[[A place for one shots about the day to day non-work goings-on in the lives of Claire & Noct & Company.

It's the simple things in life.]]

September 10th

She had forgotten what it was like to have a new puppy in the house. Forgoing work in favor of beginning the arduous task of potty training the pup, Claire was up at the crack of dawn with the whining little thing. Once she got a cup or six of coffee in her, she didn't mind though. And the rest of the morning and afternoon was spent frequenting the yard, venturing out in the more heavily wooded parts of the acreage outside of Rhy'Din. It was peaceful and serene and centering. Just what she needed. Less chaos, more peace.

Thankfully, Noct didn't mind too much that she had brought home a new addition to the household and rather than a reproachful scowl or something of the sort, she was met with an amused chuckle and a shake of his head. She was quite alright with that.

Hours were spent traversing the trails that cut their way over the property, meandering and weaving through the trees and the clearings, along the waterfront and the dock. The itty bitty puppy had insisted on running with Doom, despite the fact the seven month old Bernese Mountain Dog greatly outweighed the newborn scamp by a solid forty pounds or more. With her arms folded under her bust, she had trailed along the private beach, wandering through the surf as the minuscule waves--if they could even be called waves really--lapped at her toes. The water was calming. And today, she was at one with it or so she was determined to think.

The mindset paid off only hours later when she succeeded in her first successful bid for an elemental tower on the Twilight Isle. And though she had yet to take possession of the aforementioned tower, it was hers.

She and water as one.

September 15th

Once she had possession of the key to the Tower of Water, Claire took some time to get acquainted with the place. Despite the overall eeriness of Twilight Isle, she found the Tower to be rather calming. Set near the edge of the lagoon, right in the middle of the water, she found herself to be quite at home. She had taken some of her study materials up there, leaving them for the next lessons she had with Zack. Other than that, just a few amenities were taken with her, should she choose to stay there at any point in time. Fingertips running over the aquamarine stone set in the key of coral, she left the tower behind her and made her way back through the portal.

Later that evening, Claire and Noctis made their way into the Annex after handling some surprise work. Barefoot and without an overshirt thanks to said work, she figured a few duels and a lot of drinking was in order. What she got instead was a little drinking, a lot of heckling, and a broken nose. Oh, and another ruined shirt thanks to the sheet of blood that had poured down her face. With the metallic taste prevalent in her mouth, she was coaxed away from further dueling with the promise of cupcakes and new shoes. Well, and a realigned nose and some healing for the black eyes she had, but she didn't really count that as much fun.

September 19th

"Cordy...if I opened a restaurant, would you come cook for me?" Claire asked, rather bemused at the thoughts going through her head. She was supposed to be paying attention to the so-called cooking lesson at hand but really it was turning into Cordellia rapidly preparing dinner while Claire sat at the kitchen island and daydreamed.

"You mean cooking in the city? When would I have the times to be doing that, Lady Light?" Cordellia gave Claire a rather dubious look, brows knitted together and lips pursed.

"Oh, I dunno...it was just wishful thinking. It'd be nice to have a place in town where I could go eat whenever I want and have whatever I want." Claire mused, mostly for her own benefit rather than Cordellia's.

"Yes, you is needing to be eating more, I am thinking. Too skinny." Cordellia nodded, reaching over to pinch at Claire's arm for emphasis. Claire was not amused by that. Somewhere in the back of her mind, Odin chuckled heartily at the exchange and sometimes, just sometimes, she wished she had the mental equivalent of duct tape for him. Silence is golden but duct tape is silver and all of that.

"Yes, yes, you always tell me that. If you make me more cupcakes, I'm sure I'd eat them and put on weight and all of that." Claire grinned hopefully, though she knew it wouldn't work.

"No, no, no, my lady," Cordellia fervently shook her head as she objected, her words dripping heavily with the purring roll of Italy. "His Highness is saying you must not be eating cupcakes all the time. Here, dinner will be done soon, you eat that, yes?"

Claire giggled, far too amused. Waving the portly woman off, she went back to her plotting, slowly formulating how she would pitch the idea to Noct. Even if Cordellia wouldn't cook for her, she knew she could find someone. Now, it was only a matter of bringing the plan to fruition.

September 24th

Weddings made Claire moody. That's all there was to it. Claire had bawled like a baby when she watched Brian and Jenai tie the knot at Beltane, and though the tears didn't flow nearly as freely at Charles's wedding, she was thoroughly sniffly and quite pensive as the event drew to a close. The ride back home had been a quiet one, with quite a bit of staring out the window and making offhanded comments about the scenery.

The leaves were changing, fall was coming.

And rather than think about the silly wistful thoughts running through her head, she decided to throw herself into anything that would take her mind off of things. Dueling wasn't holding the same allure as it had before, something she attributed to burn out and a hellacious losing streak. So, a match here and there would suffice and the rest of her time was spent high up in her tower or working on her projects. Anything but think about what should have been.

Her primary project revolved around intensive involvement with getting her restaurant up and running. Though, with more and more ideas on the subject, it was quickly becoming more of a tavern that served food. And that was okay with her. Beer galore. A head chef had been hired and Garrett was absolutely phenomenal, taking advertising into his own hands and showing the initiative to get out and spread the word about the restaurant that would occupy a renovated building in the Market. The Sassy Owl Saloon. Don't ask about the name, nobody has a good explanation for it. It just sort of happened.

The secondary project involved the construction of a training center on their home's property. Granted with the space they had in their home, she could have easily renovated an area of the manor, but she found building it from the ground up would be more satisfying.

Busy, busy, busy. Go, go, go. Anything but think.

September 2nd

The day after Sadie's birthday she had talked with Barrett and in the end they decided it was best to just be friends. It wasn't a decision that made her all that sad. After all he was a friend and that was what she didn't want to lose. Spending time together as friends didn't hurt anything. She supported his desire to work with a smile and encouraging words.

It was the same night that the Hunters who had been following Aaron found her and the torture began.

October 9th

She stood there. Just staring. Staring long and hard at the dueling cork board. Claire knew her grace period was running up for her title. It had to be soon, right? And sure enough there was a challenge tacked to the board. It shouldn't have surprised her, really. That is, until she looked at it more closely.

"You're ****ing kidding me."

An incredulous snort sounded and she turned on her heel in disbelief. Muttering all sorts of curses and obscenities, she would have quite easily made a sailor blush with the things that spilled forth. For now, she would just pretend it wasn't there. Maybe go stare at a calendar for awhile and come back to see if it had been validated or not. When she returned, it was still sitting there. No other notes with it or anything. Just her mentee's challenge, staring her in the face. Not just her mentee--after all he said it's nothing against her as a mentor--but also her friend. Her best friend.

"What a douche canoe."

She muttered and shook her head, lazily scrawling her own note back. Eff it, she didn't want to deal with it. She also didn't feel like dealing with the inevitable teasing about her teaching abilities so she waived the last of her grace...all twelvish hours of it, and accepted the stupid challenge. A fired off text arranged the details and with a smack of her hand to the board it was posted.

She would deal with Zack later.

October 12th

It had been a tumultuous couple of days. The clash at the docks, the panic of knowing her sister had disappeared again, finding out the truth behind said disappearance...it was all a bit much for her to take, really. Once she was sure that Serah was okay, well, okay wasn't the right word really. Once she was sure that Serah was safe and resting, she proceeded with her business as usual. Or at least the best that she could. For some reason or another, she was incredibly on edge and it took everything she had not to lash out at the first person to cross her.

Odin did his best to calm her but there was only so much her lighthouse in a hurricane could do. There was this build up of energy...and it was boiling in her veins. Work couldn't take her mind off of it. Dueling couldn't take her mind off of it, even if the efforts proved to be beneficial when she managed to win the Arch Mage Tournament. The saloon and her work with the Dragon's Gate baronial orphanage, while fulfilling, couldn't seem to keep her afloat either. Her efforts to keep herself centered and steady didn't seem to be working. But she couldn't give up that easily. She had people counting on her, after all. Noctis needed her. Her relationship with Serah was finally to the point that she didn't think she was walking on eggshells anymore. Zack and Raven were talking about making her a godmother to their baby when it was born in February. It was no time for quitting.

This was pivotal. Could she withstand the pressure without cracking?

October 24th

It got so cold here. The late fall chill reminded her of Lucis. The Lucis she had left behind what felt like so long ago. Really, though, it had practically been a lifetime ago. The better part of a year had been spent in Rhy'Din now, and Claire felt further and further from anything resembling home. At least in the form of Bodhum or Lucis. Gone were the days of Bodhum's relaxed summers spent on the beach, lazy days surfing, laid back patrols that she had taken far too seriously. Gone was the incessant fight of Lucis's war with its neighboring countries, high stakes tension that seemed utterly unyielding in its ferocity and ability to wear one down. Granted, it was a fight Noct carried with him each and every day, the frequent trips back and forth between Rhy'Din and Lucis clearly wearing on him physically, mentally, and emotionally. And when this happened, he shut himself away.

And Claire was as alone as she ever had been. And finally...she snapped. How would this ever work between them if he never talked to her. If the only time they spent together was spent with him emotionally unavailable and completely oblivious to the fact that she, too, happened to be a human being that needed love. She hated hated hated playing the needy girlfriend card. Absolutely utterly despised it. But as the tears brimmed, barely restrained by her lashes, she couldn't help but spill it to him. That she needed...more than this. She dared to look away from him for just a moment, all she needed was a moment to try to compose herself.

