39 Derisive Festival

On their way, Chris walks by them, holding two woman at his sides. "Hey,hey. Hm? Sis? Who's tall, and lanky?" Chris inquired, as the girls he had with him giggle.

Katinka gawked at Chris. "Christopher Kumono! You sleazy creep! How do you sleep at night!?" A vein was showing on her brow.

"I'm never alone, so it's not hard." Chris states, as a girl feeds him a grape. "Thanks."

"Who is this?" Barret asked to Katinka.

Katinka sighed, holding her temples. "Barret, this is my idiot brother Chris. Chris, this is Barret...."

"Wait, your brother? Oh my, he has a resemblance to your father." Barret says, taking a closer look at Chris.

"Huh? Wait a sec, you met our dad? Urgh, serious buzz kill here." Chris says, as a girl strokes his ponytail.

Katinka looks to Barret, "As you can see, neither of us are on good terms with our old man." She shrugs.

"Hmm, maybe you can tell me more about it later. It was nice meeting you, Chris." Barret says smiling.

"Uh wait, so are you dating her? I mean not to intrude but, you're kinda old." Chris asked to Barret.

Katinka choked a bit, before punching Chris in the head. "He's kind of a human, you dolt!"

"Oww... Hm, that makes sense then, but are you sure you want to go this way? Not to discredit you Barret, but you guys have like expiration dates." Chris mocked, playfully.

Katinka cracked her knuckles, looking evilly to Chris. "Chris.... I'm going to give you one hell of a power outage!!" She said, shocking up.

Chris smiles nervously to them. "You guys have a good one. Come on girls, let's go get the others, and head back to the kabuki lounge." Chris rushes away quickly,with his girls.

Katinka was waving her fist in his direction. "I'M GOING TO LIGHT YOU UP LIKE A BASEBALL STADIUM!!!!!"

Barret laughs to himself a bit, "It's quite alright Katinka, he's just growing, maturity hasn't hit yet. Though, I'm sure he'll be easier to deal with in the future. Shall we be on our way?"

Katinka rubbed the back of her head, looking to Barret anxiously. "I'm really sorry about that. Let's go."

The two of them sit down. Barret orders a sushi plate, while Katinka ordered a bowl of chāu-mèing.

"Hm, I really can't wait for it to arrive." Barret says, rubbing his hands together.

"I haven't had chāu-mèing in forever, I'm pretty excited too." Katinka chuckled.

"So tell me, what made you join up with Denki to come here?" Barret asked to Katinka, taking a drink from his water.

Katinka glanced over to Barret, she grimaced a bit. "Honestly? I didn't have much of a choice. You see. Denki is my sensei, due to a choice I had to make when I was much younger. My father told me, it was either training under his friend, or I had to become a nun... He's very over protective, even though he's never around, and hates the idea of me being with a boy. I chose the apprenticeship, where I learned how to use electrical dama, rather than... well, the alternative. So, as Elementar, we go off to war time at young age. Not really my first choice, but what can you do?" Katinka takes a drink from her cup.

"That's something...Really makes me think back to Issac, here, we wouldn't even let a kid under eighteen in the ranks, yet alone a child. I suppose it really is something with how things work here then there. Also the idea of you being a nun, yeah, I would have to agree. you're better where you are, and honestly, If you weren't here, I might not have made it out of that battle with the Zodiac." Barret says, taking another swig from his water.

Katinka blushed a bit, "I told you I was able to handle myself just fine... I'm not a kid." She stated, as the server placed down their food.

"Heh, that you are not. In fact, I like the fact you're brave. It shows you can hide a lot...With as many secrets that I have to deal with. Sometimes it's best playing tough." Barret laughs.

Katinka had taken a bite from her food, nearly choking on it. "Acting tough? What are you talking about, I AM tough. You're the one whose a marshmallow!" She protested, blushing.

"Ouch." Barret states, taking a bite from his food. "Ha ha ha ha. Well I guess that means you'll have to protect me more. I don't want to get smashed out there. Though, I'll do my best to protect you too...Without...Getting too hurt." Barret says, uneasily.

Katinka narrowed her eyes, gently punching his shoulder. "You protecting me nearly drained your battery to empty, dofus!" She said, faintly holding a tear in the corner of her eye.

