Arc 2, Chapter 7: Smells Like Cheese

The secretary closed the doors behind them and turned to the four standing stiffly. "Apologies that didn't go quite as planned," Jack spoke.

To the left and rights were wings, with the slight sound of chatter poking down the hall. "What? The plan to manipulate us for your selfish gain?" Fumeko was still not amused—her arms crossed.

"You need to learn to watch your tongue; know when to speak and what to say," Jack responded.

"And you need to learn to watch your-"

"Meko!" Hotaru shushed. Fumeko groaned, shutting her mouth.

"She's not entirely wrong. If nobody can tell the mayor what's going on truthfully, then Kria is no safer for it," Jotou replied.

"Listen, the mayor can be," Jack paused, looking down each hallway. He brought his hand forward and with a—"Snap!"—of his fingers, sound reverberated around them.

The four glanced around as the sound of the chatter around died down. Jotou's hand rested on the hilt of her sword, watching the sound of the snap ringing.

Silverish vibrations, covered the air surrounding the five of them in a bubble of echoes. "Quite foolish in his decisions," Jack continued, the sound outside the bubble nothing more the garbles.

"I don't condone every single one of his actions, but I assure you there is a method to his madness. I also agree with you; both these ideologies combined is what can keep Kria safe.

However, these are the proper channels and I have to abide by them. And so, even behind closed doors, I'm in full support of Mayor Gestryle.

I'm sorry we don't get to work as closely and I understand not requesting help from the government as it would sign you under a verbal contract.

But you can still and I urge you, if there is anything you require help with, request directly to me; not the secretary of the mayor, me—Jack.

I will do the best in my power to assist however I can as a citizen of Kria. After all, we are all aware that connections go beyond the law," his fingers snapped once more, whatever magic he used now fading.

Hotaru met Jack's silver eyes, "We'll keep that in mind…"

"Good day; and good luck. Enjoy your new home," Jack smiled, sending them off. The four stood outside the main building, the noon Sun going past its peak. Gardeners were carrying heavy loads of picked flowers.

"What now?" Asobi scratched her head.

"For starters; why the Maleficos Ordinate?" Jotou peered over to Fumeko. They stood upon the steps, waiting for their carriage to arrive.

"Well, we know that the Adventurers Guild and the Krialin are responsible for the Velatos Case. The one authority we still have no clue about is the one that deals with magic the most.

If we can understand what's going on there, maybe we can get some clues about the case and be able to solve it too. From what I understand, they're very private with information.

They must already be working on something to get rid of the velatos since they're the biggest defence against them," Fumeko hypothesized.

"That's, really smart," Hotaru agreed, pondering the information they may glean.

"Of course, I'm a detective. You can continue showering me with compliments," Fumeko flicked her braid to the back of her head.

"Not doing that, but it is a good plan. With the order of the mayor, they have to entertain us. Maybe I can learn a better spell that doesn't knock me out and break my sword into pieces," Jotou tightened her lips.

"I don't think they teach spells. Anyway, that's not an immediate topic. We have a house now," Hotaru's smile was genuine, if not born out of relief.

"Wait a minute, I didn't get to ask for a boon," Asobi slumped.

"You've only figured that out now?" Fumeko's face scrunched.

"What do you even want?" Jotou grew curious.

Asobi shrugged, playing with her wand. A half-cocked smile, "Maybe find Master Zayexiwovu?" she squeaked.

The other three muttered noises, Fumeko scratched her neck and looked elsewhere. "Why? What are you gonna do when you see him?" Jotou questioned.

Asobi bobbed her head from side to side, "There must be a reason…" she twisted her feet on the ground.

"There isn't Asobi," Hotaru bluntly put. "He used you, it's as simple as that. He raised you to be successful so that he would be successful by extension.

Because you were so naïve, he took advantage and left you. Do you honestly want to see that conniving man again? He abandoned you Asobi," Hotaru began to hammer it into her head.

Jotou could sense Hotaru's frustration, but put a hand on her shoulder, "Enough. We're all tired and burnt out and it's only the afternoon. Let's go eat, go to the park maybe and chill for a while huh?"

"And get lunch!" Fumeko added.

"And get lunch," Jotou smirked. "Things are changing and looking up for us. There's a lot to do and every decision counts. We did it for the money and glory; then we did it for our own safety.

Now, we do it because it's personal. We do it for the safety of Kria. We do it the best way we can and nothing's gonna stop us," Jotou spoke.

The other three smiled, feeling inspired; determined to seek out the answers and ending this mess. Their carriage arrived before them.

_

The dusk began to take over the sky, the snow clouds long gone and Kria back in its usual state of affairs.

A little ways away from the main streets and bustle sat a house made of faded yet sturdy wood. There sat a neighbourhood not too far away from the house and the edge of Kria Park noticeable behind the planes of grass and trees behind the wooden abode; like a little secluded cottage sitting in a basket of nature.

The carriage arrived in East Kria, south of the guild. The midpoint between their place of work and Kria Estate—belongings stacked upon the back of the wagon.

The four stepped out, having spent their day out in Kria whilst they waited for their new house to be prepared. The pathway was made of planks till the entrance.

Pebbles surrounded them, going through short meadow grass. They picked up their bags, "Ngh!" Fumeko almost fell taking her giant sack of items out.

Jotou put an arm underneath just in time, "You're welcome," she carried the sack instead.

"It's because of your stuff it's suddenly so heavy you know," Fumeko uttered.

"Sure it is; all of my, what? Twenty dresses? Really weighed it down," sarcasm oozed out. Hotaru grabbed all of their bought items and another bag with their dinner.

