#off screen but Time is trying to “fix” his hair while Twilight is ragging on his uncle for caring too much about impressing her lol

[luimagines]

(Mafia imagine: a visitor)

Warrior head to wild's kitchen were wild is making lunches since some of the chain members will be leaving soon but Warrior knock on the doorflame to not trigger wild.

Warrior: wild do you mind to make a cake?

Wild look confused turn to look at Warrior with a look of why on his face.

Warrior: we discovered that the kid birthday was yesterday and their eight now.

Wild still have a look but open his mouth.

Wild: question is what type of cake?

Warrior: I don't know just make a cake?

Wild shrugs and hand warrior his lunch and get to work on making the cake as warrior check on the members and inform them too.

Blind nap for a good hour as poor sky, hyrule look everywhere for blind and hyrule sisters fairies are not helping since they're mad at hyrule for keeping the child to himself. Blind wake up and yawn rub their eyes as sky walk through the bushes to see them and ran over to pick them up.

Sky: blind! Don't ran off again!

Blind blink blindly at sky and reach their hands to him as in asking him for a hug cutesy. Sky sign and hug them as hyrule ran over to sky as blind goes back to sleep on sky during the hug but wind ran in the garden to call for hyrule and sky in a loud voice.

Wind: hyrule,sky!!? If you have blind go hide. The shadow queen is here!!!

@thesoftieanon

The two of them both straighten like a rod and nod.

The child rubs their eyes sleepily. they're not fully awake yet as Sky and Hyrule rush through the building to find a place to hide the kid.

"Who's that?" The child asks after they yawn.

Sky bite his lip. "Some one very scary and very powerful. We need to be on her good side."

The child grunt. "Wild said queen."

"Yes, that's what she goes by." Hyrule replies in a hushed voice checking if any of their rooms were messy enough to hide a child no problem.

The child frowns. "If she's a queen, then why is she scary?"

"Only when she's angry." Sky answers uneasily. "Which might happen today- so you don't need to see that."

"Oh."

[fiercedeitylink-x-linkeduniverse]

Chapter 4: Injuries and Nightmares: Part 2

ANGST AND BLOOD WARNING! 

Time watched as Hyrule struggled to keep Fierce alive. His breath hitched in his chest as Fierce gave a weak cry of pain. Wild whipped out his slate and swiped furiously.

"I can teleport him to Zora's Domain! They can save him!"

"Do it!" Hyrule cried out in desperation. Wild raced forward and Hyrule grabbed his pant leg and in a flash of blue light, they were gone.

Wild's POV

"SIDON  HELP!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. Fierce choked on his own blood, his face pale as a sheet. Hyrule grimaced but didn't say anything, being too focused on saving Fierce. Sidon came charging in with several guards behind him.

"Link! Dear goddesses! Give him to me, I will take him to healers immediately!" Sidon gently picked up the wounded Fierce, who let out a sharp cry of agony.

"I'm sorry, but this is necessary." Sidon apologized before racing off. I fell to my knees and tears poured down my face. A Zora placed a hand on my shoulder. It was Bazz.

"He'll be okay, we have the best healers in all of Hyrule." He comforted me and pulled me to my feet. I swiped at my tears and sucked in a deep breath.

 "Yeah, you're right. I'll go get the others. 'Rule do you wanna come with me?" I questioned. Hyrule shook his head no.

"I want to stay and help their healers," His voice was quiet but there was a fierce determination in his voice and eyes.

 "I will take you to the healers, follow me." Bazz ran off with Hyrule hot on his heels. I picked my slate where I had dropped it and tapped on the screen. I shifted through the map until I found the shrine by the stable where we were staying at.

Hyrule's POV

Bazz opened the door and I sprinted in. Fierce needed me. Fierce hadn't been here long, but he was family. He didn't talk much about his journey but I can tell it's taken a toll on him. I wanted to talk to him about it, but he went exploring with Wind...

