Work Text:
There was a swirling, magical storm above Night Raven College. Something was wrong. Malleus could feel it in the atmosphere and his retainers could too. It was not a malicious sort of ‘wrong,’ but…something very strange was afoot.
For safety, the fae prince was strongly advised to go back into his dorm room until whatever the source of this phenomenon was figured out. Which he did, by his own means of course. No one ordered him around unless he allowed them to after all.
“Tsuuuuu….tsuuuuuu…”
As soon as the prince walked into his room, he heard a small, keening sound from somewhere under his bed. Hm…what an odd aura…it feels familiar, but different somehow. Walking towards his bed, the noise seemed to completely cease, but that did not stop him from lifting up his whole bed with a hand to check. “Who dares trespass upon my quarters?”
There on the ground was a tiny, blue, shivering light. Upon closer inspection, he noticed it was attached to something rounded. Wait, this is no light, but fiery embers…made of some sort of material? It was like a fire but of fabric, burning off at the ends and swaying just like it, yet somehow keeping a plush appearance…a material not of this world.
When he leaned closer, the small thing made a high-pitched squeak. It attempted to hop away, but the fae easily captured it with his magic. “Tsuuu!! T-T-Tsuu!!” Its itty bitty limbs flailed helplessly as Malleus floated the tiny creature upwards.
Noticing familiarity in the thing’s attire as well as its look, a surprised expression settled onto his features. “Oya, oya…are you a tiny Shroud…? Much smaller than the small Shroud, but has a resemblance to Shroud…how odd. But it explains the familar feeling I perceived earlier.”
As soon as the creature was eye level, it stopped flailing and began to quiver, tears flowing from its little golden eyes. “T-Tsum…T…Tsu…”
“Are you fearful of me?” He frowned and began to remove his gloves, gently setting the tiny Shroud in his palm, rather than leaving it up in the air. It was a perfect fit in his hand, such a petite thing. “Do not fret, I do not intend to harm you, tiny Shroud.” Using a finger, he stroked the top of the creature’s head a couple of times to show his intentions. “Do you see now?”
It closed its eyes from the light pats, the tears beginning to dry and its oval-shaped body relaxing. “Fufufu, have I tamed you already~?”
The plush-like creature suddenly opened its eyes and did small, stomp-like bounces in his palm, as if it was reacting to his statement. “Tsu-Tsu!!” Ah…was it upset? It certainly seemed discontented from those words.
“Oya? Might you understand my speech, tiny Shroud?” He sat down on his mattress, careful to keep his open palm level as he did so. “I did not mean any discourtesy, you are such a little being that I misspoke. I have noticed humans tend to do such things around smaller life forms, so it seems to have rubbed off on me a tad.” He began to pet its head again since it seemed to calm the little one. It was very soft, as if it was something made for patting. “I mistakenly used a word that is normally used for domesticated animals. You are not an animal, but a Shroud. Forgive me.” He hummed, using the pad of his finger to rub under the creature’s chin. It was fuzzy, like it was made of some sort of cloth-like material, but was warm as if it had flesh. How curious.
The round creature lifted itself up a bit on its stubby arms, seeming to welcome the gesture. “Does this please you?” He lightly pressed his finger against the small creature's cushy cheek, rubbing there too. It was making various small ‘tsu’ noises, which the fae assumed was indicating enjoyment. “Fufu, you are quite the precious little darling, adorable I am sure most would say…~”
It suddenly froze. “Ts…Ts—!!” The small creature’s blue embers began to shift to a pinkish hue as it leapt out of Malleus’s hand to the top of his head, pushing itself under his cap.
The fae couldn’t help but laugh a bit, deciding to let it stay there for now. “ Are you shy, tiny Shroud? You remind me quite a bit of the Shroud here, fufufu~” He brought a thoughtful finger up to his chin, tapping it. “Perhaps I should introduce you to the Shroud…”
He reached up and put a few fingers under his cap, attempting to coax the creature back onto his hand. “Why not come out? It is no good to stay under there.”
“Tsumumu….” It made a small noise of what sounded like disapproval from the tone, quiet and low.
“I will not force you…” Suddenly, the fae had an idea. Standing up and strolling over to his desk, he picked up a thimble. Using magic, he turned the small device into a little cap with tiny pointed ears. Normal-sized Shroud had an affinity towards felines, so perhaps it would work? He spoke aloud. “But I do not know what I shall do with this small cap I possess, I thought it was the perfect fit for a tiny Shroud. Pity.”
