What I Missed?

[Zephel]

'What is the reason you need me to bring you here again?' Orphion, the gigantic metallic blue dragon Zephel is riding on currently, telepathically questioned his rider. While Zephel had already explained to him before he took off, he's still confused of the details.

Zephel clutched on the scale of his dragon, his upper body hunched forward as he tries to see through the goggles he's wearing that's beginning to get fogged up by the clouds they're passing through. 'I was notified a friend of mine had a rough time,' Zephel responded in his thoughts. This is the perk of sharing half of his mind with a dragon, they can communicate with each other without using sensory perceptions.

'So you jumped out through the window of your bakery, called me to pick you up and skipped work entirely to meet this friend?'

'...Pretty much.'

Orphion almost seemed like he's releasing a draconic sigh, '...Zephel.'

'She's just a little girl, alright? And blind to boot. Do you really expect me to stay put knowing she just escaped death recently?' Zephel reasoned with a rough grunt. During his noon break, he discovered a small note inside his locker written in cursive script. While he's suspicious of it initially, his doubt disappears when he read through the contents.

Apparently, someone had graciously tipped him of what had occured in the Warfields of Tharey involving the child he had met in the cathedral, Lilith. As he had given her his word that he will accompany her in her quest, Zephel feels responsible of whatever that befalls unto this girl, especially when he's unable to be around.

Honestly, after witnessing how Lilith had found her long lost sister, Zephel decided to give the two some privacy time to catch up with each other, thus he bids his leave to the girls and mentioned to them that they're free to call him if they need any help. Coincidentally, he found himself to be quite busy the following days and was unable to check up on them.

Today, when he received the note, Zephel moved swiftly to give his aid.

'And...you have no idea who gave you the note?'

'No, but the content made it clear that they know exactly what they're talking about, so I doubt there's any reason to deceive me about these kinds of things.' He swore, if he noticed Lilith having a black eye, he will not be merciful to whoever caused it. The note also informed him of where Lilith might be at the moment, that's why Zephel was in such a hurry to get here.

They glided through the skies until the clouds mysteriously darkens. "We're here," he whispered, and as Orphion flew under the clouds, they both could see the famed large crater of Sougen. This is proof enough that they have arrived at Ida Valley.

Usually, Zephel would jump off Orphion to land on the ground, but since the wind is rather unpredictable here, Zephel finds it reckless to do such things when he can easily get sucked in the crater with how weird the wind is.

"Land there," he commanded, and Orphion obliged without a word. With a swift soar of his wings, he circled the giant crater and landed smoothly where his rider asked him to. Once he had touched the ground, Orphion folded his wings just as Zephel slides off of him. "You're getting better with your landing. This is probably your best one yet."

His small compliment earned a grunt from the dragon, to which Zephel smiled at. He pushed his goggles up against his silver hair and adjusted the knapsack around his shoulder. He remembers how fond Lilith is of the things he baked, so he managed to smuggled some pastries into the knapsack along with a bottle of water just for her.

Lilith is so small, it's hard to see her even from the skies, even with her white clothing. Perhaps the mist on his goggles are to blame. Just as Zephel was about to set off and find the girl by foot, his dragon sensed a presence nearby.

[Tag Lilith]

[Lilith ArchLight]

"I shouldn't have made a contact with him..." Lilith thought. She was reminiscing about the event that just happened recently in Alamo Inn. About an unknown person whom seems to be a friend of her sister. Its Heero and Alessa. Feeling guilty for her sister for causing her another trouble inside the inn while also still are angry by the remark made by Heero who called her human, she tries to calm herself in this very unique valley.

She walks around this magnificent valley which she already have a bit of a knowledge from a book she read. The valley is very deep. Lilith is curious in how deep this valley is. In order to forget the past event, she went out here just to fill her own curiosity of the places she wanted to visit. She is a child after all that wants to learn more about the world.

Holding both of her hand as she was praying, she focus her magic around her body. She activates her 'Field View' to spread across the area. The Field magic doesn't really give any special effects around her, as she only focusing herself in gathering the light around her. This time, since she tries to watch as far as she could, her body started to glow dimly as her Field View goes wider and wider in range.

She continues to calculate the distance of the valley and she is quite surprise that she still is not able 'see' the bottom of it even after expanding her view for half of miles radius around her. As she expand it more, she suddenly notice a huge being entering her Field View. It is like no other. She can't really describe it as she never even face it before.

"I-It is flying! It's big! W-what is that?" she wonders as the unknown thing getting closer to her area. Preparing herself just in case the unknown being might give any hostility if so it might find her. She is being cautious after what had happened in the Warfield of Tarrey where she just literally escaped from a group of assassin, leaded by Victor, of 7 Deadliest Weapon. Remembering her sister's advice to avoid them if ever she encounter them, she prepares to use her teleportation to flee from the area. But he Field View spot a humanoid figure, riding this seemingly huge flying thing. This amplifies her worries as she know that the assassin should be humanoid, and she thought that this humanoid might be human which she hated.