"Ah, you must be Hyrule!" Sidon beamed his white fangs at me.

"Where-"

"He's over there! Link will need space for you and your company." He walked away and I hurried over to where the healers were. Fierce was barely conscious and heaving, trying to draw a proper breath. His tunic had been removed and I could see his scars. There were multiple but the one that caught my eye was one caused by magic. It was an odd burn, almost like someone had placed a fire rod directly on his skin.

"Most of the ribs on the right side are either broken or cracked. Not to mention the puncture wounds." One of the healers fretted as she grabbed supplies. I walked over to Fierce whose face had gotten even paler.

 "Hey Fierce, it's me Hyrule," I whispered and grabbed his left hand. His eyes filled with tears and they spilled down his cheeks. I flinched before squeezing his hand. I want to help them heal Fiercebut he needs me to stay put. I'll stay here for him. He saved Wind, it's the least I can do. 

Legend's POV

I yanked Fierce's sword out of the ground and started cleaning it. Warriors, Twilight, and Time were talking in low voices, making sure that no one would hear them. I narrowed my eyes at them but quit when Four stumbled over.

"My head hurts," He whined rubbing his head vigorously. 

"Wild?" I asked startled. He was covered in Fierce's blood and didn't look happy.

"He's going to be okay, Hyrule stayed behind to help. I need everyone to pack up, we're staying at Zora's domain. Wind can get checked by the healers there." There was no arguing with Wild, the ferocity in his eyes was not to be reckoned with. 

"Alright then, I'll finish this up. Otherwise, I'm ready to go," I replied. Four winced and nodded his head.

"I'm ready too, just can't carry anything. I'll pass out if I bend over." Wild nodded and went to tell the others. I wiped the last bit of the blood off the sword and watched as the trio walked over. Time's face was pale but the others looked grim and somber. 

"Can see his sword?" Time asked his voice raspy. I blinked in surprise before handing it over.

"This is the same sword, then?" Twilight questioned.

"Yes, it is, I've seen it on the battlefield." Warriors replied as Time handed it back to me.

"What is going on?" Four questioned his eyes turning violet.

"I think Fierce is lying to us," Warriors spoke up first.

"We don't know that! He just joined yesterday!" Snapped Twilight.

"He could've explained that he's-" 

"Shut up!" I snarled. Fierce wasn't here and Warriors and was making assumptions about him.

"What do you think you're doing?!" Four snapped his eyes turning blue.

"He has some answering to do, alright? That sword-"

"You can't interrogate someone because of a SWORD! He saved Wind, that's all that matters. SO SHUT UP!" I roared the last bit, literally shaking with rage. Warriors flinched and took a step back. 

"They're right. We can't assume anything. We can talk to him when he's healed," Time's tone left no room for arguing.

Sky's POV

After we arrived in Zora's domain I was quick to get Wind to a healer. He was promptly taken care of. What I didn't expect was to hear someone scream in agony. I yelped. I raced over to where I had heard it before I realized it was Fierce. I felt my blood drain from my face. I walked over to the others who had gone pale.

"Broken ribs," Sidon clucked his tongue in sympathy. 

"Not an easy fix. You have to relocate them with magic so they can heal properly. But it's incredibly painful," Sidon shook his head sadly. 

"Will he be alright?" I asked concerned.

"With healing and time, he should be." He responded before walking away. I swallowed the lump in my throat. Wild had changed out of his tunic so he could clean it. He was currently scrubbing it, soap suds flying everywhere. 

"All we can do is wait and pray," I whispered. Everyone nodded their heads and went to the hotel. I sucked in a deep breath. 

"Fi, everything you told me is true. But will he survive?" I whispered. Fi chimed softly. 

"I believe you, " 

Hyrule's POV

I gently wrapped a bandage around his chest and he whined loudly in pain. 

"I know it hurts Fierce, I'm almost done." I gave it one last tug and laid him back down on the bed.

