#zera cassia

[kalolasart]

Zera Cassia - New botanist at the Clover Jeager Base

Illustration for Black Clover Pacific Rim AU - At world's end

Zera belongs to @lyranova, who's writing her story for this fic 💚

[thoughtfullyrainynightmare]

Was inspired by Lola's Bunny Helena

So, I got a bit carried away and did some of my friends' OCs as Bunnies as well ^^

Solara is mine

Josele belongs to @loosesodamarble

Neva and Zera belong to @lyranova

Acylla belong to @faewraithsworld

Briar belongs to @koneko-pi

[loosesodamarble]

The wives of the various captains and vice captains are going to have a nice evening out together. Josele needs a bit of help.

Josele, via communication device: Could you ladies pick out my outfit tonight? I'm running late with all these errands and I'm a little indecisive about what I wear so I don't want to waste more time than necessary.

Zera: Oh don't worry, Joey. We'll pick something divine for you.

Josele: Thank you! Just make sure to go into the left closet of my room.

Zera: Left closet, is that right?

Josele: Right.

Zera: Right! (hangs up) Alright, girls, let's pick out Josele's outfit for a night on the town.

Charlotte: I'm surprised that Josele of all people would need two closets in her room.

Solara: She did mention Morgen gifting her lots of clothes back in the day...

Briar: Hmmm... Why do I get the feeling that there's another reason? (shakes her head) So which closet were we to open?

Zera: The... the right one?

Kathline: Right, got it. (opens the right closet)

Behind the closet doors is a room of weapons of every sort, haphazardly tilted and leaning against each other.

The ladies: (stare in shock and slight fear)

Solara: One wrong move and it might all come down. Let's just carefully-

Kathline: ACHOO!

The weapons come tumbling out.

Ladies: (scream and scramble out of the way)

After everything has fallen out, Magna and Luck come stumbling out.

Magna: Hey, thanks for getting us out of there! We kinda knocked everything over, blocking the door..

Luck: But now we're free!

Ladies: You're welcome?

Charlotte: Someone call Josele to let her know she can take her time coming home.

…..

Josele and Kathline are my ocs.

Zera is @lyranova’s oc.

Solara is @thoughtfullyrainynightmare’s oc.

Briar is @koneko-pi’s oc.

[marune2]

Gabriel silver and Zera cassia: god forbidden them the kitchen

Zera cassia is @lyranova oc

—————————-

Zera:are you sure food can move?

Gabriel:hm I’m not sure we’ll did. we even put tentacles in it?

Zera:I believe ur food live….

Gabriel:well I don’t believe tomato souse should looking like this………

————————-

Whit William

Mimosa:uh sir something horrible happened „looking nervous

William alarmed :what is

Mimosa:uh Gabriel and you wife are cooking…..

William standing up and running to the kitchen ok he’s wife is not mate for the kitchen and Gabriel? He don’t know……….

Mad he came on see he a Gabriel feeding a creature in a looking pot

William:what happened and what is this?!

Zera:uh we try to cooking….Gabriel wanted to make something for father day…….from us all…..

Gabriel:well now it’s didn’t go as planned but hey we have a pet now say hello to mr.puffy“pointing to the creature in the pot

Zera:well this whas a tomato souse we have no idea how it looks like this how it looks we didn’t even put octopus in it or something like this……..

William:…….

William:thank your but the kitchen is nothing for your tow now I will letting take yuno taking care of mr‘puffy

After this day is it we’ll known NEVER let Gabriel whit William’s wife together in the kitchen NEVER

[kalolasfantasyworld]

William's birthday cake

Zera is @lyranova's OC

Zera: We're baking a birthday cake for William

Helena: Chika you realise that you've called the worst possible person to help you with this job? 

Zera: We have a recipe.

Helena: Recipe... Okay we should try it. If we brainstorm on it we can probably bake a cake.

Zera: Right? What is it for us?

Half an hour later 

Zera: How is it that we have more flour on our clothes than in that bowl?

Helena: It's fine. We're making progress. At least all of the eggs are in there. 

Zera: All of them?

Helena: Yes..?

Zera: And we were supposed to add only three...

Helena: ...

Helena: It's an eggcake! You know like a cheesecake just with eggs!

Zera: ...

Helena: Okay, bad joke I get it.

Another half an hour passed.

Zera: Let's put it in the oven.

Helena: You know how to turn that thing on?

Zera: I've seen William do it. You set the temperature, put the cake in and then wait.

Helena: Sounds easy. 

They wait

Helena: Is it ready?

Zera: It's brownish... I think it is.

Helena: We've waited long enough. Surely cakes can't take that long to be ready. 

Zera: You're right! Let's take it out.

Helena: It's probably hot. You should put your gloves on. 

Zera: Got them.

Looking at the cake

Zera: I don't think it should have flopped like that. 

Helena: It resembles a volcano. If we put mashed oranges in there they would look like lava.