Thou, when her magic views actually is in range of a person, she can actually feel some kind of an essence. Giving her unique ways to recognize a person she once met and was under her Field View range. She recognize this presence. "Z-zephel?" she thought. As the flying thing land just about 20 feet from her, she reluctantly tries go get closer with cautious. She is assured that the presence is Zephel, but she can't take any risk as Zephel are currently with an unknown flying being.

With her hand holding her gun inside her clothing, she approaches close enough before she can speak. "Z-zephel? Is that you?" she speak with hesitation. If only that she can actually see for herself that it is Zephel with his dragon, she might be amazed by now. But sadly she can't as she is blind.

[Zephel]

'Is that him?' Orphion informed his rider after he spotted something alive approaching them.

Zephel sighed, 'Orphion, she's a girl. I told you that.' Despite his disappointment of his dragon's apparent knack of disregarding everyone's gender by calling every human a 'him', Zephel looked around the area in search of a little girl, and indeed, he finally spotted her. "Lilith!" He called out, partly relieved that the information that was relayed to him was accurate.

Jogging his way to lessen the distance between them, it's only until he can properly see her that he realized she's in a defensive stance, "...Lilith? What's wrong?" While Zephel failed to realize of Lilith's guard was up because of his dragon, his other half voiced out in his thoughts.

'She's wary of my presence, obviously.'

'...OH, right, she's blind. Goddamnit Zeph.' Mentally knocking himself over the head, Zephel then assured the little girl in front of him, "It's fine, Lilith. This is my dragon, Orphion. We're connected by mind and spirit, so he can be trusted." He said in a calm manner, and then proceeded to introduce each other.

"Orphion, this is Lilith, the friend I told you about." In response to Zephel's introduction, said dragon let out a draconic noise, sort of like a rumble with his belly, indicating acknowledgement. "Orphion can't speak, of course, but I can hear him in my head. ...He said you're awfully tiny." Pausing for a moment to let that sink in for Lilith, he then walked backwards to guide Lilith closer to the dragon.

"You can touch him if you want, he won't bite. I mean, the worst he can do is complain in my head."

[Lilith ArchLight]

Lilith feels relieved when Zephel call out her name. She recognize the voice, thus getting relaxed a bit as it is him. "Zephel, what are you doing here?" Lilith cheerfully greet him as she asked the reason for him being here. As she was about to take another step closer to Zephel, she stops.

Hesitate, she is wary of Orpheon which she currently unable to recognize with her Field Vision. As she was about to ask what is the thing behind him, Zephel explained to her that it is a dragon that he talked about before when he was with her at St.Lux Eterna. "R-really?" she asked with disbelief. As Zephel continues to explain more about Orpheon, Lilith face slowly turn from cautious to sheer amazement.

"A real life dragon? T-this is amazing," Lilith speaks with clearly a childish and exciting tone. She listen as Zephel translate on what Orpheon has to say to her and even introduce it to her. "My name is Suzuna Lilith, nice to meet you Mr.Dragon," she smile cheerfully. She never meet a dragon before, and she always are curious how they were look like as she only knows them from the book she reads.

Her excitements just made herself act like a child as she was supposed to be. She giggled as she heard the grumbling noise of the dragon as it acknowledge her and also leave some remark of her tiny structure. "It's because I'm still a child," she replied to Orpheon cheerfully as she walks closer with no more hesitation guided by Zephel.

"Really? I can touch it?" Lilith face sparkle with excitement as Zephel told her that she can touch Orpheon. Since Zephel allows it, she quickly tip-toe towards Orpheon as she looks up at it which is clearly a giant compares to her. "I guess I'll be touching your head right? I'm still are not aware on how a dragon actually looks like," she politely ask Orpheon about it as she slowly reach her hand to touch Orpheon's head which luckily was close enough for her to touch it.

As her finger touches Orpheon, she can feel the structure of the scales on Orpheon's head. Mesmerize and awe by what she felt, she smiles cheerfully. Curiosity strikes her mind as whether if she can talk to Orpheon with her magic and also listen to it. If Zephel was able to telepathically talked to Orpheon, she might able to do the same with her magic, but only if she directly touching it. Lilith slowly focus her magic on her hand so she can send her thoughts to Orpheon and hopefully it can listen to her.

"Testing, testing... Mr.Dragon, can you hear me?" she talks inside Orpheon mind using her magic.

[Zephel]

Zephel's expression warms up when Lilith seemed to be doing fine and cheerful. He was worried for a while if he has to see her in some kind of cast, but she looks healthy so far. At least, to what's visible for him to see. "I'm here to check on you. How are you, Lilith?" He questioned, adjusting the knapsack on his shoulder a bit.

