty princess of Diva Land..!- Mercedes snarled, steam practically coming out of her ears and her Lightus silver aura beginning to seep out of her back, as she seemed ready to summon her gun Blades, Glory and Grace, to show her dissatisfaction in a more...poignant manner. 

Lucy quickly raised her hands at the furious group, trying to calm them down with a panicked look on her face.

-No no no, don't get me wrong: you all look absolutely perfect! Each costume suits you like it called out to you. Like you both were destined for each other since birth, both drawn together from both ends of the red string of fate...but, I-I dunno...it feels like we're missing a singular, tiny but vital piece of the puzzle! Something that will really take this from an ensemble of bourgeois ladies and gents into a real Ruby Scheherazade production..!

-And what, pray tell, do you think that piece might be..?- Eldus asked, aged shoulders slumped in frustration and resignation.

-Let us consult our reference tomes!- Lucy said with a twirl of her index finger, quickly pacing away from the mob that was on the verge of exploding, and grabbing a copy of Shoge. 

Opening it, the servant group huddled up around the magazine, looking at the photos of Madame Scheherazade as she went on many a glitzy event. 

In all of them, she was surrounded by an entourage of adoring and fabulous servants, who looked like they were having the time of their lives, enraptured by their lady's glow. Not one of them was not dressed to impress, the men sharper than a Blade and the women fairer than freshly-fallen snow.

-Ruby, butler, maid...Ruby, butler, maid...Ruby, butler, maid...- Terri would repeat as the group would cycle through the photos- Now that you mention it, Lucy...something feels...

-...off, right?- Sobek pipped up, the blue haired Elite having removed his black bowl cut wig and presently scratching his blue locks in confusion- I look at these photos and see what's on them, but there's this nagging feeling that something else we should be noticing is right in our faces...

-Wait a sec...how about this...-Axel said, taking the magazine and walking towards a nearby wall, the group following the young genius- What if it's a..."dazzle tunnel vision"? We all look at the pictures and see the glow of Lady Ruby and her servants, but there's clearly something hidden that we can't see. What if we eliminated the most blinding object from the pictures? Zeke, help me with this.

The boy-maid lazily nodded as he dragged himself towards his friend, who then placed the magazine against the wall and made sure to hold it by placing his palms on the middle of a double-spread photo of a random event, covering the parts of the photo that depicted Lady Ruby. 

-Now you cover the servants, Zeke.- Axel instructed.

-Aye aye...-Zeke lazily nodded, copying Axel's movements and placing his palms in a way that covered the serv---

"WHOA WHOA WHOA WAIT WAIT WAIT"

A collective shout reverberated through the airship, as the rest of the group looked at the covered photos with a shocked look on their faces.

And suddenly, they could all see him. 

A lanky, awkward man with clothes that looked like they came from the garbage bin, stained and crumpled all over. He had long, shaggy and dark locks that covered most of his face, aside from the goatee below a goofy smile, as he held Lady Ruby's hand, the man walking down the carpet of that particular event with awful hunched-over posture, but still looking like he was having the time of his life.

Turning the page to another photo, Zeke and Axel covered Ruby and her servants again, to reveal another man, this one much chubbier and wearing what seemed to be only denim overalls, coupled with a straw hat. His dirty, naked feet would be on the stage he was sharing with Lady Ruby at an award ceremony, the middle aged farmer holding the madame's hand with a blissful smile on his face.

And finally, going to another double-spread photo of the madame in Sharem's court, the edge of her hand could be seen being held by a positively geriatric man, the poor gent nearly falling over himself, his hunched-over build little more than skin and bones, but his mostly toothless smile was still as wide as the horizon.

The Brigade looked on to these examples, not even a gasp leaving their stunned countenances. 

-I do remember Lady Ruby stating in an interview that she always had a...particular thing for, um...the blue-collared working class. To her, a man not bound by fame or money made her heart soar and she just wanted to spoil them rotten.- Allie slowly let out, her expression splashed with a mix of cringe, but also a tinge of guilt over mocking Lady Ruby's partners, just because they all looked a bit odd, compared to the dazzling noble woman.

-From what I remember reading, it seemed that, every three months or so, she would be seen with a new boyfriend. - Mercedes added- "Seen" being a very loose term. These guys were so not dazzling, that people would often forget what they looked like, their names, or where they came from.

"Heck, most of the time, they'd block their existence from their minds. I myself, didn't think it was possible until today, but they really have this knack to being blocked out by her dazzle.

As such, when Ruby would give a teary interview about her most recent break-up, people would be shocked upon realizing that she was dating again." 

-I can't tell if she has poor taste, or if this is the magnum opus of "opposites attract"...-Lucy would frown as she looked through the photos - But I don't understand why they'd split up, since she gets her shaggy man and they get the mother of all sugar mommies...

-From my perspective, it's all fine and dandy until these men realize that they're in for the long haul of being in her dazzling world 24/7.- Rye replied with a sigh, his expression grave as he crossed his muscular arms, the sleeves of his tuxedo having been torn off- Not many men have a soul steely enough to keep pace with such a...well-meaning, but still rambunctious, woman. Although, I do think the old man just up and passed away from old age in his case...

-Ugh, imagine having to hear that "Fofofo" all day...-Merceny shivered.

-I would.- Master Gee and Axel would say in perfect sync. 

They then would face each other and, with no other words, give each other a firm handshake.

-Getting back to business...-Mercedes would roll her eyes- I guess that, to give our ensemble the finishing touch, we need a fake boyfriend for Lucy..? 

She would then face all the butlers, half of them already gunning to run off the airship, lest they be dragged into such a role, only for their path would be blocked by Terri, who'd then shepherd them back into the group.

Lucy would place her hands in her waist with a confident huff.

-Such a role is a privilege, really~!- she'd smirk- Only the bravest man can be given such an honor! And don't worry, you'll just need to hold my hand and nod at what I say with a smile, so any of you guys can apply. So, who should we pick for such a stellar role?

-Am I being considered for this role?- Zeke pointed at himself.

-No, you're already a certified maid, so you join the girls' group.- Terri said, the rest of the women forming a group away from the men, both standing at each side of the ship's deck.

-I say we play "Blade-Shield-Element"! It's only the most fair! That way, there can be no regrets left behind!- Gee would quickly pipe up, raising his hand. He'd then cycle through three shapes: raising his index and middle finger, keeping them close together; balling his hand in a fist; and finally, opening his palm wide.

-Leaving it to luck, huh? How noble of you, Gee.- Rye would give him a distrusting look- But no using Astral Soul on your eyes to enhance your perception, so you can see what the opponents are throwing, okay? That's grounds for immediate disqualification. 

-Geh...-Gee would grit his teeth and look away, having been caught before his scheme even began.

And so, the men huddled up around a circle, most of them hoping they'd lose the contest.

-Which method should we use? Keeping your hand behind your back until the count of three, or we all show Shield at the start and pick a form at the count of three?- Axel asked.

-Hand behind back, duh! Showing Shield at the start gives Element a much bigger advantage, because it's easy for one to keep their hand as a fist! Besides, even if we do shift to another form, it's easy for a sharp-eyed contestant to see the hand shifting forms upon the count of three, so they can pick theirs at the last second.- Gee stated.

-Yeah, but to see all the opponents' forms within a huge group in that split second? And what if we choose your method and someone purposefully delays removing his hand from behind his back so he can catch which forms are being thrown?- Rye asked.

-You're giving the same "split-second cheating" argument as me!- Gee retorted.

Rye would grumble, as he recognized that Gee was correct.

-Back in my day, we all started with all fingers closed, save for the middle one, and then we'd throw a form at the count of three.- Eldus remarked.

-Really?- Guy asked, with a scandalized expression.

Eldus gave him a sly smirk.

-Yeah, so why don't we all play right in front of Lucy?- he asked before having the War chest's inventory clipboard land on the back of his head.

-Just hurry up and play!- Lucy remarked, frilly arms crossed and with an annoyed expression.

"Fine..." the men grumbled.

They agreed on the "hand behind back" method and soon they chanted, in unison:

"Raise your shields! Wield your blades! Flare your soul! One, two, three!"

"Tie! Again!"

"Raise your shields! Wield your blades! Flare your soul! One, two, three!"

"Tie! Again!"

"Raise your shields! Wield your blades! Flare your soul! One, two, three!"

"Tie! Again!"

"Tie! Again!"

"Tie! Again!"

-OK, who's the wise guy cheating and throwing the form in minority so that we keep tying?!- Gee shouted.

