DAAAAAAAAAAD

[Noire Strife]

"HEY, DAD!? I'M HOOOOOOME!" Sakura screamed at the top of her lungs. She stormed up the steps and kicked in the massive front door, making both of them fly backwards but not actually doing any damage to them because they were unlocked. The servants of the house all dropped what they were doing as soon as they saw Sakura, at first being on guard, but not attacking when they saw who it was. They stood uncertainly in their places, not knowing whether to defend the mansion or not. Luckily, Sakura was not in a killing sort of mood that day, so the servants were all spared. She took another deep breath in as soon as she entered the building. "DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD!!!" She yelled, with her hands cupped over her mouth. The sound rang throughout the house, and some of the female servants moved to cover their ears, pressing their eyes closed in disgust. Sakura was about to take another deep breath in to scream again, but one of the older male servants raised a hand to her. "Please. I'm sure he has heard you and will be here shortly." He said, probably as politely as he could muster. "Yeah, and who are you to say anything!" Sakura challenged, narrowing her eyes. Shadow tendrils sprang out of her back, pointed in the direction of the servant. He immediately stepped away from Sakura, but did not continue further for fear that she might do something while he ran. If Aether did not come quick, things could get ugly.

" "

[Eternal Mage, Aether.]

I'm sitting in my library and at my personal study. Like every library, I'm surrounded by books of almost every kind. There're stacks and stacks of books everywhere! There's stained glass on the ceiling with light shining through. On my desk is a pile of papers, pencils, and pens. I have doodled, but nothing important and just me being bored while waiting for Riley to show. There's almost no sound in the library but whirr of AC running to keep me cool.

I get a pen into my hand and just repeatedly clicking it. I've decided to bring Riley here so I can feel more comfortable and calm. Plus, I wanted to give myself some time mentally preparing myself and set everything up, perfectly. I'm in my dress clothes, and I've sprayed a little cologne on myself, and finally I've eaten a few mints to make my breath is minty fresh with a pack of gum firmly sitting in my pocket, just in case. I've made sure to have my face sheve and my hair to be complete perfection!

Today, is the day, when I ask Riley out! I'm a bit nervous, but I have some confidants that she has some feelings for me, well a little. I Suddenly, I hear a loud noise from below that's painful to my ears. What, there shouldn't be any guest showing up today, besides Riley! That voice, I recognize it! She ran away, why is she here today of all days?! Wait...What?! No, this is not happening, today is the day that I finally ask Riley out!

I get to my feet and head out into the hall. From the floor below, I can hear Sakura screaming for me. Over a month ago, she had run off without saying a single word to me, after supposedly looking for me forever? “Not today Sakura, dad has plans,” I yelled down. This is a bit odd coming from me, but it's one of those days. I'm already on the edge with Riley coming over, and I don't need even more stress. “I swear to god Sakura, if you ruin today I'll give nightmares that will last for years, and you'll never sleep at night without pissing the bed!" I come down the spiral stairway to meet Sakura personally while grumbling.

[Noire Strife]

Sakura was appalled. Aether. Innocent, nerdy, weak Aether had threatened to give her nightmares. Sure, it was a baseless and weak threat (at least, compared to those she had already been given), but the fact that Aether had actually threatened her was an unexpected turn of events. When she had visited him last, her adopted father had just been a weak little peon without a bad bone in his body. Now, he was making threats? Sakura could not believe this. She felt like a parent after hearing their child cuss for the first time. She stood there in silence. Suddenly, shadow tendrils sprung from her back and quickly wrapped themselves around the butler's arms and legs. Sakura shouted back up to the second floor. "If you don't come down and greet me properly, this one gets shanked! Isn't that what you taught me, do or die, huh, Ender?" The butler seemed not to be afraid, and only responded with a very disinterested look on his face. Both the butler and Sakura knew that she had no real intention of hurting him. He did not even struggle against the restraints, only watched as Sakura's expression took on an angrier tone. "I leave for a month and all I get is a 'not today, Sakura,', 'Daddy doesn't care that you're home, Sakura.', 'Daddy hates you, Sakura' ?!" She mimicked his voice in a whiny tone and stomped her feet. Clearly she was having separation anxiety, and probably some teenage angst. "Ugh! I can't believe you!" She waved the butler around in the air.

" "

[Eternal Mage, Aether.]

This little girl talking is back, damn it, not today! “I also taught you not to use strong words as they make you look weak,” I yelled. She's threatening the Butler, but it's a baseless threat. Well, me giving her nightmares again has no merits. I don't have any intention of doing that to her, but I'm on the edge at the moment. From the say she's reacting, I guess she hasn't changed much since running away from home. She's quick tempter and needy.