"Hey, it was worth it, right?" Barret asked laughing.

Katinka blushed wildly, looking off as she scratched the side of of her face. "You just like the fact that we..." She muttered. "Kinda spooned?"

"U-uh...Heh well, now thinking back to it. Ohhh uh.." Barret blushed. "I'm not normally a pervert, but you do have a point."

Katinka gulped a bit, with her breathing slightly erratic. "So.. uh uh...."

Barret drinks from his water, "Going to another subject, you don't really know much about me do you?" He stated looking to Katinka.

Katinka held her fists to her knees, glancing to Barret. "No, I don't... What made you join the Ministry, Barret?"

"Well, I grew up in New Tech, with my half sisters and my parents. When the Kaos forces got bad, I enlisted with AM, to help bring down their operations. In doing so, I've lost some close people, but it's taught me a lot more about the world, and how people are. When I was younger I never really had to think this hard about life, day to day. In the end, it's meeting and helping people, like you, that makes things more worth it. There's more, but some things I really just don't want to talk about. I guess you can agree with me on that." Barret explained to her.

Katinka ate some more of her food, looking over to Barret. She glanced off slightly, "Maybe someday we'll be comfortable telling each other our secrets, we want to hid, but you already know one of mine."

Barret nods, "That I do...Though it's strange..." He said, taking a bite of his sushi.

Katinka turned her gaze back to him curiously, "Is it weird? I mean, is it something you can't handle? I know you're human... and I'm..." Katinka seemed uneasy.

"I just have to think some more. That's part of why I want to get to know you more. It's not easy being a human, on the side of the fence this way. Honestly, I can say that most girls I've been into, have gone against my views, but now..." Barret holds his head.

"Is it the life span difference, or of what kind of Elementar I am? Be honest." Katinka asked, turning to face him better.

"I really have no problems with the life span..But, it's the matter of the viruses, and other abnormalities that could occur...I'm not sure I want to put you through that. Yet alone myself, I hate it's a risky business like this...." Barret says, becoming frustrated.

Katinka sighed, "Oh. I understand. I wouldn't want to put you in that position." She glanced off, setting her chopsticks down.

"....(We are in a war, where people may die at any time... )" Barret sat quietly, thinking to himself. He then sighs, and stands up from the table. "Hey, come with me okay?"

Katinka glances up to him, "Huh?"

Barret takes Katinka by the hand, and he leads her by the lake side. He cups her hands with his, and looks into her eyes. "I have been thinking this for a while, I'm in this war, risking my life every day. If I were to come down with something, not even from an Elementar. I'd die either by weapon, or sickness. So, that much is worth taking a risk with someone. So, I'm just saying I'm okay with it. We'll just take our time, before jumping into anything too fast, okay?" He explained to Katinka.

Katinka stared into his eyes, she was blushing. She wasn't sure what to say, but decides to hug him. Barret was taken off guard, but smiles softly. He reaches around embracing Katinka in his arms as well. There was slight electricity sparking, making Katinka glance up with an unsure expression.

"I'm not hurting you, am I?" She seemed a bit worried.

"Oh no, heh just a jolt of excitement." He joked, as electricity trailed through his hair.

Elsewhere, Cravic was walking on his own. Bit seemed to be trailing behind him, mischievously hiding behind things as he followed the trail.

"Where are you going, Cravy? My quest with Shockz disappeared after he fled, so maybe you have a fun quest I can pursue now." Bit pondered, keeping distance. His butt was sticking out, as he peered from behind a tree, his tail swishing a bit.

"Ohhhh a tail!" A high pitched girl's voice cried in excitement.

"Leave it alone Thundora, come on." Called a lower angry girl's voice.

It shows a girl with dark skin, with bluish white hair, held in lighting shaped hair clips. Her red eyes meet those of a red haired girl, who wore a white karate Gi.

The woman in white crosses her arms, looking quite angry. "Let's go! Sayame and Maple are already hanging out with Stevonne." The fiery girl demanded.

"Figra, chill...Almost got it." Thundora says, pulling Bit's tail.

"Ouch! Hey, NPC, that's my tail!" Bit got teary eyed.

Thundora pulls Bit to her. "Oh my gosh! He's so cute! Ha ha ha! That was your tail? Mmm, you even feel electrical!"

