"Uggh, It's soooo briiight!" Lucky moaned as she flipped a pillow over her eyes.
Jamie stood by his bed holding his hand against the panel that operated the blinds. He was fully dressed in what appeared to be some kind of chrominium armor with satchels for various items and tools. His face said all that he could possibly need to say.
"Get up freeloader." Jamie snarked.
"Don'wanna."
"Oh okay, I guess I'll just eat last night's razzblomb pie leftovers all by myself then." Jamie began walking away, "What a shame, I even got some ice cream to go with it."
Lucky's ears flicked up over the edge of the pillow, "Pie? Ice cream? JAMIE WAIT FOR MEEE!!!" Lucky jumped up out of bed, her hair was twisted into a messy bun and her eyes were bloodshot. She scrambled down the hallway in her "Kirbo Knightmares 3" onesie. When she turned the corner and looked into the kitchen her eyes filled with horror.
"You wouldn't!" She proclaimed.
"I am." Jamie chuckled as he stuck a fork into his ice cream topped pie.
Lucky frantically searched the kitchen table and countertops for the pie and ice cream but came up short. She opened the freezer and fridge, no goods. Turning back to Jamie she witnessed him slowly raising his fork to his mouth.
"Aaaaaah." He said while giving her side eye.
"W-wait!" Lucky leapt at the fork but he quickly bit down on the dessert. "JAMIE!" Lucky exclaimed.
"Here, want some?" He poked his fork into the sweet again and held it out to her, offering a bite.
"But your lips were just on that." She protested.
He rolled his eyes, "I'm not sick ya dweeb."
Lucky looked away from the fork, "No, that's not it."
Jamie raised his eyebrow, "What? Are you two? I don't have cooties, Lucky." Lucky fidgeted, "You cannot be serious right now." Jamie said in disbelief. "Alright, well the rest of the pie and ice cream are in the mini fridge under the counter where the air fryer is."
"Oh, okay." Lucky walked awkwardly over to the counter, "Wait... When did we get a mini fridge?"
"We? I brought it home yesterday before getting you because you keep wanting all this random bullshit. I figured if you had some extra space for your stuff you'd stop throwing it haphazardly into our-my fridge." He reasoned.
Lucky grabbed the last piece of razzblomb pie and the tub of vanilla ice cream from her new mini fridge. After inspecting the pie carefully and deeming it edible she used her foot to close the fridge. She eyed the pie carefully, Looks like he saved the bigger piece for me. Juicy macerated razzblombs leaked from the side of the pie. I can't stop my mouth from waterin'. Lucky rubbed her tongue against her fangs.
"I got the scoop over here," Jamie raised the utensil in the air.
Lucky walked over to the small table and sat next to Jamie, "Thanky!"
"Thanky?" Jamie looked at Lucky with a puzzled expression.
Lucky took a fat scoop of ice cream and plopped it down on her pie, "Mmm, I guess Cleo rubbed off on me a lil." Lucky blushed but her tail danced from side to side.
Jamie stuffed his mouth to hide his smile, "I'm glad you're having fun. I knew you'd get along with everyone there!"
"Yep! Oh, I almost forgot! I gotta go!" Lucky opened her mouth and stuffed the entire pie into her trap, leaving the crust behind. Quickly grabbing the plate she ran to the sink and began washing it.
Jamie watched her flutter about with intrigue, "I can get that if you're in a hurry, ya know."
"Hohf, Fank youa!" Lucky muffled through her pie-filled cheeks.
"Sure, anytime. I'll pick you up from work after I finish up my quest today. Sound good?" Jamie watched as she ran towards his bedroom.
Peeling back around the hallway corner, Lucky stopped in front of the kitchen area eyeing Jamie for a moment. With a massive gulp she swallowed the rest of her pie and her skin began to skitter. Her silver hair fell into knee long twintails; and a crescent moon pendant attached itself to a black choker that clung to her neck. Jamie's mouth widened as he bore witness to Lucky's outfit of choice. It wasn't something he had seen before at The Fool's Carol. Instead, Lucky had donned what appeared to be adventurer's attire. While it lacked in resistances that true armour would afford, visibly it was the real deal. A hood hung on her back, shoulder guards for protection, breast plate gave way to a skin tight leather material that covered her abdomen. Around her waist was a satchel to carry a book and various trinkets. Her thigh highs ran down to her rugged boots.