I walk down the stairs slowly, and each step makes a creaking noise. Sakura responds again about being gone, and this is how I treat her. To be fair, I've treated her much worse, and she didn't give me any lip back. Though, I don't want my daughter to fear me. I'm walking towards a new path in life and going to do everything that I can to make the world a better place, but today is different damn it!

I can hear in Sakura voice that she's mocking me. I hear Sakura stomping her feet in protest like a small child having a tantrum because they're not getting their way for once. I finally make it to the bottom steps, and I face Sakura. “You're the one who ran away from home without saying a word! So sorry if I am not pleased that my daughter has returned home and on the worse possible of days!” I take a moment and realize that I look different now.

Also, put the poor man down.” I calm down a bit and not let myself be carried off in Sakura tantrum. “Also, while you were away, a lot of things had happened. One of them is what you see now,” I said while addressing to my new appearance. I also put my right hand up and show the tattoo mark of Griffin Wing. The mark is a bit different compare to before, but it's similar. “Riley is back and on her way here as we speak,” I said informing Sakura. I still have to set up the dinner for us, but with Sakura being here, damn it whhhhy toddday!

[Merc]

Glancing at the address scribbled on her slip of paper one more time, Riley crumpled it, pushing it into the pocket of her jacket and staring at the large mansion the sat at the location that had been dictated to her. Aether really wasn't kidding when he talked about being rich, though it did make her wonder how his family got so rich without her ever hearing anything about them.

Shrugging softly, she crossed the lawn, the tail of her jacket fluttering behind her as she went, a calm breeze ruffling her hair. Outside was peaceful, quiet, serene.

Inside the house there was so much shouting that Riley contemplated turning around and coming back later. Still, she kept walking until she was standing on the doormat and just stood there a few long moments in contemplation. While she could hear shouting, she had no idea what was actually being shouted, the house muffled the majority of the words and made it hard for her to pick any sense out of anything.

Fearing that Aether was in trouble, she went to knock on one of the doors, only to realize that it was ajar. Frowning to herself, she pushed the doors open to reveal herself, her brow furrowed slightly. "Aether, are you alright?" She called, easily spying Aether, some people who looked like servants, a familiar looking girl and... a scene that she had no idea how to decipher. Crossing her arms over her chest, she frowned.

"... What exactly is going on here?"

[Noire Strife]

"But Daaaad, I didn't use any 'strong words'," Sakura whined, balling her hands up into fists beside her. "and aren't you supposed to be relieved I'm home?! I come back and the first thing you tell me is to get out! " She pouted. "I'm still a minor, you know! I could call child protective services!" She crossed her arms over her chest, nodding to herself. "Yeah! Then you'd be in trouble with the magistrate! You can guess what they're gonna do when they find out who you are." She stuck out her tongue. Of course, she had no intention of playing out her threats, but it was nice to blow off some steam. "Besides--" She was about to continue with her rant when she heard a voice behind her. That voice. That voice. Sakura froze up, slowly setting down the butler she was carrying with her shadow tendrils. He was set down gently, and the tendrils unwrapped themselves from his hands in feet before they slowly sunk into Sakura's back again, out of sight. All in slow motion, she turned her head around to see the woman standing behind her. She had to confirm. Sakura locked eyes with the woman, and then quickly turned her head back to face Aether. It was her. It was that woman. It was her. SHIT. SHIT. SHIT. Sakura measured her options. Running away was the first option. It was the easiest. It seemed like the most viable option. But this was her home...! This was her and Aether's home. That wasn't going to work. And what about all those servants? Someone had to protect them. She could... fight back! Yes, yes, she could fight back against that woman, and then escape-- no, that wouldn't work, Riley was much stronger than her. But if Aether assisted-- Aether. Sakura thought for a moment, looking him up and down. That wasn't Aether. That wasn't her father. She looked back at Riley. That definitely was Riley. That only meant... "Oh god, where's my dad?!" She turned back to Riley. "You-- You kidnapped my father, didn't you! There's no way he'd be this disappointed to see me! You did this! Where's my dad! I swear to god if you hurt him--" The tendrils sprang from her back again, this time directed towards Riley.

" "

[Eternal Mage, Aether.]

Sakura is still whining and complaining at me. She's sticking her tongue towards me, which is rude of her. She threatens me to call Child-Protective Services, and I roll my eyes at her. “In case you haven't realized it, I've also regained all my memories,” I said to Sakura, although, most of them are horrible with her. However, I hope that I can make them up and do things right. Right now, I don't have that option.