"I have some medicine to take away some of the pain. You'll be able to sleep with no pain." The healer spoke softly and Fierce only moaned in response. His throat was sore from screaming as they relocated his broken bones. 

"I'll give it to him, don't worry." I took the vial propped his head up.

"Drink this," I whispered. He whined before drinking the whole. I stayed until he fell asleep. I picked up a rag and walked out of the room. It didn't take long for me to find everyone at the inn. They were arguing about Fierce. 

"We can't wait too long,"

"Yes, you will wait!" I snapped. The whole room went silent. 

"He... He almost... Died! Leave him alone until he's healed! I may be a healer, but I'll terminate you if I have to!" I snapped tears falling down my face. The rag had Fierce's blood on it. I wiped the rest of it off and stalked off so I could cry.  

Legend's POV

I woke to the sound of someone sobbing. It was Wild, he was sobbing in his sleep. I grunted and shook him.

"Hey, wake up. It's just a nightmare, Wild," I whispered. Wild jolted upright. He gasped loudly and attempted to calm himself down. 

"I screwed up Legend. It's all my fault." Wild choked as he wiped away his tears. I laid my hand on his shoulder.

"No, it's not your fault. Dark Link summoned those monsters, not you. Don't blame yourself for something that was out of your hands." I replied while squeezing his shoulder.

"Now, go back to sleep. Fierce is going to be okay. I mean, Wind's okay? Right?" I asked and he nodded his head weakly before laying back down. I sighed before going back to bed.

Time's POV 

I couldn't sleep. The sword brought back so many bad memories. Fierce wielded that blade. Used that magic was similar to the Fierce Deity. Fierce is the Fierce Deity but he's also Link. I shook my head. Fierce's hair isn't white and he doesn't have tattoos. 

"I'm going to check on Fierce," I murmured to Four who was on watch.

"Okay," His brown eyes were filled with worry. 

"I'll let you know how he's doing,"

[icravestrawberryflavoureddeath]

Okay here it is

I was gon wait but I feel like I need to get my thoughts on EVERYTHING out before it gets too complicated.

Honerva

Alright, I was totally on board for honerva, not gonna lie. We saw her history, how she fought through it all, what I’m curious about is, it’s not really clear HOW she exactly remembered she’s honerva and not the witch haggar.

I like how we saw how she got her name but there’s so much regarding timelines and ages that just,,, fuck me up? But I mean, sometimes u have to forgive those

But the main thing was, I feel like she was the most developed character in the entire season. I almost wanted to know more about her and what she was thinking. Honestly, all and all, I wish the season was longer or more well,,, organized (something I’ll get into later).

She could step on me. She’s earned the right. Also,,, she’s kind of a snack not gon lie.

Allura

I was gon wait, BUT ITS BOTHERING ME SO MUCH.

I am in love with allura I love her I would fight for her and everything, but this season? Even I was like “okay okay, can we plz hurry up?” She was,, annoying almost? She reminded me of Veronica lodge from Riverdale if that tells you anything.

I understand that there was some sort of whining needed, but,,, it felt,,, uhhhh... yeah.

anD OKAY! Maybe she suddenly liked Lance. I’ll believe that, cuz yes, he grew up so much (something I’ll also get to) but,,, like,,, if I told allura I was in love with her, would she kiss me?? Cuz that’s what it seems like. Anyone tells her they like and she’s like “frickin spunky u tiny man” and kisses them.

She didn’t even want to go with lance originally in the epsiode, romelle, hunk, and lance had to convince her. And it was meant as a “hey my family is making dinner u wanna come?”

Here’s my thing, if they would have written some of the klance moments (yes I’m finally going there) from the past seasons, I would have been all on board!! But as a lance Stan and someone who wants nothing but lance to be happy, this season,,, hurt. Allura was hurting and she wanted to take action, but she was portrayed as,,, whinny, almost selfish(?) and I didn’t like it. Because I LIKE ALLURA! She’s a great character but was not properly used. I didn’t want the entire tension to come down to her dating life. I wanted her to heal, and not have that being her needing a relationship.