When she looked back. There he was...but down on one knee. In his outstretched hand was a black velvet lined box that he had evidently been carrying around with him for some time. Biding his time, simply waiting.

"Marry me?"

She had kept her eyes away from his for a long moment, fearing that if she met his gaze that she might break and cry. Slowly shifting to look at him once more, she blinked to see him...not where he had been but instead down on one knee. Her eyes widened with shock, her mouth hanging ajar as she stared at him like he was insane. "M-marry..." She murmured, just as her eyes slipped out of focus and she felt the world start to tip sideways. Or that might have been her doing the tipping as she fainted, her crumpling form sent for a crash course with the ground.

November 5th

I'm little, but I'm coming for the crown
I'm little, but I?m coming for you

"Keep your right up and the left down." Ezio's chiding met Claire's ears just as his fist met her jaw. She stumbled back a few steps, the headphone that wasn't in her ear dangling and swinging side to side against her chest, steadily piping out the melodic tune. Shaking off the blow, she straightened herself out, rolling her shoulders and doing as the Uratha requested of her. Her left hand, wrapped and padded, dropped low, the right brought up in front of her face.

I'm little but I?m coming for the title
Held by everyone who?s up

"If you're going to make it through Friday, you need to up the strength in your right to compensate for the non-use of the left..." He swung another at her face, this time missing as she dropped a shoulder back and dipped away. She retaliated with quick right jab for his mouth, his head snapping back as his teeth rattled mid-sentence. Rocking his head forward again, he gave her a grin, his normally pristine white teeth tinted red with blood. He nodded his approval to her punch and just like that had her legs swept out from underneath her. Her breath left her lungs with a harsh whoosh and she winced, blinking up to see him standing over top of her.

All work and no play
Never made me lose it
All business all day
Keeps me up a level
All work and no play
Keeps me on the new shit, yeah

"Good'n champ but ya forgot to block low. You're having to compensate, none of this runnin' seventy-five percent business, ya hear me?" Ezio offered her a hand and pulled her to her feet. A brawny hand clapped her on the shoulder, dusting her off so to speak. Claire did the rest of the dusting and gave her trainer a light nod of understanding. The fingers on her left hand straightened then curled repeatedly, stretching them fully then retracting them to the safety of her brace.

All work and no play
Let me count the bruises
All business all day
Keeps me up a level
All work and no play
Lonely on the new shit, yeah, yeah

"I know you're fast, but ya can't rely solely on speed. You're outweighed and out-experienced in this one, two strikes 'gainst ya right there. You will not, let me repeat; You. Will. Not. Let a silly injury hold you back. I've seen ya fight through worse, this is nothin' yeah?" His hand still on her shoulder, he leveled his gaze down at her, a steady and calm grey-gold tint to his irises. Slowly she nodded, allowing herself to believe him. He was right, wasn't he? He nodded in return and released his hold on her. A ninety-five pound weight difference between herself and her opponent...no big deal. A former belt holder for the Iron Fists League...no big deal. A boxer's fracture in her predominant punching hand...she could handle it, of course she could. Of course he was right.

And if he wasn't? Well...back to training then.



Lorde-Still Sane ]]

November 16th

The crunch and crack of Mav's shoulders as they dislocated from the sockets was oddly pleasing to Claire. Listening to them twist unnaturally until they couldn't take it, her grip only releasing when she got the howl of pain to issue from his lips. It was perfectly justified in her mind and she was at peace with her actions. What she hadn't expected was for Kuori, a member of the local Watch, to come along and witness the spectacle. Claire had almost made it back inside when the goliathess called out to her.

"Claire!" It rang in Claire's ears, causing her to pause, hand on the door. Releasing a sigh, it had escalated quickly from there, up to and including the arresting and citation of Claire for the so called assault. Objects abounded from seemingly everyone except Claire. She was at peace. So whatever. The trip to Watch station, a station she knew rather well in fact, was simple enough. Processed, booked, and put into a holding cell, at first it looked as though she may spend the night there. That would have sucked.

Sitting on the bench with her elbows on her knees, she curved her back and sighed, staring down at her feet. Simply biding her time, she had already made the necessary phone calls and Waterman was doing what he could to speed up the paperwork process. Bail would be pushed through, the proper people would be paid and before long she would be free. All without an ounce of remorse. Funny thing, the justice system.

November 26th

Immediately following Claire's loss to Koyliak VanDuran-Simon in IFL

The curtain of the interview booth rustles a few times. A hand shoots through the material and grasps at air before being promptly yanked back.

?Damnit, Zack! I wanna go into the booth and talk...to the people...you know. I swear I'll beat you with that lady's clipboard.? A woman's voice can be heard just before an indignant huff and the yanking of the curtain open once more. Wobbling her way in, Claire Farron drops onto the bench and stares at the camera, squinting as she works on focusing her eyes. Her cheeks puff up before she exhales, making her bubblegum pink bangs flutter in front of her face.

?Name, Team Affiliation, and week?? A voice sounds from somewhere behind the camera. Claire's squinting intensifies but ever so slowly she answers.

?Claire, um Farron. And I'm Team Dirty. Captain and shit. And I don't know what day it is let alone what fucking week it is.? She manages finally, ever so slightly tilting to one side. A man's hand appears from the break in the curtain, pressing against her arm to keep her upright. She reaches up and pats at the hand gently, a fond smile crossing her expression before she quickly forgot what she was smiling about.

?So, Claire, how'd this week go? For you and for your team?? The voice asked. Though they had spoken once before, it still made her jump and she blinked a few times before leaning forward much to the chagrin of the hand holding her up at the moment. With a hard tug, she was sitting upright again and she huffed at whoever it was outside of the booth, glaring daggers at the curtain.

?Not so hot. Another sweep and um, I fought Koy. She sort of knocked me the fuck out. They say I'm concussed. I think I have brain damage now.? Despite this, she grinned ear to ear, an almost crazed smile as she tossed up a shaking hand to thumbs up the camera. As she dropped her hand, she blanked out, staring at the camera and huffing out a breath. Grumbling incoherently under her breath, she rubbed at her temple, blinked a few times and grinned once again.

?That's the third sweep of Team Dirty in five weeks, how do you feel about it and what is the team doing to try and keep in the running for playoffs?? That question had her scowling and she turned a rather sullen look right into the camera lens, managing to even focus long enough to huff at it and lean back. Setting her head back against the wall of the booth with a dull thud, she shrugged.

?I've got them doing two-a-days, working hard, and trying to turn it around, you know? Getting swept sucks, but sucking sucks more, so we just have to make a stronger showing in the last two weeks and hopefully knock the shit out of the Rock Hards and Mercenarii.? Another shrug, her eyes closing for a moment or two. The hand from outside of the curtain gave her a light nudge and she sat bolt upright, blinking a few times.

?Huh what? I'm good...I swear. Bite my ass, Zack.? She grumbled just loud enough to be heard. Outside of the curtain, a voice could be heard, male sounding but his words were unable to be distinguished by the booth's microphone. She snorted in a rather unladylike fashion and shook her head, jerking her thumb toward the curtain. ?I swear, he's going to be the first one I go after tomorrow.?

?Who was that?? She was asked, prompting a wrinkling of her nose and a look of disdain at the curtain, then at the camera, then at the curtain again.

?Zack Alcar. Best friend, teammate, general pain in the ass. But he means well.? Again her eyes began closing as she leaned in the booth, her words trailing off into quiet. When the sound of her voice died down, she was given another nudge, this time toppling to the side. Her limbs flailed every which way, her hands randomly smacking against the control panel on the side of the booth as she caught herself.

?What the fucking fuck?!? She looked bewildered as the lighting in the booth changed and the background behind her lit up with the Team Dirty logo. Seeing that reflected in the glass panel, she perked up immediately and grinned.

?Holy shit! Hey look! I'm pretty now!? She declared brightly, beaming from ear to ear just in time for the hand from outside of the booth to give the sleeve of her sweatshirt a light tug and a few indistinguishable words. Her smile faltered and her shoulders dropped before she eyed the camera again.

?I guess I gotta go. Doctor's orders say I have to get to eating cupcakes and petting my dog and resting while watching Dueling Wives.? She said sadly, though the prospect of cupcakes was rather enticing. Fluttering a wave to the camera, she grins and blows a kiss.

?Any last words?? The interviewer asked as Claire moved to slide out of the booth.

?YES! TEAM DIRTY FOR FuCKING LIFE!? She threw up a bunch of random hand signals just in time to get pulled from the booth by her rather exasperated companion.



]

December 27th

No tower to retreat to. No sanctum. No solace. No stars. Instead, she had busied herself with Christmas and all of the celebrations associated with it. Heck, she had even paid tribute to Boxing Day even though she still didn't understand what it was. But at the end of all of it, she still felt incredibly lost and alone. Already working on packing up the Christmas decorations, she sighed softly as she carefully wound strings of lights into neat circles, completely unaware that they would more than likely find a way to become a tangled mess again before next year's Yule.

"Cordy...do you miss Lucis?" Claire's eyes stayed on her hands, slowly raveling the cord into a tight circle. Taking particular care to gently handle the bulbs, knowing some of the older strands were rather finicky.