As with everyone who has seen Orphion up close, or...well, in Lilith's case, not exactly 'see' per say, she's struct with amazement nonetheless. In fact, she looks adorable with that astonished face, almost like a real little girl. "He's not as amazing as you think he is."

'Excuse you, I can fly.'

'You dropped me mid-flight more than enough times, dammit.' Guiding Lilith by walking alongside her to get closer to the dragon.

'At least he seems to think I'm amazing,' And just by that alone, Orphion craned down his long scaly neck to rest on the ground. Plus, he can see the tiny human better like this. At this moment, Zephel lets him know that the tiny human responded that she is still a hatchling, thus is why she's so tiny.

Then, very slowly, the hatchling reached out her very tiny hand to touch Orphion's head. In response, the dragon exhaled a bit, for if he made any noise while his jaw is so close to the ground like this, an earthquake may occur from the rumble. As the girl is touching his head, suddenly he can hear an alien voice resonated in his thoughts.

Stunned by the sudden surprise, Orphion was quiet for a moment before he slowly responded, 'Yes, I can.' Orphion's mental voice is strange, it doesn't sound like a human at all, perhaps due to the throatless sound he makes. It sounds more like a faint echo of sorts, with an odd airy sibilance. 'How did you caused that? Zephel, can you hear him?'

Zephel, on the other hand, is smiling ear to ear to witness Lilith actually managed to communicate to Orphion by herself. 'Of course I can, we're doing a weird three-way-telepathy here.' He almost wanted to laugh though when Orphion addressed Lilith as a him when she can hear it, "Forgive him, Lilith. He calls everyone by a 'he'. Can't differentiate human gender apparently."

[Lilith ArchLight]

Lillith smiles as her magic enables her to talk directly to Orpheon. Despite wanting to use the telepathy more, but she don't want to disturb the link between Zephel and Orpehon much as it might cause some problem to the link if she is connected to the link too long. "It is with light magic, Mr. Dragon. I manipulate the power of light in other to enter the link that you have with Zephel-san," as she said that, she slowly cancel her magic and started to speak. "But it is actually hard to maintain it as I have lack of knowledge of Dragon's magic resistant. What I read from the book, they usually have high Magic resistant, which might explain why it is hard for me to maintain inside the link," she let out a sigh as it is indeed used up a considerable amount of her energy. She giggles when Zephel's mentioned that Orpheon address her as him. "What do you call a female dragon then, Mr.Dragon ?" Lilith ask with a cheerful smile. She is having a lot of fun with Orpheon.

Lilith actually was too mesmerized by Orpheon until she did not quite catch when Zephel asked for her condition back then. She then remembered about Zephel's question and quickly replies it. "Oh I'm sorry Zephel-san. I'm kinda got too excited with Mr.Dragon here until I forgot to respond to your previous question," she bows a bit to Zephel before continuing. "Actually, I can't say that I am completely fine... As I just caused some trouble to my sister back then inside the Inn we both stayed," she looks down as she felt sad and guilty toward her sister, Alessa. "It is seems that she brought in a stranger with her to the inn, and it is ... a human," she clenched her fist as she felt anger as she remembers about Heero.

Just as she want to continue, she quickly look at Zephel as she was struck with curiosity. "Come to think of it, how do you know I'm at here Zephel-san?" she asked with curious look on her face. She did not tell anyone that she is coming here in the first place. She did not doubt Zephel even the slightest, but she still felt curious about it. She is the curious little girl after all.

[Zephel]

'Light... I see...' Orphion's slitted eyes glazed over the small human hatchling, somewhat impressed that a species that young could be capable to do such a thing. 'Is he a special human?' The dragon directed that though to Zephel once he cannot hear Lilith in his mind anymore.

Zephel simply waved a hand to Orphion to signal him that he'll respond later, because Lilith began to speak using her mouth this time. "Huh..." The elementalist scratched the back of his silver hair a bit, "Lilith, I have no idea what you just said to me about that Dragon magic, but you're pretty well-informed about all these, huh?" He wondered for a short moment where did she even acquired a book like that. Then again, Zeph has never entered a single library outside of the school districts yet.

At her sigh, Zephel took the hint that she might have been tired, so he simply stomp a foot to the ground and a solid shot up from the earth. It has a flat surface, perfect to sit on. "Let's sit over there, and here's some water," he pulled out a bottle of mineral water from his knapsack and handed it to the little girl.

While the silver-haired moved over to sit on the solid, Orphion perked up when he realizes the girl is asking him a question. The dragon answered through Zeph, "He said, 'with their name'. ...Huh, have you even met another female dragon other than Tyr's and Iku's?" It seems Orphion has a knack of meeting only the important dragons that Zephel's beginning to question if he has any friends at all among his kind.

Zephel turned his attention to Lilith next and wondered the same thing. Does she has friends amongst the humans? That's when Lilith apologized of how distracted she is by Orphion, to which Zeph snorted at. 'Guess she can be cute sometimes,' he smiled, and then lean himself forward on his seat as he listens of Lilith's explanation.

