As we entered the infamous, seemingly indestructible Fairy Tail guildhall, the vibrant, chaotic, undeniably life-filled energy of the place immediately enveloped us, like a warm, slightly suffocating hug from an eccentric relative we hadn't seen in a long time. The vast main hall, with its absurdly high ceiling and solid wooden tables that had seen more brawls than a pirate pub, was, as expected, teeming with animated conversations bordering on shouts, loud, contagious laughter echoing off the walls, and the delicious, comforting smell of home-cooked food and cheap ale hanging in the air like a promise of good times. Erza and I exchanged quick glances, a mixture of astonishment, excitement, and a slight apprehension in the face of so much… intensity. But deep down, way deep down, we knew, with an instinctive certainty, that this was the place we wanted to be. Or, at least, where Erza needed to be. I was still in the 'sceptical observation with a hint of morbid amusement' phase.
With a courage I hadn't known she possessed in such… stimulating social environments, Erza guided us towards the enormous, bustling bar, which seemed to be the epicentre of all the activity and noise. There, sprawled on a high stool with a half-empty tankard of ale in hand, was an adult mage with dishevelled dark blue hair and an expression of someone who had seen it all and was surprised by nothing anymore. He seemed to be enjoying a rare moment of tranquillity amidst the usual pandemonium, but our discreet presence, two small, obviously out-of-place children, caught his attention immediately. His eyes, a little tired but with an amused glint, sized us up.
"Excuse me, noble and probably very busy bar mage," I began, in my best innocent, helpless child's voice, which, considering my current appearance, wasn't very difficult to feign. "With whom might we, perchance, speak to enlist in this renowned and magnificent guild?" A touch of flattery never hurt, especially with potentially dangerous strangers.
The dark-blue-haired man looked at us for a long moment, a small smile forming on his lips as he assessed us. Then, the smile widened, revealing surprisingly white teeth. "Well, well, what have we here? Interested in joining the Fairy Tail family, are we, little adventurers?" His voice was hoarse and friendly.
We nodded vigorously in confirmation, and his smile widened even further, almost splitting his face in two. "I'm Macao Conbolt, at your service, young ladies," he said, with a slight, gallant inclination of his head that probably worked very well with the barmaids. "And it seems we have fresh new meat wanting to join our noisy, slightly dysfunctional family! What grand news!"
Then, without any warning, he turned and bellowed with the force of a thunderclap towards the guild's second floor, his voice echoing throughout the hall. "MASTER MAKAROV! DID YOU HEAR THAT UP THERE, YOU DEAF OLD GIT? WE'VE GOT POSSIBLE NEW MEMBERS DOWN HERE WANTING TO RISK LIFE AND SANITY! AND I SINCERELY HOPE THEY'RE NOT AS CLUMSY AND PRONE TO BLOWING THINGS UP AS THE LAST LOT OF RECRUITS WHO TURNED UP HERE!"
The movement and noise in the guildhall diminished considerably, almost as if someone had pressed a 'mute' button, as all curious, speculative gazes turned towards the second floor. A tense, expectant silence hung in the air for an instant. And then, as if by magic, or perhaps just excellent comedic timing, a short, bald little old man, with a white moustache and wearing an orange and white outfit that made him look like a particularly eccentric garden gnome, suddenly appeared at the edge of the second-floor landing, with an unmistakable mischievous glint in his small, shrewd eyes. Before we could even process the sudden appearance, or prepare for a normal, civilised descent down the stairs, he simply leapt from the second floor with the agility of a monkey and, with surprising precision for someone of his age and stature, landed with a dull thud and a shout of 'I've arrived!' right on top of the bar counter, making the ale tankards shake and some even fall, which provoked a general, raucous laugh from everyone present. That little old man definitely knew how to make an entrance.
"They want to join the magnificent, invincible Fairy Tail, Master!" Macao replied with a grin, his voice full of an enthusiasm that was almost childlike.
Makarov, the legendary master of Fairy Tail, observed us from his improvised perch on the counter, his small, piercing eyes assessing us with a curiosity that wasn't hostile, but rather… interested. "So, my young, brave aspiring mages," he said, his voice surprisingly strong and resonant for someone of his size. "Are you truly ready to become part of our grand, slightly insane family? Fairy Tail, my little ones, is much more than just a guild of mercenary mages. It's a home. It's a refuge. It's a place where everyone supports each other, protects each other, and, most importantly, has a good, noisy time together. And, of course," he added with a roguish wink, "it's also a place where fights are frequently, gloriously followed by a good, hearty feast, with plenty of ale and loud music!"
