It was a rainy day. Truly water was pouring from the clouds like a waterfall. You could see a flash of lightening and hear a rumble of thunder from time to time. It made everything kind of gloomy, at least that was what Amelia thought as she watched the rain pitter patter outside the café window of the guild.
"Is it never going to end?" She wondered as Terra walked over with her order; honey biscuits and Orange iced tea. "I swear, it's like Mira, but on a good day."
"True," Terra chuckled. "Speaking of incontrollable moods… how's it going with Elena?" She asked knowingly, making Amelia blush.
"Um…" the buzzing of her phone on the table cut her off, drawing her attention.
Speak of the devil. It was her lover—um, friend that she occasionally kissed? —Elena Magnolia. Elena was her former roommate in college and first actual friend when she moved to Elios. She took one look at her and both threatened and flirted with her when they first met. No introduction. No hello, just—
"You make my heart quicken and my stomach tighten, I hate it," Elena spat out. "Come close to me and I'll kill you, understand that." She further commanded.
They'd been inseparable ever since—not that she hadn't tried. It's more like fate just had other plans for them. It really didn't help that Amelia was drawn to Elena's fiery personality—she had scars and bruises that told tells, flaming red hair, and a flame attribute to match her temper. It also didn't help that she was attracted to the wild ones.
Where are you?
Amelia responded. Out.
Out where?
Amelia grimaced. Ever since the start of the season Elena has been even more vocal in her…protectiveness, for lack of a better word.
Just out. Don't worry I'm with very reliable people. Amelia texted. Gotta go, bye.
Her phone buzzed once more, but she ignored it.
"Still clingy?" Terra inquired.
"Yes… But I'm getting used to it—I think." Amelia answered uncertainly.
"That's good," Terra smiled. "Don't worry, the season won't last forever...only for a couple of weeks. Just make sure you don't go overboard on your nightly activities. Wouldn't want a noise complaint from the neighbours again, now, would we?" she smirked, making Amelia blush fiercely yet again.
There wasn't a soul in Elios that hadn't witnessed Amelia and Elena's not so private night — uh, daily routines. With Elena hailing from the Island of Bartosz, it was common for people of that area to be more forthcoming in the transparency of their sexual activities.
"Oh, uh we aren't — It's not like…!" Amelia stuttered out. "I mean — Okay. I'll speak to her."
"Really? I guess the season hasn't affected her that much this year," Terra pondered. "You two are one of the lucky ones then. Astra, Sherry, Daisy, Leviathan, Tama, and Helena— Just to name a few, have quite literally succumbed to the season."
"But Idris looks fine." Amelia muttered.
Terra scans the room for the white-haired mage, who—as always—was sitting at his usual table. Amelia followed her gazed and immediately felt chills run down her spine. Idris looked absolutely terrifying!
...Well, he always is. But for some reason, he looked even more frightening than usual. His eyes were shut, but you could feel how the anger and frustration was slowly building up inside of him. He was ignoring everything and everyone, just listening to his headphones.
"He is... really scary...even more than usual somehow," Amelia gulped. "Is it because of the season?"
"Most likely." Terra nodded.
"Idris is a few years older than Elena and the others, so theoretically he should be feeling the season a lot worse, right? Doesn't it hit him much harder?" Amelia questioned.
"Oh, right, you're not originally from Elios so you don't know." Terra stated.
"Know what?"
"The season doesn't affect Idris like the rest of us."
"What!?" Amelia exclaimed. The table rattled from the force of her strike as she stood. Silence filled the air as every patron turned to her direction. She pushed out a quiet 'sorry', before dropping herself back into her chair.
"That's not possible," she whispered. "Every living being draws mana from the gods, and the whole point of the season is to help relieve the strain that magical essence has on the body...it's a mandatory function! Like breathing; even the Vide go through it."
It was unheard of for a mage—much less a member of a specialized guild, to not be affected by the season! It's preposterous!
"Yep. And rumour has it that master wants to sign him up for a guild courtship."
"No way! Idris won't accept that though, he's…well he's—Idris." Amelia further protested.
"Hmm," Terra paused. "Why don't I show you something funny?"
"What?"
They glanced over at Idris once more. Terra headed back to the counter with Amelia's eyes following her every movement. She watched as she took drinks and desserts on her tray and left to serve. She stopped near Idris, who didn't care what happened around him. The dual haired waitress spoke happily with Tama and Sherry for a moment, smirked a little and said 'Grandmaster!', louder so that Idris would hear.
Amelia flinched as Idris immediately turned his head towards the guild doors, she could see the irritation in his whiskey eyes. Then there was confusion, disappointment and finally, as you can guess, anger. Amelia couldn't cover the giggle that slipped past her lips, as every patron laughed at his expense.
The look Idris had as it all dawned on him that Terra was just messing with him was pretty funny. It may have been a childish joke, but it did show that even the great Idris has a fear.
Grandmaster Thalia, his mother.
Things were just as peaceful and joyous as any day in the guild...
"AMELIA!"
…well, almost.