"Going to fight an army or something?" Jamie asked.
Lucky shook her head, "H-how do I look?"
Jamie grinned, "A little too good, if I'm being completely honest."
Lucky hung her head momentarily before abruptly running over to Jamie and giving him a hug, "I'm off at 4 today. Don't be late." She whispered into his ear before darting out of the house.
"Don't be late, noted." Jamie held his hand to his ear and watched her leave. He couldn't see it but he knew that his face was bright red.
*****
"Hey sugar, you're here early." Karyl's soothing voice greeted Lucky.
The two had met in the field just outside the east gates of Aegis. Delilah and a blue wyvern pecked at the ground busying themselves while the ladies went about their business. Lucky looked around the large open field, its grass appeared to be healthy as it reached to their ankles. The sun unobstructed, warmed them after their flights.
Karyl began doing stretches, "So, how about we go over the basics? I'm sure you know them already but I'll be able to get a clearer picture if we do."
"Thank you for doing this, Karyl." Lucky smiled.
"Of course! First things first. Can you still feel your gate and the mana around you?"
Lucky nodded.
"Well that's a good sign, we don't have to worry about the worst case scenario then." Karyl stood up.
Lucky tilted her head, "What would that be?"
"Oh, just the total destruction of your soul." Karyl laughed it off.
Lucky turned pale, "That's... Frightening."
"Alright, enough wasting time. Close your eyes." Karyl ordered.
Lucky obliged and closed her eyes.
"Feel the wind in the air," Karyl said softly, "The warmth on your skin. Feel how your heart beats against your chest. Breathe. Take it all in."
Lucky's breathing slowed to a crawl and she felt her body get a little lighter.
"Good, now imagine your heart pumping. Feel your blood travel through your body. Picture the course it takes, leaving your heart, returning to it." Karyl's voice grew softer, yet she never got quieter.
Within moments, Lucky could feel traces of burning throughout her body. Like a rope winding through her veins heating her up.
Karyl continued her instruction, "Picture your heart opening to the world, to the possibility of magic. Allow it to pump freely into the world around you."
The burning sensation grew as Lucky began to feel her clothing and hair stir around her.
"Now, hold on to the warmth. Welcome it, cherish it. Let it wash over you like a wave at sea."
Lucky began sweating, her entire body felt like it was on fire. Her thoughts had completely disappeared. The only thing she could focus on was a bright burning flame enveloped in darkness.
"Lucky, respond if you can hear me."
Lucky remained silent. Unmoving. The air around her grew dense, filled with her mana. Her hair whipped in the wake of her aura and the grass below was ripped from the ground.
"You're a fast learner. Well, the real training starts now. Sorry to do this to you hon." Karyl sighed and took an offensive stance. Her leg muscles bulged for a moment before she leapt at Lucky with blistering speed.
Lucky's eyes rapidly moved under her eyelids as though she were dreaming. Right as Karyl's hand breached Lucky's aura, Lucky's eyes pried open. With only a moment to dodge, Lucky slipped to the side, narrowly avoiding Karyl's grasp.
Karyl looked at her empty hand in surprise, "Wow, that was unexpected. I slowed down so I wouldn't hurt ya but I didn't think you'd actually feel me AND dodge."
Lucky could only gasp for air and wipe the sweat from her brow. Her vision was somewhat blurry and her knees struggled to hold the weight of her body.
"It's safe to say you aren't having any issues with your gate," Karyl said happily.
"What?!" Lucky gasped for air, falling to her knees.
"Well I could be wrong, but I think Jamie's right. It's a mental block. And I think your lack of self confidence is causing it." Karyl rubbed her chin. "I haven't felt this way in a long time."
"What way?" Lucky seemed to regain her footing as her breathing leveled out.
"I want to scrap, real bad. I think a spar would be good for both of us."
