[center][h2][color=Azure]♚[/color] [u]Belonging[/u] [color=Chocolate]☂[/color][/h2]
"[color=Chocolate][i]... do I deserve to be alive?[/i][/color]"

"[color=Azure][i]Don't talk like that![/i][/color]"[h3]Axis Jubilee and Vera Arc[/h3][color=silver][i]Morning - Crocus Stadium[/i][/color]

[@Caits] | [@Demous] | [@Lmpkio][/center]

Vera was quietly going about the rest of her work, somberly stamping pages and ticking boxes until all the print began to just blur together. She hadn't expected Carrie to approach her. Vera had always made an obvious effort to keep to herself. The previous council had been very fearful of Vera. Through Axis' help and training, she eventually became another tool for them to use, but they would always be wary of the Homunculus who 'threatened the very sanctity of life in Fiore'. With the new Council, Vera was positive that they all knew what she was. She thought that by distancing herself, she'd be able to avoid their prejudice. Yet here Carrie and Masahiko stood, two members of the old council, offering to help her. Was it pity? Vera didn't like the thought of people taking pity on her. Yet there was something about the way they offered their hand to her that she just couldn't ignore. It was a very sincere, genuine gesture.
"[color=chocolate]To be considered one of you is the greatest of honors.[/color]" Vera placed her paperwork down and stood face to face with Carrie. She picked up Messiah, her Anti-Magic Parasol, and rested it gently at her side. "[color=chocolate]I will continue to make sure Axis behaves.[/color]"

From the other side of the room, another unexpected voice rose up. Lady Sayatachi addressed Vera, offering to take her with her into the stage. Sayatachi was a very beautiful woman, one of the many objects of envy for many ladies across Fiore. Vera smiled, taking her up on the offer. Carrie even offered to walk with her. Trailing behind Sayatachi with Carrie, Vera entered the stadium and felt her nerves coming back. The crowd was massive, and she was out in open view for all to see. Her body froze for a second, and she had every intention to dash back into the room. Yet seeing Axis waiting for her, as well as the support from the council, she felt like that this was where she deserved to be. Walking forward, Axis offered his arm to her. Usually a gesture like this would be matched with a distasteful comment about Vera's bust size, but today it seemed Axis intended to play the part of a gentleman.

[center][h2][color=mediumpurple]♫[/color] [u]Curtain Call[/u] [color=firebrick]☠[/color][/h2]
"[color=FireBrick][i]What reason do I have to be happy? Tell me that![/i][/color]"

"[color=MediumPurple][i]Just look around, Bullet. There has to be something.[/i][/color]"[h3]Isabella Pinelli and Bullet[/h3][color=silver][i]Morning - Streets of Crocus[/i][/color]

[@Lmpkio] | [@Demous] | [@Lugubrious] | [@YipeeXD] | [@Burthstone][/center]

After Isabella and Bullet gave their wishes of good luck to Lazarus and the others as they set off with their small group of friends. Sayuri, Fleo, Samir and Marlene. They had plans to go and watch the games together and then enjoy a nice lunch, but Isabella and Bullet were eventually left behind when Bullet decided he wanted to buy a bag of pork buns. Isabella impatiently tapped her foot outside of the store, rolling her eyes as Bullet exited with a large, steamed bun hanging out of his mouth. The two stared at each other for a moment, Bullet quivering under Isabella's harsh glare. He reached into his paper bag, pulling out a bun and offering it to Isabella as he swallowed the one he was currently eating.
"[color=FireBrick]You want one?[/color]" Isabella sighed at his comment, an obvious no. Bullet shrugged his shoulders and then bit into his second bun. The two continued to walk, far behind the others at this point.
"[color=MediumPurple]We only ate breakfast not even two hours ago. Why are you stuffing your face with pork buns?[/color]" Isabella was hoping to continue catching up with her old, and new, friends; but Bullet would have gotten lost if he'd stayed behind by himself. The young man swallowed his second meat bun, pouting towards the ground at Isabella's displeasure.
"[color=FireBrick]I'm a growing boy![/color]" He protested, slowly stuffing his mouth with another bun.
"[color=MediumPurple]Yeah, no kidding.[/color]" Bullet's body went stiff at the comment, and he cursed himself under his breath for walking into such an obvious joke about his height. Isabella laughed at his reaction, having to turn away to hide her smile. Bullet always enjoyed their friendly banter. Isabella's smile was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen, and he wanted to make sure she could keep smiling forever. 

Isabella came to a sudden halt, and Bullet tilted his head to the side in confusion. Her smile had disappeared, and she was frowning with an odd fierceness in front of her. Bullet followed her gaze, noticing that the entire street was empty aside from a pair of girls who looked remarkably like each other. Twins. Bullet stared between the two of them and Isabella. Isabella could feel something strange from them. Their aura suggested that they weren't just ordinary girls. Her suspicions were confirmed them they took up arms, expressing their desire to kill the two of them. Lelia charged, unrelenting in her assault with her fire daggers. Bullet's eyes widened, not expecting her to be so fast.
"[color=MediumPurple]Con Spirito![/color]" Isabella's voice cut through the silence, bringing Bullet out of his initial shock. Lelia's eyes widened as a large, mechanical arm sprung forth from the ground in front of Isabella. The fist was flying directly for her, but Lelia quick shifted her weight backwards, flipping out of Maestoso's path. The large fist disappeared into wisps of light, but there was still a decent sized hole in the ground in front of Isabella.

"[color=Silver]That was a quick attack. Not quick enough, I'm afraid.[/color]" Isabella laughed at the girls attempt to taunt her. The twins were so deadpan in their expression that it was hard for her to take anything they said seriously. Even Bullet grinned, removing his overcoat and slippers to reveal the intricate red markings that covered every inch of his skin. They pulsed with magic, glowing bright and searing his skin.
"[color=MediumPurple]Don't be too quick to criticise me. We don't know who you are or what you want, but if you're so eager to see our performance then we'll be glad to offer you front row seats. Alto, Basso! It's showtime![/color]" At her command, the two mechanical devices situated on her hip and the back of her shoulders pulsed with magic. Their compartments opened, and many different mechanical contraptions began to spring form and patch themselves together. Covered in a beautiful brass coat, Alto and Basso deployed themselves at Isabella's side. The young girl gave a bow, her set of mechanical arms making the same motion. Meanwhile, Bullet's fists glowed red as he summoned Fantasia. His bag of meat buns thrown to the ground.
"[color=FireBrick]Don't expect me to pull my punches just because you're ladies. And try not to cry too much; it's embarrassing.[/color]"
The twins smiled, but only slightly. Their dead eyes hollowness was quite unsettling, but Isabella and Bullet weren't scared of losing in the slightest. When they fought side by side, they felt unstoppable.