Pruned Trees Re-Sprout!! ~ Ragazza Volpe Magica ~

It was all so strange now that Shouri thought it through. He remembered in his youth, his mother always seemed so tickled with the idea of Shouri having his own Resonator. She'd point to them on the streets (usually girls his age) and went wouldn't you look good with her?

At least that part of him didn't get snuffed out like his mother's love for them.

That begged the question: when did it start and why would she choose a man like his father as a husband?

These thoughts churned in Shouri's head over the next few days, and he was noticeably quieter as a result. Word of the possibility spread through the guild, and everyone gave him his space.

The idea that the horrible person responsible for so many wrongs in Shouri's life also directly had a hand in ruining other's--his mother's life… He didn't know if she was even okay. Vince and the others spoke to her looking well, but he didn't have her number to confirm for himself. This was just as bad as the situation with Aura. He had to know.

The more Shouri turned it over in his head the more ill he got. Who would even consider doing something like that to another human being? He had no proof, no way to even begin accusing the guilty party. It was all circumstantial, an assumption based on his interpretations of the facts. There was no legal way for him to act against this injustice. The boiling frustration made him want to do something rash. Something he'd regret. Well, he wouldn't regret it. The patricide was well earned by the recipient.

"Sho!"

It was just him and Pacifica in their little office. The otter glared daggers at him. "Don't you dare," she growled.

"Wh-what?" asked the Maestro.

She hugged him. "You know what," she whispered into his ear. Her embrace tightened, her chin resting on his shoulder. "I don't want to lose you. Don't stoop to his level."

Pacifica was right. They got lucky with Ilea Vim. The cards had fallen just right that the government wanted Shouri's talents on their side and the man in question held similar interest. Shouri knew his dad would use any opportunity to destroy his progeny who had strayed from his perfect plans.

"I'm sorry, Pacifica," he whispered, finally returning her warmth.

"I know it's scary and sickening. She trusted him and he betrayed her trust like that." Pacifica rested her chin on his shoulder and stroked the back of his head. "But she got away from him, maybe we can find her again."

"I'd like that," he quietly agreed, his fingertips trembling as he dug into her back.

This earned an otter's smile. She gave him a quick kiss and held him out by the shoulders. "We've been worried about you."

"I know, I'm sorry."

"Are you going to be okay?"

He considered that. Her rhythm coaxed the truth out of him. "No, but I won't do anything stupid, I promise."

"Well, at least it's New Years Eve, so we can have fun," Pacifica smiled brightly, pushing her positivity into her beloved Maestro.

His expression darkened as his shoulders slacked in her grasp. "Uhg, that just means the Festival of Hope is soon," he groaned.

"You don't like it?" Pacifica asked.

The Maestro's gaze was avoidant, more tired than dreadful. "I mean I guess I do, but it's so much work…"

Pacifica thought about it for a moment before it dawned on her. "Let's go to my mom's place!" she decided.

"What? Why?"

"Cause you probably had shitty Festival of Hopes before, my parents are fun!"

"But it's so far awayyyy…" Shouri continued to complain.

"Think on it, come on!"

Taika and Rebecca held their Maestro tightly.

"You're worrying us," said Taika.

"Don't do anything dumb," Rebecca pouted.

He wrapped his arms around his two vixens. "I won't, I promise," he repeated to them what he had to Pacifica.

"Good," said Taika.

"Or else," warned Rebecca.

With the foxes worries assuaged, they could focus on the rest of the day. It rained early that morning, but surprisingly it was warmer than the past few days. It still necessitated winter wear from the otter (much to her chagrin).

"What should we even do tonight?" wondered Shouri.

"Don't feel like hunting," Pacifica said immediately.

"Why not?" asked Rebecca.

"IT'S COLD."

"It's not that cold."

While fire and water argued, Shouri turned to Taika. "What do you think?" he asked.

"Vigilia di Capodanno…" Taika mumbled. She held herself, ears folding back, tail wrapped around her leg, her expression cast away.

The trio looked between each other and nodded. Not seconds later, Taika found herself pinned to the bed by her three lovers. The glint in the three pairs of eyes that drank her in looked… indecent.

"Let's make some new memories," suggested Shouri.

"Don't you worry about a thing," added Pacifica.

"We'll take care of the rest." Rebecca licked her lips.

Taika gulped, as her heart raced. "Mi dio…" she whimpered.

Shouri was at the stove, preparing a simple dinner for the four of them. He was thankful he had gained enough cooking skill of his own to be able to do his share of the work around their humble little abode.

Pacifica was with him, chopping veggies.

Their kitchen was too small for Rebecca to help, so she did her part and cuddled in bed with Taika to keep her from trying to do anything else.