-You think I want to win this crap?! You guys are the ones that should stop losing!- Merceny exclaimed back at him.

"Raise your shields! Wield your blades! Flare your soul! One, two, three!"

"Tie! Again!"

"Tie! Again!"

"Tie! Again!"

-Never in my life did I want to lose a "Bla-Shi-El" game so badly. Of course it's now that I get such a streak of ties. Lightus herself mocks me, it seems, dangling victory where I don't want it.- Hanzo groaned.

-Shush your mouth and keep going, so you can lose her favor!- Gee snarled.

"Tie! Again!"

"Tie! Again!"

"Tie! Again!"

Soon enough, both the guys that wanted to lose and the ones wanting to win had steam practically erupting from their ears, a surge of bloodlust leaking through the enclosed circle.

"I won! I threw Element!"

"No you didn't, Sobek you cheater, your palm isn't open wide enough! That's a lazy Shield form!

"Who made YOU the judge of palm wideness, you perverted master?!"

"Merceny, stop changing your form after you've thrown it, it's so obvious!"

"Axel, believe me, you don't want to win this. Just join my side so we can bounce."

"Merceny, stop spitting upon the integrity of Bla-Shi-El! Don't you want to be the strongest?"

"Eon, there are battles I don't want to win."

"How about we change this to a game of socking each other in the face and whoever falls last wins?"

"Master Rye, no, you'll kill Eldus!"

"Why, Vermilion, I'm no spring chicken, but I'm not that old yet! I'll bop you myself if you keep talking crazy!"

"Tie! Again!"

"Tie! Again!"

"Tie! Again!"

-ENOUGH!- Terri roared, stomping her foot on the ship's metallic floor with such force that it left a permanent imprint of her boot on the ground. 

She then turned her fiery gaze towards Lucy, the muscular maid looking like she was about to pop a blood vessel, tensed fingers ready to strangle the madame's fair-skinned neck

-Lucy, let us pick another method, or else I'll be your consort and you will like it!

-No, we can't! If we had Lady Ruby arrive with a girlfriend, the media backlash would be crazy! We'd have the Sharenian police after us in no time for public defamation!- Lucy gulped.

-Yes, because what we're doing now is totes innocent...-Mercedes sighed.

-I have a solution.- Allie smiled calmly, before raising her hands, the Aqua Enchanted Stone rings placed around her wrists, in order to limit her Pyre Element, glinting in the deck's fluorescent lighting- I'll need you to take these off for a bit, though. Don't worry, I'll play nice. I know I'm still an Angel's Crow POW.

As such, Eldus was quickly called over to the Lotus. Summoning his Sage staff, he tapped Allie's rings with his emerald Enchanted Stone, the marine blue metal apparatus splitting open and falling with a "clink" on the deck's floor. 

Allie then placed her palms together, a faint heat being felt between her hands, before she separated them. From within, a small torrent of fire erupted, the tongues of flames spreading above the dancer's head before they took shape: of numbers running from 1 to 9.

-Lucy, turn around and I'll randomly distribute these numbers across the boys. You'll then pick a number and the one holding the number gets to be your date.

Allie's idea was met by immediate clapping from Mercedes, Zeke and Terri, the trio thankful for such a succinct method.

-Oh! So that empty head of yours is able to conjure up a good idea, once in a while!- Lucy grinned, hands on her waist, before she quickly leaned her head to the side in order to avoid the flaming numbers being flung at her by Allie. The digits then landed on the deck's metal wall with a searing sizzle.

Lucy then threw Allie a little peace sign.

-Just make sure you gimme a good date~!- the blonde giggled before turning around.

Allie then turned towards the men and tossed the assortment of flaming numbers in the air. Despite being a Pyre-born, her soul was shaded in Tera, due to her parents' differing Elements. As such, her flames had solid qualities mingled within them. As the digits randomly zipped towards the 9 targets, each were left holding what felt like a searing piece of iron.

-Ouch, ouch. Back in my time, we used straws or pieces of paper. If we weren't BladeMasters with strong bodies, I'd sue you for elder abuse.- Eldus grumbled as he tossed his 8 number between his hands.

-Oh, what a delicate flower you are, Eldus dear~- Allie winked at him- Lucy, you can pick a number now.

As Lucy hummed away, trying to build suspense, within the group of men reined either a feeling of doom or of prayer for victory. Gee himself held his 4 number close to his forehead, black smoke fizzling from the fingers that held the number.

-I'll piiiiiicckk...

 *

-Lucy, your tell was so transparent, you know that? If you wanted Noah because he's the most maleable to play as your ditsy consort, you could have just said so.- Hanzo sighed as he walked beside Lucy, the Order's Diamond wearing a short blue haired wig over his ruby locks, as well as deep blue contacts over his crimson eyes. 

-Daw, let a girl entertain the rest of the boys. This way, there's no infighting for my hand~ -Lucy winked and giggled behind her fan. Hand in hand with Noah, the "madame" and her entourage would walk along the carpet that Rye had placed between the airship and the inn.

As the group walked, the populace would follow, gawking at the most recent pick for Lady Ruby's new lover, confused gazes directed at Noah and his dirty outfit, silly hat and mismatched hair and mustache.

"He's so tiny!"

"And with a horrible fashion sense."

"How can he be a ginger and yet have a black mustache?! Or is it coal from the deep mine he crawled out from?"

"Oh, just goes to show that, even if you come from the dingiest pits, Lady Scheherazade can still see the light that shines deeply within you~!"

As such, instead of jeers, the crowd would throw cheers and gasps of adoration towards the little man, Noah happily waving back at them, the boy's own crimson eyes covered by emerald contact lenses denoting his still confused, but overall cheery disposition.

-I guess it does fit the bill. Lady Ruby's boyfriends are usually so enamored by her that they become outright loony. And Noah's already a goof on his own, so he plays the part perfectly...- Mercedes look at the duo with a worried expression.

-Ah, the pangs of jealousy...-Zeke snickered- Even if it's second-handed, it already hurts my own maiden's heart~

Mercedes shot him a murderous glare, but quickly caught herself, the maid clearing her throat and keeping her composure until the group reached the inn's entrance. 

For this act would require her full attention, as the entourage would huddle around Lucy to try and push her across the door, the madame's wide skirt, held by a metal frame underneath the fabric, immediately getting stuck on the entrance. 

After a bit of pushing, Lucy was almost tossed into the inn, the madame stumbling a bit as she entered the wooden and rustic interior, the foyer having the receptionist's counter on the right side, but also doubling as the dining room, an array of long tables to the left.

Agatha quickly made her way to the other side of the counter, the short woman having been revitalized by having such a famous figure gracing her humble abode, as she deftly jumped onto the tall chair behind her table. 

Shaky fingers would then the newly entered guests, before she jotted away at a notebook she had on hand.

-Let's see...Lady Ruby and four maids...five women in total. And for the men, we have her enchanting consort and...eight butlers. Nine men total. For a total of fourteen guests. We can split you up into three 5 people bedrooms, if you'd like.

-If I may inquire, do you offer Tera Expansion?- Lucy asked, raising her hand.

Noah blinked, his usual vacant stare coating even his disguised countenance. He would then pull on Lucy's crimson sleeve.

-What's a Tera Expansion..?- he asked, no one replying for half a second, before he jolted in place. 

He would then lean towards his madame with a puppy-eyed dog's expression on his face, clasping his hands together:

-Would you be so kind as to fill this spot of ignorance in my mind, my sweettums, my pumpkin, my glittering jewel only found in the deepest, coldest recess of the mine shaft, just like my ever-so-cold heart was before I laid eyes upon you, in that sweet Mistral Cycle afternoon?

"What a recovery!" rang across the entourage's minds as Lucy, glittering eyes as well, held Noah's hands closely towards herself.

-Oh, my wittle honey-bunch, the apple of my eyes, the one to stoke the fire within my cold bosom, which I thought was forever extinguished before I laid eyes upon you, in that sweet Aqua Cycle morning...

"Which one is it?!" rang across the populace's minds, as they watched from outside, either huddled around the door or peeking through the windows of the dining hall.

-...I keep forgetting that you haven't gotten to stay at inn until now, always settling to sleeping in whichever mine cart was the least filled with coal...-Lucy sniffled.

-It was never coal, my sun, they were always Pyre Enchanted Roses, for we were always fated to meet~- Noah immediately replied in a sing-song tone.

-Oh, don't rattle my maiden's heart mid-explanation, you handsome man, you!- Lucy gasped, bringing the back of her hand to her forehead, throwing her head back and arching her back dramatically -Basically, a Tera Expansion is a term used in the hospitality industry. 