"Oh sometimes, yes. Do you miss Lucis, Lady Light?" Cordellia was carefully puzzling together ornaments into a plastic tote, each one finding a spot to rest for the year to come. Would they be in Rhy'Din for another year and another Christmas? Who knew, it wasn't something Claire could force herself to think about at the moment.

"Sometimes...yeah. Yeah, I guess so. Do you ever feel like when you're too far from home that you're going to lose yourself?" Claire asked quietly, her voice carrying only enough to be heard by the woman at her side. Cordy paused for a moment, silently regarding the lady of the house while she thought over her answer. The pink haired woman fidgeted with the plug of the neatly coiled cable, feeling the dark gaze upon her.

"Where would I be losing myself? I am right here and I will stay where I am until I don't. But I won't be being lost, I'll be being where I intend." Cordy said with a smile and a shrug, turning away to continue her packing of delicate ornaments, including the new one they received this year commemorating their first proper Christmas. Claire paused in her winding and simply stared at Cordellia, her mouth hanging slightly ajar.

"What?"

February Ninth

"A date? Like a date date?" Lila asked, the cheshire grin growing on her lips as she looked upon her pseudo-sister. Jade huffed softly and gave a minuscule nod, crimson rising in the crests of her alabaster cheeks.

"Yeah but um, I like told him that it was just a friend thing though. Because he just got out of a relationship..." Jade began before being promptly interrupted by Lila, waving her hands about as she interjected.

"The best way to get over someone is to get under someone else!!" This prompted quite the laughter from Lila and Elle who was sprawled out on the bed nearby, laying on her stomach as her thumbs worked over the video game controller. Jade stared, aghast at the pair, red from ear to ear as she tried to stammer past that uncouth comment.

"There won't be any getting under anyone or anything!" Jade squeaked out, the alarm evident in her voice. Elle paused the game and rolled onto her side, propping her head up with her hand. Once her giggles subsided, she gave Jade an earnest smile and a nod.

"It's alright, we're just teasing." Elle said softly, reassuring Jade gently.

"I wasn't." Lila interjected again, grinning deviously. Elle shot her a look and glanced back to Jade. Sitting up, she clambered off of the bed and crossed the slight distance between the Inn room's bed and the modest sitting area where Lila was measuring Jade.

"I promise, we were just teasing. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with going as friends. Boys are pretty dumb anyways, they don't seem to get the concept of rebounds and moving on from one to another. Just take your time with it, nothing wrong with that." The oldest of the trio tried her best to be a positive influence, overriding the youngest's inappropriate comments.

"I've just...um...never been asked out on a date before. I mean...I went out for coffee with Kraven that one time but I don't think that was a date or anything. And Max is super nice...I dunno. I don't know what I'm doing." Jade murmured, dropping her gaze to the floor. Lila quickly caught that and pressed a few fingers under Jade's chin to lift it.

"Ah, chin up, shoulders back. Just a few more things and I think I may have the perfect thing for you." Lila assured her, noting things in her mind before stepping away from Jade to go rummage through her backpack. Jade's cheeks puffed up with air and she slowly blew it out before setting about chewing her bottom lip.

"Deep breath, Jadey. It'll be fine. Who knows, maybe it'll be fun!" Elle pointed out.

"Or terribly awkward." Lila chimed in ever so helpfully.

"It'll be fine." Elle reiterated with a huffed scowl at the violet haired lass.

"Yeah...fine..." Jade whispered, apprehensive as ever.

2/17

Just how had Lila ended up at Arcanum Academy? Call it a hunch. Call it boredom. Call it sheer dumb luck. But she found herself standing in front of the Arcanum Guild Job Board, perusing the ads posted. Scuffed up Chuck Taylors carried her upstairs to the second floor, where she found even more postings.

"S-Class, huh?" She murmured to herself, head tilting to one side as she looked each one over. Hazels widened at the reward for some of them and it got her thinking. Her cheeks puffed up and she blew out a held breath along with a low whistle as a few price points in particular caught her eye. One hundred thousand crowns? No...that required a team. Sure she probably could have assembled a few of the Caelum men in order to accomplish it but the bigger the group, the more the pot was split up. Not to mention the 15% fee the Academy took. Her gaze came to stop and she settled her hands on her hips.

Angela Stillwater, Heiress to Stillwater Brewery, reported missing. City Watch found scorch marks in her bedroom and a ring of salt around her bed. 10,000 crowns

"Huh. How hard can that one be?" She asked herself, rummaging for a notebook from her backpack, copying down details before hurrying off to the Guild Master to see about a starting point. Lila could certainly use the money. And maybe the challenge as well.

March 26th

?Interesting. Rather interesting.? Giovanni's intrigued words were purred over top of the printed out article. While the cambion read and reread the press conference transcript as well as associated gossip articles, Claire sat back in the plush office chair, a rock of her heels sending it swiveling side to side. Her gaze ticked first out the bay window of the Seaside Baronial Manor, and then up to the ceiling in a slow roll. News traveled fast in a community like Rhy'Din but this was gossip wildfire. Was Beat Down crumbling? Claire hardly believed it when she heard Terry King was leaving Beat Down, after all, the team was King's pride and joy. Really, King was responsible for Claire's desire to rise in the ranks and make something of herself dueling, eventually leading to the formation of the Dirty dueling team. Gio looked less troubled by this and more interested than anything.

?I hear your cogs turning, Gio. That's never a good sign.? Claire muttered, still staring at the ceiling as she poked her index fingers together. Contemplative silence from the exec was seldom without reason. Sure enough, Giovanni let out a soft chuckle, a melodic sound that danced its way across the table and to her ears.

?It's rather... unfortunate... that a talented duelist like Terry King would be taken advantage of, if the tabloids hold true. Frankly, I don't fault her for leaving, if that's the case. Though now it's a matter of where does someone like Terry go? Surely she won't retire from dueling completely?? Claire could feel his copper hues boring into her and finally she sat up straight in her seat to settle her elbows onto the mahogany table.

?Until you hear it from King herself, don't assume that anything in those stupid fucking tabloids is anything close to true.? She huffed, sending her bangs scattering only for them to settle back in her eyes again. ?I don't see her giving it up completely though. I mean... King is dueling and dueling is King, or at least that's how it's always looked to me...What're you getting at, Gio?? Fingers tipped in slightly chipped polish brushed back through her hair to get it out of her eyes. Giovanni lifted a single thin hand, probably better manicured than her own, in a defensive manner.

?I'm not getting at anything, m'lady. I'm simply thinking that should Miss King desire a team to continue fighting for, with a well funded sponsorship and... regulated oversight... perhaps we should open Team Dirty's doors to her.? Gio said nonchalantly, rocking blazer clad shoulders in a languid shrug. Claire sighed.

?You can't go pouncing on someone the same day they leave their team. But Terry was my first baron and probably the reason that I kept pushing to get to where I am now, so you know I'd gladly offer that out to her. I don't think she'd take it, but...? She shrugged as well, though her gesture held less nonchalance and more resignation. There were any number of better teams out there, Wrecking Crew hadn't signed someone in awhile, maybe this was their shot. Aquamarines met coppers and together they held their silence for a pregnant minute.

?Also,? of course there was always an 'also'. Claire huffed softly before Gio continued, ?An addition like King would bring Dirty recognition like it hasn't experienced before. It's a win-win all around, really. A scorned fighter bounces back from a rather unfortunate series of events and a fledgling team increases their relevance in the circuit.? She couldn't deny that he had a point. All the same, she slumped back in her seat and went back to staring at the ceiling.

?Let me talk to Khoom and Zack about it. Their input matters just as much, you know. Otherwise, yeah...I mean, I guess we can test the waters to see if she's got any interest. Don't treat her like a piece of meat though, Gio, just let her know we're here if she needs the support.? She said softly, listening but not looking as the half demon rose from his seat with a faint creak of leather and a smoothing of his hands over his suit.

He was already making preparations as he left the room and as the door shut, she caught just enough of the conversation, ?Send something nice Miss King's way, find out what she likes and get it. Take care of her...?

Another sigh issued from Claire's lips and she resumed her intense study of the ceiling, finding time somewhere in there to fire off a trio of texts. One each for her Dirty teammates, and one for Terry, not as a prospect but instead hopefully as a friend.

April 20th

The ride home from the Outback was a quiet one, giving her plenty of time to reflect and get lost in the depths of her thoughts. Claire thought at this point she should be able to hear her heart pounding in her ears. She should feel the ache in her joints and the burn in her muscles and the tenderness of slow to form bruises. But she didn't. Seldom should fourteen rounds against a seven hundred pound liontaur not result in some sort of injury but as she pushed through the double doors of the Outback and into the cool air of Rhydin on the precipice spring's transition into summer by way of Beltane, Claire felt nothing.

No pain, no ache. Just indifference mixed with a twinge of disappointment here and there. Loss stung little if not for the expectation that she was better than that. One hundred and twenty pounds of lithe musculature and sinewy limbs packed with tightly coiled tension, reasonably she shouldn't have had a snowball's chance in hell against her opponent. Despite his age, Rakeesh was quick on his feet and towered over her by over a foot and a half. The weight differential, already mentioned, was incredibly substantial as well but it mattered little to her.