Lucky sighed, "I take it I don't really have a say in the matter."
"You're on the edge of a breakthrough, do you really want to risk losing it all right now?" Karyl asked.
Lucky shook her head and squared up, "Absolutely not, let's do this."
Karyl once again leapt at Lucky, this time her momentum didn't falter. Lucky's body moved on its own, rolling to the side out of harm's way. She seemed to have grown accustomed to the burning sensation as she no longer noticed it as much. Her eyes locked on to Karyl's hand that was formed into a knife strike. It was inches away from her right eye. Lucky rolled on to her back kicking upwards into the air, Karyl managed to slip the kick by bending her back towards the sky. With a push off of the ground Lucky performed a backflip onto her feet.
"You're definitely faster than some Sparrow ranked Neko's I know." Karyl said gleefully. She sized up Lucky, "But you've got more in the tank."
Karyl let loose a barrage of wild swipes onto Lucky. Lucky continued to dodge for a short while but found herself dodging the strikes with a smaller margin for error as time went on. I'm not slowing down, she's speeding up! Lucky gawked as Karyl chased Lucky down. A sinister mana poured from Karyl when the gap between them had closed once more. For the first time Lucky went on the offensive with a clean calf kick. Karyl aptly tanked the hit and landed a clean palm strike into Lucky's solar plexus. As the wind got knocked out of her she was sent flying several meters. Skidding across the field bruises and scrapes formed across Lucky's body. By the time she had came to a halt Karyl was already standing above her again. Kayl's foot blotted out the sun as she brought it down from above her head with a particularly nasty axe kick. Narrowly dodging, Lucky pounced over Karyl and landed a clean switch kick to her head on the way down. Tanking it once more Karyl retaliated with a spinning back fist to the right side of Lucky's face. Black rings formed around her vision as she spun violently out of control. This time she landed even further away. Ugh, my head hurts. Double vision stopped Lucky from standing all the way back up.
"Shit!" Karyl shouted, "I got carried away." She started to walk towards Lucky to check on her. Karyl's voice made Lucky jump, "BEHIND YOU!"
Lucky turned and braced herself for one of Karyl's attacks. However to her surprise she instead locked eyes with a blonde haired man not much taller than herself. His deep garnet eyes peered at her from behind wireframe glasses.
Karyl finally reached Lucky but before she could act the man closed his eyes and his voice bounced through the air, "Allsleep."
Lucky gasped and sat up from the ground, when did I get down here? It was nighttime, but Lucky could tell something was off. There was no wind, no creatures, everything was eerily silent.
"We don't have much time," Said the blonde haired man. He donned an exquisite black and gold uniform.
"Where is Karyl? Who are you?" Lucky demanded.
"Alive and in a dream world much like this. She's about to break the illusion though so let's make this quick."
"Dream world?" Lucky's questioning face was ignored.
The man spoke quickly, "Eve sends her regards, and me with a message."
"E-Eve?! Is she okay?" Lucky jumped to her feet.
"She instructed me to tell you this, 'I'm glad you're safe Mai, don't worry things are fine here. It pains me that I cannot be by your side, but I need more time. I miss you and hope you are in good health.' That is all she wanted to say." The man looked over his shoulder, "It seems we are out of time, do not go looking for her. Until next time."
"Wait, what did she mean by needing more time? And 'next time?' When will I see you again?" Lucky began rambling.
"Farewell, ████████ Lucky." His voice trailed off as he dissipated from her view.
"WAIT! WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU?!" Lucky yelled into the emptiness. The world around her began to darken once more and Lucky felt her strength leave her body as she collapsed.
*****
"Are you sure she's okay?" A familiar peppy voice rang through Lucky's consciousness. Lucky opened her left eye and saw what appeared to be Cleo's round backside inches away from her face.
"Not that I don't appreciate the view... But could you please move?" Lucky winced.
Cleo spun around and wrapped her arms around Lucky, "OH MY GEE I'M SO GLAD YOU'RE OKAY!"
"I didn't mean to rough her up that bad." Karyl complained from the corner of the room.