"Inns and hotels usually place themselves with a wide berth of space between themselves or other buildings, because they may need to expand their existing rooms by calling on a Tera-born employee to use their Element to stretch the room out and make more space. They usually charge an extra for that, but sometimes by doing that, it's cheaper than buying multiple rooms."

The madame would then let go of Noah's hands and grasp his face, pinching and tugging on his cheeks.

-But to pamper you, money is no object, of course, my little coal pumpkin~

-As long as you can be the object of my undying affection, I'll sleep in the fullest mine cart for you, my darling!- Noah replied, extending his hands and cupping Lucy's face within them, cradling her features.

-My sweet!

-My honey!

They would then let go of each other's faces and tightly grasp each other's hand, while turning pompously towards the populace, while extending their other hand towards the heavens.

"My entire Gaia!" they would shout at the same time, an eruption of clapping and weeping from the surrounding populace.

"They're so perfect together!"

"Oh, I don't even know this man's name, yet I'd gladly sleep in a mine cart, if it would help him and Lady Scheherazade's love soar every higher!"

-Who even wrote this script..?- Rye leaned in to whisper to Terri.

-Well, Lucy and Allie concocted a rough script, including a backstory about how Noah's character is a Pyre-born worker from the continent's northern mines, digging up rare gems like Enchanted Stones and Enchanted Roses. But, aside from that, it's mostly adlibbing from both parts. Good thing Noah has been reading a bunch of romance novels, I guess...- the muscular maid replied.

-They...bounce oddly well from each other...-Mercedes added slowly, massaging the bridge of her nose between her eyes.

-I dunno if I'm going to hurl or cry tears of joy at this performance...-Allie shivered in place.

Meanwhile, tears indeed streaming down her wrinkled face, Agatha took a handkerchief from her counter's, drawer and blew loudly on it.

-Oh my...But yes, we do offer Tera Expansion. My son handles it, as that's his Element. We can create two seven-people rooms, if you like. Oh, but the butlers and maids would get unevenly distributed...

-That is no issue, my dearest. We can handle that~- Lucy winked blew a kiss at her, a little fiery heart, the size of a grape, manifesting near her lips and floating towards the aged woman.

Right behind Lucy, Allie quickly made that heart spawn near Lucy's lips and gently shot it towards Agatha. Since Ruby Scheherazade was a Pyre-born, it was up to Allie to intervene whenever Lucy needed to feign using fire, the blonde maid having Rye and Gee on security detail, since she'd be freed from her Aqua Enchanted Stone cuffs. 

Agatha sighed in pure delight as the heart poofed away near her nose.

-Alright then...two rooms it is. We'll put in Lady Ruby's name...and...- she then turned towards Noah, who blinked at her.

-No--- -the boy stopped short as he felt a surge of killing intent crashing towards him from the entourage, leaving him paralyzed and with his words stuck inside his throat.

-No..?- Agatha would repeat, head tilted in confusion.

-No...land.- Noah quickly pipped up- Noland Sheon.

"What a crappy fake name!" the butlers and maids would grit their teeth, a wave of nervousness washing over them.

-You're telling me they spent more time coming up with couple routines than giving Noah's character a proper name?- Terri mumbled, steam practically erupting from her ears.

-You underestimate how many lovey-dovey adjectives we had to come up with. Besides, we had to hurry, lest the town's sheriff come check the airship and catch us mid-preparation.- Allie excused herself. 

-Noland...Sheon...- Agatha quickly jotted down in her notebook. She then turned to her son- Go and handle the Tera Expansion while Lady Ruby brings her luggage inside.

Agatha's son quickly nodded and stumbled away up the narrow wooden staircase that led to the upper floor, clearly still quite affected by Lucy and Noah's little performance.

Meanwhile, the butlers and maids would gather the various bags and cases they had brought with themselves from the ship. The War Chest having been left inside, since it was incredibly heavy and tough to carry through that cozy inn in case of an emergency getaway.

Axel, Guy, and Rye then took the luggage and got on heading towards the upper floor, all of them carrying an array of bags and suitcases. Although, Noah could swear that he saw a particular bag Guy was carrying shaking an awful lot...

Meanwhile, Lucy would peer towards the narrow wooden staircase.

-Oh my, I'm afraid this is a bit too...cozy, for me to properly climb it with my dress...-she said, looking down towards her puffy ensemble. She then looked towards Noah- Oh my darling..?

Lucy would then extend her arms before Noah, the fingers on her upturned hands beckoning the disguised boy, before her right hand subtly lifted two and then one finger in quick succession.

Noah nodded at her.

"Carry Procedure 2-1! I gotcha!" the boy thought.

Without a hint of hesitation, Noah would run towards Lucy, before turning his back towards her, and jumping back towards the madame. 

His short frame would soar across the foyer's tight space, head nearly hitting the wooden ceiling, before he landed on Lucy's arms, who easily caught him in her embrace.

And then, like clockwork, the madame would also jump back, her crimson-wearing figure flying back towards her entourage, who would all quickly huddle together and catch the madame in their raised hands, lifting her and Noah high above their heads.

And hence, the "Double Bridal Carry" maneuver was completed.

As such, lifting Lucy, who herself lifted Noah, the servants would bundle close to each other and backpedal towards the narrow staircase, carrying both Lady Ruby and Noland up the stairs in two person files.

All the while, the madame and her consort kept up their flair, by striking a pompous pose, legs and arms stretched out as they were carried away upstairs.

-Edison, I'll leave you to handle the payment, dear!- Lucy proclaimed as the group climbed up the stairs.

Having been left behind by the counter, Eldus, who sported his long beard tied into a complex braid and carried a monocle on his right eye, would nod. He'd then reach his white gloved hand inside the butler's suit he was wearing and rummage around its pockets, before retrieving a small bag, the rustling of gold and silver coins being heard from inside.

-I believe this about covers it, young lady.- he nodded at her as he placed the bag on the counter, before heading up the stairs as well, leaving Agatha to pick up her dentures off the floor once she peered inside the bag and saw the generous amount inside, much too generous for the two rooms the group had just rented.

-Ah...but this would cover the entire...inn. Why insist on... two...rooms..?- she tried to talk to "Edison", but he was already upstairs with the rest of the group, the butlers and maids placing Lucy down on the floor, who, in turn placed Noah down in front of her. 

The group would stand at the end of a wooden hallway, in front of two open doors. Inside, Agatha's son would be doing the so-called "Tera Expansion". 

Taking control of the wooden floors and walls, a loud rumbling would reverberate throughout the entirety of Kolimbra as the wall farthest form the doors would begin getting farther and farther away, the room stretching in length, almost like it was made out of gum, to accommodate for the extra people.

Once more space was acquired, the man would move to the second step. From the wooden floorboards, small pillars of wood would sprout out. Elevating themselves off the ground like a budding vine, they would weave themselves like a spider's web, splitting themselves and keeping on expanding to the sides and upwards in order to create an empty and detailed bed frame that would match the ones already possessing a mattress and sheets beside them along the bedrooms.

Once he created the four extra bed frames across both rooms, Agatha's son would turn towards the awaiting group, "Noland" gasping in awe at the process, his emerald eyes shining as he looked inside both renovated bedrooms. 

-I'll have the extra mattresses and sheets ready in a jiffy.- he nervously said, before bolting off downstairs. Before long, he would have brought everything that was needed to furnish the new beds for the inn's guests.

-I-I hope it'll be to your liking..!- he stammered, bowing repeatedly before the entourage- U-um, dinner will be almost ready, so you're free to join us as soon as you're done unpacking..!

-Thank you, darling, you're a star~- Lucy would wink at him, a small flaming star-shaped flame spawning from near her eye and fluttering its way towards the man, who nearly fainted right there in the hallway, but managed to resist and headed back downstairs.

"They payed WHAT?! Lady Scheherazade's generosity is boundless!" he was heard exclaiming from the lower floor.

-Alright, my darlings, let's get to brass tacks.- Lucy said, stretching her arms high above her head, cracking her crimson-gloved fingers- The reason why we got two rooms instead of three is because it's better for us to be more bundled up together. In case we need to head out in a hurry, it's better if we only have two rooms, especially right next to each other, to coordinate through. But because we're uneven in the genders...

"Who will stay in the women's room?"

A wave of realization crashed upon the butler group, the complexion on their faces becoming paler by the second. Everyone's brows would begin to glisten with cold sweats at the fate that could await them, for better or for worse. 