Just as I think of that, Riley as enter through the front door. Normally, the Butler welcomes and let her inside. He's a bit busy presently so I look at Riley while waving at her. Sakura, however, is in this complete disbelief in seeing Riley. Sakura slowly puts the Butler down and then looks at me for a moment. Riley asks if everything alright, and I guess from our screaming contest that it seems odd, especially coming from me.

“Yeah, just normal father and daughter yelling at each other,” I said assuring her. Sakura turn back to Riley with not believing it's me. Her magic is still not under her emotion control, but I might have been responsible for that in my past life. Before Sakura takes more than two steps, I cause the floor board to decay beneath her feet suddenly that would cause her to fall into the basement. However, I leave enough room for her to latch to the floor.

The Butler walks over Riley and offers to take her jacket to put it on the coat rack nearby. I walk over to Sakura while giving out a sigh. I lean down and whisper into her ear. “You behave or I'm telling everyone about orange.” Orange is a reference that only the two of us understand. It's an embarrassing moment for Sakura never want brought up. Last time, her face went bright red, threw stuff at me, and ran away.

I head over to Riley and once Sakura is out of the hole, I restore the hole as if it never happened. “I'm sorry about this, but I didn't expect Sakura to return home.” I need to make this work and get things back on track! “Please, make yourself comfortable.”The plan was to greet Riley with roses, and then treat her with a nice homemade dinner. With Sakura here, I'm not sure how I can do this. I need to distract Sakura somehow and get a good mood going with Riley to tell her how I feel!

[Merc]

 Things inside the house were about as chaotic as they had sounded when she was standing outside of it. Sakura was understandably confused by Aether's change of appearance, but why the girl thought she had anything to do with that beat the hell out of Riley. When tendrils appeared from the girl's back, headed in her direction, she rose a hand, but didn't get any further than this as Aether dealt with the situation in his own way. Allowing her hand to drop, she cast him a glance and gave a weary sigh.

 "Make myself comfortable..." She repeated under her breath, ignoring the failed attack, all of the yelling didn't exactly make for a relaxing experience. Bringing her hands to her hips under her jacket, which she had thus far refused to hand over to the butler just in case things got even more awkward and she wanted to make a quick getaway, Riley turned her green eyes to Sakura, watching her carefully for a few long moments. It had been literal years since she had seen the girl in the flesh, but something seemed a bit different about her.

 Riley remembered the mild girl coming to meet her, asking to join her guild. She had seemed timid at the time, uncertain. Now she just seemed... Well, the words 'violent' and 'unstable' were at the forefront of her mind. Eyes drifting to Aether, he called himself her adoptive father, she furrowed her brows for a moment. Having something of a messed up family herself, she couldn't say too much about their dysfunctional nature, but there was definitely something very wrong with the picture she was presented with.

 Maybe she should stick around for a while and oversee how things played out...

 "Mn, well. She's your daughter, Aether. Shouldn't you be expecting her at any time?" She eventually managed. From his words, she gathered that Sakura didn't live with him, though he claimed himself her father. Was he letting a teenager run around on her own with no supervision? He was kind of a pushover, so she supposed that wasn't really surprising... 

[Noire Strife]

A scream, louder than any Sakura had let out ever before, ripped into the air as as the ground rotted beneath her and fell away into the basement below. Sending out her tendrils, Sakura clamped on the sides of the rotting wood to gain an unstable leverage over the ground. As soon as she was stable again, she pushed up with her tendrils and flew into the air, doing one flip and landing soundly on her feet. Orange. It took Sakura a while to remember what that meant. Then it hit her. "NO, NO DADDY PLEASE, NO, ANYTHING BUT THAT." She dropped to her knees, putting her hands around each side of her head. "NOOOOOOOO!!!" Her head popped up. "Wait... that means you really are--" she pouted. "What's up with the new appearance? Why is Riley here?" She looked to from Aether, to Riley, then back to Aether. Oh. "N-n-no. You can't do this to me! You can't do this to me, daddy!" She looked back at Riley, and walked over to Aether so she could whisper in his ear. "She's out to get me. You can't do this. Phantom Cloak destroyed Griffin Wing!" She told him in hushed intensity. She threw back her head again, clutching the sides of her head. "No! God! My life will be a living hell!"

" "

[Eternal Mage, Aether.]

Riley is not all that comfortable in having jacket being taken, so the Butler doesn't push the subject any further with her. Not that I blame Riley, me and Sakura were practically screaming at each other. So, everything is going downhill for me already, great! Alright, I need to make this up somehow, but I'm not sure how.
 