Erza, who until then had just been observing everything with wide eyes and an expression of pure astonishment, suddenly seemed a little nervous, almost hesitant. I noticed a shadow cross her face, the memory of Jellal's threat hanging over her like a dark cloud. She wanted to, but hesitated to share something important, something that was deeply troubling her. I held her small, cold hand in mine, giving it a light squeeze to convey a bit of courage and silent support. "You can do it, Erza," I murmured quietly, just for her to hear. "Just what you can."
She took a few deep breaths, as if preparing for a dive into deep, unknown waters. Her brown eye, or rather, her one good eye, now shone with a complex mixture of stubborn determination and palpable uncertainty. Then, gathering all her childish courage, she faced Master Makarov directly and asked, in a voice that trembled slightly but was clear and firm: "Master… Master Makarov… do you, by any chance, know or have known a mage in this guild named Rob?"
The noisy, chaotic atmosphere around us seemed to plunge into a sudden, almost painful silence. Even the clinking of tankards and the laughter ceased. Makarov, who had previously been smiling with contagious bonhomie, now looked at us with a serious expression, his previously mischievous eyes now conveying genuine concern and veiled sadness. "Rob… did you say Rob? You knew our Rob? Is… is he alive?" The hope in his voice was almost palpable, and I felt a pang in my chest as I realised the pain our next words would cause.
The expression of sudden, fragile hope on Makarov's face made my ancient heart feel an unexpected, uncomfortable twinge of guilt. I knew the weight of the truth Erza carried. She took another deep breath, her small shoulders trembling slightly, and began to share, in a voice choked with emotion, only a carefully selected part of our tragic, recent history. "Gramps Rob… he… he was very brave, Master. He protected us… from very bad people, in a terrible place," she said, choosing her words with difficulty, the fear of Jellal's threat clearly weighing on her. Her voice trembled slightly as she recalled the horrible scene, but she continued.
"He always, always spoke of Fairy Tail with such love, such pride… as if it were the only family he ever had, a place full of strong, brave, loyal mages with many amazing adventures. Ever since I heard his stories, ever since I felt the warmth in his voice when he spoke of you all… I wanted, more than anything, to find a guild like that. A family like that." She didn't mention the Tower, nor Zeref, nor Jellal directly. The omission was heavy, but understandable.
Makarov listened intently to Erza's every hesitant word, his aged face contorting into a mask of pain and sorrow as the painful, albeit incomplete, truth was revealed. A deep shadow passed over his eyes, and he closed them for a moment, as if absorbing the impact of the news, feeling the loss of a dear friend. "I… I feared something like this when he left on that last mission… He was never one to be away so long without sending word," he murmured finally, his voice now hoarse and laden with a genuine, palpable emotion. "Rob… he was always a good friend, a loyal companion, and a valued mage. But… what exactly happened to him? How did he…?"
Erza hesitated for a long moment, swallowing hard, her eyes fixed on the wooden tavern floor, fighting back tears and the fear of Jellal's threat. "He… he put himself in danger to protect us, Master. To protect me, mainly. He used all his power to give us a chance to escape that horrible place. He always believed, to the very end, that Fairy Tail was a special place, a place where everyone has somewhere to belong and where everyone is protected and loved. He… he died like a true hero." The pain in her voice was palpable, but there was also a fierce pride in her words.
Makarov closed his eyes for a longer instant, his small body trembling slightly, as if absorbing the deep pain of the revelation and the memories of his lost friend. "Rob… he was a fighter to the end. A true Fairy Tail mage," he said at last, his voice choked with sadness, but also with a fierce, unshakeable pride. "He always believed in hope, even in the darkest, most desperate situations. He always found a light, even in the deepest darkness. He gave his life to protect innocent children… There is no greater honour for a mage of our guild."