Zera: Maybe we should give this cake to Mereoleona...

Helena: But we don't have more ingredients for William's cake. 

Zera: ... 

Zera: Bakery!

Helena: Yes! Bakery! 

The cake: Collapses. 

[acacia-may]

For the playlist ask game could I ask for a playlist for Zera please 🥺? I almost asked for Ezio or Alistar but after you asked me how to pronounce Zera’s name she’s the one I decided to ask for hehe 😁!

I hope you’re doing well 🥰🫂!

Aww thank you so much, Lyra! 🥰 I think I have mentioned before how much I absolutely adore Zera, so it's extremely flattering that you trust me enough to choose songs for her. I hope you will like the songs I have chosen. As she is your OC, I've tried to include a little bit of discussion about why I selected these songs, but, unfortunately, my health isn't in the best shape so I'm not up for too much detailed discussion at the moment, I'm afraid. Still, I tried to choose these songs thoughtfully (a lot of them have a plant theme and a few reminded me of her relationship with William), and I've included several possibilities so I hope you will find at least a few of them that you like and that you think are well-suited to her. 💕

(Oh and thank you also for answering my ask and correcting my pronunciation of her name. I was pronouncing it "Zair-ah" but then there was a character named Zera in Fairy Tail Zero and her name was pronounced "Zee-rah" and it made me think of your Zera so I thought I had better ask for clarification 😅).

Wildflowers by Tom Petty (YouTube Link) [Speaks to her strong sense of freedom, adventure, and independence. The wildflowers and the line "Run away, find you a lover. Go away somewhere all bright and new" are just bonuses😁].

Roots Before Branches by Room For Two (YouTube Link) [The refrain of this song especially reminds me of her, particularly these lines: "I gotta have roots before branches to know who I am before I know who I wanna be, and faith to take chances to live like I see a place in this world for me"]

Plant Life by Owl City (YouTube Link) [For her overall vibe as a somewhat quirky person who is unapologetically herself, who wants to live life to the fullest, and who "would rather waltz than just run through the forest." Also speaks a little to her opening herself up to love and companionship as well]

This Side of Paradise by Coyote Theory (YouTube Link) [For Her relationship with William and how they were both kind of lonely people (in a way) before they found each other by chance and built a relationship kind of based on the idea of being lonely together. Their relationship gives off that "So if you're lonely, no need to show me/if you're lonely, come be lonely with me" vibe, I think, and it's cute💕]

Grow As We Go by Ben Platt (YouTube Link) [Her relationship with William again, and them realizing they're better together and helping each other grow as people]

Thanks for playing my Mini-Playlist Ask Game! 😊

[lyranova]

When You Can’t Convince Your Husband During an Argument, Confuse Him!

—Zera Cassia’s Motto in Life

[valkavavaart]

Name one OC of yours that didn't get stolen. That's right, you can't

So, what? She stole Freddie, Satomi, Taida, Athen, Cinder, and Wren? And by extension she then took Icarus, Seraph, Ryota, Tama, August, and May.That leaves;

Abby, Ahava, Akira, Alice, Almachka, Alyse, Ameli, Amu, Anya, Apollo, Archimedes, Arduinna, Aria, Aribelle, Ashe, Astaroth, Astora, Atali, Austin, Azazel, Banquo, Bastien, Belladonna, Belus, Beni, Brittnay, Bruno, Calista, Calli, Cam, Cassia, Charun, Cherry, Chiharu, Chloe, Clark, Coco, Crece, Crystal, Cupid, Cyrus, Daemon, Daisy, Dallas, Danielle, Dari, Deidre, Deimos, Domanic, Domino, Doremi, Eden, Edgar, Effie, Efim, Elatha, Elijah, Embelis, Emilia, Eros, Evelyn, Felicity, Frey, Freyja, Haniel, Honey, Hysminai, Icarus, Ivy, Jack, Julia, Juliet, Juniper, Kaden, Kaz, Kiritsuya, Ko, Koukou, Lee, Leviathan, Libentina, Lloyd, Lucas, Lucia, Lumini, Lynna, Maho, Manami, Marx,Mason, Mathieu, Maybelle, Merrick, Miabella, Mimini, Minerva, Mint, Miu, Nero, Newt, Nirti, Ophelia, Oren, Oz, Pandora, Pattrick, Perun, Phonoi, Quinn, Raelyn, Rani, Rin, Ryuu, Saiph, Saurus, Slade, Stella, Sterling, Sugar, Syliel, Teru, Theodosia, Tsubaki, Tsukasa, Tsukuri, Vanilla, Verlo, Vii, Vinson, Warai, Waylon, Xavier, Yulian, Zac, and Zeras.

Unless I’m mistaken?

When I say I have about 200 OCs, I'm not joking. A few aren’t even listen cause they’re not on my toyhouse lol!

