Another new thing~. Here we go....AGAIN.

Part 1: The Festival of Light

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Jamil pushes down hard against the top of his suitcase, trying to compress everything down as flat as possible so he'd be able to close the bag. Slowly, he had a managed to get the zipper around the entire suitcase and fell against his bed with a huff. "Ugh, finally...somehow got all that in the suitcase....but still, guess it's more than I thought...Got so many souvenirs since we haven't gone back in a while...Kalim should take some personal things of his too. Lemme see how he's faring...." He got up and left the room, hurrying to Kalim's. Once he got to said room, he rose an eyebrow in confusion.

"Is he still in his room?...." He goes to open the door, only to see the floor littered with suitcases looking ready to explode. "What the-?! Kalim!! Why do you have so much luggage?!"

A hand popped up from the middle of the suitcases and grasped onto one of the cases. Kalim heaved himself up from the darkness that he was trapped under and waved is hands frantically. "Jamil?! Some assistance?! I finished packing for tomorrow but I can't get this last bag shut!!!" To prove his point, he struggled to shove one of them close which wasn't even halfway to being shut completely.

"I said to pack what was necessary!! Why did you ignore me?!" Jamil explodes. "And why does it look like Armageddon in here?! Are there eight?! We're only going back home for a few days, not halfway around the world!!"

"I-I DID take into account what you said! I picked what was necessary!" Kalim defends himself as he regroups over what he had taken, "Favorite pillow, silk sleepwear...."

"You have that stuff back home!"

"....Chair cushion, Mini drum and small containers of coconut juice..." Kalim proceeded to ignore Jamil. So the latter rolled his eyes and spoke loudly and clearly,

"You. Are NOT. Taking all that! You're only taking what I've packed!"

"Huh?! But what if something happens?!" Kalim managed to free his feet from the luggage and climb over it and out the doorway to speak with Jamil.

"Like I said, I'LL handle it. I'm not letting my guard down."

"Well....alright."

'Now I'm more worried than before....'

"Ciao~!!!!" A perky voice sang from down the hallway. The two look up to see Charlie, in her Guardian Form, flying towards them gracefully and swiftly. Her wings released a few sparkles as they flapped. She lands gracefully before the two and gives her usual smile. "Sultano e Vipera!" She bows as her Guardian outfit disappears back into her normal school uniform.

"Charlie!" Kalim didn't waste any time hugging her tightly.

"Why are you here?" Jamil asked.

"I've come with news!" She answered. "The Headmaster says you can use the Dark Mirror to leave!" But a frizzled being leaned against her leg, grey hair blown every which way, trying to gulp down sweet air from so much running.

"Haa....haaa.....geez, Charlie...why do have to fly so fast?!" Grim looked up at her with tired eyes. "I can't keep up with you!"

"You snooze, you lose, tanuki." She stared down at him.

"Wait, seriously?! Awesome!" Kalim smiled gratefully.

"But, that's the thing: where ARE you going?" She asked piqued.

"And with with the luggage...?" Grim looks tiredly at the suitcases as he sat, fanning himself.

"Ariab Nariya." This made the two more confused from Kalim's words.

"Excuse me?"

"That some kinda food I've been kept in the dark on?"

"It's an ancient word used in our country, meaning 'fireworks'." Jamil answers. "The Yasmina Fireworks Festival that's happening this month."

"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh.....now I'm more confused than ever..." Grim scratches his ear.

"Huh?! You've never heard of it? It's a popular festival!" Kalim says, but stops himself. 'Oh right...Charlie's not from this world! Maybe....' He speaks up again, "We've many visitors from around the world when the event happens! There's music and dancing, a bazaar with food stalls and souvenirs, it's a wonderful spectacle! And to end the day, there's fireworks!"

Grim sat up immediately. "You had me at 'food'!"

"Someone could use it as a chance for a scam..." Jamil was doubtful on one end.

"So I was thinking..." Kalim took Charlie's hands in his with a coy smile. "How about you come with us?~"

"What?!" "WHAT?!?!"

"You...you want me to to go with you?" Charlie asked carefully but didn't stop the smile on her lips.

Kalim nods vigorously, "Since you're from a different world, this could be a good chance for you to see what our culture and homeland is like! Plus, there's a lot of beauty there, too!" 'And...maybe I could have a chance to introduce you to my parents and family....'

"Kalim, I...I don't know what to say...." She said speechless.

"I do! Count me in! I wanna sample all the good food they have there!" Grin spoke up.