And that brings me to my next part, she was hurting. Allura just had everything she thought she knew tangled into a mess and her first reaction? Date Lance. I would have been happy with this if it wasn’t done,,, like it was. And they made their relationship,,, seem,,, I don’t know how to describe it other than,,, forced? I don’t like using that word cuz of what it has meant for this ship but,,, idk I just wish it wasn’t her trying to heal that lead her to it. I wanted her to realize that voltron was her family without having to date lance. Idk I just wanted more

Lance

Now for my boi. I love this man, he’s grown so much, I want nothing more then his happiness, but this season? He wasn’t lance. He was “alluras boyfriend” and that bothered me. Every conversation that wasn’t about the war was about allura. And I get it. U “love” ur girlfriend (of like??? 1-2 months? Max (this well come back to. Again)) but he’s more then that and I don’t think they knew how to write him as a full character on his own.

I had more hopes for lance and it kind of let me down.

He talked with friends?? Allura. He wanted to go somewhere?? Allura. He wanted to- allura. He wasn’t lance, he was alluras boyfriend.

And don’t get me started in the paladins of old “my daughter” bull shit. I rolled my eyes so hard at that.

They wanted to makeup for seasons of rudeness within one season. And it was messy

Also,, WHY IS HE NOW ALTEAN?????? I’m sorry but it’s really strange.

Keith

I would talk about Keith but HE WAS JIST SHOUTING FORM VOLTRON AND THE. YEETING OUT. WTF

Like honestly, there was a lot I wanted to be covered, shit like the Bayard thing with lance, opening up more, more about his time with his mom but what did we get?? Just one note Keith (until lance which we’ll get to. I say that a lot).

Also someone get that boy a haircut

Speaking of haircuts - Matt and Pidge

This is a small list so their gonna be together.

HEWWO?? pidges hair in the beginning and her as the 80s pidge?? I loved that!! She honestly was one of my favourites this season.

Also MATHMATICS HOLT WTF U DOIN WITH THAT HAIR??! U cut off the locks of peRFECTION!

No but seriously, I wish there was more Mathew but that family picture and small scenes were amazing, I was just so happy with everything with pidge and Matt and I cry

Kinkade and the others

I say others cuz it’s background characters. But kinkade and his video? I cried the entire time for no reason other then I love that man.

Acxa was amazingly perfect to join the rag tag group of background characters. Veronica and acxa? Gay. Veronica has strong bi energy like lance and I wanted her and acxa to just get together.

James and kinkade? Gay. That’s it

LESBEENS!!!

Ships

U knew it was comin! I’ll make separate posts about the ships all together later (if I do) but seriously, voltron was like “fuck you and your grandma. Shut the fuck up” and then through a brick at us.

Also, they straight up said (multiple times) that lance allura and Keith were a love triangle. Like bitch???

And while allurance was kind of shitty and very in your face, she still kind of spoke down to him??

And like, the only two times lance and Keith spoke it was so soft and wholesome and,,, that’s why I ship klance???

He helped him with alluras death and DAMN they really did that huh?

I had a theory that klance was supposed to happen, but somewhere along the line they said “yeah, no” and had to rewrite it and allurance was the only way to go and that would explain a lot. It wasn’t a ship planned. It was thrown together like a collage students essay two hours before the deadline. U can tell they tried, just not enough.

Shiros man btw was is clear day date and that’s some cute shit

Plot

I wish they would have converted the honerva story line in the previous seasons so it wasn’t so,,, jumbled.

There were parts were I would zone out for a second and get so lost on the plot and who everyone was

Also thicc voltron/atlas was kinda,,, strange,, but I mean, when you meant to kill shiro and now u have him for the last season, u just hot glue that bitch to the final season script.

It was everywhere and no where at once. I felt like I was about to start watching fucking twilight in space at that point.

They called back a lot of old plot points but some had me going “whomest the fuck is u?” And some made me happy.