"Your sister?" Zephel faintly remembers that other woman with Mitsuko, what's her name... Aly something. "Is she alright??" Was his first question, quick and concise. When Lilith said that she bought a human in the room, Zephel released a breath he never knew he was holding. "Oh. I see.." He thought the sister was in trouble, so he got worried.

"Do you feel uncomfortable with the human? Because if you are, you have every right to tell your sister of how you feel about these things. Consideration is important," Zephel nodded, this is exactly like how he was talking to Hikaru, that boy's too nice for his own good sometimes. "I mean, I know girls get along all the time, but your feelings matter too, Lilith. I suggest you tell your sister of the unwanted company." Zephel had mistaken the human to be a female, so he's more easygoing with his advice.

Lilith looks like she's about to tell him more of the matter, until she suddenly looked at him curiously. "Huh?" He blinked at her question, because that makes sense. 'Quite a sharp mind you have there, kid.'

"Oh yeah, I got a note in my locker..." He stood up to dig in his back pocket. Pulling the piece of paper out, he sat back down on the solid bench he made and unfold the paper. "It said 'Something happened to Lilith ArchLight. Fly quick. Ida Valley, right away." After reading the note, Zeph folded it back. "You think I'd be able to calm down after reading such a thing, I just ditched my apron, grabbed some scones and a water bottle and flew right here."

He can be quite impulsive when things worries him so, despite his calculative mind. "I'm assuming this note is written by an ally. Since...well, you're here, and it'd be a pretty stupid trap to set knowing I travel by dragon." What kind of idiot would challenge Zephel on a vast-spaced valley anyway, with Orphion in tow? "Also, just an assumption, but the cursive writing. Probably a female."

[Lilith ArchLight]

Lilith giggles before she replies to Zephel regarding on how he learned some things about dragons.It appears that he having a hard time understanding her words. "I've read lots of book during my free time, and I'm sure am keeping lots of books inside my magic bag," she smiles as she pats her seeming ordinary bag, "They'll always come in handy," she adds.

As Lilith tries to catch her breath, she was startled by Zephel's sudden stomp when he use his power to conjure a place to sit for Lilith. Grabbing her heart as she is actually where shocked by it she stares at Zephel with a displease face "I-Idiot! Don't just do something like that without informing me first hand," she relief out a sigh as she is recovering from the shock. Lilith can actually be pretty easily be shocked by any sudden loud sound or quakes, specially when she is in lax condition, as Zephel is one of the few person that actually can make her feel more ease. She then obediently listen to Zephel before she sat and nod as she will want some water for some refreshment. "Thank you.. a-and sorry," she said with a low voice as she slowly take the bottle. She still having a hard time with her temper, and saying something harsh towards Zephel's was not her intention. She can only felt guilty about it.

As she resting herself, Zephel replies her queries from Orpheon. She can only giggle at the response while she opens the bottle with her magic before slowly drinking it. When Zephel mentioned about other dragons, she look at Zephel with excited look on her face. "There's more dragon? Amazing! I wonder how they look and sound like," Lilith said cheerfully as she wonders about how other dragon would look like. It appears that she starting to like dragons more now.

When topic was regarding to her sister, she can only look down as she is feel depressed about it. "My sister is fine as how she is, it's just that... I keep on causing troubles to her," she looks down.

She listen with focus on Zephpel's opinion regarding her problems. "The problem is, I am uncomfortable with every human I've met so far apart from my sister," she pause before continuing. "She always took my consideration at the fullest. She even willingly to move out from the inn that she was staying just for my sake despite how she actually love the places. It's a gift from Miss Angel to her," she sighed. "I agreed to stay with her in there. I tried to avoid making any contact with the resident in there, but there just... too many of them, I will eventually bumped one of them eventually. So far, I spook about 3 of the humans away with my magic...and.. almost shoot two persons..." she close her eye as she reminiscing her bad deeds. "My sister always care for my feelings deeply... She do had friends in the inns specially one of the maid in there but... if this goes on... she might isolated herself from them because of me..." She sighed again. "The recent case is that when she is bringing a guy with her. Unlike any other people she hangs out with, it seems like she is ... closer to him. The reason why I try to make contact with him because he is acting coldly to her. I just can't witness it. If my sister did not stop me back then, we both would have fought in that very inn," she grips her fist as she remembers Heero during that time.

She then took a long breath as she is cooling herself from the long explanation to Zephel. She then listen to Zephel's explanation regarding how he knew about her's where bout. "Notes?" she blinks as she listen to Zephel. "I-I'm sorry for making you worried until you skipped your work but... just how..."Lilith murmurs as she think deeply regarding who sent the note. An ally? Why would that person would assist them? What worries her more is that how did this person knew her location at precisely. She is sure that she was not being followed. "Something happened to Lilith Archlight... !" Lilith said to her self before noticing something about the note.