Figra face palms. "THUNDORA! PUT HIM DOWN!"

Thundora shakes her head. "Nope! He's mine!" She says, hugging Bit tightly. His face was squished into Thudora's boobs.

Bit stared to her chest, "Achievement unlocked." His tail stood out straight.

Figra looked to his tail. "...Hmm cute. Come on." She says, pulling Thundora along with her.

Bit was being dragged with them, but seemed mesmerized. "Oh, guess I found a fun quest to fulfill. I just leveled up. Score." Bit was snickering.

The girls take Bit to a dojo ,where two other girls were sitting beside Stevonne, consoling her tears. A dwarf sized girl with green hair, held in a ponytail and braids, wearing a white dress with yellow flowers detailing it. The other girl was a blue haired girl wearing a watery blue dress, with a very large chest.

"Girls!" The dwarf shouted, to Thundora and Figra.

"Oh? Welcome back you two." The older woman greeted, moving some hair out of her face.

Thundora held tightly to Bit. "Hey gals, how's it going? I found a new boyfriend! And he has a tail!"

Figra sighs, "I've been dealing with this all the way here...Maple, Sayame? How is Stevonne doing?"

"She's still pretty sad about everything. I can't believe that guy." Maple states, crossing her arms.

Thundora looks to them, "Umm, am I missing something?"

Figra growls, "ONLY THAT A FRIEND OF OURS IS HEART BROKEN! Why don't you give your boy-toy to Stevonne, to make her feel better?"

Thundora places down Bit, looking to Stevonne, "Wait, why's she sad?"

Stevonne looks to Thundora, anger in her eyes, "YOU BROUGHT 'HIM' HERE!? He's connected to....'Them'.." She says, looking away.

Bit tilted his head, his tail drooping. "Did I skip over a level stage, or something?"

Figra sighs, "Apparently someone you know, broke her heart. Just like most men..." She says, crossing her arms.

Maple looks to Figra, "Not all men are bad. Just look at this guy! He's cute! Stevonne? Maybe you should try to hook up with him!"

Bit crossed his arms, with his tail flicking. "Hold up, I'm not ready for this boss rush. If I wanted a white mage, then I'd pick one myself" He puffed out his cheeks.

Thundora grabs Bit once again. "Sorry buddy, but I'm already set on you!"

Bit's tail swished a bit, looking to Thundora with hearts in his eyes. "Oh, now you can charge my circuits anytime you want! Buff me up all you like!"

"KAY!" Thundora says, sparking up.

Sayame shoots water at her, "No Thundora, not in doors." She states, with her eyes shut.

"Aww come on!" Thundora pouted.

Stevonne sighs to herself, standing to her feet. "If you all wouldn't mind. I need to just be alone..." She walks out, leaving them with Bit.

Figra rams her fist into Thundora's head, "Inconsiderate."

"OWW! What'd I do!? Just because you have a secret crush on Stevonne, doesn't mean you can take it out on us." Thundora says, rubbing her head.

"WHAT!? I JUST CARE ABOUT THE WELL BEING OF MY COMRADES, YOU CUR!" Figra shouted at Thundora.

Maple stands up from her spot, looking to them all. "Maybe we all should get out, and enjoy the festival more. Stevonne needs a little time, we owe her that much."

Sayame places down a cup of tea, she had been drinking, "I agree, I do have to prepare for the dance of water soon. "

Figra groans to herself, and looks to the exit, "Whatever, we'll all meet back here in time for the performance."

Thundora nods, still holding tightly to Bit. "OKAY! I guess I'll catch you guys when the time comes! I'm going to go have fun with new boyfriend!" She says, darting out of the room with Bit.

"Nice cutscene with you NPCs." Bit waved, as he was taken out.

Meanwhile, Myde was sitting on a bench by herself, under the cherry blossoms. Dylan could be seen in the distance, playing some game at a booth, but his attention was caught by an outhouse. His doll was hanging from his belt, as Dylan giggled. "...AND SO WE MEET, HUMAN BOX TOILET!" He was very excited, hugging to it.

Myde wasn't paying him any mind however. She yawned a bit, leaning to her palm, as the sound of a live band was playing close by was heard.

"I'm never going to catch up on my sleep in a place like this..." She spoke to herself.