[thoughtfullyrainynightmare]

Ooo for the Finnish ask game, may I ask for Zera and maybe William too please Laura 🥺? Thank you 🥰💕~!

Hiya Lyra! ^^ Certainly~!

Zera:

Solista

This word is a sound. And it's specifically the sound a smaller river or a stream makes. Though it can be used to describe the sound of basically any stream of water (as in not river as a formation but anything in which water streams). I think it fits her because of her bubbly personality, how she is vocal, but she's not a ... notable person in the sense that she's not making a name for herself in a grandeur-ish manner. But she does, just as the sound, bring comfort to people. Because she can be a very reassuring presence whenever she's not a mama bear. And she moves through things and life with a smile, much like water in a stream travels. But water in a stream as also has a place, and she has found hers as well

William:

Harju

Admittedly I took a long, long time to think of a word for him, but in the end I settled onto "harju". It's a kind of a narrow body of land that reaches up, but it's... not really a mountain. So not made of rock

The "stream of land" is a harju. But it's not necessarily between bodies of water. This image is just the easiest to describe the word. I think the closest English equivalent is "esker".

And I chose this word for William, because Will is reaching for something much like the harju reaches up, and it is a narrow way, much like William has been teetering between two paths in his life. His story is greatly about not being sure which way to go, which side of the harju to choose, in a way. The way he should tumble. And in the end he couldn't choose. Which is why, as the roads usually are on harjus, he chose to stay in the middle and not choose a side.

But they're also not "grandeur" formations. They're not mountains, and not really trying to be mountains. They just are. And I think that William also doesn't try to be anything more than what he is. Though! He does try to be the better version of himself. He tries to do good as himself. But he doesn't try to be more than he is.

[loosesodamarble]

Monster Husbands AU

The couples get together for a potluck on Halloween. Oni!Yami and Charlotte bring horse meat sashimi. Merman!Nozel and Briar bring along fermented shark. Werewolf!Fuegoleon and Solara serve up blood sausage. Vampire!Nacht and Josele have with them a blood stew. Dryad!William and Zera are the only ones bringing along veggies in the form of a vegetarian casserole. ... Fuegoleon: (looks between Nacht and the blood stew) Solara: Honey, don't. Fuegoleon: (glances at Josele) Please tell me this isn't... Nacht: It's ox blood. Josele's blood is only for me, pervert. Nozel: (chokes on his drink) Fuegoleon: Excuse me!?!?!?! Briar: Oh my goodness, Fuegoleon, were you hoping it was Joey's? Josele: I'm flattered but it's like Nacht said, for him only. William, walks in with Zera: Sorry we're late, everyone! Zera: We underestimated how long the casserole would take. Charlotte: Well you're here now. Welcome. William: (sees the dishes the other men brought) WHAT ARE YOU GUYS?! ANIMALS?! Fuegoleon and Nozel: ..... Nacht: Not as much as those two but I *do* have a bat form… Yami: And this is why we don't meet up often. ..... Solara is @thoughtfullyrainynightmare's oc. Briar is @koneko-pi's oc. Zera is @lyranova's oc. Josele is my oc.

[kalolasfantasyworld]

A little late but a quick birthday doodle of your girls @lyranova. 🩷

[kalolasfantasyworld]

Long day of gardening 💚

@lyranova

Pose reference @Magical_Pouch

[marune2]

Zera and Gabriel

Summary

Zera meet Gabriel wo is a lot whit William in the last time hanging around whit him she did hear some part’s from Gabriel he run normally of if he sees her but today…..

Zera cassia is @lyranova oc

————————————————-

Zera wants to see William her love today for sure is he working today

She come then in HQ she see langris mad Murmel some curse’s about Gabriel Ah they did fight again she doesn’t know much about him all she know the boy have problems be it fighting or he’s leg’s or curse or family problems more did William don’t tell her really

As she go in the work room see she William

William:Ah love what are you doing here?“smile

Zera:I want’s to see you of course

William:what a nice surprise bu-

Then come Gabriel out of William‘s table out of nowhere

Gabriel:hey don’t you see it’s my time whit him?“glaring at her

Zera:why came you out of William‘s table? And he is my love of curse why should I ask?

Gabriel:I like to hide whit him of curse

William:now now Gabriel it’s not all bad now come you can still be here“laughing nervously

Zera:yes? It’s okay „great a possessive child whit bad bending to other just gread……..

Gabriel:hm fine you can kiss and so it’s not a big deal but I’m here…..

Zera:love?“looking at him

William laughing nervously:well Gabriel had a bad day and fight langris again so he is here now to get better

Okay she take this back whit the possessive child now it’s traumatized child

Zera:well it’s ok Gabriel I’m here too“smile

Gabriel just looking for some sec her in the eyes and nodded then

Gabriel:fine have fun captain William…..“go under the table again

William and Zera just staring at each other ok no romantic day in this room not this Gabriel care but they do……

(((I don’t know if I write you oc well Lyra but it’s funny to try fight over William😈))))

[thoughtfullyrainynightmare]

I have a brainrot

Briar belongs to @koneko-pi , Josele belongs to @loosesodamarble , Zera belongs to @lyranova and Solara belongs to yours truly

[lyranova]

The Golden Dawn Mafia AU!