Claire Farron was meant for so much more. She wondered if it was disappointment's way of rationalizing her defeat into bits and pieces that were easier to compartmentalize. It might have been, truly. Surely, she'd never hear the end of it from Giovanni but she had cut that off ahead of time with her declaration at the match's conclusion that after Wednesday, she was done. Win or lose, her challenge for Archmage would mark the beginning of the end. At least that's what she told herself. She told herself she would stay to mentor, to teach what had worked for a short time for her, even if her techniques in the ring clearly left something to be desired as evidenced by her performance that evening.

Nova Chrysalia's savior couldn't even save herself within the confines of the ring and with that realization, she deemed herself no longer fit for competition. It surely meant the end of Team Dirty, a team still in its infancy, never allowed to mature and reach its potential. The thought should have saddened her. Brought some measurable amount of grief or sense of loss. But what was there to grieve? She shrugged response to her own unspoken question, gaze dipping out the tinted window of the R8 as it zipped around the winding curves of the road leading to Caelum Manor. Maybe it was an overreaction on her part. Or perhaps she just wasn't cut out for competitive dueling anymore.

"I do believe I'm too old for this sh*t."

May 7th

Grey hung over the beach house as the storm rolled in from the sea. Surfboards and umbrellas were toted in for safe keeping, windows were shuttered and closed up to guard against the coming rain. The wind kicked up and the clouds swallowed the last of the sun just as she locked the door and she flashed a grin at Noct before her phone went off. Humming a light tune, Claire made her way over to track it down. It had ended up on a side table, unused for the most part while they had been away. Aqua gaze ticked over the screen as she unlocked it, a lithe slide of her thumb over the code had the message popping up.

Text from Serah: Where are you right now?

"Who is it, love? Better not be work." Noct called as he toweled off, heading for the cottage's bedroom to change. Claire glanced after him and chuckled softly. Giovanni and the rest of the Caelum Enterprises crew had been given express direction not to bother them unless it was an emergency.

"Nothing to worry about. It's Serah." She tossed back a nonchalant response as she responded in a quick volley of texts.

Text to Serah: Just got back inside from the beach. Got a storm coming in. Sup? You okay?

Text from Serah: So you are still on your honeymoon?

Text to Serah: I'll be back on Friday but it's just a hop skip and jump home if I'm needed

Text from Serah: I don't want to give you bad news over a text but I am going to have to
Text from Serah: You need to know
Text from Serah: Lila's body was found
Text from Serah: she's dead

She's dead. Claire read the final text over and over before her phone clattered to the floor. The stereotypical melodramatics should have felt horribly cliche but she found her hands no longer capable of clasping the phone and as the device bounced off of the corner of the table, she heard a distinct crunch of breaking glass. Her head spun and she rubbed her hand over her face before sinking down into the plush armchair only feet away.

"Noct?" She called quietly, her voice just barely loud enough to be heard in the small cottage. Claire scooted to the edge of the chair in fear of the plush cushions swallowing her whole.

"Yeah?" Called from the bedroom, as he had just finished changing. Coming out of the bedroom, he tugged a shirt over his ink laden torso and started towards her. "Something wrong?" Having noted she had dropped her phone.

"Lila's dead." Claire murmured before biting down on her bottom lip, her gaze unfocused on some spot on the floor. Her hands trembled but no tears came, the shock overwhelming the emotional response as she bowed her head.

He slowly came to a stop when he heard those words, before moving a hand to be placed on her shoulder. Noct slowly turned Claire to face him. "When?" Murmured softly, already shifting to hug her close, as he was shocked to that news as well.

"I...I don't know." She said softly, shaking her head as she leaned into the hug. Blinking slowly a few times, she pulled away and grabbed for her broken phone from the floor, her thumb sliding over shattered glass and eliciting a hiss from her lips. Claire eyed her thumb and plucked tiny shards from her flesh as minuscule wisps of energy seeped from the microscopic wounds. "I broke it...we need to find out more..."

He nodded lightly as he held her for as long as she allowed it, before watching her as he picked up that broken phone. "Use mine." Murmured to her as Noctis moved to get his own phone, while she hissed at the small wounds when she tried to use her own. Now holding it out to Claire.

Claire's hands shook as she tried to navigate the phone's interface before giving up and dropping it gently into her lap. Careful not to break it like she had her own before putting her elbows to her knees and her head to her hands, shoulders trembling with a silent stream of tears.

May 15th

The trip to Yasuo was one seldom made even with the portal to the pavilion available for use. Claire stepped through with only the most minor hesitation, freeing her hands from her pockets as she continued on the journey. Seemingly unarmed, she meandered along weaving Yasuo paths, feeling out any hint that Ventus or his energy signature may be in the same area before calling out quietly. "Ventus Ashin, are you here?"

Ventus was sitting in the pavilion in the shade, leaning against a tree and reading a book that floated in front of him as he sipped on a very refreshing mojito. As the wind carried his name from Claire's lips to his ears, he waved a hand and a golem formed of granite a few feet away. The heavy construct lumbered off to find Claire. If it managed, it would point him out under the tree (As if she wouldn't notice a two ton living statue forming from thin air) He didn't greet her, apparently what he was reading was important.

A hint of rum, a sniff of mint, she caught the scent even as the golem formed. As it neared, her chin lifted to look up at it and somehow she even managed a smile. "Thank you." She gave a light bow of her head before nearing the Ashin brother she had always considered the 'good' one. Coming to a stop ten paces out from him, she clasped her hands in front of her and softly cleared her throat. A gentle interruption if there ever was one. "Good evening, Ventus."

He didn't look up, but he did smile at the book. "Evening Claire. I hope the day finds you well. You'll have to excuse my manners, but I must finish this inscription or I'll lose my place." he said without looking away from the page. "Would you like a drink?" He snapped his fingers, and the golem's hand turned into a platter, a cup forming from thin air and filling with a clear liquid. "I regret I don't remember your preference, just name it and you'll find it is a very accommodating." He chuckled, his eyes tracking the inscription as the book hovered in front of him.

"I'll have whatever you're having, I suppose. With maybe a squeeze more lime." Her gaze bounced from Ventus to the golem and the glass, her head tilting to one side as it did in fact change to suit what she'd requested. "No worries, take your time. I've nothing but time these days." Another polite bow of her head met the golem as she took the glass and a sip. A single step was taken and she followed it with a cross legged sit on the ground. Nothing but time.

The alchemist smiled, and with a wave of his hand the golem dissolved into air. His bright blue eyes ran across the page until he reached the end a few minutes later. Then the book closed and vanished in a small crackle of red lightning. Finally, he looked at her... and his gaze was very different from what she'd thought of him at one time. His eyes were indeed bright... but cold. They were devoid of gentleness or sympathy. Beneath that, was a hint of shadow... and beneath that.... beneath that was something likely only Claire and a few others would notice. Something ancient and inhuman. Something he shouldn't have. An Eidolon lurked under the depths of those eyes, watching, hungry, and full of rage. He smiled wider "What can I do for you Ms. Farron?"

She hadn't been kidding about having no problem with waiting and she almost looked surprised when he finished so soon. The mojito was sipped again and then set to the side, condensation dripping down the glass and forming a wet ring in the dirt. "It's actually Mrs. Caelum now. As funny as that sounds." She spoke to him like one might an old friend even if the gaze she returned to him held little warmth. It held no malice though either, a simple stoic indifference, wholly natural. Claire took a few moments longer to gaze into his eyes before chuckling softly. "Oh that's grand." She murmured, mostly to herself, before clapping a touch of dirt from her hands. "It appears you've yourself a bit of an issue, no? I'm here to...offer assistance."

He raised a brow. "Ah, Mrs. Caelum. Congratulations. We'll be expecting children soon no doubt." he chuckled softly, unbothered by her neutral gaze. After taking a sip of his drink, he looked back at her. "An issue? I'm afraid I don't know what you mean. I can't think of anything I'd need assisting with."

"If the King has his way, sure. I've never been much for sticking to game plans though." She made a bit of a face and lifted the glass to wash the taste of her words from her mouth. "Is that so? I'd not taken you for a liar unless you're simply blind to it. I thought you better than that, my friend. But," she shrugged and rose, dusting her jeans off before continuing, "if that's the case I can take my leave. Just don't count on maintaining a working relationship with your new friend for long. Whatever Scion's got in store for you I'm sure is nothing you want any part of and Jinn is so very...temperamental. I'd like you to at least survive long enough to sort your issues with your brother when he inevitably returns."

The glass in his hand shattered, and the tone in his voice went from conversational and even mildly affectionate to cold and cutting. "Scion, is not my friend. And I've already proven too much for that blowhard. Bypassing his defenses is child's play. As is controlling this beast he cursed me with. However, being rid of it is not so simple. I'm sure I can do so with enough time...." he paused and smoothed over his features. "My apologies. My temper gets the better of me at times." He waved a hand vaguely, causing a nearby tree to splinter and dissolve to sawdust from the roots upward. "But, I'm to understand you're family has knowledge of these creatures?"

A soft sigh left her lips as she watched a perfectly good mojito go to waste. Claire lifted a single finger through his tirade before tapping it against her sternum. "I mean this friend." Spoken softly once he paused and calmed himself. A mere glance aside met the the tree's end before she passed him a slow but confident nod. "Quite. I hear you encountered a few with Serah a few evenings past. They hold many names as they pass from realm to realm and seldom are they to be trifled with."