It was well lit and smelled somewhat like home to Lucky. Smells like Jamie, but this isn't the cabin and he isn't here. She looked around to confirm her suspicions.
"It's okay, Lucky," Cleo let go of her, "This is Jamie's living room. Well it used to be his living room. He doesn't come here often anymore."
Lucky sat up slowly, "Oh, so we're back in The Fool's Carol... This is the third floor then." Lucky placed her hand on the right side of her head. She felt gauze and medical tape around her eye. Oh yeah that's right.
"I-I'm really sorry, sugar." Karyl lowered her head. "I didn't mean to hurt you, I just felt something amazing from you and thought you'd be okay."
"I-" Lucky went to speak but upon seeing Karyl's tear stained face she couldn't find the words.
"I-I already informed Vladimir on what happened in the field." Karyl said. "I-"
"You're welcome to stay here, or come eat in the cafe until Jamie returns if you'd like." Cleo said softly. "No need to worry about work today or anything else that happened in the field. Right, Karyl?"
"O-of course! Take your time to rest up. Your shift has been filled and you'll still receive payment for today's work. I'll uh, see you later hon." Karyl awkwardly left the room heading through the kitchen, down the hall and out of the door.
Cleo got up and helped Lucky lay back down before adjusting the Kribo blanket thrown over her. Then she walked into the kitchen to fix up a snack. After rummaging through the cupboards and fridge she produced all the necessary things to make what she desired.
Lucky remained still on the couch listening to the sounds of muffled conversation from below. So my sister is okay... I feel like I've seen that man somewhere before. Not that it matters... Lucky's focus was broken by Cleo's return. In her hands she held a small dish with a sandwich and a chibi wyvern themed mug with hot cocoa in it.
"So... Anything you want to talk about?" Cleo handed Lucky the snacks.
"Oh marshmallows, Thank you." Lucky's eye sparkled with joy. "But no, I don't want to talk about it right now." Lucky took a sip of the cocoa and quickly removed it from her lips while fanning her mouth.
"What do you need from me?" Cleo asked earnestly, "Do you want me to just sit here with you? Do you want to be alone? Just say the word, I am the head maid after all." Cleo's smug face made Lucky giggle but she quickly stopped and grabbed her ribs. I guess I got beat up more than I thought.
Lucky averted her gaze from Cleo's, "I don't want to be rude... But I would like to be alone."
"As you wish. Just give me a call if you need anything. I took the liberty of adding myself into your contacts." Cleo gave a quick bow and a warm smile before seeing herself out.
Finally alone, Lucky's eyes meandered around the room. The couch was positioned against the furthest wall from the kitchen underneath a window. To the left there was some extra floor space, a night stand with a picture frame on it and a hallway. But on the right was a TV with a gaming console sitting on a well crafted wooden stand. In the middle of the space an unused kotatsu with a pink blanket rested.
Lucky stretched, moaning a little. I wonder if Jamie and I will ever hang out here? It's sad to see such a nice place go unused. Leaning forward Lucky carefully placed her mug and plate on the kotatsu. Sliding down to the floor Lucky winced as her butt made contact with the ground sending shockwaves up her body. Doubling over she wrapped her hands around her midsection, she began crying. I really wanted to hold my own. I need to be stronger, I can't keep relying on everyone. At this rate...
Lucky's mind wandered back to a time not long ago. Multiple figures surrounded her, using various tools and magic to subdue her. I still don't understand. I didn't do anything to anyone! I didn't even fight back!!! Lucky began balling and hyperventilating while trying to block out the memories. Eve, hurry up and come by my side again.
An hour had passed and Lucky was sprawled across the hardwood floor. The sound of a light breeze and calming rain pitter pattered on the window. Her eyelid was red, but finally at rest. Her breathing was slow, and purred in rhythm with a nearby filter system. Dreams of soft beds and fried food danced in her mind while the bustle of the city droned on.
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(Uploaded version is the initial draft of the work LxD. The final edited version will be available for purchase in the future and you can check the progress of the book by visiting Lucky's streams twitch.tv/TheLuckyTempest)