William Vangeance: The King. He grew up in poverty and was mostly ignored by everyone, until eventually it was revealed to him that he is the bastard child of a major company’s CEO, and was set to inherit it. But after moving in with his father and step-mother his neglect and mistreatment only grew worse. Until eventually he ran away as a young teen and stumbled into a high class bar that was run and owned by Julius Novachrono called “The Grey Deer”, and Julius took him under his wing (along with Morgen Faust, Yami Sukehiro, and Marx Francois) and eventually showed him his true business before helping him establish his own “Mafia Family”.

Zera Cassia: The Queen. She is the youngest child and only daughter of Rika Cassia, the leader of a world renowned Mafia group. Originally she wasn’t supposed to get involved in the “underworld” like her father and brothers, but they all found that she seemed to have a knack for it and so was put in charge of smuggling things in and out of the city of Clover. Many suitors asked for her hand, not because they loved her, but because they wanted her family’s power and influence. So in order to get the suitors to stop harassing her decided to choose a random mafia leader to marry; William Vangeance.

Yuno Grinberryall: The Ace. He is the son of a wealthy CEO and his wife, and is an only child. After his father was killed when he was an infant he was raised by his mother and was set to inherit his father’s company after he became of age. But at the age of 15 he discovered that his father was assassinated by a mafia family called the Zogratis’s, and so after some searching he went to the Golden Dawn mafia family and joined them to find out who killed his father and to take revenge while also keeping his mother and the company safe from the Zogratis family.

Neva Belmonte: The Diamond. She is the adopted sister of William and is the daughter of a popular chef and baker. When she was 7 years old her parents were killed during a robbery and because she had no living relatives was sent to an orphanage. She wasn’t there long as the next day William Vangeance, a good friend of her parents, came to get her and raised her as his little sister ever since. He tried his best to keep her away from the mafia life, but instead she ran right for it, and ended up becoming one of the strongest in the family. She is referred to as “the Princess of the Golden Dawn” by the other family members.

Mimosa Vermillion: The Flower. She is the daughter of a wealthy mafia family, but instead of joining the family like they expected her to, she decided to join the Golden Dawn and become the mafia family’s in-house doctor.

Klaus Lunettes: The Lance. The son of a well to do business man, Klaus was projected to go to college and take over his fathers business once he decided to retire. But after he witnessed William Vangeance and his mafia family help a group a young women that the cops ignored and wouldn’t help, he found that he admired them. So instead of taking over his fathers business, he decided to join the Golden Dawn.

David Swallow: The Joker. He is cunning, sly, and is one heck of a gambler. After trying and getting caught cheating at cards, he was saved from being killed by William and Langris Vaude. To repay his debt, he decided to join the Golden Dawn. Now he runs the gambling houses and casino’s that are in the Golden Dawn’s territory.

Alecdora Sandler: The Jack. He is the son of a wealthy business man and is the heir to his families ‘empire’. When he was a teen he was kidnapped and held for ransom for days, and just as he was about to give up hope of being rescued he was found by William Vangeance and his mafia family the Golden Dawn. But instead of going back to his family, he decided to join William, and he works hard everday to try and repay him for saving his life.

Letoile Becquerel: The Navigator. She is the daughter of computer engineers, and has always been very good at computers and communications. She is the Golden Dawn’s chief navigator and always makes sure that the family is where they need to be and gets to where they need to go. She tends to work off-site, and uses in-ear comm’s in order to communicate with the family.

Langris Vaude: The Knight. He is the youngest son of the Vaude family and is their pride and joy. He initially joined the Golden Dawn at his parents request, since they wanted to keep tabs on William and what he was doing with their money, but after a while Langris found he began to admire the man and started to follow him willingly. He mainly takes care of the business side of things, and leaves the “shadier” side to the others as he doesn’t like it nor does he want to be associated with it.

[lyranova]

Mocha Dreams and Earl Grey Realities:

Chapter 3: Gullible Faces and Errors in Judgement

Hiya guys! I’m sorry this took a bit to get out, i wasn’t too sure where to go from the last chapter, but i finally found my way! In this chapter Zera and William finally meet, and Yuno and Neva have a bit of a…misunderstanding. I hope you all enjoy~!

Word Count: 4,123

Warnings: Anxiety and Stalking

————

One Week Later

It was a calm morning at the Blackbird Café. Secre, otherwise known as Nero, was just about to open for the day and the Butlers were coming in one by one to start their shifts. It was a pretty standard day.

Until it wasn’t. A storm was brewing outside despite the warm and sunny day that presented itself to them.

A storm named Zera Cassia.