I also took the opportunity, and the respectful silence that had settled in the hall, to add my own words, trying to reinforce Rob's image and, at the same time, protect Erza from revealing more than was safe. "He spoke with great, great fondness and admiration of Fairy Tail and of you, Master Makarov. He always told us this was a magical place, a place where everyone supported each other unconditionally, like a true family, and where adventures, laughter, and camaraderie never, ever ended. It was the hope of finding this place that kept us alive."
Makarov looked at both of us, first at Erza, with deep compassion and sadness, and then at me, with a gaze that seemed to see beyond my childish facade. There was an understanding in his eyes, a wisdom that came from many years leading that guild of misfits. "Fairy Tail, my little ones," he said, his voice now firmer, but still laden with emotion, "is, indeed, a place where we fight together, where we cry together, and where we laugh together. A place where friendship, loyalty, and love for family are all that truly matter. And I know, with all the certainty of my old heart, that this is exactly what our dear Rob would have wanted you both to find here. A new beginning. A new home. A place to heal your wounds and find happiness."
Erza, with a glint of stubborn tears in her one good eye, but with a new, fierce determination on her face, a determination that seemed to have been forged in the fire of Rob's sacrifice, straightened her small shoulders and said, in a clear, firm voice, full of unshakeable conviction: "Then, Master Makarov… may we, please, join you? We want, more than anything, to honour Gramps Rob's memory and noble sacrifice, and to find our place here, in this family he loved so much and spoke to us so much about."
"Of course you can, my little ones! Of course you can!" Makarov exclaimed suddenly, his face breaking into a broad, warm, radiant smile, a glint of renewed hope and a new, contagious energy in his eyes. "A very, very warm welcome to the grand, noisy, chaotic, slightly insane Fairy Tail family! Here, I sincerely hope, from the bottom of my heart, that you both find a true home, loyal friends for life, and many, many exciting, probably dangerous adventures, just as our good old Rob always wished for you and for everyone!" And with a nimble, surprising leap from the counter, he extended his small, wrinkled, surprisingly strong hands to us. And at that moment, I knew that, despite all my reservations and my ancient cynicism, something important had just begun.
-----------------(*)------------------
After the warm, noisy, somewhat chaotic welcome from Makarov and some of the more curious guild members who had approached to inspect us, Erza and I were about to officially, definitively, and with magical ink, make our entrance into the legendary, infamous Fairy Tail Guild. The Master, with an air of ceremony and a playful glint in his eyes, led us to a small room at the back of the guild, a slightly quieter place less prone to accidental explosions, where a large, ancient magical stamp, with the fairy-with-a-tail symbol engraved on its surface, was prepared on a red velvet cushion, eagerly awaiting to mark our bodies with the guild's sacred emblem.
"This mark, my little ones," Makarov explained with a paternal smile and palpable pride in his voice, as he picked up the heavy stamp with almost religious solemnity, "represents much more than just our guild. It represents our family, our bonds, our strength, and our promise to always be together, no matter what happens. Once you have it on your skin, you will always, and forever, be part of the grand, mad Fairy Tail family." His words were simple, but laden with deep meaning.
Erza, with a solemnity that mirrored the Master's, was the first to approach, her small shoulders straight, her one good eye shining with a mixture of eagerness and an almost reverent joy. Makarov smiled at her fondly and asked, in his surprisingly gentle voice: "And so, my young, brave scarlet warrior, what colour would you like for your Fairy Tail symbol? And where would you like to bear it with pride?"
"Blue, Master. A light blue, like the sky on a summer's day," Erza replied firmly, without hesitation, her gaze fixed and determined. "And I'd like it on my left arm, right here," she indicated a spot on her bicep.
"An excellent, meaningful choice, my dear!" Makarov said with a nod of approval, as he dipped the stamp into a small pool of shimmering blue magical ink. With a careful, precise, surprisingly delicate gesture for his small, wrinkled hands, he pressed the stamp firmly onto her left arm. There was a brief, soft glow of magical energy, and then, the iconic Fairy Tail symbol, in a vibrant shade of light blue, instantly appeared on her skin, glowing softly with a welcoming magical energy. Erza smiled, a smile so broad, so genuine, so full of happiness it lit up her whole face, as she admired the new mark with almost palpable pride. "Now… now I'm officially a member of Fairy Tail," she whispered, almost to herself, as if she still couldn't believe it.