He felt a shift from the top of his head, he could tell the creature was peeking out from under his hat a bit. There we are, he seemed to have caught tiny Shroud’s interest. “What shall I do with such a thing?” He sat the cap on his palm and moved it up to the creature’s eye level. “This is your last opportunity, otherwise I suppose I will have to dispose of this.”
“Tsu!” The littlest Shroud hopped back into his hand, happily pushing the hat with his nose as Malleus chuckled softly. He picked up the small article with two fingers, setting it atop the 3rd Shroud’s head. “Tsuuuu, tsu~!” It hopped up and down appreciatively before shyly nuzzling his index finger as a thanks.
With such a sweet display, he noted the need to manufacture an actual cap for the creature. How sad would it be once that conjured cap disappeared? Absolutely not permissible, this one will not witness such a horrible thing. “Fufu, I am overjoyed that you like it, tiny Shroud…~ It fits you well~” He maneuvered the creature to sit on his shoulder. “Let us go to the Ignihyde dorm, I implore you to meet the eldest Shroud~”
Ignoring the suggestions to stay in his quarters, Malleus used his magic to teleport to Idia’s residence.
Idia was on his computer, playing a free online game where a girl in a school uniform blasted random men with ‘pink love lasers’ out of her eyes. “A classic to the reverse harem genre~ Such a simple game, but amazingly entertaining concept, hihihi~” He had revisited it many times before. It was a short game with no real story, but the visual of 2D men with cartoony heart eyes floating after the protag, in addition to beating the ‘love rivals’ and conquering the heart of the most attractive boys in the level, was too entertaining to NOT revisit every year or so.
The strangeness going on outside didn’t concern him in the least. Since it didn’t interrupt his internet connection, he had no reason to be worried about it. It was just some odd storm, it’d pass. He was safe in his precious room.
He grinned as he filled the last heart, the 2D guy lining up in his metaphorical ‘conga line of love.’ “Ha! Can’t beat my masterful mouse mashing~ Man, having everyone infatuated with you is great on paper, but if it happened irl I would die immediately…this is why games are OP~!” As soon as he slipped off his headset, he heard a rustling in the corner of his room.
Swiveling around in his chair, he saw some strange black thing emerging from a paper pile. “W…What the…?” He sweatdropped, yeah his room was a mess but…it wasn’t so bad that it attracted pests, right?! Picking up an empty instant noodle cup from a day or two prior, he cautiously began approaching the black clad thing, which he figured was a mouse.
He held up the cup defensively, preparing for his moment to cover the enemy so he could relocate it properly. “Catch and Release objective in progress…pacifist route most recc’d…”
“Tssuuuuuuuu….!”
“…?!” He jumped, dropping his makeshift catching-device. That wasn’t a mouse noise. He tiptoed closer, noticing little horns sticking up and a familiar cape. “M-Mr.Malleus…?!” He blinked several times, completely bewildered. “Have you shrunk?? What are you doing here???” Cautiously, he scooped up the mini Malleus into his hands, turning him so he could see his face. “W-Woah…this Mr.Malleus is majorly friend-shaped…and looks super puni-puni…I wanna poke his cheeks…really bad actually..” Idia mumbled to himself as tiny, stern green eyes stared up at him fearlessly.
“Tsum?” It seemed to question at Idia, which of course the man didn’t understand.
“S-Such a cute noise….! My restraint is draining by the minute I—!!” He raised his index finger shakily, trying to hold himself back. T..This can’t be Mr.Malleus, so it’s probably fine, something this miniature…absolutely no way..! “I-I’m sorry, Mr.Maybe-Not-Malleus, I don’t really know what you are but…I just g-gotta…!!”
Poke.
A massive grin grew onto his features as the tip of his finger sank into squishy plushie-goodness. The cheek!! Just as I thought, it’s super squishy!!! The fiery-haired man’s own cheeks flushed in adoration for this tiny Malleus. “Look at yew, just being a smol bean on my hand, hihihi~” He began to very gently poke at other places, testing the ‘squish factor.’ He made his way to the horns, rubbing them curiously. “Awe, your itty bitty lil pokey bits are p hard actually~ It makes yew a lil ferocious, yes it does~” He cooed, tapping the tips with the pad of his finger.
The horned Tsum was shocked, eyes widened from the sudden poking and prodding. “Tsumumumu.” It spoke out, trying to wiggle out of Idia’s hand.