"Ifrit, is the name I was given. But conversations with the beast have enlightened me to a great many things. Including ways to overcome the limits of my own arts and body. It has been most helpful for a curse really. Though I'll be rid of it as soon as it wears out it's usefulness." He shrugged and his glass reformed in his hand, filling once more with mohito before he took another sip as if it was nothing at all.

"Ifrit the Infernal. Jinn...Iflyte...he has many names and he is certainly an old one." The smile that grew was rather fond despite the implications of Ifrit's power or influence over Ventus. A small chuckle sounded and she shook her head. "I'd not be too quick to cast him aside...as I said he's rather temperamental. And well, I worry for you, Ventus." She sounded strangely genuine with her words even if the emotion wasn't properly conveyed in her expression.

"As I said, I won't be getting rid of him until after he's served his use. But he chafes against my lineage. He is not at home within me, that much is obvious." Ventus smiled and reached out to pat her hand. "You needn't worry about me Claire. I... I simply have to do a few things before I can get everything back the way it's supposed to be." He nodded. "I'd be surprised if your visit wasn't a result of my conversation with your sister. Am I correct?" He asked amiably.

"I do hope you understand what you're doing. It'd be a shame should something happen in the course of it. Balance runs the risk of being thrown even more askew than it already is." Her chin dipped and she glanced down to the pat of his hand over hers, the latter of which bore an unnatural chill to it that bordered on unsettling. Another soft chuckle left her lips and she nodded once. "But of course. She is and has always been my priority and while I don't fault her for her concern for her friends, when it comes down to it, my concern for her has me seeking you out today."

The coldness of her hand didn't seem to phase him, and he nodded again. "I told Serah, and I'll tell you as well. I harbor no ill will towards anyone who stays out of my way. She was quite convinced that I had cursed the earrings I gave Lenore with some sort of horrible magic trickery like my brother. But I had no reason to. Diritas, should he come back, will draw his own conclusions from my name on the earrings. They'll keep him from attempting to win Lenore back, and he'll find himself alone and defenseless with powers unusable because of his chaotic emotions. He'll take back the darkness, and I will be free of it, and then he can die all he likes." He shrugged. "Your sister simply decided to attempt to throw the largest wrench she could into my plans. No offense to you Claire, but she really should simply mind her own business sometimes." He chuckled, and it seemed he was genuine in his words and even the intent behind them. Ventus wasn't a liar, he'd become many things, but alchemy required that one deal with only the truth of things.

She clucked her tongue against the roof of her mouth and shook her head. "I've already looked them over to make certain they carried no trickery. As I said, I don't fault Serah for caring about her friends and feeling the need to intercede. I will never ever fault her for caring. However, my concern is that...who is to say all will go according to this plan? What then if it doesn't? Who has to pay the price at that point? Lenore? Serah? Your brother? You?" Her hands came to settle on her hips and she gave an idle twist side to side to stretch out her back. "I've no desire to fight anyone...enough people suffer in the name of balance and the eternal struggle between darkness and light. But I can't stand idle if the wrong people are threatened."

He smiled amiably. "I've made it clear to your sister Claire, and I'll make it clear to you as well. My quarrel is with Scion and Diritas. So long as no one gets in my way, there will be no one else paying the price. Stay away from Diritas, which is a reasonable thing to ask regardless of circumstance, and there is nothing to worry about. Lenore has only to not speak of those earrings and abide by the terms she agreed to for her information, and even if the plan doesn't work she is safe from me. I made all of this clear to Serah, but she seems set in the idea that I am after pointless chaos and destruction like my brother so often was." After a moment, he seemed to soften a little. "If anyone else pays a price, it will be me. I am willing to shoulder that burden. It is my choice. So I simply ask that you keep any further involvement of your own limited to keeping Serah and anyone else out of my way. It will make things much easier."

"It's a chain reaction, you see. Lenore gets involved, Serah gets involved, I get involved. It's like dominoes. But I do not believe your terms to be fair for Lenore, Ventus. While I know that you're less than inclined to listen to me, I'd like to make a request of you. Do not use them as your pawns. This quarrel is between your brother and you. If it is so meant to be, let Diritas return to the darkness of his own accord, do not use others. Should you return to your natural disposition, I fear you won't be able to live with yourself once you do with what you're asking of others. You aren't meant to be a manipulator, are you?" She asked softly, her words tinged with concern. She was hardly one to lecture but she thought if she approached this with some sort of friendly concern that maybe just maybe she could appeal to his sensibilities. She turned her hands, palm up in a rather open manner, directly contradicting a facade she held so well for others. "While I'll do what I can to deter Serah, I implore you to reconsider your terms you place upon others."

He sighed and looked down at her hands. She was right, he hated what he'd become. Where was Devin when he needed her? She'd be able to fix it. She always did. But she wasn't there, he had to just do it and consider it. "You've been more than reasonable here Claire. I appreciate that. More than you know. You're sister should get a handle on her temper, that's what sent things south during our conversation. So as a favor to you, I will let Lenore out of it. Besides, she's with Tiro now, so it isn't as if she really has to do anything further to hurt Diritas." He shrugged and offered Claire a wan smile.

"I've had a couple enlightening moments as of late." Five hundred years worth. She chuckled and shrugged. "As I said, I've no desire to fight. I've fought for far too long and now, well, I have a balance of my own to maintain. Per my previous words, I'll do my best to keep Serah uninvolved. I believe taking Lenore out of the equation will help greatly so I appreciate you making my job a bit easier." She managed a smile in return before taking a breath and sighing quietly. "Now on the matter of Ifrit. These days, I serve as a bit of a...guardian I suppose for these creatures. Should you need to rid yourself of him, I'd like to escort him properly if possible."

Ventus nodded slowly, considering her words carefully once again. At length, he sighed and waved a hand. The shirt he wore vanished, leaving his torso bared. The alchemical tattoos that helped his alchemy wove over his skin, and there on his chest was a massive sigil burned over the diagrams and through the in. The sigil was scar tissue, raised and knotted. Ventus looked right at her. "This is what Scion did to me. There's something else besides Ifrit, something that keeps him constantly in a rage. It reeks of Scion, and I've yet to figure out how to dismantle it from my soul. If you think you can help me... then I will accept your help. But yours alone." He warned her. No sense letting just anybody poke at his chest and his soul and whatnot.

Her head canted to one side as his shirt disappeared and her gaze roved over his body in a completely impartial fashion. The sigil was committed to memory, her lips pursing and brows furrowing as she took in each detail. "I knew I should have addressed this before now." She muttered to herself softly before looking up into his eyes. "I'll do what I can. I'd be curious to see what hell he's damned the djinn too. Let me research a bit and see what I can find out. Until then as hard as it is, you need to do your best to stay in control of your temper as well, yes?"

Ventus chuckled darkly. "There's only so much I can do. But I will attempt. I wasn't made to bear this darkness Claire. Diritas was. He is able to control those emotions... I was not given the willpower for it. Add in Ifrit's rage... and my own shall we say... slipping grasp on reason. Well... Soon Claire. If you plan on doing something. Do it soon." He smiled but it didn't reach his eyes, which held a haunted look in them for the first time in their conversation. What had he done already to put such a look in his eyes?

A hand went to her pocket, a completely benign gesture carrying no threat to it. "Sometimes we're forced to bear things we aren't meant to. We simply do the best that we can." She lamented knowingly, rummaging until she found what she was looking for. It appeared to be a marble sized crystal, deep purple to the point of almost looking black. "I will do my best as well. I've something I need to see to with Serah to ensure she makes it past her next birthday, but thankfully, time is on my side in ways I didn't think it was. Here. May I?" She offered an open palm with the crystalline marble. "A Chaos crystal. It seems wholly counter intuitive, I know, but I think it may dull the rage if only temporarily. And it will at the least, hopefully, help sate Ifrit...for now. Like...psychic Xanax." She hoped. Eidolons were such temperamental creatures and Ifrit was the poster child for such a thing from what she knew of him.

He took the crystal and pocketed it, he'd deal with that later. "I understand. I wish you luck. And take care Claire. Perhaps, we'll meet again soon hmm?" He chuckled, and with that, he vanished in a white flash and red lightning. Leaving behind nothing but a fresh mohito with an extra slice of lime.

June 1st

The first hints of summer had already woven their way through the grounds of Caelum Manor, winding the scent of blooming dahlias and lilacs through the trees, over the yards, and in through open windows. Wafting curtains danced with the warm breezes and tangled with the lingering crispness of spring that continued to come down out of the mountains and in off of the turquoise lake that lined the south border of the property. The lake was still too cold to swim in, bearing a biting chill remnant of snow capped peaks and glacier fed springs. And it was time to welcome in Summer.

The past month had been a whirlwind of sorts, a never ending parade of grief and condolences, congratulations and well wishes. One chapter had begun for Claire. Another had ended for Lila. And in a way one had ended for Claire as well. Lila had been an opportunity never capitalized upon, a shot at redemption and fixing the mistakes of a self not of this time. A self that could have been, might have been. In the book of life it could have been something pivotal. Instead it had been another heartbreak on a canvas of trials and tribulations, a life gone too soon by a mind broken and deluded by self loathing and an inability to cope. Claire understood. She understood all too well. Understanding stoked a flame, tiny and nondescript, into a towering inferno of purpose. No one should face such things alone and from there on Claire was determined to let no one she knew experience the same.