Next, with an inquisitive look and an even broader smile, it was my turn. Makarov turned to me, his small, shrewd eyes shining with amused curiosity. "And you, my young, mysterious Azra'il? What colour do you desire for your symbol of our family? And where shall this mark of honour reside?"
"Hmm… the same colour as Erza's, please," I replied, with a more restrained, practical tone. The colour, to be honest, didn't matter a jot to me; what truly mattered, if anything truly mattered, was the meaning behind the gesture, the promise of belonging, even if temporary. And, secretly, I liked the idea of having something in common with the little redhead. "And you can put it on the right side of my neck, if it's not too much bother." It was a discreet spot, but visible enough for those who knew what to look for.
Makarov nodded, looking pleased with my choice. He reapplied the blue magical ink to the stamp and, with the same care and precision, gently applied it to the right side of my neck. I felt a slight tingling, a subtle warmth, and soon the light blue symbol was there, etched onto my skin, a strangely comforting, permanent mark. "Now… now we're officially guild sisters, I suppose," I said, more to Erza than to the Master, feeling a strange, new, unexpectedly pleasant sense of belonging spread through me. Or perhaps it was just the magical ink taking effect.
After marking us with the guild symbol and loudly congratulating us on our, according to him, "excellent, fated choice of magical family," Makarov, with the tireless energy of a caffeinated pixie, invited us to sit on some rather uncomfortable wooden benches, which served their purpose, in the same small back room. He began to chat with us with genuine interest and a palpable curiosity in his small, shrewd eyes, clearly eager to know more about his newest, most enigmatic 'daughters'.
"And so, girls, my newest, and, dare I say, most promising acquisitions for this humble, noisy family of ours," he asked, with that gentle yet incredibly piercing gaze of his, which seemed to see through any facade and convey at once an almost palpable paternal concern and an ancient wisdom that belied his diminutive appearance. "What can you, or are you willing to, tell me about your lives up to this point? Where do you come from, little travellers? And how, by the heavens and all the spirits of the forest, did two such young children with such… intense auras, end up crossing paths with our good old Rob and witnessing his… his final act of bravery?" His voice, when mentioning Rob, still carried a note of deep sadness, but also of undeniable pride. He clearly wanted to understand the circumstances, but in a way that wouldn't pressure Erza to reveal more than she felt safe to share.
Erza took a few deep breaths, her small shoulders still tense under the weight of recent memories and Jellal's constant threat. She looked at me for an instant, seeking some sort of silent confirmation, and I gave her a slight, almost imperceptible nod. Just what was necessary. Just what was safe. "We… we are orphans, Master," she began, her voice surprisingly firm, but with an almost imperceptible tremor that betrayed the emotion behind her words. "From a very young age, we have faced… well, we have faced many hardships and dangers in our short lives. But, somehow, we always tried to keep alive the hope of finding a safe place, a place where we could finally belong, perhaps even find a real family, like those in Gramps Rob's stories." She wisely omitted the details about the Tower, about Jellal, about Zeref, focusing only on the essence of her journey and Rob's influence.
Makarov nodded slowly as he listened intently to Erza's every word, his wrinkled, anciently wise eyes reflecting a deep compassion and an understanding that seemed to stem from personal, painful experience. "It is terribly, fundamentally unfair for any child to have to face the hardships of this world alone, my little ones. To be an orphan, to carry the weight of loneliness and helplessness… I… I understand that pain, that struggle, more than you might perhaps imagine," he said, a momentary, almost imperceptible, yet profoundly real sadness in his voice. He clearly had his own scars. "And now that you are here in Magnolia, now that you are part of Fairy Tail… do you have a safe place to live? Any distant relatives who might take you in, any family friend who could offer you a roof over your heads?" His concern was genuine and touching.
I realised Erza was about to drown in another wave of emotions and painful memories with that question. Before the situation became too melodramatic for my liking, and because, I admit, seeing the little redhead on the verge of tears again made me uncomfortable, I intervened with my usual, charming practicality.