-Obviously, Zeke will stay in the women's room, since he's a maid. Can't have any guests over in the other rooms catching a fair "maiden" slither inside the men's room.- Terri stated, arms crossed, the Order's Titan's mouth forming a thin slit, as she could predict even more confusion heading their way- We're 14 guests, but we have 5 women and 9 men. Since the rooms are for 7 people, two "lucky" (and I mean this with as many quotation marks as I can) boys will get to bunk with us.

-Yay...-Zeke would groan, combing one of his pigtails with his fingers, as he looked to the side with an annoyed expression.

Before Gee and Axel could interject, Allie raised her hand.

-Well, let's not make this any more scandalous than it should. If Madame Scheherazade should have any men in her chambers, one of them should be her consort, Mister Noland.- she said, pointing at Noah.

-Wha..?!- Mercedes yelped as she jolted in place, face becoming beet red and eyes nearly bulging from her skull.

Poor Noah could feel a wave of murderous intent coming at him from all sides, as he stood in the middle of the men's group. Suddenly, he felt very very tiny in the middle of the hallway.

-Yeah, it makes sense.- Lucy nodded, before grinning towards Noah- Well, Noland, guess you're invited to a girls' slumber party~!

Noah blinked a few times with his usual neutral expression, void of much insight. But, before long, light reached his eyes as they would widen, much like his smile.

-A "slumber party"?! Oh, I've read about this before! If you'll give me the chance to see it up close, I have no objections!- he said, throwing his fist up in the air with a huge grin.

Grin which would be immediately quashed as he'd see, out of the corner of his eye, the long dark blade of Merceny's Blade, Nightingale, be placed mere millimeters from his neck, the double-edged long sword seemingly swallowing all light around its onyx surface as it looked like it was sharp enough to slit the boy's throat without even touching it.

-I swear the gods, if you get any funny ideas, Eon...-he'd growl, his glare carrying enough hatred to make a whole forest wilt amidst the negativity emanating from his eyes- I'll be the second man--

But, suddenly, a wooden practice katana would tap against against Nightingale's side. Holding onto it and shooting Merceny with a similar determined glare, Master Gee would challenge the young man.

-Hold it, buster. Cidy's safety is a sure given, seeing as she'll be in the midst of highly capable, gorgeous, divine and beautiful Elite women. You shouldn't meddle in her private affairs. Isn't that what you've been working on, giving your sister some space?

Before long, a the silver steel blade of an actual katana would clink against Gee's sword's side. Holding onto the dark blue handle of Raiden, Axel would shoot a similar glare at both mercenary and Master.

-Besides, someone has to be there to ensure Noah's safety. All those Elites, gathered in one place? It's much too...dangerous an environment to leave such an innocent young man in. The last man that should be given the prieve--I mean, task of bunking with the women has to be decided through a highly selective test.

Just then, a blue and white single edged sword would join all the assembled weapons, all too close for comfort near Noah's throat. 

-Yeah. There's only one way for us to settle this...-Sobek would mutter, holding onto Aegis as he looked at everyone with a fierce and determined glare.

Suddenly, all Blades would fall on the ground with a loud "CLINK" as all the butlers would huddle around in a hurry in a tight circle.

"Raise your shields! Wield your blades! Flare your soul! One, two, three!"

-MEOOOWWWW!!!

Their game was swiftly interrupted by a loud hiss coming from a bag at Guy's feet. Suddenly, from within, a torrent of fire shot out, tearing through the fabric like it was a hot knife cutting through butter. 

From within the hole it created, an orange paw peeked out and then its owner emerged from the bag, giving her chubby and sunset-colored frame a vigorous shake, before giving the group a bored glare with her emerald eyes. She would then start licking her paw and running it across its long and fuzzy fur, especially a particular spot that would stubbornly get in front of her right eye. 

Not only that, the collar around her puffy neck sported a small rose-shaped red crystal on it, a Pyre Enchanted Rose, a very rare mineral that was often used for wedding rings. For how it ended up in the kitty's collar, most likely she had been born with it, as animals often were born with Enchanted Stones protruding from their bodies, which would often be removed from them for human use.

-Noelle?!- Guy exclaimed, crouching near his beloved cat- I knew that bag seemed awfully shaky, but...I never imagined you sneaked inside! Wait...that was my snacks bag! What did you--

As a reply, Noelle let out a burp, not a hint of shame in her eyes as she sat almost regally on the wooden floor, her chubby body being enough of an answer.

-Noelle can bunk with us.- all of the maids and Lucy would state in perfect unison, causing the squabbling men's bodies to slump down, whether in shock, defeat or relief.

 *

-So we're really giving this kitty cat a whole bed to herself?- Terri asked, looking at Noelle, who promptly plopped her plump posterior on one of the beds, before curling up to go to sleep- I mean, I get that the guys were about to tear each other up over this room assignment, but isn't this a teensy bit too much? One of the guys will get barred from a bed, after all.

As the Titan spoke, she'd be unpacking various begs atop her bed. Most of them filled with various items for her to work out with, like dumbbells heavy enough to leave a huge dent on the mattress if left unattended for too long on top of it. 

-Well, Hanzo didn't seem to mind. He's used to being out in the cold, so he should be atop the inn's roof right now, being on guard duty.- Allie replied as she pointed to the ceiling. 

She then summoned her Blade, Nuria, a long saber with a golden flower-shaped handle. Turning it upside down and holding the sword by the blade, she'd tap the bottom of the handle on the wooden ceiling twice.

Before long, a similar dual tap would reply to her from on above.

-How cordial.- Lucy replied as she stood inside the room's small bathroom, leaning against its sink while peering at the mirror, readjusting the powder on her face- By the way, Allie, can you create a cover with your solid fire? Rooming with the boys is already scandalous enough, so let's not get too crazy and give each gender the privacy to change on their own half of the room.

As she said that, she'd give Noah and Zeke the side-eye, but the boys looked like they cared about everything but being Peeping Toms or being peeped at: Noah sat on one of the beds, unpacking the various books he had brought inside his backpack, while Zeke would lay on his stomach behind him on the same bed, the pigtailed boy not even bothering to change from his maid outfit before falling asleep.

-I would if this room wasn't mostly made out of wood.- Allie replied- My control over my Pyre may be delicate, but it's still fire, no matter how low the solid flames are. Besides, I'd need to actually stick the fiery cover on the walls to get it actually hang up, so that's a no.

-No worries, I can handle handle that.- Terri, said, before turning to Mercedes- Can you get these off, please?

With that, she raised her skirt a bit, exposing her dark shoes and, around her ankles, the purple colored Limiter Rings, made from Mistral Enchanted Stones, that were shifted from her wrists to now being placed around her ankles. That way, they still limited her power, but allowed her arms to be exposed by her uniform. 

For it would raise suspicion for Lady Ruby's maids to be restrained by rings usually placed on criminals, to prevent them from using their Element. 

Mercedes nodded and reached beneath her dress's collar, retrieving a set of four small and thin keys gathered around a thin chain around her neck. Copies of set of keys were carried by Lucy, Eldus and herself and were to be used to unlock the Elites' restraints. 

Kneeling down before Terri, she took the Mistral-key, purple in color, and unlocked the Titan's rings. 

Terri then raised her hand, before gesturing towards the nearby wooden wall. From it, much like Agatha's son did, pillars of wood would burst out and, in file next to each other would grow away from the wall, making its way towards the opposite wall before snapping back towards their place of origin, like a coiled spring.

-Good idea, Terri. I wouldn't want all of us maids to huddle up inside the bathroom trying to get the dress off of Lucy.- Mercedes nodded, but as she looked to the side, the blonde maid took a big sigh of relief.

-Tch, you two are such a bother.- Lucy snarled at Noah and the sleeping Zeke, the orange wig-wearing boy tilting his head in confusion towards her.

-Then why did you pick this rooming scheme?!- Terri, Allie and Mercedes would exclaim at her in unison.

 *

-Grumble, grumble...

-Why I oughta...

-Sunnova...

Axel, Gee and Sobek would curse under their breaths as they unpacked their bags beside each other their beds, the butlers taking turns on taking a bath before dinner. Master Rye had already thrown his tuxedo away and was strutting his muscular, hairy and grizzled naked body off to the tub inside the bathroom, without a care in the world.

-Would you guys shut up? This isn't some vacation, it's an important mission.- Merceny growled at them - We don't have time to waste on stupid room assignments, so let's just rest and continue on our journey to the Tower as soon as possible.