After I reference over an orange incident and Sakura believes me, although, she begins to barrage me with questions. Additionally, she tells me Phantom Cloak attacked Griffin Wing. I'm completely aware of the attack. If I was around Phantom Cloak at the time, I would have been involved in the attack. I doubt Sakura was part of the attack, and I need to get her out of Phantom Cloak, somehow.  
 
First, I need to take care of Sakura and make ease the tension in the air whiles also getting everyone more comfortable. I pat Sakura and let out a soft sigh. “We'll clear the air, but first you should apologize to Riley,” I said to Sakura referring to the fact she tried to attack Riley.  
 
Riley comments that I should expect Sakura to show up any time since she's my daughter. I nod to her, but the situation is not simple. I'm Sakura father, but it's not something that's easy to explain. “It's not facile to explain, but it's something we need to discuss,” I said nodding to myself. “I'll explain it over dinner with three of us,” I said in more of a statement than a question.  
 
Originally, I was going to make something between us two, but with Sakura here it's a meal of three. I already created the dessert made and put up. I'll keep the meal on the light side so everyone has room for cake. I gaze at the two girls and say, "I'm going to make food and let you two catch up with each other.” I head towards the kitchen and begin cooking.   

[Merc]

For some reason or another Sakura was screaming about her life becoming a living hell, though Riley wasn't sure where it really came from. The two had a quiet conversation that wasn't meant for her ears, so perhaps it had something to do with that? Honestly, she wasn't sure, but she suddenly felt very uncomfortable once more.

Scratching at her cheek with a single finger, she was surprised when Aether suddenly took charge, flat out telling the two of them what they were going to do. With a bit of a tilted head Riley started after him as he suddenly disappeared, leaving her alone with Sakura so that he could prepare dinner. What exactly was his purpose for calling her all the way to another city?

 Well, maybe she kinda sorta knew deep down, and just didn't want to admit it. Remaining blissfully ignorant to such things made it a lot easier to deal with.

 Falling into silence for a few long moments, she squinted her eyes slightly. "Did he just... invite me over to his house and abandon me?" She quietly asked herself, brow arched. Bringing her hands to her hips, she heaved a sigh. "He invited me over to his house and abandoned me." She murmured, wondering what on earth he expected her to do. She didn't really mind talking to Sakura, rather she assumed the girl didn't want anything to do with her, all things considered.

Still, she should probably try to make the best of it, it was probably a pretty awkward situation for Sakura to be in as well.

"Well. How have the last three years treated you, Sakura?" She slowly asked, turning herself to face the other female more so. Her hands fell away from her hips and she eventually wandered to sit in a nearby chair, finding herself to idly to just be standing around. "Mn, I assume Battler probably already met with you..."

[Noire Strife]

Apologize to Riley? Apologize to her for what!? For barging into SAKURA'S home, on SAKURA'S property, during SAKURA'S time back? That good for nothing, arrogant, blasphemic-- "I'm sorry for being mean to you." Sakura frowned softly, tears almost gathering in her eyes. "When I thought daddy was hurt, I just-- I just, couldn't bear the thought of it." She sniffled a little, even dabbing a fake tear with a handkerchief she had pulled out of god knows where. She kept the act up until Aether turned his back to go into the kitchen, and then she stuck her tongue out at Riley. All of her fear for the other mage was gone now. She walked right up to her with a large smile on her face. "No, no, he's just going to make dinn--" Sakura stopped, looking surprised and shaking her head. "I mean! Yes, he left you. Dad left you. We left you. You should leave too." She crossed her arms over her chest and nodded, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "That dinner was all a ploy! He's really just telling you to leave. Lets just go now! Dad only wants to spend time with me >D" She walked over to the front door and opened it, gesturing to the outside with a wide grin on her face. "My meeting with Battler was rather... eventful." She thought for a moment, remembering how he had almost killed her. "Ah, well, my - I mean, my dad and I - 's time with Phantom Cloak has been treating us very well, thank you for asking." She nodded. It was a complete lie. Sakura and Aether might have been with Phantom Cloak in name, but they never actually participated in any guild events. Sakura gestured out the door again. "Now, as you see, this was just a thank-you for letting Aether into the guild. You may leave now."

" "

[Eternal Mage, Aether.]

I place on a rosy color apron around me, and I glimpse the cooking tools the staff prepared for me in advanced. I hope the two of them are getting along, I thought to myself. Riley won't be a dilemma, but Sakura is a headache of her own. When I left, there's signs of her behaving, but the girl is a first-class actor when she's desires. I'm excellent at detecting lies, but I'm thinking since Sakura was once in Griffin Wing, her and Riley will get along famously.  