Instead of wiggling out, a particular hard jerk made it flip onto its back instead. It tried to flip itself back around, but it couldn’t manage with Idia adjusting his grasp to cradle it.
SOFT STOMACH EXPOSURE!!! Idia practically screamed in his head. “Can I touch?? Am I getting ultra rare belly scritchy rights???” He questioned aloud, going ahead and rubbing the mini Malleus’ stomach with two fingers.
The creature's arms moved about frantically, not doing much since they were so small. But to Idia, it was an adorable gesture. “Gyeheheh~ Look at yew go~ Are yew trying to swim lil Mally Bean~? So stwong and majestic, such a good boy~” He singsonged. “You’re kinda like a terrapin right now, aren’t yew~? Hehe, Malle-pin~”
Suddenly, the creature stopped moving completely for several seconds, then began to quiver. “You’re so cu—e-eh?” The sudden change gave Idia a start, pulling his hand away quickly. “Are you alright..??” He questioned, but before he could check, green lightning zapped his fingers like a sharp whip.
“H-Hie?!” He squeaked, opening his hand up to which the small creature flew out of. “Ugh…that stung…” He whimpered, rubbing across his fingers. The lightning was miniature and non-major, but it really hurt…!
“Tsumumu! Tsum!” The plush, now floating, looked agrivated. It flew closer to Idia’s face. “Tsumtsumu!”
Idia looked up to see the annoyed creature, he noticed green lightning crackling around it. So angi… “S-Sorry..I prolly overdid it a bit…I’m back to reality now..!” He put his hands up defensively and pouted to himself just the slightest bit, mumbling. “But it’s not my fault that loaf-shaped Malleus is undeniably adorable, I just had to touch…especially because he's like a living plushie, unfair expectations…” He sighed before quickly bending down, getting into his snack stash. The floating ‘Mallepin’ watched as he pulled out a cookie, breaking it in half. “Here, can we have a truce?” He held it out as he spoke.
The lightning slowly dissipated as the creature idled in the air for several moments before approaching. It seemed to sniff at the treat before it took it in its…mouth? At least he assumed it was its mouth, since it looked like the thing didn’t even have a mouth to begin with.
Idia held out his hand flat. “Wanna sit? I swear I won’t poke at you again.” The creature almost seemed to think for a few moments, but it soon came down and laid across Idia’s hand, munching on the treat it was given.
C…Cute… Idia watched, marveled by the little thing somehow eating despite its lack of a mouth. Aaaaggghhh…I wanna rub my cheek against it so bad, deserves to be cuddled for eating so well…!!!!
“I’m gonna dieee…fade away into the void..!” He used his free hand to cover his flushed face, trying to contain his affection for the adorable being. When it was done, it had bits of cookie stuck to its face. “Oh..hihi, lemme help…~” He carefully wiped leftover crumbs from its face, using the tip of his thumb. His demeanor naturally shifted again from helping the fuzzy thing. “Can’t I give just one kissy to the full boi…plz…yew deserve a lil smoochie for finishing your meal so well, fuihihi~” He couldn’t help but baby-talk it, it came out automatically.
The small being stared at him with its shiny, green eyes and slowly lifted its head upwards. “…Tsuutsum..~”
It’s so baby, my poor heart..!!! Taking it as a go ahead, Idia brought the plush-like creature upwards and gave it a kiss on top of its head gently.
“Shroud?”
“Hie?!” He pulled away from the peck, jerking his head around to see Malleus standing there. “St-Standard size Mr.Malleus?! H-How long have you been in here?!”
Standard size...? He tilted his head thoughtfully. “I am not certain, but...” A small smile played on his lips. “I was present long enough to wish that I experienced such praise for simply finishing a meal~ I am very envious of that creature receiving such tender treatment from Shroud, fufu..~”
Becoming pink, he sputtered, “Y-You saw…?!?!! P-Please just forget it, immediately! Erase it completely from your memory!!”
Malleus stifled a laugh, deciding not to tease further. “I also have a similar predicament to yours.” He gestured to his shoulder, the tiniest Shroud peeking from Malleus’s hair. “They seem to be of the same species, but this one bears a resemblance to you.”
“W-Woah..! Do you know where they came from??” He got up, coming closer to look at the other creature. It has a cat-shaped hat?! Why were these things so adorable, even HIS version was so huggable..!! The opposite of his irl vibe!
