[center][img]https://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjg4LmZiZjgwZS5RWEpoYlNCVFpXTnlkV1UsLjAA/the-godfather.regular.png[/img][/center] [center][img]https://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/b3RmLjY2LmI5MDQxMi5KZywsLjAA/midellion-demo.regular.png[/img][/center] [center][img]https://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjgwLjJmYzY4Yy5TbWx5WVdOb2FTQlRiM05yWlEsLC4w/to-the-point.regular.png[/img][/center]

	[color=fff79a][i]Are you serious...[/i][/color] he thought. Aram pushed open the glass door, stepping into the sunlight of the early morning. He scanned the streets, looking for something...anything that told him he was dreaming. He had expected a [i]simple[/i] answer. Not a whole fiasco over a single jar he'd found on his doorstep.

He'd been too tired to fetch all his attire for the day, such early in the morning, so he'd come in simple slacks and a suit-vest. It was [b]7:14 AM[/b] and he was [b]across town[/b]. [b]Not at home[/b]. [b]Not sleeping in his bed[/b].

To make matters worse, the Administration had given him a ward. [i]A WARD.[/i] As if he needed protection!

He really did try to dissuade the whole ward idea, but they weren't having it. It was settled. She was going to be his ward, and he was going to let her sleep in his quarters.

[i][color=fff79a]Goddang adults...I shoulda just kept this to my lonesome..[/color][/i]

Her name is Jirachi Soske, and she was strolling beside him now, her suitcase in his hands.

[color=00a99d]"This is my first job as a ward, so please, excuse me if I make it awkward.."[/color] she said thoughtfully.

She was nervous, but excited. [i][color=7bcdc8]Maybe I can make friends with this strange Alchemist! They told me a lot about him before assigning me. Fighting Demons? Combat tournaments? Sounds like a party-lovin' guy...[/color][/i] she thought.

[color=fff200]"Wait a minute."[/color] he said, stopping and turning to face her. [color=fff200]"If this is your first mission as a ward, why should they assign you to something so important? This "Demon" is gonna be packin' some serious heat, if how they see it's how it is."[/color]

[color=fff79a]Does the Administration underestimate me? I can handle myself...right..?[/color]

Jirachi smiled at that. [color=ec008c][color=00a99d]"I'm a [i]very[/i] good bodyguard."[/color][/color] she said with a grin.

[color=fff200]"...that's not an acceptable excuse!"[/color] he complained loudly. He continued walking.

[color=ec008c][color=00a99d]"The Administration has their reasons...What? Is it that you underestimate me?"[/color][/color] she accused.

[color=fff200]"No, no! It's not that."[/color] he responded quickly. [color=fff200]"I just don't think it's necessary..."[/color]

[color=ec008c][color=00a99d]"It's very necessary. We don't know what this "Demon" is capable of, or what it wants. It's my job to find out these things...while keeping you alive, of course."[/color][/color]

They were at his door now. He retrieved his key, inserting it into the lock and stepping aside to let her through as the door opened.

[color=ec008c][color=00a99d]"I'm gonna need a copy of that."[/color][/color] she said as she walked through the door, gesturing to the key.

[color=fff79a]Seriously...[/color]

[center]---------------[/center]

"[color=fff200]Rock.[/color] [color=00a99d]Paper.[/color] [color=fff200]Scissors.[/color] [color=00a99d]Shoot![/color]"

[color=fff200]"Ah, horsefeathers!"[/color] he groaned.

[color=ec008c][color=00a99d]"Haha, I win!"[/color][/color] Jirachi cheered, taking her rightful control of the remote, fetching it from the table in front of the couch.

[color=fff200]"You cheated..."[/color] he said, shamefaced.

[color=00a99d]"Did not!"[/color] she said cheerfully, changing the station to try and find something she liked.

Unsuccessfully.

[color=ec008c][color=00a99d]"You uh...don't watch much TV, do ya?"[/color][/color] she asked. There were only a few channels available on whatever network Aram had, most of which displayed [i]really[/i] old shows.