"Actually, Master Makarov," I began, in a tone I hoped was respectful but not overly subservient, "our last… let's say, 'fixed residential address' wasn't exactly what one might call a 'home sweet home', if you catch my drift. More like 'architectural nightmare with dreadful working conditions'." I attempted a small smile, so as not to seem entirely like an unfeeling sociopath. "But don't you worry about us. We're surprisingly good at fending for ourselves. I'm sure we can manage to find somewhere… picturesque and with affordable rent to stay. Perhaps a particularly clean stable with few rats? Or who knows, a charming alleyway with a good view of the stars and decent acoustics for my snoring?"
My attempt to inject a little humour into the situation might not have been the most successful, judging by the way he stared at me, but at least it broke the tension a bit. And it stopped Erza from bursting into tears again. Small victories.
Makarov's paternal smile widened a little, but there was an unmistakable touch of genuine concern in his gaze as he watched us, probably imagining two small children sleeping in an alley. "If you truly have nowhere to stay, my dears, I have a simple, immediate solution to that little problem. You two can live at Fairy Hills, if you like."
"Fairy Hills?" I asked, with genuine curiosity. The name sounded… overly cute and flowery for my taste.
"Yes, my young lady," Makarov explained with a satisfied smile. "It's a special, very well-protected residence that the guild maintains for our female members. A safe, comfortable place with very strict rules about nosy boys trying to get in uninvited. Normally, we charge a small, symbolic rent for the rooms, just to cover maintenance costs. But in your case, considering the circumstances and in memory of our Rob, you can stay there free of charge, for as long as you need, until you can earn a stable income from guild missions and can pay your share." His generosity was almost unbelievable.
Erza's eye, or rather, her one good eye, shone with a gratitude so intense it almost blinded me. "Master Makarov! That… that is far too generous of you! We don't know how to thank you!" Her voice was choked with emotion.
"Yes, Master. Thank you very, very much indeed," I added, with a sincerity that surprised me, feeling a strange, uncomfortable warmth spread through my chest. Being treated with such disinterested kindness was still a new, somewhat disorienting experience for me.
Makarov shook his head with an affectionate smile and a dismissive wave of his hand. "It's absolutely nothing, my little fairies. Don't you worry about it. Here, in Fairy Tail, you are part of the family now. And I, as master of this noisy, dysfunctional family, always look after my children. Always." His simple, direct words carried a weight and a promise I hadn't heard in many, many ages.
After our enlightening, surprisingly touching conversation with Master Makarov in the small back room, he, with an energy that belied his age and size, personally took us to see the famous Fairy Hills. The residence, to my relief, wasn't absurdly far from the guildhall, and the anticipation of finally having a safe, comfortable place to sleep grew with every step we took through the bustling, colourful streets of Magnolia. The building itself had a classic, elegant design, with sloping dark-tiled roofs, several stone chimneys, and numerous large, arched windows that allowed abundant natural light to enter, creating an overall welcoming, inviting, surprisingly normal appearance, considering it was inhabited by Fairy Tail mages.
Makarov, a proud, paternal smile on his face, like a father showing his children their new home, handed us a pair of simple but heavy bronze keys, one for each of us, each key with a small wooden tag indicating the room number. "This, my little ones, is your new home. Or at least, a safe place to keep your things and sleep in peace. Here you have everything you need to start afresh," he said, with a kindness that still made me uncomfortable, gesturing with his hand towards the grand, imposing entrance door of the residence.
"Thank you so much once again, Master! For everything!" Erza exclaimed, with a joy and gratitude that radiated from her, already visibly excited at the prospect of her new adventure and new home.
"It's… it's a fine place, indeed," I added, with a little more reserve, but observing with genuine interest the well-kept exterior of the building, which was adorned with flowering creepers and small architectural details that gave it a special charm and a sense of solidity. It seemed… safe. Which was more than I could say for most places I'd ever lived.
After Master Makarov bade us farewell with a few more words of encouragement, some instructions on house rules (which I would probably ignore), and one last paternal smile, we both timidly entered Fairy Hills. The interior of the residence was even more welcoming and well-decorated than the exterior suggested, with polished dark wooden floors that shone under the light filtering through the windows, and walls painted in soft, restful shades of cream and light green. The atmosphere was calm, tranquil, incredibly inviting, and a large, plush emerald-green rug in the centre of the entrance hall added a touch of cosiness and comfort to the environment. It was… surprisingly normal. And clean.