She observed the ongoing events, yawning once more.

Chris walks by with many girls trailing behind him. He spots Myde, and instructs the other girls to stay where they are. He walks over to Myde, getting to his knees. "Hey there, I couldn't help but notice you sitting here all alone. You need some company? Me and the others were just about to head around, and play some games, if you know what I mean." Chris says, smiling.

Myde narrowed her eyes at Chris. "I am not in the mood to baby sit."

"Huh? Babysit?" Chris asked, curiously.

"Yes, does it look as if I am a child?" Myde grunted.

"Well, I thought you were younger, because you haven't formed your boobs yet." Chris answered.

There was a chilling glow from Myde's eyes, as the area around them began to freeze over slightly. "Are... you... insinuating... THAT I AM FLAT CHESTED?!" Myde roared, getting to her feet.

"Whoa,whoa! I could have mentioned your age, but honestly I was only saying you looked young. It was meant as a compliment." Chris says, backing up slowly. The girls watching them became terrified. "Just when I finally meet a cat girl."

Myde forms her sword staffs, she had a dark shadow over her face, with gleaming eyes in a eerie manner. "I think someone needs to learn what is acceptable, when addressing a lady!"

"Okay, got it, we're out! Let's roll." Chris says rushing away with his group of girls, as they shrieked in terror.

"YOU LITTLE BRAT!!" Myde shouted, as they ran off.

From the opposite direction that Chris and his ladies headed, Cravic was walking, and spots Myde yelling. He walks up behind her.

"Well, that explains the yelling." Cravic crossed his arms.

Myde reared around, aiming her sword staffs right up to his face, that still carried bandages.

He stared to it in boredly, in slight amusement, moving the blade out of his face. "Really?"

Myde went after him, striking with her sword staffs rapidly. However Cravic evaded each blow, stepping backwards as he swayed. She swung one of the staffs, catching the chain around Cravic's leg, pulling him towards her. Cravic fell back to the ground, as Myde lunged at him. The blade came at him again, forcing him to roll out of the line of fire. He noticed the chain behind Myde's heel, and pulls it, forcing Myde to loose balance. She fell backward onto the ground. She was about to get to her feet, but Cravic used his dark dama, to phase over to her. He grabbed her wrists, holding her to against the ground, letting her struggling in rage.

"Unhand me!" She shouted, ice forming around her.

"I have no idea what's gotten into you, but chill, ice queen." Cravic looked to her, lazily, as he restrained the ferline.

Her chest flexed as she breathed heavy from her rage, flaring teeth at the redhead. She looked off where Chris and his girls went, and her breathing became less erratic. "..."

Cravic huffed, with a grunt. "..."

Myde blinked, as she turned her gaze to Cravic. Her ears kept back, but instead she furrowed her brow.

"You done?" Cravic scoffed, looking off.

"Apologizes." Myde sighed, she still seemed tired.

Cravic released her wrists, getting back to his feet, as he kept his gaze averted from her. Myde stood up, glancing to him. They both stood silent for a minute or so, neither really looking at the other.

"So." Cravic finally broke the silence, but still kept his line of sites to the distance.

"I'm just tired, alright." Myde crossed her arms, her tail wrapping around her legs.

Cravic glanced back to her, "Do you want to want to go do something?" He asked, with an unsure tone.

Myde was taken by surprise, as she looked to him in confusion. "Pardon?"

Cravic looked off a bit, "Y-You deaf?" He seemed uneasy.

She glanced of a bit, "My apologizes."

Cravic huffed, "Forget it." He was getting ready to walk off, but Myde grabbed his sleeve.

"H-Hold on... I wasn't.. saying.. 'no'." Myde blushed a bit.

Cravic glanced back to her, taken off guard, he too seemed a bit flustered. She released her grip. They both stared a bit to each other, nervously, before Cravic looked off, only extending his hand. His face was red, and he was avoiding looking to her. Myde gawked, staring him holding out his hand.

"Just take it... I don't need you getting lost... or something..." Cravic begrudgingly spoke up.

Myde hesitatingly took his hand, looking down to the ground a bit. Cravic glanced over, but looked away quickly.

"You're hand's... cold..." Cravic muttered.

"Sorry, ice dama." Myde replied, hesitantly.