With the unsteady peace of mind given by her gift of the Heart of Chaos to Serah, Claire felt like she could continue that momentum, using it to keep a steadier connection to her sister. A steadier connection to her friends, to her family, to the people that mattered. Navigating the uncertain waters of relationships with others, she found hesitation at first but perhaps it would waver with time and she might make progress before long. Perseverance was not an unfamiliar word at this point in her life and something like this was worth doing 110 percent right.

"Cordelia are we all set for tonight?" Claire had called from the pantry as she inventoried the groceries she had brought in. The household's cook hummed an affirmative as the portly woman danced her way expertly through the kitchen in an exquisite example of poetry in motion. Claire liked watching the graceful way with which the middle aged woman carried herself through her work. Chopping and marinating and dicing and slicing. It was beautiful. It made her happy that they were having company and she could cook for an army that wasn't the household staff.

"Serah will here, I think, and Zack and Raven are going to bring Addie. Jade will be there and I think she may bring Max. I dunno about Gabriel and Elle. And I invited Spade and his partner-girlfriend as well as Giovanni and a few of the main men. And some others." She ticked over the list out loud, a small smile growing as she did so. Fidgeting quite a bit, she busied herself with the rest of the prep before hauling the marinated meat out to Noctis who was manning the grill. It was a sight, certainly, the young prince wearing an apron and wielding tongs and a spatula like some grill-master. Claire loved it. Tonight would go well, she was determined.


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July 2nd

The mage and the midwife arrived at Caelum Manor at separate times. Each permitted by the Gatekeepers, Claire had plenty of notice as they made their ways up the winding driveway that lead from the property's entrance to the home's front door. She was down in the entryway when the first buzzer rang, lingering there after permitting the magi entrance while she awaited the midwife. Rhy'Din in July should have been hotter but the cross breeze that wafted through the trees was cool against her cheek. A blessing of sorts. The greetings with the mage were uncomfortably formal but when the midwife arrived, Claire relaxed, far more comfortable with the woman than the elder that had arrived before. Noctis was quick to help the midwife, Aemilia, bring in her equipment, setting up in an unused office space on the first level of the expansive manor. Claire liked it if only for that reason, filling space that had been previously empty.

"How've you been feeling?" Aemilia asked while taking Claire's vitals, recording them with neat handwriting across a lavender clipboard holding a small stack of papers. Noctis and the mage conversed quietly in the doorway, discussing only god knows what. Claire slid a glance toward the men before looking back to Aemilia with a bit of a shaky smile.

"The morning sickness has been pretty bad, not gonna lie." Claire mumbled to the woman sheepishly, having experienced it nearly every day since week five. Her go-go-go lifestyle certainly contributed, but she had long since resigned herself to feeling awful for the first half of the day, definitely causing plenty of rushing later in the day.

"Slow it down and make sure you're getting those supplements down. Keep something in your stomach and hopefully it should pass by the time the second trimester rolls around." Aemilia smiled brightly and gave Claire's hand a reassuring squeeze. "Are you still dueling or have you settled back on that?"

With Aemilia's question, Claire ticked an anxious look toward Noct before shrugging faintly. She had not only participated in the challenge for Old Temple at seven weeks, she had also gone through the Tag Team tournament as well as a counter-intercession against the overlord on Shadow's behalf. She had lucked out in challenging Kalamere, though she'd done it in part because she knew he wasn't the sort to go for excessive bloodshed in the ring. All the same, it had been risky. Needless to say, she wasn't doing much to take it easy. Before long, her armor would no longer fit which certainly proved problematic if she needed to defend any titles. Aemilia ran the sonograph transducer over the Baroness's abdomen, taking the woman's extended silence to mean that she hadn't done exactly what the midwife had recommended. But finally Claire spoke up.

"I've cut back. I've only participated in the necessary matches and used a stand in for others..." Claire said softly as her husband and the mage slowly made their way over once the conversation shifted to talk of dueling. It had been a highly contentious point between Claire and Noct, with good reason.

"That's an unnecessary risk, Lady Caelum." The elder mage said sternly, prompting a sour look from Claire. Had it been anyone else, she would have stuck her tongue out at them. But Noct had insisted that he come and well, who was she to tell him no. He only did it out of concern after all.

"I understand and I've been taking the necessary precautions." She said tersely, wiggling uncomfortably thanks to the cold gel on her stomach. Noctis frowned faintly, looking as though he might interject. The mage was halfway there as well when Aemilia spoke up.

"Well look at that!" Brightly as she looked at the read on the machine. Claire had been so caught up in defending herself that she hadn't even been paying attention. All four pairs of eyes moved toward the screen before Aemilia finally pointed out what she was talking about. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you're looking at two wee little heartbeats there."

"Twins?" Noctis asked softly, his mind trying to wrap around what Aemilia had just said. Claire was equally as dumbfounded, staring at the midwife and her fancy contraption as the woman nodded confirmation to Noct. Certainly that wasn't right. What in the hell was in the water around here? Evidently the mage had the same thought as well.

"This place has such an odd incidence of multiples. I'd like to study it more in depth." He nodded slowly, rather interesting in the subject. Whatever, so long as it got them off Claire's case about dueling, she was fine with it. Oh wait, that wasn't happening. "Also, I'd like to work with the Lady in regards to summons that can be used to stand in for her in the event of challenges to her sporting titles. The throne's heirs must be protected at all costs and while I can enchant and ward and protect, I'd rather not take chances."

Welp. That was that.

August 15th

How is it that she simultaneously had all the time in the world but not enough time in the day? Her list of responsibilities was mounting and she was completely incapable of making enough time in every day to accomplish it all.

Rebuild the Unseen Realm; even delegated out, it required extensive oversight on top of maintaining the in and out flow of the land of the dead. They couldn't have another incident like last time. No, not in the least.

Watch over Lucis in the midst of a war; easier said than done, it was so tempting to step in and assist but...she couldn't. She could comfort the souls of those lost or bless those fighting with an indomitable spirit in hopes that it carried them through battle. But she couldn't put herself on the front line as she was so accustomed to.

There was the royal wedding to worry about as well, but she did most of her accommodating from the comfort of Rhydin. Her time in Lucis was carefully managed and per her request to the king, many of the consultants, planners, and designers won themselves trips to Rhydin on the Kingdom's dime.

Within Rhydin she had a whole gamut of tasks, both personal and business. And still, not enough hours in the day.

Noct had decided that she wouldn't be working but that still didn't mean her days were filled with relaxing and doing nothing. There were preparations to be made for the house and making sure that come January she would have time off as well.

There was the matter of Team Dirty and their possible entry into Iron Fists League again. That could either go really well or really poorly, she wasn't sure. All the same, it was coming up quick and her experimentation with using proxies in her fights was a tedious task. On top of that, there was a matter of maintaining her own titles. The Tower of Earth sat unchallenged, though that was more easily defendable with a proxy in her place. Her worry came from Old Temple, and she knew the first time it was challenged would probably be the only time. That said, she could only hope to hold off on any fighting.

She felt slow and clunky, her center of balance thrown off by the change in her mass. Fighting was a major no go, especially once the mage and the midwife doubled her worry for her. Claire was no long responsible only for herself, she had...a family. It was weird to say the least.

Dragon's Gate Orphanage was another matter, the children's home requiring plenty of oversight and when the headmaster Shadow came down ill (odd for an elf, oh she certainly thought so), Claire had to make sure everything was seen to in the mean time.

And then came the worrying messages from Garret at the restaurant. While Claire had only found it slightly troublesome how much Serah was drinking, it had finally got to the point where it was affecting her work. There were whispers of a possible breakup with the young man Claire had met on Serah's birthday which certainly was no good but the drinking was worse and Claire found herself contemplating the merits of an intervention.

Icing on the cake? This shit with Scion never seemed to end and on her agenda was yet another discussion with the sword mage, Arthour. Not enough hours in the day. Not in the least.

October 24th

Three things sat on the table between Claire and the man across from her; a tablet streaming a feed of the latest news and sports headlines, a beginner's guide to sewing, and a plate bearing cinnamon sugar toast. She had been alternating between the three regularly in between conversing with Giovanni. He sat in a plush chair, his own tablet held in his grasp as he reviewed payroll, merchandise designs, and other miscellaneous business.

A headline scrolled across the pink haired baron's tablet, prompting a quirked brow and a tap of her finger. Reading over the blurb, she snorted and shook her head, bringing Gio's attention upon her. His own brow slid upwards as he leveled his copper gaze on her. When she said nothing, he finally bit.

"What is the latest outrage?" He asked dryly. Claire tipped a look up at him, tapped a few buttons and sent the story to his tablet. As he looked it over, she explained her ire.

"Leave it to the press to turn a positive and charitable request into an opportunity to criticize. Terry's been overlord for what...two days? And they're already on her shit for the good she's trying to do." Claire was annoyed, that much was obvious. Giovanni exhaled slowly and nodded.

"Then I suggest you voice your support for her project then, yes?" He suggested. Claire crinkled her nose.

"I figured that would be implied since, oh, I dunno, DGO is mine and Shadow's project..." Yes, very annoyed. Giovanni chuckled.

"Not all are so sharp as to remember that. You can shut them up rather easily by rallying support. Need I prepare you a statement or can you handle it without be inflammatory?" Gio asked innocently. Oh how Claire glared at him.