-Um, Merceny...-Guy raised his hand with a sheepish expression- Might I introduce you to this funny little story about Mister Pot and Mister Kettle? They have a great friendship, you see...

As he spoke, he'd watch on as the blonde mercenary would be kneeling on his bed and pressing his ear against the wooden wall that was against the head of the bed. Pressing so much that his face was squishing against the surface.

-Shut up, Vermilion!- Merceny snapped back at him- This isn't about the guys rooming with the girls, it's about that bastard Eon rooming with my sister!

-You really think that, even if he were as lecherous as you think, that he'd try anything with young Mercedes, while he's rooming with three Order Elites?- Eldus snickered, the Sage sitting on his bed as well, surrounded by a veritable mountain of books that he had, somehow, ejected from a small bag he had brought with him- You do know that he's now married, no~?

-HE'S NOT MARRIED!- Gee and Axel would scream at him.

-Would you guys be quiet? This is an important mission, not a party cruise.- a voice would sound from the roof, Hanzo having opened the only window they had, on the far edge of the room, and climbed out of it onto the roof, atop of which the Order Elite sat down as he peered into the horizon. 

Draped around him was a glittering silver cloak made with his ice powers, his own Pyre Limiter rings having been removed by Eldus.

The cloak was made to deflect light, therefore providing a degree of camouflage, as the red tiles of the roof seemed to have superimposed over his butler suit. 

-Shut your mouth, Diamond.- Merceny would growl, before his eyes widened. Black Feather ran over to the window, peeking his head out of it- Wait, can't you use your ice doves to see what's going on inside their room? So you can...you know...keep an eye on them! For safety and coordination!

With that, he'd point to his right, where the women's room was. And, just like their room, there was a similar window on the wall, albeit closed.

-I have been doing that. I tossed one inside as the women were entering the room.-Hanzo would sigh, before the Order's Diamond would hear a stampede below him, before many more heads would pop out the window, Merceny being joined by Gee, Axel, Sobek, Guy and Eldus.

-REALLY?!- they would all shout in unison as the looked up towards the roof.

Hanzo would reach out towards his left eye, covering it.

-With my ice doves, I can have them relay images of what they see to me. It's how I managed to gather information when I sent them to Soula. Think of them as mobile security cameras. And right now---

Hanzo would suddenly flinch, clutching his eye as a sharp pain would course through his body.

Before the men could ask what was wrong, the window to their right would slam open and a glittering silver object would be thrown out of it with titanic force, the transparent construct soon disappearing into the horizon. Then, the window would close with a loud smack.

Before the Order Elite could get his bearings back, though, the roof tiles between his legs would begin to tremble. 

Eyes widening, Hanzo, would throw himself to the side, just narrowly avoiding the clay sword that would suddenly jut out of the roof, its pointy edge pointing upwards, aiming to skewer him.

-Guess Terri will suffice as security for the women...- Hanzo would let out a long sigh of relief.

-Daww...-the rest of the men would groan.

 *

-Tch, I fear to imagine what Hanzo saw when he had those ice doves of his patrolling through Soula...-Terri would frown as she dusted the ice off her hands.

-Even if he did catch you flexing just before hitting the shower, the sheer threat of all that muscle would have kept him well away from you.- Allie smiled at her as she emptied a small bag containing a myriad of toilette products. 

-You say that, but I did have to confiscate the small camera Gee was trying to hand over to Noah for "impromptu photoshoots" of you three Elites...-Mercedes would sigh as she was also unpacking her things- "The breezier the nightwear the better", he said. And then when I looked back, he was pulling out a large sketchbook and a pencil from inside his tuxedo, for Noah to draw your portraits instead!

-And I was looking forward to it as well!- Noah would groan as he fell back on his bed, Zeke's sleeping body beside him bouncing slightly as Noah's weight hit the mattress- Maybe I was a super good artist before I lost my memories! Geez, Mercedes, and I was going to give you any portraits of yourself, just like he told me to do!

-I don't need any!- Mercedes would snap back at him, cheeks flushed.

-I'm actually pleasantly surprised that Gee keeps his mitts off of you, Cidy. Especially as you're growing into such a beautiful young lady...-Allie would muse, causing Mercedes to grumble.

-If he did, I could just blast him to kingdom come with my Grace and Glory and be done with it.- Mercedes would reply- I've known Master Gee since around the same time as I've known Lucy and he does keep his lechery away from me. Heck, he even taught me Astral Soul like a proper teacher. It's partly thanks to me that the Masters' dojo and the Angel's Crow have linked up in the first place.

"But, in exchange, he's always bothering me about what he can do to impress Lucy. If Lucy is like an older sister to me, he's like an annoying older cousin that stops by once in a while. We're each other's 'wingman and wing-gal' as he says, but his advice is tame at best and cockamamie at worst."

The maid would let out a small sigh as she undid her blonde bun, her golden locks falling over her face, her eyes somber and heavy.

-Not that it would work, anyways... Most of the boys my age are either at the BladeMaster Academy or other towns outside of Soula, like the capital. Since Soula is a buffer state, its residents sometimes get the stink eye, especially if they're not nobility. And even within Soula, Mercenaries are not well regarded in the Academy, so I haven't been able to put much to the test...- she muttered, heavy silence falling upon the bedroom for a few seconds.

-Wait! You can use Astral Soul, Mercedes?!- Noah asked, raising himself to a sitting position in a hurry.

-Oof...-Allie, Lucy and Terri would let out as they'd grit their teeth and look away.

Mercedes looked back at him, her nose slightly tilted upwards as a show of authority. 

-Hmph, you think that, just because you and the boys learned it, that you're suddenly holders of its patent? 

She would then raise her hand and ball it into a fist, the aura of Astral Soul immediately coating it, shifting through a myriad of translucent colors like a rainbow.

-Brother and Lucy can use it as well.- Mercedes added, causing Noah to turn his head back towards the bathroom so fast that it wouldn't be surprising if his neck snapped right there.

Lucy would then look back at him with her usual cocky smirk.

-Fufufu, oh little Noah, whatever you can do, I can do better~ -she'd say, before her whole body would begin emanating Astral Soul, the rainbow aura flowing out of the woman like a calm current.

-And it's already complete, as well..!- Noah would tense his right hand, the steam-like incomplete aura of Astral Soul coating his member, having been achieved by following the basic principle of flaring up one's soul power without linking it to any of the elemental particles that coated the entirety of Gaia at the same time. 

But since BladeMasters were so used to using their Elements, using their soul power in its raw form was very difficult, hence why Astral Soul was still an obscure art.

The aura would then be complete when added with a degree of determination, or killer intent, towards a particular goal. It required great focus, but in exchange, the physical toughening boons of Astral Soul, that could be applied to one's body or Blade, would become even stronger. 

For Noah, it was still a work in progress, the boy only being able to ignite the completed Astral Soul in one limb at a time or around his Blade.

-It is quite the tool, I admit.- Mercedes kept explaining- Learning it was well worth the effort, but it's not something that meshes incredibly well with Lucy's fighting style, the Angel's Dance, nor the substyles that me and Brother created with it as basis. The Dances rely heavily on using the particular traits of Nexus, Lightus or Darkus to boost our spinning movements, in order to build up momentum. Applying Astral Soul at the same time is impossible. You cannot ignite raw soul power while igniting Element at the same time.

-Except that Noah did do that, with his Astral Blossom. -Terri intervened.

Noah would then curl up his fist, the complete aura of Astral Soul coating it. He'd then tense his left hand and soon orange sparks would start flaring up across it. Bringing both hands together, both auras would join together in order to create a deep pink glow from the space between both hands. 

Bringing both hands apart, a shower of cherry blossoms would then flutter out of his palms, the pink petals soon falling on the ground, some sticking on the wooden flooring due to the bladed properties they gained with Astral Soul. With such a technique, Noah would use his petals to shred everything in his path, including other Elements.

-Yeah, but that's just because he's a freaky kid.- Lucy would mutter- I dunno how he did it, but flaring up soul power on both hands and igniting the elemental particles with one hand, while keeping them away from the other hand is nothing short of amazing. Even I can't do that. Either Astral Soul or Nexus would come out when I tried.

-Didn't you say that you could do everything he could, but better~?- Allie would giggle a poisonous laugh towards the blonde.

-I do understand that not using both styles at once is tough...-Noah pondered- But why don't more people use just Astral Soul in general? It's simple to learn, after a while! Imagine if you learned it, Terri! You could get even stronger than you are now!