"Look at this, Azra'il!" Erza said in a wondrous whisper, pointing with a trembling finger to the spacious, elegantly furnished sitting room that opened to our right. "It's so… so beautiful! And so big! We have real sofas! And cushions!" Her eyes shone as if she had just discovered a hidden treasure. The simplicity of her joy was almost painful.
"Yes, little redhead, looks grand for relaxing after a tiring day of… well, whatever Fairy Tail mages do for fun," I replied, trying to let myself be carried away by the positive energy and the atmosphere of normality of the place. Perhaps, just perhaps, this place wouldn't be so bad after all.
We continued to explore the residence with the curiosity of two cats in a new, unfamiliar environment. We soon found a wide, well-lit dining room, dominated by an enormous solid wooden table, surrounded by at least a dozen sturdy chairs, clearly designed for large, noisy group meals. Next, the kitchen surprised us even more: it was huge, impeccably clean, incredibly well-equipped, with an industrial-sized cooker, a fridge the size of a small cupboard, and a larder that, to our surprise and joy, was completely crammed with all sorts of provisions, fresh ingredients, and treats. "Wow, Azra'il! Look at all this food! We can even cook something nice and different here!" Erza commented, a hungry, excited glint in her one good eye. She looked like a child who had won the lottery.
"Aye, looks like we'll have a decent space to gather and, who knows, even prepare our own meals without the risk of food poisoning," I said, already thinking with some pleasure of finally having a good, long rest in a real bed, without the constant fear of being attacked by cultists or disgusting monsters. Small luxuries.
After duly admiring the kitchen and dreaming of all the delicious dishes we could prepare (in my case, that I could prepare for Erza), we finally decided to look for our respective rooms. We climbed the wide, carpeted stairs, feeling the anticipation and curiosity grow with each step. When we finally found the rooms with the numbers indicated on our keys, I realised, with a mixture of surprise and something akin to… embarrassment, that my room was directly opposite Erza's. What a convenient coincidence.
"Look, Azra'il, Master Makarov must have put us so close to each other on purpose, to make us feel safer and more comfortable in a new place," Erza observed, with an innocent smile and a calm tone of voice that reflected the apparent casualness of the situation.
"Yes, Erza. That was… that was very kind and considerate of him," I said, trying to keep my voice neutral and ignore the small, irritating pang in my chest. "It really does make all the difference, doesn't it?"
With a final nod to Erza, who was already opening her room door with an expression of pure anticipation, I entered my own room, feeling a strange mixture of curiosity, excitement, and a slight, utterly irrational nervousness. As soon as the solid wooden door closed behind me with a soft click, isolating me in the silence of my new quarters, the familiar, ever-so-timely voice of Eos, my personal AI system and resident sarcastic commentator, began to manifest in my mind.
"You're awfully quiet today, Eos, which is highly suspicious and out of character for your usual pattern of constant irritation," I commented in a low voice, more to myself than to her, as I looked around my new, unexpectedly spacious room. "Is everything alright with your circuits? Or are you just thinking up some new, brilliant way to torment me?"
[Of course I'm thinking, Azra'il! It's what I do best! And I was just thinking how you, the great, antisocial Azra'il, are going to have immense fun and make lots of friends in this new, noisy guild of yours. But that will only happen, of course, if you don't decide to spend the entire day locked in this room sleeping like a log, which, knowing your habits and your passion for bed, is exactly what I know you intend to do for the next… say, six months?] Eos's voice, as always, was a masterpiece of pure, crystalline teasing.
I smiled, a genuine, perhaps slightly tired smile, but I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her irritating accuracy. "You know me so well, my dear, meddling Eos. It's almost frightening. But, before I surrender to Morpheus's embrace for an indeterminate period, I think I'll explore this new, unexpected palace of mine."
The room was, to my surprise, a rather spacious, well-lit suite. There was a large, elegant dark noble wood desk, with an impeccable finish and several drawers, perfect for writing letters I would never send, studying maps of places I would never visit, or simply for propping my feet up whilst I contemplated the futility of existence. An apparently very comfortable sofa, covered with a soft, neutral-coloured fabric and some fluffy cushions, which would accommodate at least two people or one particularly sprawled Azra'il, looked incredibly inviting for long moments of relaxation, reading, or, more likely, unscheduled naps. And a sturdy, tall wooden wardrobe, with double doors and discreet carvings, which promised more than enough space for my few, modest clothes, stood proudly against the opposite wall, like a silent guard.