"I can do it, thank you very much." She huffed at him and stood up. Taking her toast with her, she toddled for the doors. It was really hard to storm out when you're operating at turbo waddle speed. Just as the doors shut, she swore she heard Giovanni chuckling.

January 29th

Someone had tipped Cordellia off that it was the birthday of a certain guest at Caelum Manor. So she was up early to prepare a little surprise for him. Chocolate with even more chocolate mousse filling, the cake was carefully made and the features were formed with fondant while the fur was done in chocolate buttercream frosting.

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Along with a neatly written little note;

Signore Cooper,

Happiest Day of Birth. Please be joining us for dinner, we will have birthday dinner just for you!

~Cordellia

March 20th, 2015

He had followed at a distance most of the morning. Until the balance of the children and the quickly accumulating shopping bags had him closing the distance between them. The fae blooded cambion fell into a long legged stride beside her and she looked up at him with a huff.

"You don't have to follow me like a creep. You could have said hello earlier." Claire grumbled. Giovanni reached to take bags off her hands, slipping loops and bagged dresses over his wrist or forearm until they were neatly draped and arranged.

"I figured you wanted to maintain the peace of your morning, m'lady. Had you wanted my company, I'm sure you would have made it known." He gave her a sidelong smile as they wandered through booths and past storefronts, the tail end of Fashion Week giving way to sales and more purchases than the pink haired woman should have probably made.

"Ngh. Meh. Any word?" She asked him hopefully, praying to every god above that perhaps he had finally caught up with her to bring word from Lucis. He was quiet though, too quiet, and the shake of his head soon confirmed his lack of news.

"No, I'm sorry. We've been constantly attempting contact but..." Giovanni trailed off with an apologetic shrug. He sensed a tensing of her shoulders that even reached a fine ripple of tightness along her jawline. She gave him a gentle nod of her head and narrowed her gaze on some indiscernible point on the horizon. By now he knew this as her 'I'm holding it together' face. Gio knew differently but said nothing.

"Do you think this shade of blue would work for Serah?" She asked him, gesturing toward a one shouldered gown on display in a wide window. Subject change, evasion, how good she had become at it. With a quiet sigh, he nodded his agreement and so they stepped inside to add further to the retail therapy haul.

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April 1st

Another day, another call from Giovanni. She barely caught the upbeat ringer over the music being pumped into her ears by a well worn set of earbuds but just before it kicked over to voicemail she managed to catch the flash of her screen and snapped it up, quickly punching at the talk button.

"'Lo?" She asked, catching her phone between her ear and shoulder as she glanced over to the pair of sleeping infants tucked soundly in their playpen.

"Evening Lady Caelum. How's the day find you?

"Mmh another day, another whatever the saying goes. Whatcha need? I was just wrapping up my evening session in the gym."

"Ah, sorry to interrupt then. Might I ask why it is you owe a favor to Harris D'Artainian?"

"Favor huh? How'd you find out about that?"

"Oh he announced it to the world on the Arena's board claiming you owe him one and that he wishes you to fulfill it by offering the Overlord's Grant to one, Maggie Harker."

Snort.

"He's clearly being a dick for the sake of being a dick."

"Oh? Why do you say that?"

"...because it's Harris and he'd never do something altruistic like that. Did you know he once put a bounty out for anyone who brought him one of little Maggie's limbs during a tournament?"

Gio sounded like he nearly choked.

"What?! By Etro's name, you're joking right, that's terrible!"

"It is terrible, so why're you snickering?

"I'm not," mutter grumble, "anyways. So this is an April Fool's joke?"

"Probably. Anyways, I can't give the grant out until the new cycle starts. So he'll have to deal. At least he's not dead."

"Thank the gods for small favors." Dryly.

April 12th

The hour was late, streetlamps flickering by as the Jeep approached the city's south gate. Averia and Alex were out hard, tucked in and buckled into their seats. Her stomach was full but her heart was still empty, something she wasn't sure could be remedied. Not any time soon at least. The evening had been a blur; calling the Air Challenge, wandering into the Annex for Fight Night only to find the crowd fixated on a rather exciting Madness match, and then the Seaside challenge in the Arena.

She had known from the start the potential for trouble, her teammate challenging a loyal baron. Her loyal baron. By the gods, that was such a strange thought that it almost had her in a fit of delirious giggles. Claire Caelum, Overlord. What a sham. Her inner voice was a wee bit derisive, don't you think? When the last streetlights gave way to the dark of midnight south of the city proper, she found she could think just a bit clearer. Said thinking, though, was always short lived and her phone lit up in the console.

Diamante, Giovanni

Reluctantly she thumbed the talk button on the steering wheel and cleared her throat. A few taps adjusted the volume to make sure the cambion didn't scare the living daylights out of the sleeping twins.

"Talk to me, Gio." Hands-free, what a godsend. Whoever invented that should be awarded a medal or something.

"Saw our boy lost, eh?" His voice by way of the Wrangler's speakers was slightly distorted, something she attributed to the mix of magic and technology. So tricky.

"Aye, it's okay though. Seaside's just not meant to be for him right now. Besides, it keeps a loyal in place either way." Though he'd never see it, she shrugged, eyes on the road. The occasional car passed her, going in the opposite direction and here and there she glanced into the rearview to watch the city fade behind her, a vibrant dome of light in the dimmed mirror.

"A loyal that would have no qualms about gunning for your title had she been unseated." Gio pointed out slowly. Again came the shrug, the bounce of her shoulders loose.

"It is what it is. It's just a sport, Gio. She was upfront with me and I was upfront with her, I knew what I was getting into." Out of sheer bad habit, she found herself chewing on her thumb nail and forced herself to place both hands firmly on the steering wheel. Ten and two.

"A sport that is paying the team's bills for the time being. Putting money into savings, paying salaries, keeping the training center running. I hate to say it but while admirable, the towers on the Isle do not draw the same sort of endorsements that say baronies or opals do." As he rambled, Claire bobbed her head side to side, bouncing to a tune only she could hear.

"Aaaaaaand your point? We make do. We always do. We made it fine when we were on the bottom and we'll make it fine on the way to the top. What're you getting at? You don't just blabber to me unless you have an underlying point." Might as well cut to the chase. She was turning off of the main road and down the winding cut out in the treeline that would eventually lead her home.

"We need to ramp up promotion. And recruitment. I've got a pitch for you but I want to lay it out in person, preferably with the team there if possible. Hope, Shadow, Khoom namely. Anyone with a top rank in one of the sports. Round them up and I'll buy breakfast if it gets you all to sit still and listen for once." Claire could hear the teasing grin even through the phone and she managed a tired chuckle for him.

"I'll see what I can do, Gio. Khoom's been busy with the temple stuff and Hope's... ngh, I don't want her fighting. But I'll do what I can if you can do me a favor." She requested softly, turning once more, this time past the first of many granite outcroppings and down the twisting turning driveway. The gatehouse was passed with an upnod for the night watch and soon the trek up the quarter mile long drive was complete.

"Name it, you've got it." Gio promised. Claire twisted the keys in the ignition, killing the engine but leaving it just enough that the call would stay connected.

"Hunt down Sven for me and have him report to the office by noon tomorrow. He and I need to have a talk." Tension strangled her words, in particular to last and Giovanni easily picked up on her anxiety.

"Not a problem, Lady Caelum. I'll do what I can." Clipped, she sensed his swing to straight business and the conversations reached its natural stopping point.

"Thanks Gio. I'll talk to you tomorrow." She was tired and the kids still needed to be hauled inside and put to bed. Times like these she wished she trusted a nanny.

"We'll talk tomorrow, Lady Caelum." He agreed.

"Claire. It's Claire. Just, Claire." Trying to get the last word in, she was already halfway to the end call button when Gio caught her one last time.

"Sure thing, Lady Caelum!" The start of a laugh could be heard before he cut off the call without a chance at rebuttal from her.

September 20th

Hours passed, the party had died, and her husband had taken two very sleepy twins along with their wolfish companions back home for bedtime. Somewhere over the horizon, the sun contemplated rising for the day. Not quite yet, but perhaps soon. Her boots were tossed somewhere on the grass and her toes were buried in the sand. It was a familiar sense of home that had her eyes burning as she passed the bottle of champagne back to Zack. Other empties littered the ground around them and by now she should have been drinking water, but the swimming feeling in her head was too pleasant to say goodbye to. "I didn't wanna pull her away from the party for the challenge... so I just made her my lady of honor instead. Noct never really saw the appeal in dueling, so it's probably better he stayed with the kids."

Having returned to the party, and said his goodbyes not only to Claire two kids, as well as his own. While saying goodbye to Raven, Addie and the others. Now stretched out on the beach as he stared out over the water, before glancing towards Claire as he took the bottle back and took a swig. Only to pass it back towards her, as his own swimming feeling was starting to hit him. "I don't blame you on that. You making her your lady of honor and all that." Pausing for a moment to her comment about the appeal of dueling. "Always kinda guessed that he wasn't into dueling all that much." A faint smile as he wiggled his toes in the sand.

The light of the dying bonfire was barely reflected in her eyes, little sparks and embers mirrored as they floated away into the night sky. Taking the bottle back, she took a long draw and then a second. "They're what I've got for family. Like, family-family. Just kinda... I dunno... makes me wonder if I had other family if they would come to things like this." A third swig was needed and quickly taken before she stuffed the bottle in the sand. Champagne was never her thing but they were out of the good stuff. "It's dumb. It's just sports. No different than a recital or some such shit, right?"