“You do not know? I came hoping you would have an inkling to where these appeared from.” He sighed. “It seems we are in the same boat then.”
“They kinda remind me of stackable plushies…I dunno if someone used magic to make them alive or something but..” Idia went over to his desk and set the mini Malleus on it. “This one can even fly, which makes sense since it looks like you, but I don’t know if a magic spell could make something fly and be alive at the same time…does the one you have do that?”
“Not as far as I know.” The fae followed after Idia, deciding to take the tiniest Shroud off his shoulder, which earned him an unhappy squeak. He set the creature next to the horned one, it almost immediately started to flush at the tips.
“Tsutsu?” The horned tsum seemed to question the other one sitting next to it.
“T..T-Tsuuumtsu…” Steadily, the other plushie’s flames grew pinker. It was fidgety and looked like it wanted to hop away at a moment's notice, but it did not.
“The Shroud-like one turned rosey…I regret that I do not understand the language they use.” The tall fae sighed softly.
“Same here.” Idia simply responded, before grinning to himself. “Fuehihihi~ Look at him go, this is the first time I’ve been this invested in 3D interaction in a while~” He watched them gleefully as the Malleus tsum seemed to try and get the Idia tsum’s attention, hopping around his desk happily. “If my heart-throb sensors are right, I think mini Malleus over there may have a lil tiny crush~”
“Do you think so? I assumed that the tiniest Shroud may possibly harbor some feelings instead, it became pink just from being set next to that one after all.”
“I mean, maybe, but when you look at it objectively, the other one wants to get its attention. So that one turning pink is just a reaction to someone who flirts on the regular, ez, no extra affection points necessary…assuming whatever they’re talking about or doing is in that category to begin with.”
“But, would someone react bashfully to potentially flirtatious words or actions from another who they do not find appealing romantically? Especially if flirting is not being done at the beginning?”
“I mean, yes and no?? It depends on the chara type. All my knowledge is carefully formed from years of otome games, so I’m confident in my observation skills and that’s what I’m basing it off of~!”
“Hmm…if that is the case, what is Shroud’s ‘chara type’ if you would inform me?”
Idia blinked several times, quickly glancing up at Malleus in disbelief. “H-How would I know that and what does this have to do with me?? Plus, I said I had knowledge, not that I’m some popular hot-shot who people hit on! No one in their right mind would flirt with a guy like me, Mr.Malleus.”
Now it was Malleus’ turn to be surprised, but shortly after he looked perplexed, holding his own chin in thought. “Not in their right mind…?”
Idia looked back over to the two roundnesses and suddenly gasped. “Look at them…!!” Idia whipped out his tablet, taking several pictures of the scene in front of him, a wide grin on his face. The two tsums were snuggled up next to each other now, seemingly both calmed and nuzzling gently.
“What a quick development! I wonder if they already had affection max because that’s a bit too convenient, isn’t it? Getting so close so quickly is impossible…”
Malleus followed Idia’s gaze towards the creature couple then chuckled. “They are quite the sweet sight, are they not? Perhaps they both harbor feelings instead of just one or the other…~”
“Mmmm…yeah, I could probably buy that. Relationships only develop that quick if two ppl realize they both have the ‘I like you’ cliché after all.”
“Is that so? Have you ever had such a moment?”
“Again steering the convo back to me..?!” Idia rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly as Malleus waited expectantly for a response. “I mean, I dunno, I’m not good with irl…especially stuff like that.” He shook his head. “Ooey-gooey stuff, only in 2D I can handle it…that sort of thing happening directly to me is unlikely, like a 0.0000001% chance.”
“Why do you believe it is such a low probability?”
“Because for most people, liking someone and becoming tooth-rottingly into each other begins by thinking they’re cute or something…and it’s mutual…pretty certain I’m the most niche out of any taste there is.“ He shrugged nonchalantly.
“I believe you are cute, Shroud.”
He paused to process what was just said to him. “H-Huh, wha-haaaa—?” Idia sputtered, looking at Malleus’ face in search of a jest but finding none. “R-Really, saying that sort of thing with a straight face, funny joke, Mr.Malleus…” He rolled his eyes.
The fae crossed his arms, pouting a bit at the accusation. “No, I am being forthright.”
Idia turned away. “Sure, y-yeah..w…whatever you say.” He cleared his throat. “Anyway, anyone would see that Mr.Malleus is clearly the ‘cuter’ one here, so I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Malleus’ eyes widened, brows going upwards. “Oya?” A small grin started to spread across his lips. “Fufu…is that so? What exactly makes me cuter, Shroud?”