I turn the dial to start the stove, and I put the cast-iron skillet above the stove fire. I start heating the skillet on a medium level. I grab some olive oil and begin to coat the skillet. I grab some onions, garlic, and a number of bell peppers to pan. I'm cooking them for a few minutes while stirring occasionally. I add in wine to bring a boil, once the liquid is evaporated, I'm scrapping the pan to loosen the bits and stir in a tiny amount of teaspoon black pepper and teaspoon salt. 
 
 
I place down the steaks in the pan, and they create a sizzling sound. I'm nearly drooling over myself as I imagine eating. Riley and Sakura should enjoy the dinner I'm making them, although, this supposedly a dinner for two and create a romantic setting ask I ask Riley out. Now Sakura is here; I need to make the best of everything. I begin whistling “I'm walking on sunshine” to myself while doing a short dance. In the worst-case scenario, I know a way to distract Sakura for a small period of time. Inside the fridge, is a special sweet dessert. No person with a sugary tooth can't resist it! However, the surprise is a double edge sword, but will do the trick!   

[Merc]

Riley had damn near fallen for Sakura's acting when the girl broke out of character to begin acting like a brat. Making a mental note to not let herself fall into such a trap again, green eyes slowly danced, thoughtfully looking over the other female as she suddenly got the nerve to walk up to her wearing a shit eating grin.

Sakura really wanted her to leave, that much was plainly obvious to Riley, but she couldn't fathom why the girl was so desperate to get her out the door. She had a sparse few encounters with the girl and she couldn't recall any of them going amiss. Where was the hostility coming from? Was she just jealous that Riley was taking up Aether's time?

The thought was promptly dismissed when Sakura just had to bring up Phantom Cloak and make a suggestions that quite honestly made her blood boil in a very obvious manner.

A great tension filled the air, the pressure of Riley's magical power bearing down on the room in a suffocating blanket that seemed to weigh down on anyone affected by it, capable of bringing lesser mages to their knees and most certainly causing any regular humans to hit the floor without much hope of prying themselves up until the mood passed. Her hair whipped around her face slightly, though she seemed to not notice the unconscious leaking of her power as she addressed the brat in front of her.

"I'm sure you're not suggesting you rejoined Shark Fang - Phantom Cloak - while I was absent. I'm sure you wouldn't be foolish enough to tell me that you, you who are responsible for me not being around to protect my guild, had the gall to not only return to such a miserable pile of trash but to turn around and bring it up to me in polite conversation. You wouldn't dare be so brazen, would you, dear?" Leaning down slightly, her green eyes were narrowed to mere slits as she gazed upon Sakura, the magical aura growing increasingly hostile, heavy.

"I think you'll find I'm not quite the person I was three years ago. Unless you want to tempt your fate I'd suggest never saying such foolish things in my presence again, or there will be... certain ramifications..."

[Noire Strife]

Sakura gave a small tch. Riley was certainly correct. She was not the woman she was three years ago, but then again, neither was Sakura. "I had nothing to do with your disappearance," Sakura stated. She tilted her head to one side. Riley had caught her attention now. "And I left Griffin Wing before you disappeared. You need to get your story straight, because I am not going to be held responsible for your actions." She closed the door. Riley had become quite interesting, now. "I also had nothing to do with the destruction of your guild. You must be wondering why I am so hostile towards you, but I am also wondering why you want to pin all of your problems on me." The air had grown stale. Sakura yawned. "And plug that leaking power of yours. It's obnoxious. I'm not here to fight you." She clicked her tongue. "Mind you, I live here. I have every right to be here. And I doubt Dad would be too happy to find me beaten to a pulp." She gave another short Tch. "But by the way he's been acting, maybe he would." She looked away then, this time real hurt showing in her eyes. She quickly hid it. "Yes, I am in Phantom Cloak, or Shark Fang, whatever you want to call it. I renamed it after my sister named me temporary guild master in her stead. I have familial ties in Phantom Cloak." She looked towards the kitchen. Aether had just left, but it seemed like he had been gone forever. "I left the Phantom Cloak's guild hall a while ago, after meeting up with Reika and this blonde-haired freak. I haven't heard anything since." She shrugged. "You can choose your friends but you can't choose your family." Sakura stopped for a moment. Why was she telling Riley all about this? Why was she even allowing her to stay in the house? Sakura shook her head at herself. She was too weak, too soft. Ender, at least, had been right about that. She stopped leaning against the wall and uncurled her arms from around her chest. For now, at least, it seemed that she was not going to be hostile anymore. Instead, she resigned herself to a sigh, and started walking towards the kitchen. "Indeed, you can't choose your family..." she mumbled, casting a sideways glance at Riley as she passed by.

" "