The otter smiled, her heart filled with joy just being next to the boy she loved. When he got close enough to her she bopped his hip with her own before wrapping her tail around his leg.

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He shot a look at her. "You're in a mood," he noted with a playful smirk.

"Love you," she replied.

KNOCK KNOCK

The two in the kitchen perked up. Seeing how dinner was simmering, Shouri felt fine to step away for just a second (much to Pacifica's dismay).

He answered the door to find Emily awaiting him.

"Hey, what's up Ems?" he asked.

The vice guildmaster was initially surprised at his sudden attitude change, but spotted Taika and Rebecca snuggled up in bed and put the pieces together. With a smile, she made her inquiry. "Can I borrow the van tonight?"

"Oh, uh, sure. Why?"

"Vince wants to hunt tonight, and so do we." She leaned in closer. "I think he wants to save up a bunch to spoil his girls," she whispered with a titter.

Shouri nodded. "Makes sense," he agreed. "You're not gonna celebrate New Years?" he questioned.

"Nah, we'll just take off for the Lunar New Year. Will probably go visit my parents or something," she replied.

The non-Luna native reached for his side, but found no tuner there.

"It's February 15th," Emily informed him, knowing exactly what he had tried to do.

"Ah, yeah, we can definitely cover you then," Shouri agreed. He stepped back into the room and scooped the keys off the desk to hand them off to his vice guildmaster.

"Sweet, promise I won't bang it up too bad!" She grinned, jingling the keys.

"Sahji doesn't take holidays," Shouri warned.

"It'll be fiiiiiine. Have a good night!"

"You too."

After shutting the door, Rebecca spoke up from the bed. "So, how much you think we'll owe the rental company?" she asked.

"It'll be a total loss," Shouri chuckled back.

"Dinner's ready!" Shouri called from the kitchen. Taika, Pacifica, and Rebecca filed out of bed and made their way to the kitchen where the chef for the evening handed each of them a bowl of soup and sent them on their way.

It was a sausage soup with potatoes, onions, kale, and a bunch of other veggies. Rebecca's bowl was made special by the addition of crushed red pepper, adding spice to her hot soup.

"This is good!" Pacifica exclaimed, eagerly devouring her own bowl.

"There's plenty for seconds," said Shouri, taking a seat and starting on his own meal.

Taika simply smiled, quietly enjoying her food.

"What are we even gonna do tonight?" asked Rebecca.

"We don't have any fireworks," pouted Pacifica.

"Fireworks?" Taika raised a brow.

"They're like that one spell that explodes in different colors!" Pacifica exclaimed.

"Arcobaleno Fuoco," Rebecca chimed in.

Shouri pulled Rebecca's tuner from his side. Right on time it began to beep. It only got one chime out as he just happened to accidentally stop it with the home button in his attempt to wake the device.

"Yes we do," Shouri suddenly spoke, flashing the device to the girls to show Rebecca's new spell.

"The field is properly soaked, Sho!" Pacifica reported, rushing back to join her Maestro and the rest of those gathered outside for the spectacle. Shouri and Rebecca nodded to one another and stepped out into the field together, leaving the rest of the guild behind. Shouri pitched it as a fireworks show to the trio who stayed behind, and all three were eager to watch. The fire fox turned around and walked backward, watching their humble little guild hall grow smaller as they walked.

Seeing the audience of Miro, Colette, and Kaira inspired a thought in the firework in question.

"Where's Elijah been?" came Rebecca's inquiry.

"Still in Unis-Resonné with his pops," replied Shouri. "I get the feeling he's probably too busy to be between us and the Klein Foundation," the guildmaster added.

"So, what are we going to do? Don't we need him for like a minimum member count or something?" Rebecca asked.

"I got a few people I can call up to see if they'd be down. I think Lina would probably be our best bet? I know she doesn't have anything better going on than hanging out in Canolapra, but we'll cross that bridge if it comes up," Shouri laid out his thoughts for his curious vixen.

"Ah, not doing a thing until he does?" she guessed.

He snapped a finger, pointing at her. "Bingo, weak will."

She patted his back. "Well, you ready?" asked the fire Resonator.

"Of course my love--Arcobaleno Fuoco, Rubato."

Rebecca fired one of the rainbow fire balls into the sky, examining it closely as it soared higher and higher. When it began to lose momentum, it popped with a loud crack and hiss, allowing trails of rainbow flames to fizzle out in the air.

She tried two in this manner, then three, then four until she was going crazy painting the sky with her brilliance.

Shouri shook his head, but smiled. Her tuner beeped, he silenced it. Maybe this was too much? Who really cared?

It was the start of a new year, and one which he shared with his loved ones.