Terri chuckled, arms crossed.

-An amusing idea. I'm not opposed to something that uses my own soul power to increase my strength. But, just because you, Lucy and the rest of the kiddos learned it, it doesn't mean me or Allie could just as easily. 

"You have to remember: Astral Soul is something that hardened BladeMasters have trouble learning. They live and die by their Element, so they use it on an instinctual level. It's ingrained into the very marrow of their bones. Expecting them to use Astral Soul out of the blue is asking a lot. It's like if I asked you to breathe by just inhaling, but not exhaling afterwards.

Hence why it's better to teach to kids like you and the boys, who have just entered the BladeMaster Academy. You know how to use Element, but you haven't been pushed to develop it to new heights quite yet. 

Hence why you can learn how to isolate your soul power, since it's still a very 'alien' energy source within you or for non-BladeMasters, who might use it once in a while to dry the clothes or light up the oven.

Unlike for me or Allie, which is more akin to blood, since we had to fight since childhood. Lucy told me that you have to 'picture your Element returning to zero'. To you, it might have been simple, but for us, it's our whole identity. You're asking us to split ourselves apart, and that's a process that would take a long time.

Besides, even if I could use Astral Soul, it wouldn't help me too much."

-Huh? Why not?!- Noah asked, the boy leaning in on the bed, completely engaged on the conversation.

-Because the results would be minuscule, especially in my case. You may not realize it, but you already used a form of Astral Soul before you learned it. And I  can use a form of it as well.- Terri smiled as she sat on the bed besides Noah's.

-You do?!-the boy gasped.

Terri raised her arm and flexed, the bulging bicep looking like it was made of pure steel.

-Yup. And that's something that is exclusive to BladeMasters. The concept of "Soul-to-Body Relationship", as I'll call it. 

"Because we use our Elements, we are pushing our soul power to develop. It flares up, it inflates, it becomes more powerful. As such, as it courses through our system, its effects translate in more strength, speed, perception and the like. You won't find a veteran BladeMaster out there that isn't beating the brakes out of a non-BladeMaster in a physical competition, even when not using their Element. 

Of course, the BladeMaster has to train their body and mind in order to house so much soul power. If they didn't, they would have what is happening with you: a Backlash. In the Soul-to-Body Relationship, the soul flares up to great heights, but the mind is not tempered and the body cannot keep up, resulting in outer and inner damages to your body. 

This also happens if I overuse my Element. There's always plenty of elemental power in the particles that surrounds us, but if I try to keep igniting my soul power, beckoning the elemental particles to come play, even after my tank is spent, my body won't keep up.

And then, my inner Soul Network, through which soul power runs through like blood, will crash down, resulting in severe injury or death. That's called Overloading and it's what Backlash causes every time you tried to fight when you first got it."

-Color me curious. I haven't heard of your case before.- Lucy said as she leaned on the doorframe of the bathroom -But you're a tough girl with a tempered body and mind. Astral Soul literally gives you a doping boost to your Soul-to-Body thingamabob. One can't keep pushing it forever, yes, or else your bones and muscles will break down when you run out of soul power in the tank. But even for a temporary boost, it would make you super strong!

Terri gave Lucy a knowing point.

-And that's where my case comes in. I actually have talked with Master Rye about learning the basics. But after giving me an examination through my muscles, he came to a conclusion: my Soul-to-Body Relationship is too efficient.

-Huh?- Mercedes tilted her head- What do you mean?

Terri crossed her arms, trying to recall what Master Rye told her.

-Astral Soul's results on your body are directly related to your Soul-to-Body Relationship's potential power. You know that saying that we only use 20% of our brain's capacity? It's similar to that.

"Let's say a normal person has a lifting strength of Level 1. 

Meanwhile, a BladeMaster, that has been using their Element and began working on their Soul-to-Body, has a strength of Level 3. 

But by using Astral Soul, the BladeMaster will have a strength of Level 5, because that's their total strength, unbound by limitations of the flesh.

With Astral Soul, you can use the same amount of soul power you'd use to spawn, say, a fireball, but this time to strengthen your hands. That amount of applied raw soul power will bring out the max potential of what you can lift. 

But the Level 5 BladeMaster can never reach a strength of Level 6, no matter how smooth and complete their Astral Soul is. To reach Level 6, they have to keep training, both soul power and their muscles, therefore increasing their Soul-To-Body Relationship, in order to avoid a Backlash. They have to, literally, get both the soul and body more buff. 

But me? My Soul-to-Body gives me a strength of Level 10. But if I used Astral Soul, it'd still be 10! 

According to Master Rye, that's because I have an exceptional flow of soul power flowing through me. It's innately embedded into my muscles. Sort of like being born tall. 

As such, as I keep training, I keep reaching my max potential. I could learn Astral Soul, yes, but it'd be super tough and give me next to no results, because I could only reach Level 11 if I kept training by myself. See it as me already using Astral Soul by default, if you will.

Only if I suddenly increased the depths of my soul, like through a breakthrough that results in an Evolution of my Blade, or the creation of an Elemental Armor, would I be able to actually have a potential far away from my current capacities, because my soul power reserves would expand in size in a big jump."

-So you're a big cheat.- Allie smirked.

-Ayup~!- Terri winked- But, look at me, rambling on. Let's hit the showers and go down for dinner. I'm starving and my body and soul won't get tougher if I don't eat!

-So, who goes first?- Mercedes asked.

Lucy would pace over to one of the suitcases and dig from it an array of shampoos and body wash bottles of various colors.

-Noah, catch.- she'd say, throwing the array of products towards Noah, who struggled to keep a hold of them all- You can go first, since you'll have the least amount of touching up to do. Put these by the tub, 'kay?

Noah would stand up and look at the products like he had just been given ten books filled with strange runes. Poor boy looked like a lost puppy.

Something that wouldn't go unnoticed, as Lucy and Terri exchanged a knowing look.

Even so, Noah would slowly waddle inside the bathroom and close the door behind him. An array of tumbles and tosses would then echo out of the room, the girls being privy to the cacophony of Noah's confusion.

Lucy would then walk towards Terri. Without saying a word, both women would exchange a knowing nod and approach the bathroom door, the noises continuing from inside. 

Mercedes and Allie would watch in confusion as both women, while keeping each other on one side of the door each, they would use their arms to measure the length of the door and the height of something invisible in front of it, all in absolute silence. 

After struggling for a few seconds, they agreed on a seemingly arbitrary length and positioned themselves against the wall beside the door, like soldiers guarding a castle's gate.

Lucy would then summon her Genesis, a large dark broadsword with silver edges around its blade and a feather motif as a hand guard. She would then hold the sword parallel to the door at yet another seemingly arbitrary length, leveled with her thighs.

All the while, Terri would bring up her hand and keep it wide open near her face, before turning slightly to the side, towards Lucy, like she was getting ready to catch a ball thrown at her.

Beyond the door, the noise would then stop.

Half a minute would pass, Mercedes and Allie absolutely confused over what this scheme was, but not being able to look away.

"Creeaaakkk..."

The door's handle would be seen beginning to turn...

Before the door would be pulled open, Noah's head peeking out into the bedroom, his contact lenses and wig off, exposing his scarlet eyes and blonde hair, a wide smile on his face...as well as the edges of his bare body as he was motioning to step outside.

-Lucy, which one should I use--

"SMACK"

Terri's open palm would crash upon Noah's face, sending his body flying back inside, before she swiftly took a hold of the door handle and roughly pulled it towards her, closing the door again with a loud "thud".

All the while, Lucy kept Genesis in place, her countenance serene and stoic as she looked at Allie, who covered her wide-eyed, gasping expression with her hands.

As well as Mercedes's whole body, who had collapsed on the floor. The girl's hands clutched her flushed face as she lied on her back, stiff as a board.

-The green bottle for hair and the white one for the body.- Lucy would then firmly say.

-Thaaaaankkkssss...oooowwww...-Noah's groan would be heard from inside. 

"CRASH! KABLAM! SLAM!"

Suddenly, through the wooden walls, a cacophony of noises could be heard coming from the guys' room. It sounded like their airship had just crashed through its walls and barreled on through.

"Cidy's soul power has seized up! Eon, you bastard, what did you do to her?!"

"Merceny, where are you going?!"

"Dude, at least put on a towel, nobody wants to see your Nightingale flopping around!"

Before long, a loud crash would be heard from within the hallway and loud footsteps would approach the women's room at a manic pace. Lucy would immediately pounce towards the door as it would be tackled into, Merceny's soaked figure erupting into the bedroom, covered only by a towel loosely wrapped around his waist.

