"So, where are Dagon and Azra?" Dorin asked as they went their way up to the top floor.
[They flew off when the others made a fuss over them.] Sebastian wrote. [They're probably back inside our room.]
"Which reminds me..." Johan suddenly stopped mid step to face his companions. "Why is it so easy to enter our rooms from outside?" he asked.
"Ah," Dorin grinned, "I kinda broke the seal on my bedroom window..." he said apologetically, "You see, I like to sleep with the window open..."
"So, this time, it really is your fault!" Johan said with irritation.
"Don't worry, I'll fix the spell as soon as we get back."
The three of them continued walking till they reached their room. Dorin stared at the camera by the staircase and waves at it. "Seems like it's working fine now." He grinned as Sebastian took out his class card to open the door to their room.
"Haah... what a day..." Johan sighed as he sank into the sofa.
Azra and Dagon came out to greet them from Sebastian's room.
"Welcome back, Master," Azra called to Sebastian who frowned at her.
"Just Sebastian. Not master," he replied. Azra looked at him, a bit surprised.
"That was not a command," she said with a slight tilt of her head.
"I am practicing," Sebastian replied with a nod. "You don't listen anyway."
"You guys hungry?" Dorin was already raiding the refrigerator. "We've still got a bit of meatloaf from yesterday..."
"Hand it over here," Johan motioned.
After heating the food, the 5 of them sat around the kitchen counter as they discussed the events of the day.
"Are you really feeling better now?" Johan asked Sebastian once more. "`Coz you know, we're just here to hear you out."
"I'm good, really..." Sebastian said carefully. "In fact, this is the first time in years that I have spoken this much in one day..."
"I'm glad you're moving on," Dorin said with a smile.
"So, what do you guys think about that Vincent?" Johan shoved a mouthful of meatloaf in his mouth. "Weird, huh?" he said with his mouth full.
"Strange, indeed..." Sebastian said thoughtfully. "If it's true that he is Professor Morel's brother who died 16 years ago, then it would mean he was somehow resurrected..."
"Or that he did not die in the first place," Dorin added with a spoon full of meatloaf.
"They seem to know your parents, Dorin." Sebastian watched as Dorin fell silent.
"Yes, it seems that way," he replied.
"Aren't you curious?" Johan asked. "You said you never knew about your pops."
"Yes... I've asked mother about him countless times but..." Dorin trialed off.
"Well, big deal," Johan snorted, "Guess that's one thing we have in common. My mom never knew who my pop was, either, says it was too dark and that there were too many of them."
He tried to make it out as a joke, but his two companions did not laugh.
"That makes three of us then." Sebastian said after a moment of silence.
Johan looked at him, a bit startled.
"I thought you were royalty?!" he asked and got a frown from Dorin.
"Anyway," Dorin sighed, "I did hear my mom mention the name Yyldirim before, and she once gave me an old pocket watch with a crest on it..."
"What was on the crest?" Sebastian asked.
"It showed two intersecting swords with a rose in the middle." Dorin said excitedly, "I have always imagined it belonged to my father," he added, "Do you think that's the Heilig crest?"
"No," answered Sebastian, "That's the crest of the Order of the Red Rose. The Heilig crest showed two intersecting lightning bolts," he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I believe your mother Hermione Briar Rose was part of the Red Rose Knights. And you know the Briar Rose crest..."
"...It's a rose in a ring of thorns..." Dorin said, unable to veil his disappointment. "...I guess it was my mother's watch then..."
The three were distracted by the sound of dishes falling. The 3 companions did not notice Dagon open the fridge door and take the cake out. He was currently covered in it.
"Bad Dragon!" Johan called as he approached Dagon. "Now, I need to give you a bath!"
"No bath!" Hissed Dagon.
He dodged all of Johan's attempt to catch him, and ran towards the bedrooms. Azra went after them, laughing. Dorin couldn't help but laugh as well. He looked at Sebastian who was staring at the three, his face, as always, devoid of emotion.
"Well, time to hit the sack!" he stood up with a stretch. "We're still good for shopping tomorrow, right?" he grinned at Sebastian.
"Yup." Sebastian nods.
"So... Um.... mind If I stay in your room again tonight?" he grinned.
Sebastian sighed. "Sure," he replied. "Let's go."
---
The brothers, Vincent and Randalle, appeared inside a large room. The walls are made of bricks and lined with shelves full of books, the windows, heavily draped. Vials and jars with specimen with extra eyes look back at them.
"Curse them!" Hissed Randalle Morel. "I was too naive! I had no idea they had a–" he tried to speak, but his tongue stiffened and stuck to the roof of his palate with every attempt.
He finally stopped trying, slumping on the nearest armchair, and noticed Vincent standing rooted where he appeared at, staring straight ahead.
"Sorry for the sudden warp," he told his brother, "I had to whisk us both away before they–" Randalle stood up once more and stomps his feet in frustration. "Oh, blast it!" he cursed.
"Brother..." Vincent said slowly as Randalle continued cursing under his breath. "Who is that?"
Vincent pointed at a tall young man who stood at the other end of the room. The boy had short curly white hair with dark skin and light gray eyes. He wore a dark cloak which opened in front, showing a striped blue robe underneath.
Randalle stared at the direction he pointed at and saw the boy who looked back at Vincent with confused eyes.
"Vincent." He called to his brother with concern. "That is a mirror."