"Well, someone's an eager beaver~! You're welcome to tag along!" Kalim smiled.

"Hold it!" Jamil stops. "Why are you deciding for them?! Is it necessary to make that secession for them NOW?! And for Charlotte, no less?!" His voice became tight and tense near the end, almost as if he were-

"Aww, c'mon! It's not like it's the end of the world!" Kalim smiled. "They can watch the fireworks in the audience!"

"Well....sure....since I'm the organizer and all that....I know Charlotte can handle herself, but Grim's another problem on his own....but that's the tip of the iceberg!" Jamil mumbled.

"You're the what?" Grim asked.

'Ugh! This is gonna be a while....guess there's no choice...Looks like it's time to explain...' Jamil sighed. "Every family of Nobility from the Scalding Sands takes turns to organize and host the festival each year. And the Asim's are the ones responsible for this years. We can't let anything fall out of place since it reflects off of Kalim's namesake."

"Greeting all the guests....I hope I have time to spend with Charlie, though....." Kalim sighs to himself.

"And since I'm the servant, I've to head back with him." Jamil continues. "But that's why I can't look after two more people. I'm sorry but, you can't come with us."

This made Grim visibly mad. He stood up from his spot and pounced on Jamil with a yowl. Jamil stumbles backwards with a scream, trying to wrench off the creature, but his claws sticking to his sweatshirt didn't help his endeavor.

"I'm going!!! I'm going!! I wanna go!!!!" Grim threw a tantrum like a child as he clung with his claws on Jamil's shirt.

'Ugh! I took all this time to explain and he's not moving?! I can't understand how Charlotte deals with him everyday!!' Jamil grit his teeth as he failed to wrench Grim off. 'Then again, it's pointless no matter how much someone reasons with him....the only exception being Charlotte herself.'

"Please, Jamil! She has to see our homeland just once!" Kalim begged.

"Me too, Jamil! If you're not taking us, I might as well wreck the whole damn place while you're gone~!" Grim threatened with a smirk.

Jamil looked down at him with a scowl. But he looks up to see Charlie with a patient smile. But something in her smile suggested something....threatening, like she was thinking the same thing. And that made him crack. "....I really have no say in the matter, do I?"

"Yippee!!!" Grim unclung himself from Jamil and lands on the floor with grace.

"Thank you." She nods. "I'll need to grab my bag before we leave....."

"Let's get more people on board!! Much more fun that way!!!" Kalim cheers.

"Wait a minute, there's only a limit to how many we take! We're not inviting every person we know!" Jamil shot down.

"Yea, but I was gonna say, there's a few spots left! And how many are there~?"

"It's, uh.....six...."

"So we're in the roster, then?"

"Yep! Both of you can go!" Kalim nods. "That only leaves four more! I'll chat with Cater and Lilia real fast!"

"Ugh, man....four people to keep an eye on...."

"You thinking about taking someone, Jamil?"

"Of course not. I can't watch someone and do my tasks at the same time!" At Jamil's answer, Kalim turns away in thought, making Jamil tense. 'You better not invite more people!'

"Then.....I'll have THEM invite someone of their choosing!" The Asim heir concludes. This took Jamil back. "Charlie, let's go! We need to get word stat!!" Kalim grabs Charlie's wrist and drags her down the hall towards the front doors of the dorm, Grim chasing after.

"N-N-No wait-! Ugh, gone again?!" Jamil gripped his head. "Six guests....it's not even night and I'm up to my third headache...."

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"...and that's why I want you two to come with me!" Kalim finished explaining.

"It suppose to be a huge festival." Charlie added.

"You kidding? Of course I'd go!" Cater smiled as he stood from his chair. "Wonderful architecture, unique foods, and sandy White Castle towers over sandy dunes....they're great spots for photo ops!" He closed his eyes as if seeing it in front of him. "I've always wanted to go to the Scalding Sands! But I'd given up since I don't have that kinda money for traveling abroad....but to think my dream would resurface from the dead like that! And fireworks to end the night?! Quality content~! To have one thing on my bucket list crossed off, I'm glad to have you as my friend~!" Cater sniffled as he glimpse Kalim tightly, whom laughed as he returned it.

"Glad to hear that! And you, Lilia?" Kalim looks over Cater's shoulder at the third year.

"I think I've visited it years back, and it was such a marveling place..." Lilia thought. "The streets must've changed since then, so I'd like to see how they'd look now...."