Yami, otherwise known as Alexander, looked up as he suddenly heard the door to the café chime.

“ Sorry, but we’re not open-.” He began, but stopped as he noticed it wasn’t exactly a person standing before him, but instead…it was flowers.

A large vase full of flowers to be exact.

“ Uh, may I help you?” Yami asked with a confused tone,and suddenly the flowers began to move as though they were nodding.

“ Yes you can! I’m the Co-Owner of “The Flora and the Fae”, the teahouse and flower shop that just opened across the street,” The voice behind the flowers began cheerfully.

“ I thought I would get to know my neighbors, and give you guys a um…welcome gift? Or maybe a ‘hello’ gift?” The voice hummed in thought.

Yami frowned, the voice sounded familiar, but he couldn’t quite place where he had heard it before.

“ So…basically you’re trying to be a good neighbor, but you also want to make connections in order to get clients for your store.” Yami said, quickly deducing what the person was trying to do, and he saw the flowers nod again.

“ Exactly! I’m glad you understand!” The voice said with a laugh, making the man shake his head as he sighed.

As Yami looked at the flowers he noticed they matched the café’s decor quite well; the vases that contained the flowers matched the European aesthetic, and the colors of the flowers matched the exterior and interior walls beautifully.

Whoever created it was clearly talented…so perhaps it would be worth it to make a deal with this “Flora and Fae” place…

“ But then again, it isn’t my call,” Yami thought as his eyes scanned the flowers again. “ Nero is the one who gets the final say since this is her café.”

“ Right,” He said after a moment.

“ Here, I’ll take those, and then get the owner.” He quickly reached out to take the flowers from the person and as he took the vase of flowers he blinked in surprise as he recognized the person behind them.

“ Well if it isn't Ms. Zera Cassia, it’s been a while.”

The young woman blinked in surprise as well as she stared up at the taller man.

“ Well if it isn’t Yami Sukehiro, it has been a while.”

The two stared at each other for a moment, before two big grins appeared on their faces.

“ How ya doin’ kid? Your old man told me that you were opening your own shop, but he didn’t tell me it was going to be here!” He said to her with a loud laugh as he patted her head.

“ I’m doing alright,” Zera began as her grin widened.

“ My dad told me that you were on the straight and narrow path, and it looks like he was right!” Zera continued with a laugh. “ He also told me that you cleared him out during a game of poker yesterday?”

Yami shook his head.

“ Nah that wasn’t me, I was cleared out too. By him.” He told her as he jerked his thumb towards William’s, otherwise known Johnathan’s, direction.

Zera’s eyes narrowed as her gaze shifted towards the man Yami was pointing at.

She quickly looked the man up and down; he was average sized, had short white hair, purple eyes, a lean body…he wasn’t quite what she was expecting when her father had told her about the man that cleared him out and had taken his most prized possession. She was expecting someone like Yami or her brothers, not a regular guy!

“ Hey Johnathan, I got someone I’d like ya to meet!” Yami called out, making the young man turn in their direction.

Zera tilted her head as he walked towards them, even though he was pretty average he was quite handsome if she said so herself. A smirk suddenly appeared on her face.

A handsome man with a kind and gullible face? Oh this was going to be fun!

Was what she was planning on doing to him right? Probably not. But was it a way for her to get back at him for taking her fathers money and prized possession? Yes.

“ Johnathan, this is-.” Yami began to introduce, but Zera cut him off.

“ I’m Zera Cassia, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” She introduced herself with her hand outstretched and a charming smile on her face.

Johnathan, whose real name was William, looked at her hand for a moment before he hesitantly took it.

“ Johnathan, it’s a pleasure.” He said in a somewhat stiff and slightly confused tone as he shook her hand.

Cassia…why did that name sound familiar? He frowned as he tried to remember where he had heard it before…

“ So,” Zera began as she placed her hands on her hips. “ I hear you’re the one responsible for my father being broke.”

William blinked for a moment as his mind raced to try to figure out what she was talking about.

Her father, who was her father? And how was he responsible for him being broke? But suddenly, a look of realization appeared on his face; the man he and Yami were gambling with last night, his last name was Cassia…which meant he was her father.

“ Ms. Cassia, your father isn’t broke,” William began hesitantly. “ He just…doesn’t have as much pocket change as he normally would.” He added with a hesitant laugh.

Zera tilted her head.

“ I also heard that besides taking his ‘pocket change’, you also took his most prized possession. Did he happen to tell you what that was?” She asked curiously as she walked up to him with her arms crossed.

William frowned and shook his head.

“ He didn’t…” He answered hesitantly, his eyes glancing over at Yami, who just shrugged in response.

As she came to stand in front of ‘Johnathan’, she leaned forward with a wicked grin on her face

“ That prized possession…is me.”

William blinked a couple of times in surprise.

“ You…? Your father, bet with you?”

“ That’s right~! And since you won me in a game, that means I’m your responsibility now.” She announced proudly as she stood up straight and placed her hands on her hips.