“U..Uhm…” Idia faltered, fidgeting with the bottom of his sleeves. Why was he nervous all of the sudden? He was just stating reality! “I’m just saying…between the two of us you obviously are—”
“Hmmm? Surely you have a more precise reason, do you not?” Malleus approached Idia’s back, peeking over to his side.
Idia’s voice became a higher pitch as he retorted. “I-It’s just th…that Mr.Malleus is nice l..looking..! So to most, especially c-compared b-between both of u-us, it just becomes more apparent..! That’s a-all I was trying to say…!! I-It’s not that deep, anyone with two working eyes could see it…!”
Malleus’ grin widened. “Oya, oya…is that all it is…? Well, no matter.” He shook his head, chuckling a bit. “I attribute such qualities to Shroud as well, so I must disagree. I do not think you give yourself enough credit in things such as this…and even more…” He lightly brushed his fingers through Idia’s hair that was steadily turning pink at the tips, walking in front of him so he could see his face properly. “When these dye themselves such a pretty color, I have to admit that Shroud becomes even cuter, fufu~”
“H..Hie..!” That small noise was all he could muster as the pink to blue ratio tilted abnormally to one side, he quickly put his tablet in front of his face defensively. “O-OK, OK! Whatever you say…just d-drop it!”
“Hmmm…~?” Malleus wasn’t quite done, Idia’s reactions were too… fun, he couldn’t help it. Twirling one end of Idia’s flames thoughtfully, he leaned even closer despite the tablet blocking his view. “How does one expect to move away when they’re becoming an even deeper shade of pink? It would be such a waste to not properly admire the Shroud…~”
“….?!?!!” The whole of his flames became a shade akin to a dragon fruit, he quickly blurted out a shaky response. “E…Enough! I yield! R-Really, you’re t..t-teasing way too much all of the sudden!!!”
“Ahaha, I apologize, Shroud. But what I say is not teasing at all.” He pulled away. “You do not realize how positively others can perceive you, so I felt the need to remind you. However, from your earlier words, I do wonder if you think I am ‘not in my right mind’ for thinking such a thing since you deem it practically improbable..”
He pulled his tablet back down as the ‘ikemen frontal attack’ ceased. “H-Huh…?! Were you flirting with m-me?!”
“You did not realize? I am either not grasping how flirting works or Shroud has found a subject that he is not well-versed in recognizing.” He raised his brows and tilted his head. “I am surprised, despite your…ah…‘otome game’ studies.”
“I-I said it was a 0.0000001% likelihood, that’s negligible—s-so you’re the a-anomaly here, it doesn’t make me wrong!!”
“Oya, oya, then does Shroud accept such an anomaly..~?” He watched him gleefully, amused by his exasperated expression. “You come across as someone who likes to figure out oddities, so I wonder if this is another you can interpret~”
“E-Even I couldn’t understand something as impossibly c-complex as—!!” Idia suddenly froze and snapped his gaze back to the tiny Malleus and Idia. They were both now watching the commotion, staring holes into the other pair. “…it all makes sense now…”
“What happened, Shroud?” Malleus, curious, came closer to look where Idia was.
“T-Those things, they are basically us, but they must come from another d-dimension or something! Like an alt. universe…! Why else would they look like both of us and be weirdly plush-like, but still alive??? So, my mini me is basically macked on with your mini you in another universe! If that’s it, I dunno how they got here but,” He spoke quickly. “The one in your room was alt-me and the one in my room was alt-you, which must be more than a coincidence since they obviously are fond of each other! What if both of us were meant to reunite them and now…this moment!” He pointed to the floor. “Here! This right here!”
Green eyes followed his pale finger to the ground. “….I do not see what the floor has to do with anything, Shroud.”
“Not the floor, Mr.Malleus! They triggered this moment—that moment, the sorta doki-doki fuwa-fuwa feeling that only the most basic shoujos do!!”
“I am afraid I do not follow…”
“Aaaagh! The ‘I like you’ moment I mentioned before, you were right, blue to pink..one wanting attention…IT DEFINITELY MEANS THOSE UNEXPLAINABLE FEELINGS TO SOMEONE WHO FLIRTS SLYLY! YOU AND I…IT’S ALL THEIR FAULT!” He points at the nestled little ones who tilted their tiny heads in response. “Everything right now that has unfolded is because of those two…!”