"Zephel-san, me and my sister are actually... hunted by... assassins. An Assassin Organization named 7 Deadliest Weapon,"she pause as she seriously look at Zephel's eye. Lilith then told Zephel everything that happened during her confrontation with Victor, the leader of the 7 DW until their escapes. "I'm glad that my sister manage to hold them off long enough before I'm able to cast a teleportation spells to the rest of us. I hope that Angel-san and her companion will be alright since I straightly send them to other locations that is rather further away from our fighting place," she paused. This is rather a serious topic to discuss with Zephel. Lilith don't want to worry Zephel more but this isn't something that can't be ignored. "I doubted that this 'ally' will stay as 'ally' for long... if... this person would reveal me and my sister's location to the assassins... We will surely be hunted down..." she doubts the person who gave Zephel the info about her locations.

She then stands up from her sit and walks toward Zephel before stopping next to him as she look at him. "I'm sorry, but my sister had told me to keep this as a secret, but I trust you Zephel-san. Just promised me, don't do anything rash for now... My sister told me to stay low-profile for the time being... Will you promise?" she seriously look at Zephel in the eye.

[Zephel]

"Sorry!!" Zephel immediately cried out in response of Lilith freaking out of his earth stomp. Honestly, he sometimes forgets the girl is blind and sensitive to her surroundings. "I apologize, I'll warn you about these next time, I promise," he swore with a sigh, completely serious of his promise. At least this accident will stick in his thoughts so he won't repeat the same mistake.

"Shh, I'm the one who should be apologizing. I'm sorry," he repeated. Zeph is known to not go easy on any of his allies, whether they be women or children, he treats them just the same. Then again, if they have special cases and needs a particular way of communication, Zeph is forced to comply, since his usual way might prove to be harmful for these individuals.

When Lilith began to show interest in dragons, Zephel agreed, "Well, yes. There are many around here, but mostly up in the skies. ...Which explains why you haven't bumped into one yet. Right." He mentally kicked himself for his natural tactlessness. "There are many kinds, with a different set of hostility, so not all of them are decent." May she never find a wild dragon out in the world, Zeph wished.

Now, when the topic shifted to her worries, the silver-haired leaned forward. He stayed quiet the whole time unless he has opinions of the matter, in which he quickly speaks up before Lilith continues further. "I can see a lack of proper communication here..." He whispered out at first, and then continued with his normal tone of voice. "From what I can gather, you two care for each other very much, proved by how you didn't wish to be a bother to her and how she sacrifices some things for you."

He looked over to Lilith, trying to see by her expression if she understands. "And while that's nice in itself, you two need to talk it out on what you both personally need. For example, you need to tell her that you're not comfortable with the room she offered, but thank her nonetheless for her thoughtfulness." To be honest, Zephel had this exact same problem with his redheaded brother some years ago. They fought a lot because of that, and it took them months to find a common ground and work with each others' contrasting nature.

"On the other hand, your sister needs to be aware of what you really need. Really, both of you just need to sit down one night with tea and cookies and just, y'know, talk. Be honest. It'll work out, I promise you." Good communication is the basis of a good relationship, after all. While Zeph himself is terrible at it, at least he acknowledged that is an honest-to-goodness fact and attempted it whenever possible.

However, Zeph froze when he heard of the news that the sister actually bought home a guy in the room? "WHAT." He sputtered. "I THOUGHT SHE BOUGHT HOME A FEMALE FRIEND." Zeph couldn't remember much, but the young woman looks kind and gentle, she must have a good reason to do that... Hopefully. Whatever the case, Lilith doesn't seem to be too pleased of her decision to bring a man in the room.

"Aaaannnd he sounds like a jerk. Well then," Zephel wiped his fface downwards with his hand, since this topic is way out of his league. He's a traditional sort of person, he appreciates when people are respectful to one another, and when males and females keep their polite distances unless there's a definite attraction. Even in that case, politeness needs to be practiced.

"Hmmm... For now, you gotta sit down and talk with your sister. In private. ...Regarding the guy problem, well honestly, I don't have any say in this since this is your sister's life, though you do, Lilith. So have a good discussion with her one of these days, alright?" He really doesn't know what else to say. For the sisters to clash like this despite outwardly being in good terms with each other, it might pose some troubles.

'Aaanndd Lilith needs some kind of channel to not blow up every human she meets...' He thought, deciding to tell that to Lilith later once he figures out what could be the perfect thing to channel all her rage in. While it's nice to have that music box to listen to when she needs to calm down, all it did is pacifying her raging emotions, not letting it out. Zephel finds his channel in baking, since it taught him patience and precision.