I wanted lowhore to come back officially not gon lie.

I WANTED THE BIG LANCE AND KEITH FIGHT SO BAD AND I WAS ROBBED

there’s so many problems with this season that would have been fixed with proper editing and timing

Conclusion

It felt like they started a story and knew what they wanted. But got half way and realized it wouldn’t work. They had to try and create a different ending with what they had made and this was the result. Messy, strange, and kind of hard to follow. There were times when animation fell flat ( that one screen shot of Veronica’s face real close up when her and acxa spoke) and times when, it felt like fan service (for who? Who knows). It would have been better if the show was episodic and not every four months a new season came out. It was rushed for released and it showed in the quality.

I wish it would have been better, everything we wanted, but that never was on option and we should have been prepared for that. But what can u do.

[voyages-extraordinaires]

C:R ~VE~ Chapter 40

It’s about 13,000 km from Argentina to the Arctic, which means that we’ll be on this blimp for over four days.

When Cardia told me this, I felt my stomach sink so far it could’ve hit my spine.

She responds by giving me one of her brilliant smiles and helping me stand up.

“Come on,” she says. “You can’t see the land anymore.”

Shame swells through me as I cling to Cardia’s side and hobble towards the promenade windows.

“Not bad, nooooot bad...” Nemo beams as I hesitantly look out the window. “The last time you faced a view like this, you had to be carried!”

Barbicane looks at Nemo and runs a hand through his hair. “Still don’t know how you managed that one.”

Nemo pouts. “Ohhhh, ye engineer of little faaaaaaaaaaaaith! I was spurred on by a magnificent loooove power!”

Ned quickly walks over and lifts one of Nemo’s arms. “Love power can’t fix skinny-ass arms.” 

“Ohhh... that is truuuue...”

A wide smile cuts Nemo’s face as he uses his free hand to point a pistol against the harpooner’s nose. “But love power aaaaalso can’t fix a hole in the face, Mr. Land.”

“Woah woah woah!” Barbicane waves his hands and walks over, slapping Ned’s hand away from Nemo’s arm and Nemo’s gun away from Ned’s face. “Ned, hands to yourself. Nemo, where the hell were you even hiding that?!”

“Impeeeey Barbicane, a word to the wiiiise... you should have at least one gun and one bomb on your person at all times.”

“AT LEAST?!” Barbicane’s face goes pale as he begins patting down his friend.

Nemo just stands there, slumped and smiling as Barbicane begins removing several explosives from Nemo’s coat pockets.

To be honest, I’m only half-listening as all of this is going on. My eyes are captured by the sea stretching out beneath the ship from horizon to horizon. It’s a rough sea topped with white froth, its churning mesmerizing me and making me forget where I am. No matter where you view it from, the ocean is the same expanse.

It makes me relax, just a bit.

Barbicane takes a step back from the impressive pile of weaponry on the floor. Other than the aforementioned bombs (shrapnel, tear, and sleeping) and pistols, there are knives, box cutters, syringes, and vials of god-only-knows what. There’s even a small crossbow that looks like a prototype of some kind or another.

Nemo glances down at the pile, mumbling to himself as he counts everything up.

“Hmmm~ very thorough, Impeeey... but you’ve missed a few...” Nemo slowly lifts his goggles up and gives Barbicane a wink. “Care to look a little clooooser~?”

Barbicane shudders. “I think I’ll leave the ultra-invasive search to Polly-chan, thanks! Just lay off on the whole aggressive bit, won’t you? That goes for you, too, Ned... Ned?”

Ned Land is staring at Nemo’s face, his jaw slack and eyes wide.

“Oh,” Cardia smiles sympathetically. “I guess that was his first time seeing it.”

“Hrm?” Nemo peers from Cardia to Ned. “Seeing what?”

“In... Incredible...” Ned can barely form words. “I never... woulda believed it...”