-EON--

Before he could take half a step further into the room, Lucy's fist would sink itself into his chin and deliver a powerful uppercut, which would send Black Feather rocketing through the room's ceiling and sailing away to gods know where.

-Hmph!- Lucy would dust off her lacy gloved hands as she'd look at the hole she had just made. Hole through which Hanzo's face would seen peeking into, looking into the bedroom from the roof above.

-Is it too late for me to return to my hospital bed in Soula?- he asked with a tired expression.

-Yup.- Terri would nod and Hanzo would immediately have to roll away in order to escape another clay sword trying to get at him.

 *

-I dold you, I didn't do it od durdose...- Noah would said as he'd clutch his nose- I'm nod used do sharigg a badroom...

-Hmph, I can excuse you this once, "darling". Good thing you're as transparent as a still lake, but you should be more careful to adhere to society's standards of decency.- Lucy would huff as she, "Noland" and "Lady Ruby's" entourage would march down the hallway, an array of either disgruntled or giggling expressions on the butlers and maids' faces.

Lucy would then peek over her shoulder towards Merceny, the young man's frame slumped as he clutched his sore chin.

-Same goes for you, but doubly so, mister.-she'd growl- No matter how valid your intentions are, your bounty shouldn't increase because of public indecency. 

-I regret nothing.- Merceny would mutter, clutching his chin while he'd shoot a venomous glare towards Noah, before shifting his gaze towards Mercedes, who would be massaging her temple- Are you okay, Cidy?

-I told you, nothing happened. I just found myself sleeping on the floor all of a sudden. Last thing I remember was us talking about Terri's muscles. Guess I'm more tired than I thought..- she'd mutter, a confused expression on her face.

-See? If you weren't so lazy, you wouldn't miss all the fun, Zeke~!- Axel would chuckle as he'd walk beside the reawakened pigtailed maid.

-I regret nothing.- Zeke would say, smugly flipping one of his pigtails- Another episode of idiocy will soon surface. They're always aplenty with you goobers.

As the group would come down for dinner (Lucy promptly sliding down the handrail on the wooden staircase), they would be met with the populace still peeking through the windows, unrelenting on their desire to snatch a peek at the fair madame. Many of the townspeople had even checked in at the inn, all so that they could be closer to the madame, the establishment already booked to the brim.

The entourage then stepped into the dining room, filled with long wooden tables already furnished with towels, cutlery and dishes ready to receive that night's dinner, for both the entourage and other guests. Outside, the stars and the moon already shining outside the windows.

-I must say, you have quite the lively crew, Lady Ruby!- Agatha would say as the aged woman would approach the madame, a wide smile on her face- We haven't had such a roughhousing since I was on the field during the War!

-You'll have to forgive my chickadees, darling~- "Scheherazade" would clap her hands with a gentle smile- In Sharem, the fires of romance and adventure are ever burning. So sometimes, it leads to stuff being caught on fire~

-Don't blade id all on dus...-Noah would groan as he'd give the madame a disapproving look, letting go of his nose.

Agatha's loud gasp would then echo across the dining room.

-Mister Noland..! You..!

"Noland" would blink in confusion as he'd look at her.

-Did you shave your mustache?- Agatha would ask. Noah would then pucker his lips and look down to see that, indeed, his fake black mustache would be gone, as all the confusion made him forget to put it on.

A wave of panic would course through Lucy and the entire entourage.

"You idiot!!!"

Cold sweat beginning to coat her brow, Lucy's shifting gaze would then land on the entrance counter where Agatha would sit. Immediately, she'd catch, sitting on the wall beside it, an array of wanted posters, the same ones the group had retrieved elsewhere from Kolimbra. 

Since she hadn't seen those when the group checked in, they must have been delivered by the town's sheriff while the group was upstairs horsing around.

And right in the middle of them, she could see Noah's innocent face, with no mustache in sight.

-U-um...you see..!- Lucy would stammer.

Agatha would then clap her hands, looking at Noah with glee in her eyes.

-Goodness me, what a world of difference, mister Noland! You look like you literally shaved years off of your life!- she'd grin- If I may ask, how old are you?

Noah would grin right back.

-Sixteen!- he'd promptly reply, before he felt the threat of a thousand hands coiling around his neck, coming from the furious entourage.

"YOU IDIOT!!!"

Agatha would blink at him a few times, before she giggled.

-Oh, you~ Stopped counting after a while, huh? Ever a boy at heart, I see! I should follow your example~!

-Foh foh foh, my darling Noland is such a riot~!- Lady Ruby would let out her haughty laugh as she'd give Noland a much too strong slap on the back, causing the "boy-man" to stumble forward a bit.

Before he could blow their cover any more, she'd wrap her arm around his neck and drag him ever so romantically over to the dining table, plopping him down rather forcefully on a chair. The madame would then sit next to him, shooting daggers of unabashed love towards him, as Noland could only tremble in place.

As the entourage gathered around the table, they would be served with Agatha's specialty of meat stew, the group gladly digging in (although Axel had to stop Guy from devouring his plate's contents in seconds, before he'd set his sights on downing the whole pan), conversation flowing between the patrons and inn master. 

All the while, both the guests on the other tables as well as the crowd outside would stare on, enraptured by Madame Ruby Scheherazade's grace as her fork would glide through the air and bring in a piece of stew for her to chew on with both grace and glee.

-Oh, what a stupendous family you have with you, Lady Ruby~! So full of laughter, even in our trying times.- Agatha would sigh as she'd deliver Lucy, Guy and Terri's third plate of the meal. She'd then focus on Noland, her gaze shifting between the miner and the madame, who'd sit a bit away from each other, Noah still feeling a bit sheepish from his earlier blunders- But, oh, a bit of shyness as well, if I may say. Oh, Mister Noland, no need to be so shy! I'm sure Lady Ruby wants to shower you with her usual fiery displays of passion!

Agatha would then pick up a glass cup from a nearby unused seat, as well as a spoon. She'd move to gently clink the spoon on the glass.

-Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!

Like clockwork, like everyone had been expecting to see this, the other guests would pick up their glasses and cutlery, beginning to clink them on their glasses.

"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"

Soon, they would be joined by the populace, who would stamp their feet and knock on the walls and windows as they would look inside in excitement.

"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"

Although happiness positively overflowed from the inn's confines, a wave of nervousness would instead crash upon the maids and butlers, as they looked, wide-eyed, towards Lucy and Noah (who would, yet again, tilt his head in confusion upon seeing this).

Allie would softly cover her lips with her hand, her lips twitching in mocking amusement.

-Oh, Lucy, what a pickle you've placed yourself in...Didn't you say you weren't going to do anything too special, so even Baby Boy Noah could pose as your date~?- she'd mutter, stifling a giggle under her fingers.

-Lady Ruby's passionate smooches she gives her consorts are pretty famous for their passion and fire befit of a Pyre-born...I'm shocked you didn't factor that the populace might expect this from you...-Eldus would grit his teeth and roll his eyes.

-Zeke! You were supposed to be the last bastion of defense for Noah's innocence!- Axel would shake Zeke's shoulder.

-I told ya that it wouldn't take long for another episode of sheer dumbness~ -he'd chuckle and give one of his pigtails another smug flip.

 -Well, let us see the depths of depravity that the Grim Reaper will gladly jump into...-Hanzo would shudder.

-I think I just lost my appetite...- Terri gulped.

-Say what you will about me, these are lengths I sure wouldn't stoop to! Lucy, dear, you gotta bail!- Gee would draw his fingers across his neck in a panic.

-She's the most sought-after criminal for a reason, I guess...-Merceny would sigh.

-Buh...wha...you...I...gah...-Mercedes would be reduced to a bumbling mess of words, face beet red as she'd stare, bug-eyed towards Lucy, all the while the glass of orange juice she was going to take a sip from would tremble in her tightening grasp, threatening to crack and shatter in her hand. 

As the crowd kept egging them on, the entourage would look on to see how Lucy would deal with this predicament.

But Lucy would only let out a soft giggle.

-I do love pleasing the crowd~- she'd say with a coy smirk. 

With a flick of her wrist, she'd produce from her sleeve her red fan, a patch of lavender fur atop of it. Then, with a sharp movement, she'd take hold of Noah's collar, grasping it tightly with her gloved fingers.

-Dear Noland, let us give the crowd what they want, no~?- she'd purr towards Noah, who would furrow his eyebrows in confusion, before her hand brought his face closer to hers at a breakneck speed, the madame's eyes fluttering close.