[color=fff200]"It's called [i]appreciation for the classics, toots[/i]."[/color] he said proudly.

[color=ec008c][color=00a99d]"Ohhh, I see. So that's why you talk like a weirdo, cause you appreciate the classics?"[/color][/color] she asked, seemingly with genuine curiosity, but also a hint of teasing.

Aram blushed. [color=fff200]"Hush up! It's not weird, that's just how I talk!"[/color] he said, embarrassed. He grabbed the brim of his fedora and pulled it down over his face.

Jirachi giggled, turning her attention back to the TV. She stopped clicking when a cooking documentary came on.

They watched that show for a little while until Jirachi broke the silence.

[color=fff79a]Why is this so booooooringgggg...Dear Godfather shoot me n-[/color]  [color=00a99d]"Say, Aram...Can you cook?"[/color] she asked, turning her attention from the TV.

[color=fff200]"What? Oh, yeah...sure. Why, are you hungry?"[/color] he responded.

[color=00a99d]Nope...was just wondering..[/color]

[color=fff200]"Oh, okay...."[/color]

Several minutes passed before she turned back to him again.

[color=00a99d]"Can you make me something to eat?"[/color]

[color=fff200]"YOU JUST SAID YOU WEREN'T HUNGRY!"[/color]

Jirachi shrunk back, [color=00a99d]"I know, I know...I just wanted to see how an Alchemist cooks. Headmaster never uses Alchemy for "mundane means unworthy of it".[/color]

[color=fff79a]She's spoken on such a personal level to the Headmaster of Alchemy?[/color]

[color=fff200]"You talk to the Headmaster?"[/color] he asked.

[color=00a99d]"Of course I do. She's my mother, after-all."[/color]

Aram's jaw dropped. [color=fff200]"S-s-she's had children?!"[/color] he said in shock.

[color=00a99d]"Well...she adopted me. But it feels more like the real thing than I've ever known."[/color]

Aram paused for a moment. [color=fff79a]She's never met her parents...or maybe they rough-handed her. Poor girl...Maybe I should sit down with my folks more often...[/color] he thought.

[color=fff200]"You're an orphan, then..?"[/color]

[color=00a99d]"[i]No.[/i] I [i]used[/i] to be an orphan. I have a mother now, who cares about me. She'll make sure I'm alright, at the end of the day."[/color]

[color=fff200]"How long was it until she found you?"[/color]

[color=00a99d]"Fifteen years.[/color] she said, deliberately slow.

[color=fff200]"That's tough.."[/color] Aram said, nodding slowly to himself. 

[color=fff200]"Well just so you know, I cook just like everyone else. No Alchemy. It tastes all wet that way."[/color]

[color=00a99d]"All wet?"[/color]

[color=fff200]"Weird."[/color]

She nodded.

They watched TV for several hours, trading small talk... 

[center]---------------[/center]

	[color=00a99d]"It's probably best that we sleep."[/color] Jirachi said, looking through the blinds into the darkening light outside. [color=00a99d]"I can still sense that Jar's terrible contamination on you. You should rest."[/color] She closed the blinds.

	[color=fff200]"Swell idea. You can change into your sleep-dress first. Bathroom's right there.[/color] he said, gesturing to the door that led to the bathroom.

[color=00a99d]"Thank you, Alchemist."[/color] 

[color=fff200]"The handle's Aram."[/color] he replied, lying on the couch. She nodded.

They both finished, minutes later each lying in their designated sleeping spots.

[center]----------[/center]

[color=fff79a]She's strong. Stronger than me...but I shouldn't be surprised. It seems like that's a theme. Wolf can't even control his powers sometimes. He's still stronger than me. William...his powers are bilge in a fight...yet, he's brave. He's got moxie. He has goals. What are my goals? I don't have any, do I?[/color] He shifted, turning towards the inside of the couch. [color=fff79a]I'm weak...[/color]

[color=darkgray]You're weak...[/color]

[color=fff79a]I'm weak...[/color]

The Satyr shifted. [color=00a99d]"Did you say something, Aram?"[/color]

[color=fff200]"No."[/color]