William's head quickly snapped in Yami’s direction, his purple eyes wide. This…this couldn’t be true right? She was pulling his leg…surely that man wouldn’t have bet with his daughter's life…?

“ She’s right,” Yami said with a small shrug. “ She’s Rika’s most prized possession, and since you won her in a game, she’s your problem now.” Yami added with a solemn nod, making William’s face go pale.

As William looked away, Yami glanced at the short woman who was grinning mischievously as she stood in front of them; they both knew fully well that while Zera was Rika Cassia’s most prized possession, that wasn’t what he had bet with last night.

What he bet with last night was his second most prized possession; a charm bracelet.

“ M-My problem?!” William stammered as his brain began to suddenly work again.

“ Yep, Me and my twelve babies are your problem now,” Zera chirped happily as she clapped her hands. “ So I hope you’re ready for it.” She added with a wink and a wide smirk, and she watched as his face paled even more.

“ T-TWELVE BABIES?!” He shouted in disbelief, his eyes looking her up and down in shock.

“ Uh-huh, and they’re all under the age of ten!”

William blinked rapidly as he stared at her. Zera was so tiny…how on earth was she able to give birth to so many children in such little time?!

“ Yami…?” William muttered softly as he turned to look from Zera to his friend and co-worker, silently hoping that this was all some sort of trick this crazy woman was trying to play on him.

But when Yami only nodded, he felt his hopes died in the pit of his stomach.

“ It’s true. Congrats Goldie Guts, you’re now the proud papa of twelve babies.” Yami grinned as he patted his friend on the shoulder.

William sat there, looking between the two, completely bewildered.

How…how did this happen?!

“ What’s going on out here?” A calm and quiet voice suddenly asked, and everyone turned towards it to see Nero, the owner, standing there.

“ Nothing much, just chatting with our new neighbor,” Yami said as he crossed his arms.

Nero frowned a bit in confusion.

“ New neighbor?” She repeated, and watched as the ash-blonde haired woman walked up to her.

“ You must be the owner,” Zera said as she held out a hand towards the other woman. “ I’m Zera Cassia, I just opened the flower and tea shop across the street, and I wanted to come meet you!”

“ She also wanted to make a business deal with you,” Yami added, causing Zera and Nero to look at him.

“ A business deal?” Nero turned towards Zera. “ What kind of business deal?”

“ One that’s mutually beneficial for us,” Zera said before she took the vase of flowers out of Yami’s arms. “ Here, a peace offering!”

Nero eyed the arrangement with a critical eye and a hand under her chin.

After a moment of tense and nervous silence, the owner of the Black Bird lowered her hand and nodded.

“ Okay, let’s talk,” She agreed before turning to Yami and William. “ If you two don’t mind opening the café.”

The pair nodded and watched as the women went back into Nero’s office.

“ Yami,” William said as he watched the other man walk towards the store door. “ What on earth did you get me into?”

Yami smirked as he flipped the ‘closed’ sign to ‘open’.

“ I didn’t get you into anything,” He told him. “ You’re the one who decided to take Rika Cassia’s most prized possession.”

Yami walked up to William and patted his shoulder again.

“ Good luck, Goldie Guts, you’re going to need it.”

————

Later At Four Clover Academy

Neva stretched her arms above her head as she walked out of the school. Today had been like everyday before it; uneventful.

The classes were boring, the kids were annoying, it was just a typical day to her.

“ Except for that first day, that was the only one that was different…” She thought as she lowered her arms.

That day she had seen the other new kid at school, Yuno, have a panic attack.

She had been walking behind him towards the direction of the Black Bird when she suddenly witnessed him throw down his blazer and struggle to breathe.

Neva wasn’t sure what to do as she watched him, did she go up to him? Did she call someone? Or did she do nothing and watch him?

She went with the former, and decided to ask him if he was okay, and had been surprised when she saw a look of shock in his eyes.

But he had quickly regained his composure and told her that he was fine, which was clearly a lie.

However, before Neva could call him out on it, another student named Asta came and interrupted them.

“ I wonder how often he has panic attacks,” She thought as she walked down the steps of the school. “ Everyday? But if that were the case I would have seen him have another one since we always go home in the same direction…”

She had noticed that everyday after school the two would walk in the same direction until the third crosswalk; when they would arrive there Yuno would turn left, while Neva kept going straight to the Black Bird.

And everytime she would walk a few paces behind him, watching him without meaning to, silently hoping that he wouldn’t have another panic attack.

“ Maybe it was just first day jitters or something, at least, I hope it was.” She thought with a sigh before a small gasp escaped her.

She needed to text William and let him know she was on her way to the Black Bird!

That was another small rule he had for her; to text or call him when she left school so he would know she was on her way to the café.

Neva pulled out her phone, went to the messaging app, and began to type out a message.

“ Leaving school. Will be there soon!”