"FWOOP!"

Lucy would open the fan at the same time as she'd bring in Noah, covering the bottom half of both their faces. Although, as they were so close that their foreheads nearly touched, it wouldn't take a genius to guess what was happening behind the fan. 

Even the people outside couldn't see what was happening, as the entourage sitting beside the madame and her consort blocked their full view, only seeing the tops of the duo's heads.

Meanwhile, Noah would only be met with steel. Behind the fan, the only thing his lips would touch would be the cold surface of Genesis, which Lucy would have summoned with her free hand, having let go of his collar and lifting the Blade a little bit so that it remained hidden behind the fan, having placed the flat surface between their mouths.

After a few seconds, she'd push Noah back and lean back herself, releasing her Blade and closing her fan at the same time, selling the fake kiss with a fake "Mwah!" thrown into the mix as well.

A torrent of applause would threaten to collapse the inn from inside and out, as the crowd would marvel at the display.

"So fiery, yet so demure!"

"Oh, Madame Scheherazade can be ever so shy, but even so she will not hide her love!"

"Oh, what sweet nothings she must whisper to Mister Noland behind closed doors, where nobody else can hear them!"

"It's like a private garden for both of them!"

-Nice save..!- Rye would give her a thumbs up, Gee adding it a cute little clap as well.

-Oh, honeys, even I'm not so much of a bastard.- Lucy would smirk- My bounty should only be that way because of my cool BladeMaster-ing. Besides, it could very well have been his first, so all the more reason why I had this planned from the jump in case I was requested to give him a token of affection~

-Our Lucy is growing up before our very eyes~!- Sobek would sniffle.

-Thanks goodness...Please, no more kisses...-Mercedes would take a long sigh, letting go of her glass before clutching her chest with both hands.

-Oh, I'm glad that such passion can still burn bright..!- Agatha would say, using a handkerchief to wipe away the tears streaming down her cheeks, as she'd look at the smug madame and the frankly confused consort, who was looking around at everyone with his usual neutral expression- A posh madame and an earnest commoner...It gives me hope that the world Balthazar wants to build isn't such a far-off dream after all..!

-Oh, Balthazar from the Order?- Lady Ruby questioned- Ah, yes, I do believe I've been informed of this. Kolimbra may be in Karash territory, but it is under the Order's jurisdiction, correct?

-Quite so!- Agatha would eagerly nod- We were once aligned with the Karashian Kingdom, but as the BladeMaster War went on, we lost our territory to the barbarian factions that once roamed these lands. 

"As a neutral territory, it was difficult to eke out a proper living. We had to fend for ourselves! Many a bandit and rapscallion me and family had to defend our little town from, especially members of violent roaming factions like the Clear Souls. But as time went on, not even my lashings would keep them away for long..!"

With that, she summoned her Blade, a long velvety scarlet whip, coiled up in her elderly grasp.

Immediately a shudder would course through Lucy and the Elite butlers and maids.

-I knew I recognized her from somewhere..! S-she's...Old Bag Pennyworth!- Terri would whisper to a trembling Allie- We haven't seen her in so long, but I could never forget that whip..!

-So many lashings she gave Attila for horsing around while on duty...-Sobek would whisper to Hanzo, who grimly nodded. 

"Sometimes it was tough to say who was the true Flashfire Emperor between the two of them..!" Lucy would think to herself as she kept listening to Agatha with a polite smile.

-But we did manage to find a saving grace when Attila established the Order Tower not too far from here.- the inn master continued- Whenever he could, he'd give this town his support, alongside his young Elites. 

"Poor things...they were dragged to the War as well, but so much kindness still shone in their hearts as they helped us around and defended our town from raids!

After Attila disappeared, I was frankly terrified! Was our town to be permanently torn apart by the barbarians? But soon after, Balthazar, that sweet angel, returned to us! He extended a hand and offered to make us an official part of the Order's territory! We all accepted without hesitation!

We may pay taxes like we once did to the Kingdom, but we get a lot of support from the Order, from steady supply shipments to beefed up security! 

And you won't believe it: the Elites even come over to help us, like Salacia the Siren and Zanten the Inferno !"

The entourage had to go through an herculean effort to not spit their drinks or gag on their food.

-I knew Salacia's humanitarian unit went all around our territory for their missions, but..!- Allie muttered under her breath.

-Zanten as well..?!- Lucy gasped- The ever so mysterious Zanten I've heard so much about about over in the Sharenian courts? Excuse my presumptuousness, but I believed he was only ever spotted in bloodied battlefields..!

Agatha let out a chuckle, waving her hand dismissively.

-It's understandable that you'd be shocked. I was as well! This only happened once, a few weeks ago. Apparently, he was returning from one of his missions and sensed Miss Salacia's soul power nearby, deciding then to meet up with her. Soon after, he was helping out with the renovation projects we were undergoing at the time!

"I will admit: he's a bit scary. It would do him well to drop the pout and be more like Balthazar. But I also cannot deny that he has other qualities that shine to heights that the Emperor does not quite reach. He toiled away in our construction sites and agricultural fields until the wee hours of the night and it took Salacia to drag him away so he would stop..! Well...not that she wasn't staying up until late herself, hahaha!

He may occupy a high position of power, but he was quick to put himself under the instruction of our foremen and farmers. I always thought he'd be unreachable, but he's quite approachable under that scowl!

He's also polite and courteous. He behaves himself like a true knight!"

Agatha would keep recounting the events, releasing her Blade and wagging her index finger.

-And you know what happened next? Those Sacred Winds thugs attacked us right when he and Salacia were about to depart! 

-The Sacred Winds..?!- Lucy gasped- I've...also heard of them before. Aren't they a nomad barbarian tribe that's famous in Karash for being ever so elusive, disappearing into the breeze as suddenly as they appear?

-Not even the Angel's Crow can get a solid grasp on them...-Merceny muttered to Axel, who leaned in closer to hear the Mercenary- They are mostly involved in kidnappings and hostage situations, but every time we'd run to a reported attack, they had already vanished. And they are very tidy as well, each scene barely having anything more than a vase knocked over when we'd arrive.

-At least the Clear Souls would often leave suicide bombers around, to serve as martyrs. The Sacred Winds are very tight-knit and leave no trace behind.- Mercedes added- We suspect that they've developed some kind of tunnel system, or may use their Elements in a special way, in order to vanish.

-So, whatever happened when they attacked Kolimbra?- Lucy asked Agatha.

-Well, they approached with dozens of men, out of the blue in the early morning, armed to the teeth! I feared for the life of the populace, but all by himself, Zanten put himself between us and the army and repelled those bastards! Without breaking a sweat, he sent them crying for mamma! A proper lashing he gave them! 

"All the while, not even a speck of dust landed on our faces as he shielded us with his long cape!

More so than a simple knight, he's a true hero!

A Hero-Knight, if you will!"

Lucy would smirk at her.

-Is that so..?

Terri would look to the side.

-Huh, a lot can happen when you're away, I guess...-she'd mutter to herself.

-The Order is always here for us to help drive evil away!- Agatha huffed, hands on her hips- A far cry from the nobility of the Kingdom, who my grampappy would always complain about how they would only send a knight squadron WEEKS after we were raided by bandits and he had to repel them himself! 

"Only because we live in the boonies!

I have nothing against King Maximilian and Queen Freya, they are stupendous people. But the system they still work under is much too antiquated! Too much bureaucracy to go through, each step filled with nobles trying to line their own pockets! 

Nobility, peasantry...they are all things of the past! The Order has shown us that those in power should use their abilities to promptly help those below them! Without hesitation! I'll gladly pay my taxes to people who are willingly to get dirt under their fingernails to help out the little man!

Meanwhile, that lass Lucy Crow wants to topple that? I'm sorry, I know the girl and she's a sweet tyke. I always get a laugh and a cheer out of her antics, as she goes around defeating evil as well, but she's become misguided once she settled down in Soula, choosing to align herself with such a retrograde Kingdom, that only cares about one's blue blood!

But hopefully Balthazar and Zanten can help her see things for what they are and make the Karashian Kingdom see how one should truly rule!"

And with a final "Harrumph!" she ended her speech, before her eyes widened, her face becoming flushed.

-Oh but I'm so sorry...I ended up rambling on and on..!

Lucy giggled.

-It's no issue, darling. That was quite...enlightening.

She looked down, giving a wistful look to her glass of wine as she swirled it with her gloved hand. 

"A Hero-Knight, huh..?"