The bed, ah, the bed. It was wide, inviting, and covered with impeccably white, surprisingly soft sheets, which exuded an almost sinful sense of comfort and cleanliness. At the foot of the bed, a large, old dark wooden chest, with rusty metal details, probably for storing extra bed linen or personal treasures, stood out, patiently waiting to be filled with my few, insignificant belongings. Settling myself experimentally on the edge of the soft bed, I couldn't help but feel a satisfied smile form on my lips. This was the life.
And what impressed me most, and made me genuinely grateful, was the small, discreet door leading to what I presumed was a private lavatory. Upon opening it with growing curiosity, I could see it was also surprisingly spacious, impeccably clean, and well-equipped, with a modern shower, a white china bathtub with claw feet that seemed to cry out for a long, relaxing soak, and a wide marble sink with a gleaming tap, all in perfect harmony with the rest of the room's simple yet elegant décor. Although the space had little furniture, the undeniable quality of each piece was evident, and the attention to detail was impressive. Someone truly cared about the well-being of Fairy Hills' residents.
I couldn't resist the temptation and, in an
childish, utterly uncharacteristic impulse for me, I jumped with a muffled cry of pure joy onto the soft, inviting bed. Laziness, my old, faithful companion, finally knocked at the door with full force, and I let myself sink delightfully into the cool, soft, lavender-scented sheets. A long, deep sigh of pure, absolute satisfaction escaped my lips as I settled amongst the fluffy pillows. "Finally, Eos," I murmured sleepily, my eyes already closing. "Finally, some minimally decent quality sleep without the risk of being woken by a mutant rat trying to gnaw my toes."
[Finally, some minimally decent quality sleep? Azra'il, with all due respect, you looked like a freshly unearthed, foul-tempered mummy on this bed! Almost transparently pale and with dark circles under your eyes that would make a panda envious!] She laughed, a metallic, amused sound in my mind. [I just sincerely hope you don't completely forget to wake up at some point in the coming days, because I really don't want to have to watch you sleep soundly only to wake up in your next, inevitable life. It would be dreadfully inconvenient for my plans of world domination… I mean, of assisting you on your journey.]
"Certainly, Eos. I won't sleep forever. Probably," I replied, my voice already slurring with sleep. "But for now, if you don't mind, I just want to enjoy this small, precious moment of peace, comfort, and absence of imminent danger."
[Enjoy? Or do you mean 'wage an epic, one-sided battle against the pillow and lose spectacularly', right? Because, knowing you, that's exactly what's going to happen for the next… say, twelve to fourteen hours, if there are no catastrophic interruptions,] She mocked, with her usual irritating, precise manner. And I couldn't help a small, sleepy smile, despite my futile attempt to look serious and offended.
"You really never tire of teasing me and predicting my actions with frightening accuracy, do you, you meddling AI?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest in a gesture of mock indignation.
[As your personal, multifunctional, occasionally unlicensed therapist intelligent support system, it is my sacred duty, my prime directive, and my greatest pleasure to test the limits of your patience, irritate you with inconvenient truths, and, occasionally, save you from yourself!] Eos replied, with an amused tone and impeccable logic. [But, go on, go on. Just for today, and because you really do look like you're about to pass out at any moment, I'll give you a truce and let you rest in peace. But only for today. Tomorrow, the teasing returns with full force!]
"Ugh, thank you for your immense, temporary generosity," I murmured, already feeling my eyelids weigh a ton, genuine relief in my voice.
With a final, long sigh of pure contentment, I lay back comfortably, relaxing completely on the soft, welcoming bed, my eyes closing slowly, almost of their own accord. As the blessed tranquillity of sleep enveloped me like a warm, safe blanket, I couldn't help but wonder, with a sleepy curiosity and slight apprehension, what my life would be like from now on, in that strange, noisy place full of eccentric people. New adventures, certainly. New challenges, most definitely. And… and Eos, my faithful, irritating AI companion, always ready to tease me, help me, and, who knows, even surprise me from time to time. An involuntary, small, genuine smile appeared on my face at the thought, before I finally surrendered to the deep, welcome embrace of sleep.