"Huh? Oh no, don't worry about my work, I'm free to leave whenever because I have a sword and nobody owns me," he explained casually. The cafe manager was fearful of him at first since he demanded his schedule to be flexible and Zeph can leave whenever he wants, but Zeph turns out to be quite a workaholic and only very rarely take time off. So for him to suddenly disappear and flew to Lilith might just be good for him.

When Lilith finally uncovers to him of a more pressing matter, Zephel stared at her with wide eyes, his jaw slowly falling. His mind is geared up rigorously by the sudden dangerous topic, and Zephel wondered what in the world would these assassins want from two young girls like this... To be hunted all of a sudden. He can't even sit still the whole time she told him of the big fight that happened.

"Wha...?? These... these sort of people exists??" It's hard to believe, but then again the world holds many secrets. "W-wait wait, Mitsuko is involved?? I thought she's pregnant!" God help her husband to not find out about this. Zeph already has his hand on his hair, trying to wrap his mind in all of this.

The tale makes Zeph doubting the note he received... Maybe Lilith is right, maybe this isn't an ally... Now that he knows what happened to her recently, it's hard to believe anybody at the moment. He clutched the paper in his grip, wondering if Zi-Fi can track the person down by her scent and lead him to this person. '...This is worrying...' How can he keep her safe then, if she can be tracked so easily...

His racing thoughts were disrupted when Lilith suddenly stood up on her feet and faces him straight in the eyes. Zephel backed away slight, surprised to see her pale green eyes staring back at him. "...Alright. I promise. ...But allow me to at least find out about who wrote this note. If I find anything, I'll fly over to find you and report." What else he can do with this lack of information? Find more information, of course.

And the writer of this note seems to know a great deal of it.

[Lilith ArchLight]

"H-hei! We live inside an Inn, Nee-san din't bring anyone else inside our room for your info," Lilith explain as she feels that Zephel have a bit of misunderstanding. Lilith then keeps quiet and listen to Zephel's opinion. Its true to some of the words Zephel mentioned, despite how she and her sister are living in the same places, they rarely have a long and deep discussion together. Lilith reminiscing the past where her sister tries to help her in controlling her rage and she's been working day and night for that. Alessa usually spends time with her, but even that she was able to make contact with the other peoples around. She is well-known by the locals already.

"She is a very kind person, people respected her, and she always will have a company around her. It's like a direct opposite to me," Lilith said in a low tone. "It's not like she did not pay attention nor did not spend time with me, its just that... I might be a bit... jealous about it," Lilith sighed before continues. "She just willingly to help anyone in needs, that 'jerk' also been helped by her it seems," Lilith said the jerk in sharp tone as she are still displease about Heero.

"I... I will talk to my sister regarding this matter more. I do not want to have an invisible wall between me and my sister, I really wish not too," Lilith looks at Zephel's face as she smiles cheerfully. "Thank you Zephel-san, I feel better now,"

And now at the more serious conversation, Lilith tries to think on their current situation carefully. Telling this to Zephel already makes him involves in this. "I'm sorry for involving you in this Zephel but I assume you already did when you received such note out of the blue," Lilith then slowly hugs her body as she remembers how close did the fight went on her and Victor. "T-the assassins are the real deal... and to think their leader is someone around my age, he almost took my life back then and I shiver by the thoughts of it," Lilith tries to calm herself remembering the dreadful fight between her and Victor.

"Zephel, please be safe. We did not know how big the organization is, but from the information I've gathered, they are a very well know organization. Please be careful on your way to find the note's origin, please..." Lilith voice getting slower as she suddenly felt frighten thinking about the fact that Zephel might be in danger. If only they did not meet the assassins, things could've be more different.

[Zephel]

"Oh," Zephel could only sighed at his misleading assumption. That calms him down a bit, at least, knowing the sister didn't go that far. However, he's glad that Lilith is listening intently to his advice, perhaps due to his status as a non-human being. "Hmm... Jealousy, huh...?" Now that's certainly out of his field of expertise. So he stayed quiet for the moment to gather his thoughts on how to help her out on that.

"Y'know Lilith, I've been thinking. Do you want to try channelling out your rage in something?" He asked, for each individual has different ways to handle their anger, and not all is suitable for channelling. "When I was younger, I was kind of like you. I have a lot of pent-up anger, mostly because of confusion of my own being. Losing your memory can have that effect on you." He explained with a nervous laugh, quite disappointed in himself some years ago. "So what I did is, I kept going into the forests and destroy things a lot. That helps with calming myself, but that didn't help with my patience. So I try baking, and here I am." Compared to his younger self, the current Zephel is much more composed and open-minded.

When the topic shifted to the other conversation, Zeph shrugged his shoulders. "Don't worry about it. I'm glad I'm a part of this already. I'd be pretty hurt if you left me out of the party, Lilith," he joked with a small smile. Truth be told, what didn't change about Zephel is his tendency to get involved in other people's problems, whether they want him to or not. So to have himself already involved in the fray honestly satisfies Zeph. 'Like hell I'd leave you alone after what happened, anyway.'