"And, uh, HOW long ago was that, Lilia....?" Cater asked quietly.

But the old fae merely smiled deviously, "I can't tell~. Let's keep things a secret. Makes my past even more alluring, no~?" But the deviousness was lost and soon he gave a calm smile. "Since this is a rare chance, I'll accept, too."

"Sweet!" Kalim smiled. "To think the band's staying together for the whole day!"

"But don't forget, you've two spots left, right?" Charlie reminds.

"Oh yea! So, maybe you two can invite someone of your own choosing." Kalim looks towards his friends.

"Oh really?!" At that, Cater unlocked his phone and scrolled his contact list. "Who do I take??"

"Well, I'VE already decided." Lilia nodded. "I know someone who'd be extremely suitable for this kind of trip. And it's great learning experience."

"Uh, whaddya mean by that?" Grim asked, looking up at Lilia.

"Ahaha....I'll keep it a secret for now~." Lilia winked as he looked at Charlie from the corner of his eye.

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-the next morning-

Kalim and Jamil walk the hallway towards the designated meeting spot.

"Festival Day is here~!" Kalim sang. "C'mon, Jamil. After to the mirror chamber and back home!!"

"There's no need to rush." Jamil says. "Charlotte and the others have yet to show up. We've time. And don't act so hyper. Your the Asim heir so act like one..."

"Yea, yea! You don't have to worry about me!" Kalim brushed off. But then, he began to worry. "I hope Charlie and Grim don't oversleep...we need to get up earlier than usual. I hope they don't arrive late..."

"It's fine. I wanted her ahead of time to get Grim before the meeting time occurs. And I may have suck into her phone to set up over five alarms...and speak of the devil, there they are." He nods and from down the hall, there the two are. Charlie swing her bag back and for as she walked. "I told you she'd keep her promise. Looks like things may go according to plan, after all."

"Buongiorno!" Charlie greets.

"We're on time~!" Grim followed. "I got too excited for the festival, I got up way before the alarm could get me up!...then I got jinxed and the alarm scared the crap outta me...."

Before Jamil could speak, Charlie yanked him forward and smiled threateningly, "If I see you snooping lthrough my phone again, I will sneak into your room at night and shave your head while you asleep, okay~?"

Jamil, unnerved quite, loosened her grip on his hoodie and backed. "S-Sure....sorry for the inconvenience..."

"And where's MY apology?!" Grim demanded.

"I know that feeling! I barley got some shuteye myself due to my excitement! As were you, Jamil! Aren't you excited?!" Kalim smiled.

"No way. I'm in charge of preparations, remember?" Jamil sours. "Check luggage, rearrange the schedule, and contact our relatives back home. I managed to get that all done in the night...."

"Why didn't you wake me up?! I could've helped you with it!" The Asim heir whined, making Jamil sigh frustrated.

"Don't be sad, that's my task to handle...."

"You always say that!"

"H-Hey, there's Cater!" Grim waves him over.

"Cater~!!!!" Kalim squealed.

"Okay, now he's here. I'm sure things'll be fine...." Jamil mumbled, it smiled and spoke louder, "Good to see you up and about."

"We'll, it's a perfect day to vacay~!" Cater laughed.

"Yet, we don't know how the weather's like up there..." Grim reminds.

"Not to worry! I managed to check my phone before leaving! Nice and sunny! And I gotta cram my phone with as much photography as possible~! So I made sure it was fully charged! And I brought a backup portable charger in case."

"Did you have anyone in mind to take?" Jamil asks.

"Yes, I did~! I've got my travel buddy~!!!" Cater sang happily.

"Can you not with the introductions?" Trey smiled awkwardly and embarassed.

"Trey!"

"Well, I'm surprised you chose him out of all people! Then again, you two are always together." Grim sniffed.

"Morning, guys." Trey greets. "Thank for extending the invite."

"When I heard where we were going, I knew Trey was a potential candidate!"

"I've always wanted to see the kinds of desserts your hometown had. May give me some future inspiration for the next Unbirthday Party."

"I know you'll find plenty of ideas." Jamil nods. "We are well known for different cuisine and dessert stalls."

"And I look forward to it." Trey nods back. "Also, you've a hand in the kitchen, so any recommendations?"

"Sure. We'll go to one of my favorite spots." Jamil planned.

"Hey, so, I heard Lilia was coming. Is there's someone he's taking?" Trey asks.