"It's fine..." Cravic admitted, shakily.

The two of them began walking over to the festivities. As they were walking, they were encountered by a young married couple. The couple's children seemed to be playing some of the carnival games, as they observed. The woman's attention was caught by them however.

"Oh? My, what a wonderful little couple here." The woman says, hearts forming around her face, as she cupped her hands.

Her husband turns to her, forming an uninterested stare. "Faith, I highly doubt they're a couple...They look like kids that missed the sex education class."

"What was that?!" Cravic snapped, leering at the man.

"You must be the alpha, so I take it you're going to be the one paying child support." The man says, drinking some sake.

Faith holds her hand, over the man's mouth laughing uneasily. "Matt... Honey, you don't speak that way to strangers. Especially ones that can place you in a box."

Matt sighs, "Whatever, I'm sorry, okay? Just take the hint though. Don't have any kids, unless you're really wanting it."

Faith shakes her head.

Cravic was fuming, but Myde looked to Matt. "You really should listen to your wife."

Matt looks to Myde, "Maybe you should go back to your planet. Before you end up loosing an eye, like your boyfriend here." He stated taking another swig.

Cravic snatched the sake from Matt, looking to him with a twitching eye. "Maybe you should drop the booze, asshole." He said, breaking the glass cup with his bare hand.

Matt adjusts his glasses. "I'm not the one pulling things out of peoples hands, halfer. I could tell by your strength. Besides, you should leave your anger at home, asshole."

Faith grabs to Matt quickly. "Matt! Stop now. He doesn't mean anything!" Faith begged to Cravic.

Cravic let go on Myde's hand, cracking his knuckles, with a death glare posed on his face. "You REALLY want to play that game?" Cravic went to punch at Matt, but Myde grabbed his arm, holding him back. "I'M GOING TO RIP OUT YOUR INNARDS, AND STRAGGLE YOU WITH THEM!" Cravic shouted, angrily.

"Cravic!" Myde held him back, but he was strong, nearly hitting Matt.

Matt stood still forming a smile, as he spoke. "She's got a good leash on you...I guess you might not have to pay child support after all."

Faith tugs Matt over to her side quickly. She sighs and looks to Cravic and Myde in a very worried manner. "Please we're going to leave now. Matt? Go get the kids now. We're leaving." Faith says, turning to Matt with a scowl.

Matt shrugs and walks off from them.

Faith now turns her attention back to Myde and Cravic. "I'm so sorry again, I don't know what came over him. He gets to drinking, and then he just becomes another person sometimes...Here..." Faith says, reaching into her pocket, she takes Myde's hand, and places Zio in it. "Just take it, alright?" Faith says, an uneasy smile still on her face.

Myde stares at in confusion, stilling trying to settle Cravic down.

"I'm so sorry again, please try to have a good time." Faith says, apologizing profusely. She then hurries off after her family.

"YOU SON OF A BITCH!!" Cravic yelled after Matt, but Myde narrows her eyes with a sigh. Still gripping to his arm, she forces it behind his back roughly. "Argh!" Cravic gawked. "Hey! Cut it out!"

Myde looked to him with amusement, barely even holding as she kept his arm behind his back. "Your turn to chill out. He's gone, so quit being a kitten."

"..." Cravic gritted his teeth.

"..." Myde kept her stare to him, and Cravic submitted. She released him, dusting off her kimono, before placing away the zio.

"So." Cravic glanced off.

Myde turned her attention to him, hesitantly. "Hm?"

"Thanks, for that." Cravic muttered.

"You should be more concerned with yourself. The man had a gun." Myde said, walking ahead of him.

Cravic gawked a bit, "W-What?"

Myde glanced over to him, "You let your emotions get the better of you."

"You're one to talk." Cravic scoffed.

"Touche." Myde sighed, looking off.

He decided to walk over to her, and took her hand again. "..."

"..." Myde glanced to him.

"Sorry." He said, glancing at her, but looking away.

"For what?" Myde raised a brow.

"..." Cravic looked off, "For... being a jerk."

"..." Myde smirked, glancing to him, catching him looking over to her.

He looked off fast. "Let's just... go." He said, leading her along with him.

As the two walked off to the events of the festival, Zihark was observing Asuna from a distance as she was still with Yuji enjoying herself.