"Hey, come now, don't worry about me. Really, if they harm you again, it's them who needs to feel worried..." That's right, Lilith doesn't know what Zeph is like if he were to get pissed off. The majority of the students back in his old school has pretty much understood not to get on Zeph's bad side, just because of how destructive he can be if he's angered. He wanted to pat her on the head with how uncharacteristically fearful her voice sounded, but he honestly felt touched she's so worried about his well-being like this.

"Everything's going to be fine, Lilith. It's okay. You have friends to help you out. Now sit down," he patted on the space beside him and opens the knapsack he carried on his person all these while. "You want a scone? There's lemon cream in it," he offered a scone to the girl. The least he can do is to calm her down and assure her that everything will end well.

[Lilith ArchLight]

Lilith sigh when she hear Zephel's advice in trying to channel her anger at somewhere else like blowing stuff off. It's not that it is a bad idea, just that this idea are not suitable for her. "Zephel-san, if I were to release my anger towards the environment... I'll damage them, severely..." she then squint her eyes as she remembers something unpleasant from her past. "I'm gifted with mysteriously large sources of magic in me... In other word, the... explosion you saw back then inside my memory can actually be conjured easily by me if I were to try," she then look down in depression as it is not so simple to just blowing things up. "An apparently, once I'm doing that, my magic will become unstable for quite a... long time... The blast does not occur only once," she stops as she pats her head in depression, seeing that her magic are still beyond her control.

She then look at Orphion and smiles as she think that she found another source that can ease her emotion. "I'm glad I meet you Mr.Dragon, I think I found one more thing to help me with my emotions," she giggles. She never felt so excited over something like this for quite a time. It is seems that she had fell in love with dragon and felt very happy whenever she is thinking about it now and then.

At the topic regarding the assassins, Lilith felt glad that Zephel is here to help her regarding in this matter. Hearing Zephel worries and care for her makes her feels lucky to meet him the first place as her first friend after all the hardship she had. Without her realizing, she was smiling all the way hearing how Zephel are willing to help her and even show his serious if anyone would harm her. She then broke from her trance as Zephel ask her to sit besides him. Blushed as she felt embarrass about this feeling, she reluctantly and shyly sit besides Zephel before asking if she would want some scone. She then smile brightly as she nod at Zephel. "Yes please, its been a while since I ate one of yours bread," she then gently receive the scone from Zephel as she slowly eats it.

As expected, it taste delicious which makes Lilith craves for the bread more. "I'm starting to think your baking are one of the best Zephel-san,"she giggles as she slowly eats the scone. "Perhaps I should bring some to my sister, she would love it too," she adds as she smiles. She felt very happy and calm. She never been able to feel like this even for quite a time. And without her realizing, tears started to drip from her eyes. She is crying, out of gratefulness and sadness to Zephel. She felt very blessed to have Zephel with her in her hardship, but at the same time felt bad because this puts him in danger too.

"T-thank you," she stumble in her talking she tries to hold her tear. "T-thank you f-for being here," she sobs as she tries to confess more of her feelings to Zephel. "I-I'm grateful, I'm truly am. I-I wish that you never would have to deal with my trouble like this. I-I'm scared... I'm scared to lose you Z-Zephel-san," she then cries as she hide her face with both of her hand. She can no longer hide her worries about whats going on about her situations. Her emotions and mind was unstable since the time she met with the assassins. She wanted to express this to her sister but she was unable to do so as Alessa seems to be out reach by her. Zephel being her makes her feel very happy and grateful, that there are someone there to hear and listen to hers. The young girl finally realized how important Zephel is to her life.

[Zephel]

Zephel worriedly looks over the girl when she explains of her powers. "That was an example," he added with concern. That kind of solution is better thought by their own person who understands their own capabilities. "You might want to figure out your own channel one day." He suggested, for she can't go on living her life hating and outwardly lashing towards humans every time. That would be a difficult life to live.

Orphion seems to be resting on his spot, his great long tail wrapped around his gigantic hindlegs while his neck rests around the rest of his body. He only lets out a low growl of acknowledgement when Lilith addresses him, inwardly feeling quite majestic to have even a little human to admire him.

Zephel turned to where she's been staring at. Really, if she kept doing this, he'd always forget she's genuinely blind. "When you're free, I'll take you to the Weyr one day. Perhaps you can get yourself a firelizard if you're lucky." He smiled down at her. A firelizard somewhat fits her, he thought. Plus Lilith needs something to keep her company, she can't travel alone like this. The firelizard might just be a good reminder for her to keep her powers in a controlled state.

He's quite happy when Lilith seems to genuinely enjoy his scone, he snatched a whole batch of it in his knapsack for her after all. "Believe me, I didn't expect I'd enjoy baking so much since I don't have a single sweet tooth," and to think it was only as a part-time job as an assistant to a cake maker. "Thank you, Lilith. Here, you can take the whole knapsack and share them with your sister. Hell, you and your sister should stop by in my cafe in Evnae one of these days."