A few seconds later her phone went off, and it was a reply from William.

“ Alright, see you soon! Be careful, please!”

Neva sighed and shook her head before putting her phone back into her skirt pocket, he was always so overprotective of her.

As she began to walk her usual route to the café she noticed that Yuno and his friend, Asta, weren’t going the same way as her; instead, they were going in the opposite direction.

“ I guess they’re going somewhere else today? I did hear some of the other kids talking about a rec center, so maybe that’s where they’re going?” She thought as she watched them walk away.

The rec center, she tilted her head, I wonder what it’s like…

But as the clock on the school building chimed again, she realized she had been standing there too long and needed to hurry to the Black Bird, lest she get scolded by William.

————

Meanwhile, On the Other Side of the School

“ You realize we’re going the wrong way to get to the Black Bird, right?” Yuno asked his friend Asta as the two began to walk down the street.

Asta shook his head before turning to look at him.

“ We’re not going the wrong way,” He told him with a bright smile. “ We’re going the long way! The lilacs in the Heart District are in full bloom right now, so I thought we should go take a look at them while heading to work!”

“ Ah that’s right, I forgot it was lilac season,” Yuno thought as he glanced up at the tree’s above them. “ When was the last time I saw them in full bloom? Must’ve been years ago…”

“ No thanks,” He told the shorter boy as he began to turn around and walk away, but Asta grabbed his arm to stop him.

“ Aw c’mon, Yuno, a change of scenery isn’t going to kill you!” Asta argued as he held onto his friend. “ You used to love the lilacs when we were kids!”

Yuno sighed, there was a reason he didn’t want to see the lilacs…

But when he saw the firm look in Asta’s eyes he knew arguing would be futile.

“ Fine, let’s go see the lilacs,” Yuno began. “ But if we’re late, I’m telling Ms. Nero it’s all your fault.”

Asta gasped.

“ Hey, you can’t do that!” Asta shouted as Yuno smirked at him.

“ Wanna bet and find out?”

Asta growled but began to walk at a faster pace, making Yuno chuckle and shake his head.

The two walked along the street towards the Black Bird quietly with the occasional conversation about school assignments and work popping up here and there.

But then, a long pause fell between them as they walked through what was called “Lilac Lane” in the Heart District.

On either side of the wide, concrete path were dozens and dozens of lilac trees of various shades of purple and white.

Yuno’s eyes drifted up to the trees where he gazed at the beautiful, light purple blossoms that hung upon the branches and swayed gently in the wind.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath; the light, fragrant smell of wild berries and lavender filled his nose and swirled in his mind, causing a bunch of unpleasant memories to surface, which made him wince and close his eyes tighter.

The last time he had smelt these lilacs had been right before he and his mother had gone into witness protection, and because of that he grew to Hyd the scent of them; they brought up memories of a day, of a time, he would much rather forget…

“ So, why did you leave all of a sudden?” Asta suddenly asked, which made Yuno frown and slowly open his eyes.

“ What’re you talking about?” He asked in confusion, and his friend turned to look at him.

“ Back when we were kids, when you and your mom suddenly disappeared,” Asta said as he raised his arms behind his head. “ Since you’re back now I thought you’d want to tell me about it.”

Yuno’s gaze shifted to the ground as they continued to walk; he had always felt bad about that, disappearing without a word, but what could he do? He was only a child back then…

“ Not much to tell,” He said as his eyes slowly drifted back up. “ My mom and I moved here and there for her job, and that’s about it.”

Asta scoffed.

“ Aw c’mon, that can’t be it!” Asta said with a narrowed gaze. “ Where did you live? What was it like? Did you meet a lot of people and make new friends? Tell me!”

Yuno chuckled and shook his head; ever since he and Asta were young the two always dreamed and talked about leaving Clover City and going off on an adventure together, but only Yuno got to fulfill that dream…

Except it wasn’t by his own choice, and it most certainly wasn’t the adventure he dreamed of.

“ Not a chance.”

Asta gaped at his smirking friend.

“ Seriously?! That’s not fair!”

For the rest of the walk to the Black Bird the two laughed and Asta begged Yuno to tell him what his ‘adventure’ was like, but the dark haired boy just shook his head and refused.

It was a nice distraction from the smell of lilacs and the bad memories they brought.

Once at the café the two went in through the back door and walked straight to the changing area where they changed from their school uniforms to their work ones.

“ Hey Brandon,” David Swallow, otherwise known as Hector, began as he walked up to Yuno. “ Would you mind cleaning up table three for me? I’ve got to leave early!”

Yuno, otherwise known as ‘Brandon’, gave David a deadpan look.

“ No.”

David groaned.

“ Come on, please? If you do this, I’ll owe you one!” He pleaded with a small smile.

Yuno stared at the other busser for a moment before he sighed.

“ Fine-.” Before he could even finish his sentence David had already shoved a container full of dirty dishes into his arms.