"He said he wanted to surprise us." Kalim answered. "Something about this guy gaining 'social experience'."

"It's obviously someone from his dorm." Jamil points out.

"I'd say it's likely Silver." Trey answered, Cater agreeing,

"Well, duh! They're like father and son almost! Maybe it has to do with him and his teachings! Or so I theorize..."

"If that's the case, then I think Silver's been taught so much inaccurate stuff..." Trey frets.

"It's about time to get going. To the mirror chamber." Jamil checks the time and nods, as he and Kalim lead the group to their designated spot.

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"Headmaster." Jamil greets for the group once they arrive.

"Ah, my students!" Crowley smiled.

"Thanks for giving us permission to go home for the day."

"Well, it's a holiday, no? I'd gladly help!"

"...You can help THEM get back home, but not Me~? Tch, sexist and lazy hypocrite..." Charlie clicked her tongue.

"Tell your father I said hello. And bring back a gift if you could...?"

"No surprise there..." Trey whispered along with her. "He's always asking for a small gift in return...."

"Okay, everyone. I shan't keep you waiting any longer." Crowley clasps his hands. "And neither him."

" 'Him'? I guess it's Lilia he's talking about. Did he get here before we did?" Jamil asked.

"Huh? No, I-I meant someone else...it's not Vanrouge, in other words."

"But if it's not Lilia, then who...?" Kalim trailed off as footsteps filled the air.

"Hello, all." A cool voice greets. Everyone turned.

"Malleus?!" Jamil gaped.

"I heard of your trip for the day. And...I was invited 'along for the ride'....."

All the boys' faces paled in comparison to Charlie's beaming smile.

"So it's Malleus...not silver like we thought?!" Jamil couldn't grasp this directly.

"Quite the twist." Cater giggled awkwardly.

"I am the Heir of the Valley of Thorns. Since I spent my time behind walls, I've rarely any chance to travel outside my domain. I wish to broaden my knowledge. Though, if I try and discuss this back home, it'll cause a commotion. So, Lilia let me go ahead alone. He told me it's a rare chance to sightsee without any worries."

"That's Lilia for ya!" Cater winks.

"Yes, but, WHERE is he?" Kalim asks again.

"Oh, right....he said he had a bad stomachache this morning." Malleus answers. "That's why I'm here alone....the food he consumed as of yesterday seemed to be the root of it. He just kept puking and told me to leave him behind....this is the first time I have to leave and go somewhere without my guardian. So this is for his sake."

" 'Without'...." Jamil looked like he was about to have an aneurysm.

"Aww, well that's unfortunate....I'm sad Lilia couldn't make it....but I'm glad he decided to let you go ahead alone! I hope you like this trip!" Kalim smiles.

"HOLD IT!!" Jamil's screamed. "Malleus is obviously Royalty!"

"Yea....and what about it?"

Jamil pinched the bridge of his nose. "If Lilia's not with him, that means he doesn't have anyone to protect him! What if he got mugged?! This could become a crisis between our land and the Valley! We can't go through with it!"

"Are you always on edge? I'm not weak." Malleus defends.

"N-No, I'm aware of that, but...." Jamil got tongue tied.

"Is something wrong, Viper? Because based on the look in your eyes....you think I'll just be a burden on this trip, right?" Malleus' eyes narrowed.

"Th-That's not what I meant!" Jamil shook his head. "It's great that you wish to see our hometown, it's just that-!"

"I was clearly extended the invitation....but I guess it seems it was my mistake. Just wishful thinking...." Malleus sighed woefully.

"You know that's not what I meant...!" Jamil felt like he was losing the verbal debate. And then on cue-

"Hey, uh...did anyone else hear that...?" Trey pointed out.

"B-But...it was just sunny a minute ago!!" Cater paled.

"Damn...this is scary...." Grim shook.

"Nice going, 'genius'! You made him upset!" Charlie snapped at Jamil.

"I was trying to explain myself!" Jamil growled.

"Yea, well, your explanations are as shitty as your magic!" She spat.

Jamil was about to bite back, until he saw Mal's gloomy face again. 'Crap....I'll only resort to making him angry if I keep rambling...it's bad enough Charlie's putting me in a bad light...'

"Draconia has told me he waited here for over three hours."

"For real?! He looked forward to this a lot more than we did!!" Cater explodes.

"Hey, uh...Jamil? We can just let this go, no need to make it a big deal..." Kalim calms him down. "This is about spending time with friend and family! Don't take this over the top."