He had placed the knapsack between them, so she can fetch another scone if she liked. "We'll have coffee, some cake, and just have a nice chat. Won't that be nice?" He mused the idea, glancing down at Lilith again, but his smile immediately dropped upon seeing a particular shine on her cheeks. ...She's crying.

"L-Lilith..??" He started, traces of panic laced in his voice. When she choked out her thank you, Zeph has no idea what to think or do. So the silver-haired just stayed quiet and still, though very tensed. After she has done speaking, she promptly clasped her hands over her face, only the jerks of her shoulders is the clue that she's weeping quietly.

"Hey..." It startled him to notice that even his own voice is shaky, but Zephel pressed on. "Lilith, while feeling scared is natural, you don't have to fear being alone anymore..." It startled Zephel even more to find that he can tone his voice to sound that remarkably gentle. He had his hand raised, but remembering the girl would appreciate a warning, he noted her about it, "I'm about to touch your head, okay?"

Then, slowly, he rests his large hand on her head, nearly covering the whole top of her head. The white fabric she wears on her head allows him to smoothen it when he moves his palm, and that's what he did. Continuously stroking her head. "I'm a pretty difficult guy to get rid off. Plus I can reincarnate. ...You won't loose me, I promise you."

[Lilith ArchLight]

Lilith can only weep quietly as Zephel tries to comfort her. She felt weird to why she is crying while she was happy. She tries to calm herself but to no avail. She knew, that being afraid are natural, but she can't help it but to feel very worry about it. Then to her surprised, Zephel informed her that he is about to touch her head. She wanted to say no, as her emotion right now is unstable as she is afraid that she might lost control and do a blast of light again. However, she actually nod as sign that it is fine. It confused her, why she did allow that?

As she wonders why, she then felt a pressure that is slowly and gently pressed on on her head. Her eyes widen a bit as she thought she would offensively retaliate against Zephel. But she didn't. Her usual self-defense body did not react. It startled her but as Zephel continues stroking her head gently, she began to feel calmer. Zephel even promises her that he won't be going anywhere, even after death. This agitated Lilith's a bit as mentioning something related to death actually make her feel unpleasant. "I-Idiot, don't say about dying as it is fine even for you," she look up at Zephel's face with tear still are flowing from her eyes. "Your life alone right now are precious, d-don't ever think that it is expendable!" she firmly said that to Zephel as she does not agree for Zephel to think as he can neglect his life just because he is somewhat immortal.

She then realized as she are still crying and did not even covers her face from Zephel. Quickly she tries to wipe her tears. "T-thank you, for the promise," she smiles cheerfully despite still tearing a bit as her emotion are yet to calm down. She then remembers something that she kept for Zephel. She then slowly reach her bag as she took one familiar thing. The music box. "Here, my gift," she smiles as she show the music box at Zephel. Knowing that Zephel might question why, she then look at the music box before saying her reasons. "It is true that the music box are important for me, that is why I want you to have it," she then gave her most cheerful smile as she look at Zephel.

"Because you have just become that important until I feel very comfortable for you to be with me. Thank you, Zephel-san,"

[Zephel]

Zephel was honestly startled speechless when Lilith whipped her head to face him all of a sudden at the topic of death. "Huh?" He blinked at her as she vocally retaliates his point with the fact that his life is considered precious. Zephel's widened red eyes stared down at her in surprise, because to be quite honest, he never thought his life would hold any meaning, much less affecting this little girl.

Having no recollections of his very origin, Zeph doesn't have much ground to stand on. So he cares very little if he were to die. Thus, to have Lilith saying that to him kind of impacted him there. "I see..." He breathed out with an unconscious smile. "I appreciate your opinion. ...Thank you, Lilith."

He couldn't help but let out an airy chuckle when she realizes there are still tear streaks on her face then quickly attempted to wipe them off. Zeph wanted to comment that it's nice to see her opening up for a change, but he didn't want to upset her, especially after she allowed him to pet her head like this. He pulled his hand from her head once he's sure she had calmed down.

When Lilith opened her bag and handed him a familiar item, Zephel was just about to take his breath to deny it, only to have the young girl explaining that she's persistent to let him have it. Knowing how stubborn the child is, Zephel frowned and stare at the music box for a moment. "...Fine. I will just hold on to it for the moment, if you're that persistent." Because he's intent to return it if she ever needed it again. She did said it's to calm her down, so to have possession of such a precious item worries him.

Her last set of words threw him off-guard. So much that he could only stare at her in wonder. "I'm...honored, then... Thank you for allowing me to get to know you, Lilith. You're not half-bad."

Just then, the sound of thunder boomed across the skies. Zephel looked upwards and noted, "It's going to rain soon... Do you want a ride home?"