Nemo tilts his head and sighs when he notices that Ned’s staring at his face. He rolls his eyes before putting his goggles back in place and muttering with a click of his tongue: “Paaaatheeeetic.”

---

The door finally clicks open after a few hours and we’re allowed to explore. The three men stick together like schoolyard chums, excitedly poring over every gear and wire that they come across. Cardia is kind enough to stay by me, teaching me the ins and outs of airship flight in a language I can understand.

But at night, Nemo always comes back to me without fail. He takes me to one of the viewing decks and we spend a long time talking about aerial navigation. He looks so happy, I can’t help but feel guilty whenever I cling to his arm at the ship’s movement.

... It doesn’t look like he minds too much, though, even when he has to steady me as we go back to our cabin. In fact, he looks downright gleeful...

I always try to stay up as long as I can, but the basic need for sleep eventually wins out over my fear, and I let myself be relaxed by Nemo’s excited humming and murmuring as he strokes my hair.

He’s always gone when I wake up, but I’m used to it by now. When it comes to airships, I don’t think the man ever sleeps!

---

My mood has improved considerably by the time the fourth day comes. It’s funny, most people would be afraid to be so far away from land and all terrestrial assistance, but I feel much better above the water. I know it sounds backwards, but I’m not questioning it. It’s nice not to feel nauseated for once.

“Say, have you noticed?” Cardia takes a step closer to me as we walk along one of the interior hallways of the airship. “The crew members have changed their uniforms.”

I take a closer look at the men walking past us. Cardia’s right, they’ve changed from plain jumpsuits into long white coats with fur-trimmed collars. They would blend perfectly into the snow, but they’re bright aliens against the metal of the ship. The eeriest piece of their uniform, though, are the circular masks they wear. With solid black eyes and flat, narrow beaks I can’t help but think of owls.

Cardia and I instinctively move closer to each other, even though the crew doesn’t even look our way.

When I look over at Cardia, her lips are drawn thin in worry.

“Cardia?”

She jumps in surprise before giving me a smile. “Sorry about that.”

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

Cardia shakes her head and looks around. “Being on an airship like this, surrounded by men in masks... I guess it just reminds me a bit of Twilight.”

I can’t imagine what it must have been like for her, or what support I could possibly give, so I simply reach over and squeeze her hand.

Somewhere in the background, I register what sounds like... a stampede?

“Oh, don’t worry about me,” Cardia shakes her head before patting my hand. “Really.”

“But...”

The noise is getting louder, and by the time I realize what it is, Nemo has already bounded in and thrown his arms around both Cardia and myself.

“Noooooooooo no no! That simply woooooooooon’t do!” he rubs his cheek against the wide-eyed Cardia’s. “This airship flies...”

Cardia gurgles helplessly as Nemo pulls her tighter against him and gives an enthusiastic thumbs up. “... On the wiiiiiiiiiiiiiind of friiiiiiieeeeendshiiiiiiiiiip!! So you’ll never, ever, eeeeeeeeeeever have to feel loneeeeeeeely!”

Nemo pulls away and puts his hands on Cardia’s shoulders-- she’s been yanked around so much by this point that she looks more like a rag doll than anything.

“The one similaaaarity between this place and Twilight Heaaaadquarters... is that in both places... your beloved, darling big brother is aaaaalways there to proteeeeect you!” Nemo beams.

Cardia slowly looks up at him and speaks in a deadpan expression. “Didn’t my ‘beloved, darling big brother’ perform experiments on me all the time back then...?”

Nemo ignores Cardia and yanks down the front of her cap playfully before turning to me. “And how are you handling things, myyyy deaaaar~? This cool beauty of an airship is quite smoooooth, isn’t she?”

I smile up at him. “You’re in a good mood, Nemo.”

“I’m in my eeeeeeeelement!” Nemo throws his arms into the air triumphantly. “At last, at last, at laaaaaaaaaaast I am back in the sky where I belong!! The sky is my home, much like the sea is yours!”