"Whatever," Fumeko dismissed, slouching when she realized she had to carry the object she so adamantly wanted to buy…

Asobi ran forward into the path flanked by grass. Perhaps what made it truly a beautiful sight were the hundreds of yellow flowers that bloomed all over the area.

"It's so pretty!" Asobi's eyes glittered before her eyes met the grass, face first; she tripped on the tiny seams in between the planks, "I'm okay!" she shouted.

Three long, sharp petals and three short curved petals on each; two or three leaves on their thin stems. They grew no taller than a hand and the flower itself was a tad bigger than Hotaru's hand as she crouched to examine them.

"So many wildflowers; I'm surprised nobody bought a place like this already," Jotou stated, sack over her shoulder.

"They're not wildflowers," Hotaru corrected, "They're thundering blitzes," the nitrogenous scent filled the air as they inhaled.

The aroma of the flowers gave a sense of freshness, the intoxicating scent of a pungent sweetness. "These'll help freshen up and decorate our new house well!" Hotaru giddied.

Jotou smiled seeing the redhead's lips curve up. The sight and scent was so, pleasant; and memorable… "Why do I recognize these?" she queried in suspicion.

"Hm… not sure. Thundering blitzes grow all over the world. They're yellow when bloomed, but," Hotaru plucked one by the stem and the flower lost all its complexion within the blink of an eye, turning from a bright yellow to a faded black.

"Black once picked and," Hotaru stood up, bringing the flower to Jotou's nose. White spots began appearing at the edge of the petals, moving inwards, "White when faded, at which point they're sold."

She gently shoved the colour-shifting flower in the back of Jotou's ear, "The seeds germinate after it comes into contact with moisture and vibrations; it normally takes a few days to grow after a thunderstorm…"

Hotaru stared at Jotou, "Though, if the snow melted into water and the thunder was much closer to the ground… I guess they'd bloom and pop their spores into the air much faster."

Jotou connected the dots, "So, you're saying, I made all of these flowers bloom?"

"Mhm."

"What a dangerous party trick!" Asobi cheered.

"The flowers are normally used in funerals for symbolic reasons," Hotaru added.

"Makes sense for the one who woke up from a coffin," Fumeko grumbled, "Now, can someone open the damn door?" the carriage went off whilst Fumeko struggled to carry a large pinboard across the path.

They made their way inside and the brunette threw the board aside. The wooden interior was freshly polished from ceiling to floor. Sofas surrounded a table in the middle.

Behind them was a short hall with four doors, a bathroom at the end. To the right side was a counter and a stove with cabinets on the wall; a dining table with a vase containing a bouquet of various flowers and a note beside it.

'Enjoy your new home. -Jack' it read.

"It smells like cheese in here," Fumeko sniffed, looking about the area.

"It used to be a creamery owner's place; cheese and milk are bound to leave a scent," Hotaru stated, "Nothing a few flowers can't fix."

"Why don't we leave the decorating for tomorrow? I'm exhausted," Jotou put the sack down.

"I'm not going to argue there," Hotaru responded, yawning.

"I'm getting first pick!" Fumeko dashed past the couches to find the best room for herself.

"Hey! No Fair!" Asobi ran after.

Hotaru and Jotou shook their heads at each other, "I'll take whatever's left," they both said at once.

"No, you've been stressed. Pick for your comfort, I really don't mind. I just want a shower," Jotou offered. Hotaru smiled, accepting the offer.

_

The dusk fell to night, Jotou sat alone at the dining table, finishing up dumplings. A fresh bath and her hair let loose as she relaxed her mind from last night.

Lights, magical in nature, illuminated the rooms and halls. Though the night was young, Jotou was ready for a nice soft bed to lie upon.

The blonde got up and washed her hands in the sink. She shut the curtains, the peaceful night breeze making the flowers sway and the grass to wave.

Crickets were the only outside sound; for once since she got to this world, it was quiet. She breathed; a new found confidence and a new found mission.

She waltzed down the hallway, peering into the first left door. The lights were on as Asobi unpacked her bags. She picked up a full set of her usual magician clothes… and another… and another…

A bed to the side, a wardrobe and a vanity; the rooms were not too dissimilar in size or fashion; the same wood and a single window, but still spacious.

"Night Asobi," Jotou spoke.

Asobi jumped in shock, "Jotou!" she beamed, "Night night!" she giggled and waved, taking out another pair of magician's clothes.

Jotou closed the door; her room was right across of course, but she walked to the second left door, knocking before entering.

Fumeko turned, sat on the floor with her pinboard and red string she had bought. Her mouth was stuffed with a long sandwich, "What do you want?" she spoke like a chipmunk with its cheeks full.

"Just… checking in. We have a dining table you know," Jotou stated.

"Yeah, so?"

Jotou sighed, "I'll miss being roommates," she changed the topic.

Fumeko pouted, "We're still in the same house; though, I'll miss it too," she admitted.

With a soft smile, "Night," Jotou no longer wanted to bother.

"Goodnight," she smiled with a mouth full of food.

The door closed and one door was left across. Jotou noticed the door was not closed all the way. She could hear Hotaru breathing from within.

Jotou's curiosity got the better of her as she peeped into the door. Hotaru sat with her legs crossed on her bed; her right hand gripped her left ring finger.

With a wince of her eyes, "CRACK!" Hotaru broke her own finger as she let out a squeaking groan, trying to stifle the sound, not noticing the figure stepping into the room, eyes in shock and terror.

"Hotaru!? What are you doing!?" Jotou rushed into the room.