Glancing towards the last of the bonfire for a moment, before looking back out across the water, without reaching for the bottle again. "I know how you feel, as not counting adopted family. They are all I have." Shrugging lightly for a moment as he suddenly flopped back in the sand with his hands slipping behind his hair. "That's all it really is. A sport, but some people see things one way, and others see it differently."

"Adopted family still counts, Zack. You've got your dad and your brothers and they love you very much." Plucking the bottle out of the sand, she passed it back over. "I never really thought I'd say it, but I really miss my mom. We clashed so much... but, she was only trying to do what was best for me." Claire stifled a sniffle with a clearing of her throat. "It's something I do in my free time. It's supposed to be relaxing rather than work but the competition side is nice. My parents would have hated it..." That got a wry chuckle out of her.

"Well. They are all I have in terms of family." Muttered under his breath as he slowly took the bottle from her and tipped it back for a long swig of his own. "Haven't talked to my mom in a long while." Holding the bottle out towards her, before shifting to rub a hand against her back. "Maybe so but they would be happy to know that you are happy, Claire."

She slid a sidelong look at him, her lips pursed. It wasn't a happy look, not in the least. He had given up a family, a large one at that, including some that still referred to him as their brother. She had Serah. And while Serah was wonderful, she was still just one person. The last piece of Pulse that Claire had. The last piece of the Farron family that she had. "Your family is a stone's throw away at any given time. Don't waste that." Rather than taking the bottle, she pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs. Chin set to knees, she pinned her gaze on the horizon, willing the sun to come up. "No, they wouldn't have wanted me fighting. Always fighting. So much fighting. When does it stop?"

He caught that look and smiled faintly at her, as it was all he could give her in return for it. He knew that some still called him brother from that side of the family. Really maybe two or three at best. Though he considered his adopted family as family if he had anything to say about it. "Yeah. Last time I talked to them? We came to blows on how things should be done." Shrugging at her as he set the bottle into the sand. "You have to make the choice to stop fighting, Claire." Looking back up at the night sky again. "Only you can make yourself stop, and to do so before things pass you by."

She sighed. It felt like such a waste. "I don't just mean them, I mean your dad and such too. Don't sit there and tell me you have no family. Or else I'll punch you in the dick like I'm going to do to Rand." Claire was exasperated to say the least. One hand freed itself from its lock around her knees and she buried her fingers in the sand, curling her digits against the fine granules. "But it's so easy... it's what I do. My dad, when he was alive, was a member of the Corps. Bravest man I know. Knew. But the last thing he wanted was for me or Serah to follow in his footsteps. Now look where I am... dear Etro. What would he even say?"

He reached towards her with a light nudge for a moment. "I know what you mean, and no punching me in the dick. But you can do that to Rand all you want." Waving a hand at her before shaking his head slightly now with a sigh. Seems it was his turn to be slightly exasperated. "Claire." Now rocking up to sit up and glancing towards her. "You have a choice to continue fighting or to stop and focus on what you have right now." Softly yet firmly to her. "As for what he would say to you? I don't know."

"You would deserve it." She glanced aside at the nudge. In the dark it was hard to tell but her eyes were red rimmed but the dying flames weren't quite enough to catch the glimmer of moisture along her lash line. "Are you trying to say I'm not focusing on it? Because you're sadly mistaken. But there are other things that I can't just... hang up. Life isn't so sympathetic that it cooperates when you decide you're done fighting. That's how you die, you quit fighting when life isn't done throwing shit at you." Now she needed a drink. She grabbed for the bottle and chugged a gulp or three.

"No I wouldn't." Sticking his tongue out at her for a moment, as his brows rose a touch as he caught that red rimmed in her eyes. Getting him to dust his hands of to rid them of the sand, before shifting more towards her, with his hands coming up to wipe those fallen tears away. "I know there are other things that you just cant hang up, Claire. As for life throwing shit at you? It's always going to do that." Murmured softly to her.

"By taking your family for granted? Fuck yes you would." She found herself growling the words and caught herself with a quick drink. Claire hadn't even realized she was crying when she felt the swipe of his fingers across her cheeks. "So you've just contradicted yourself, Zackary. If I can't quit and life won't quit, then how do I quit? How do I justify giving it up?" By then, it was clear they were no longer talking of mere sport.

He just shook his head on that one, as it was a subject that they would continue to end up fighting on. Keeping focused on using his thumbs to wipe the tears away instead. "I tend to do that from time to time, Claire." Pausing for a moment. "You have to pick what you deem worth fighting for and only fight for that." It was the best answer that he could offer to her.

"Stop it. I'm fine," she said tersely, swatting at his hands. There was no place for weakness, not even in front of him. "Because it's just so easy, isn't it?" Her retort was bitter, dripping with sarcasm. Pulling back from him, she tilted the bottle back and finished off the contents before dropping it to join the others with a clatter of glass. She didn't know what she had hoped to accomplish in her rambling talk with him, but whatever it was, she had missed the goal by a mile. There were no answers, no consolation, and so with that set firmly in her mind, she pushed herself to her feet, swaying. "Sun's coming up soon. Raven will wonder where you're at. I should... get out of here too."

That got him to narrow his eyes at her. "No you aren't fine." Matching her retort, then growled faintly at her as well. "Nothing in life is easy, Claire." With him moving to his feet as well, with a hand grasping her shoulder as she started to sway. "She knows that I can handle myself, and right now. You need someone to keep an eye on you."

"Except I am. Because I don't have a choice otherwise. There's fine and there's everything falls apart. And I can't do that to the little bit of a family I've got." Her voice was unsteady so she took a deep breath to even herself out. "Zack, I don't need anyone to keep an eye on me. I'm the eye. I keep it on everyone else."

"Even you need a break from everything, and be the one that let's someone else do the fighting for you." Keeping that hand to her shoulder, before shaking his head slightly at her. "Tough. I made a promise to you a long time ago, and no matter what you say. I'm going to keep an eye on you. So. Shut up and stop trying to be all hard ass with me. It's not going to work. Ever."

"I've tried that before. It doesn't work very well and usually ends in disaster." She scrubbed her hands over her face, trying to rub away the urge to cry or scream or yell or something. "Don't tell me to shut up. You shut up. I'm fine. I just want pancakes and to not think about this anymore."

"You do need a break from everything, and if shit hits the fan over it. So be it." Shrug of his shoulders as he continued to keep a hand to her shoulder, as he watched her closely. "Shut up." Leaning in towards her as he finally shifted to lead the way. "Come on then. I'll make you some pancakes." A glance over his shoulder. "So...shut up and come on."

The steady hand was much needed after the copious amounts of alcohol she had consumed that evening. Even throwing up earlier in the night hadn't halted her progress and by now, she couldn't have walked a straight line if you paid her. "You shut up. And make me pancakes." A hand grabbed at the back of his shirt so she didn't get lost. Lead the way.

November 27th

In light of Serah's protestations that the Team Dirty merchandise collection didn't include any skirts, and the fact that said merchandise was being used to help replenish a closet lost in one of the many blazes in Rhydin City as of late, Giovanni sent a neatly wrapped box over to the apartment above the Sassy Owl Saloon. Enclosed were four long sleeved shirts, four skirts, and four pairs of leggings. Likely they didn't match, after all women's fashion was hardly something Giovanni had an eye for, but they were in colors and patterns that he thought may suit the younger Farron sister. All new, all bearing tags from boutiques in New Haven and the higher end sector of the Marketplace, and all Serah's. Not hand-me-downs, not extras from a sports team's merch box, just Serah's. Enclosed was a tag clearly marking the box for Serah and signed in a neat script with his name. No other explanation was offered.

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June 4th

It was super early in the morning when she arrived to pick up her niece and nephew. A little package for her sister was left behind as she took the kiddos out for some fun and left mommy dearest to get some relaxation in.

The day started out with hitting a nice little cafe where she introduced her niece and nephew to funny-faced pancakes. By the time mid-noon hit they had made their way to Serah's cabin by the lake. Dressed to swim they splashed in the water for a few hours but once the sun hit the high point she decided it was best to bring them inside and away from the harsh sun.

Which was fine because they were both tuckered out and naptime was about to happen which was great because it gave her time to deal with the company that suddenly was at her door. The girls of Beauty and the Beats had showed up to talk about the new music they were planning to do for the reopening of the Ampersand. The girls cooed and oogled over the sleeping little ones which in turned woke them up. Like all kids that age they sprung to life and the fun started up again.

For a few minutes she left the twins in the care of the women, a hurried shimmering her way to the inn. Well after a handful of tries. Just there long enough to pick up the things she had bought for her niece and nephew the night before. It took a few tries just to get back and somehow she still ended up on the roof! Not entirely off the mark at least. Maybe Kaleb would be proud to know she was practicing to get better with an ability he gifted to her.

She returned to find her niece and nephew passed out, cuddled among the group of girls who hushed Serah when she walked through the door. After that they didn't remain much longer, leaving Serah to snuggle with the little ones sleeping.

The evening would be filled with a wholesome dinner, provided by Garrett of course, and more swimming. By the time night came they were completely passed out in the bed that Serah had framed with a ton of pillows so they couldn't roll out. Cuddled with teddies and blankets, they looked peaceful. She could only hope her sister was enjoying the night just as much as they were. They all needed it in her humbled opinion.

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