“ Thanks Brandon, you’re the best!” He threw over his shoulder before he rushed out the back door.

Yuno quickly closed his eyes and took a deep, calming breath before slowly releasing it.

One of these days he was going to kill David…

But for now he would go out there and do his job as he normally did.

He quietly walked out of the back, giving quiet hello’s to the Butler’s and patrons as he walked over to messy, but empty tables.

Originally, Nero had offered him a position as a waiter due to his ‘princely looks’; but Yuno quickly refused, and asked if it was okay if he became a busser instead due to being shy and somewhat nervous around others.

Nero immediately understood and agreed to hire him as a busser so he wouldn’t have to interact with customers directly.

But that didn’t stop customers from talking about him or giving him their phone numbers…

“ Hey Brandon,” Leopold Vermillion, another busser who went by the alias ‘Wolfgang’, called from behind him. “ Would you mind helping me with this table?”

Yuno looked up in the direction of Leo and nodded, but just as he picked up his container of dirty dishes something to his left caught his eye and he glanced over to see what it was.

And seeing what it was made his eyes widen in shock.

Sitting in a booth eating some of Marx’s Assorted Tea Bites, was the girl from the other day, Neva…

“ What is she doing here?” Yuno thought as his heart began to race anxiously in his ears. “ Did…did she follow me here? She has been walking behind me everyday after school, could she have been doing that intentionally?”

Yuno’s anxiety began to rise more and more the longer he stared at her and the more his mind began to race; what if that one small interaction during their first day caused her to somehow imprint on him and now she’s stalking him?

“ No, surely not? It couldn’t have been that quick right?” He argued as he watched the girl lift her tea cup to her lips.

The articles and research papers online say it can, His anxiety argued back. They say even the most inconsequential thing can cause someone who’s ill to turn into a stalker.

“ Hey Brandon, ya coming?” Leopold’s loud voice snapped Yuno out of his anxious thoughts, and he quickly shook his head before nodding.

“ Yeah, I’m coming.” Yuno said before he gave Neva another glance and saw a slight surprised expression on her face.

Quickly glancing away, he continued to walk towards Leo and began to help clean off another table.

Tomorrow, when they both arrived at school, he decided he would confront her.

—————

The Next Day at Four Leaf Academy

Yuno paced back and forth outside the school gates as he waited for Neva to arrive.

During his entire walk from his apartment complex to school he had been trying to figure out what to say and how he should confront her about it.

After a while he decided that direct would be best.

“ Why’re you stalking me?” Yuno asked as the platinum blonde haired girl finally came into view.

Though…he hadn’t meant to be that direct. His mouth just seemed to have a mind of its own.

Neva frowned in confusion as she stood in front of him.

“ What are you talking about?” She asked, and watched as his eyes narrowed.

“ Don’t play dumb, you know exactly what I’m talking about,” He continued as he walked up to her.

“ You’ve been following me everyday after school, and now you’re even following me to my job,” Yuno told her lowly, his voice serious and angry. “ Which qualifies as stalking to me, so, why are you doing it?”

Neva blinked before her own eyes narrowed.

“ I’m not stalking you,” She told him as she crossed her arms. “ I’m walking to the Black Bird because that’s where my guardian works. I had no idea you worked there until yesterday when I saw you there.”

Yuno scoffed.

“ You really expect me to believe that?” He asked with a raised brow.

“ Yeah, I do.”

“ And what, you expect me to believe you just happened to arrive there right after me?” He asked, and Neva nodded.

“ Yeah, want me to prove it?” She asked as she unfolded her arms and reached into her skirt pocket to pull out her cellphone, which she handed to him.

“ Here, my messages from yesterday and all the days before it.”

Yuno frowned but took her phone and began to read her messages.

“ Every time I leave school I text my guardian, William, and let him know that I’m on my way to the café so he doesn’t worry,” Neva began as she crossed her arms again. “ And as you can see I texted him at 3:30, and arrived at the Black Bird at 3:44 without incident.”

“ When did you arrive at the café?” Neva asked with a slightly raised brow.

Yuno looked at the timestamps on her messages, and she was right; she left school at 3:30 and arrived at 3:44.

He slowly looked up at her as he handed her phone back to her.

“ 3:54…I arrived at 3:54.”

Yuno looked away and rubbed the back of his neck as guilt and shame filled him.

“ Okay, you didn’t follow me like I thought…I’m sorry.” He apologized softly as he glanced back over at her, fully expecting to see anger in her eyes.

However that’s not what he saw when he looked at her; he saw annoyance, sure, but he also saw resignation, as though this was something she had gone through before…

“ It’s fine,” She began as she started walking past him. “ I don’t trust others either; so I get it.”

Yuno hummed in confusion as he turned around and watched her begin to walk up the steps towards the school.

She didn’t trust others either? What did she mean by that exactly?

————

Thank you all for reading and I hope you all have a good day~!