“Tsuumtsum?” They spoke in unison, innocent and curious.
“D-Don’t act c-coy…I know you…you….agh!” He buried his face in his hands, mumbling. “Why are they so cute and small, I can’t fight with something like that…! Chibi is a clear weak point after all…!!”
The tall, horned fae spoke up. “Even if what you speculate is the case, you say it as if it has a negative connotation. If what you say is fact, would they not be assisting in unlocking our innermost feelings?” Malleus chuckled. “From before, it sounded like Shroud told me he ‘liked me’ in a very roundabout way, fufu…~”
“I was gonna s-say that this sort of thing is w-way too complex for m..me, so who knows w-what it means…?!”
“Then allow me to be upfront, do you like me, Shroud? It’s a very simple question with only two possible answers.”
“I…I refuse the question, prompt denied…!”
“Tsuuuuu~!” The horned tsum voiced, but Malleus and Idia weren’t paying attention.
“Hm, I do believe I like Shroud, so it would be nice to know what the person I possibly will court in the future thinks of me.” He smiled, gazing at Idia, intent on finding any tells.
“C…C-Courting?!” He yelped, shaking his head quickly. “Mr.Malleus, y-you’re going s-so fast right now, I’m r-really going to have whiplash…w-what sort of 3rd y-year talks about stuff like t..that so casually?!”
“Oya? Is that not something humans do? It is not uncommon for fae of my age to start considering such things, I thought it was a natural proceeding.”
“N…Not r-regular 18 year olds!!! How old are you?!” Wait, Mr.Malleus wasn’t regular at all, he was a prince, so maybe it was like that for him…
“In your time, I have many years beyond your own…but in fae time…converting it to human years…” He looked up thoughtfully, tilting his head. “About the same age as any other 3rd year, I assure you. I may even be a bit younger actually, it is hard to calculate such things with complete accuracy…especially since I have learned that the average lifespan between fae and man is so incredibly vast…” He quietly spoke the last part, frowning to himself. “I am sure that is something that can be dealt with, however.” He mumbled to himself as he pondered the thought.
“Y..Younger?! If that’s the reality, then that makes it even more strange…! Jeez…fae are on a whole other level…proven again…” He rubbed his face. “I hardly understand, but I guess that makes things interesting, though.”
That statement broke Malleus’ musings. “I am interesting, you say?” He laughed. “I see, fufu, then let us get back to the point.” He held out his hand. “I am sure I can show you more interesting things, if you would allow me to take you out.”
“Tsuuutsum~!” The fiery tsum sang out softly, but it was too soft for the other two to notice.
Idia stared at his palm. He still felt complicated but…who would he be if…he didn’t at least attempt..? Once Malleus went out with him he could see reality for what it is and stop making him so damned confused in the heart! Going out once and getting it over with vs. being pestered by someone with a delusion of ‘liking’…something he has no clue about…he’d definitely make him understand reality and then he could ultimately be left alone in his beloved room..! “Fine…just once…and as long as it isn’t anywhere filled with people, that’ll be an instant no-go.”
“Oh? As I thought, it seems we have similar tastes, Shroud..~” He chuckled and took one of his hands, causing Idia to flinch, but he didn’t pull his hand fully away. “Shall we go now?”
“E-Eh..?! Now??? Isn’t it a little late?! Plus the storm and those little—“ He turned his head, the spot the two creatures were previously snuggled up at was empty, a small cat eared hat left behind. “W…Where’d they go?!” Idia looked about frantically, but found nothing.
Malleus looked at the spot as well, puzzled. “I…do not know, I did not even notice their presence disappear…but it seems like the storm has let up…the magic in the atmosphere has finally stabilized.” He looked around outside. “We do not have to stay long, I think it is rather nice to be out after a storm.” He looked back at Idia, smiling. “Perhaps this is due to those little ones? Maybe they made the storm? They were rather strange, quite adorable, but strange nonetheless.”
“It’s possible..maybe since we reunited them, they finally were settled and left together....or..maybe…” Idia looked down, pondering the strangely familiar tsums, his answer to Malleus’ offer, along with his own gut-feeling before slowly squeezing the hand that was holding his lightly. “Nevermind, I have a feeling that they’re just fine…and back to what you asked…” He breathed in, letting out his nerves as best he could when he breathed out. “I guess a trial run speed date wouldn’t hurt, I was gonna stay up anyways, hihi~”