Before I realize it, he’s grabbed my hands and has spun me around like we’re on a playground. I’m not expecting it, and laughter bursts out of me before I can stop myself.

“Mmmnnnn~” Nemo puts his cheek on my hands and looks at me pleadingly. “Come to the bridge with me, woooon’t you?

“The bridge?”

Nemo nods.

“The bridge, where... this thing is piloted?”

Nemo’s still nodding.

“Where there’s... very big windows for maximum visibility and gauges showing exactly how high up in the air we are and... how fast we’re going... and...”

My sentence dies on my dry tongue as Nemo nods so hard that I’m afraid his goggles will fall off.

But before the chill can set into my body, Nemo wraps his thin arms around me and cradles me to his chest. He’s so warm and his excitement is so... it’s strange to say it, but it’s so... pure. His love for these ships is unsullied by the hate and bitterness that seeps into so many of his fancies.

He looks so happy.

“... All right, I’ll go with you.” I rest my cheek against his shoulder and sigh, trying to release the fear burrowing inside of me.

Nemo squeezes me tight and happily sways from one foot to the other while humming delightedly. “My cute, brave professooooooor--! I love you--!!” He releases me enough so that we can walk side by side, his arm wrapped around my waist so I couldn’t leave even if I wanted to.

“Oh, Cardia--!” I turn around to look at her.

“You two go on ahead,” she smiles sympathetically at me. “I think I’ll pass this time.”

I worriedly look at her as Nemo draws me away, and she replies with a friendly wave.

If I die from sheer terror, I’m blaming her.

...

It seems strange, given the situation we’re in, but it’s nice walking with him. I can pretend that we’re just a normal couple taking an afternoon stroll instead of flying thousands of feet in the air straight into the clutches of our enemy.

I thread my arm around his waist so we’re mirroring each other, and he responds by giving my head an affectionate kiss.

When we pass the large windows, I try my best to stare at the floor and concentrate on the sound of our boots hitting metal. It works surprisingly well. Soon the hallway opens up into a gargantuan space that, judging from Nemo’s happy dance, can only be the bridge. I’m surprised by how many of the mechanisms I recognize thanks to Cardia’s lessons, so I know exactly which screens NOT to look at. I really, really don’t want to know how high we are.

“Oh-hooooo!” Nemo scrambles back over to me and watches me examine the ballonet gauges. “I’m not too surprised you ‘dove’ over here, my little submarineeeer~!”

I give him a smile. “Cardia said that this would interest me, since it’s so similar to the ballast tanks of the Harper.”

“Airships and submarines do have to control their buoyancy in similar manners... hmm... I must say myyyyy sisteeeeer does have a good head for engineeeeeering... if oooonly I had gotten hold of her sooner, I miiiiight have steered her along the same scientific path as senseeeeeeiii...”

Nemo sniffs sadly, so I pat a hand on his arm to distract him. “Don’t you think she’d look cute in a white lab coat?”

Nemo quickly looks over at me, and I can see his eyes shining behind his goggles. “Mmm--! She’d look so preeeeecious, an angel of science just like Impeeeeey Barbicane says!”

I’m pretty sure Barbicane has never called Cardia an angel “of science” specifically, but Nemo looks so happy about his ‘little sister’ that I won’t correct him.

“Hmm, but he isn’t the ooooonly one with an angel of science...” Nemo thumps my nose with the tip of his finger. “I bet you looked lovely in your white coat back at your univeeeersity...”

I look back at the ballonet gauges, smiling rather coquettishly as Nemo leans in and runs his lips over my earlobe. “Peeeersonally... I think black would suit you better.... fwee hee hee... we’d maaaatch...”

Nemo can barely take my earlobe between his teeth before we hear someone clear their throat.

“Pardon the interruption, Nemo-kun.”

My happy, teasing expression is drained immediately when I heard those words-- that voice.

I pull myself away from Nemo to look at him, at that man standing there with a warm smile, like an old friend dropping in for tea.

“Aleister!”