Things to explain p1

"I guess nobody's dancing tonight." Thorn said patting the shoulder of a disappointed Muriel, "I cannot believe he just fainted! bloody hell Yurei!" Muriel said pouting.

"Simply because the newly engaged are resting in their bedroom for some time, does not mean you cannot dance, Master Muriel." Aroon who came back with Lucius said, "But I will feel bad if I danced without them, if neither Yurei or Tacito are going to dance with us, what is the point?...it is their celebration after all." Muriel replied.

"Don't worry, we have checked with them and Tacito said he's going to join us as soon as his Fiancee wakes-up." Lucius said reassuring Muriel, his eyes glanced at Aroon besides him who gave him a smile.

"Is everything alright Lu?" Aroon asked, "Everything is perfect now." Lucius replied smiling back.

Shortly After his wet proposal, Yurei ended-up fainting because of a mistake he made right after getting out of the Cold water, that mistake put the rest of party on hold until his highness wakes-up.

"Of course Yurei would fucking FAINT! it's Fuckin science!

He went from jumping and swimming in the cold ASS water, to taking a fucking Hot ASS shower right afterwards?!

And I thought he was smart!" An angry Ned said clenching his fists.

"He's very intelligent most of the time, until Tacito is involved, and suddenly Yurei is the most impulsive idiot humanity has ever known." Jihi spoke chuckling.

Throwing his hands in the air, "Where the FUCK did Yurei get his brain from?!" Ned nearly shouted in frustration.

"Definitely Mallory, heh." Jihi unintentionally said, causing every head in the room to turn to them.

"What did you say?" Muriel Asked, but before anything serious happens, "Nothing! Jihi can you come with me for a second, I've been meaning to ask you something." Ned said.

The masked mage nodded, and the two left the living room in a hurry.

"Thorn, you good bro? you've been silent for a while now." Jade said, "Both my social battery and my Patience ran out." he replied.

...Few Minutes Later...

Whispering,"I'm still mad at you because you didn't tell me you were coming, Jihi!

Also what happened to you? you've been saying weird stuff all day long, you're making Muriel fixate on you...why did you even mention Mallory?!"

"Calm down Ned! I told you I came here on a mission of peace, besides! you come to my office unannounced all the time darling, how's this different from that?"

"Jihi, I've known you for a shit loads of years and you never left your office not once! not even when Yurei nearly hit the grave!"

"I have My reasons."

"WHAT REASONS? clearly these reasons are wacky considering the fact that you're here for a birthday party!"

"You know I like you Ned, platonically though but I like you!...people say I have no taste like my tea, but I like you."

"You can kiss my ass or insult it later, but right now I want to know WTF Is Going On Jihi!" Ned spoke in angry yet hushed whispers, doing his best not to attract attention as he and Jihi stood in the hallway outside the living room, bickering about the mage's odd behavior today.

"Well, Some people create their own storms and then get upset when it rains!" Jihi replied quietly, "What storms are you talking about you Masked maniac?!"

"This party was your idea Ned darling! I just decided to join in...think of it as payment from you and your family, you guys are causing me so much trouble these days!

HONESTLY! I can't have a moment of peace in my office thanks to all of you, especially you!"

Biting his lips, his dark-purple eyes avoided to look at the mage, Ned couldn't help but to feel a little guilty for sounding so unwelcoming of Jihi who he considers one of his Closest friends.

"Shit, *sights* Listen, I don't mind you being here Jihi I'm just saying, Next time you wanna barge in here or do something SO unexpected Like this, At least let me know, okay? we're working together, remember!" he said.

The Truth is that Ned also completely forgot that Jihi doesn't do anything for free, favor for a favor is their style and he has been requesting the mage's aid too often lately.

But it was still a big surprise after all these years for him to see the cloaked figure leave their office, and go where? to his house, for a party?

"Your son knew that I was coming, Didn't Jasper tell you about it?"

Ned's eyes went wild open behind his thick framed glasses, "Wait, WHAT? why does HE know?"

"I guess he didn't tell you after all...didn't you notice Jasper wasn't surprised by my arrival? I suppose you two do have cracks in your relationship." Jihi replied a little too content with teasing Ned.

"Jasper and I are fine! I don't control my son like a doll, so I don't always know everything he's up too!

it's... just that it's kind of weird he didn't tell me you're coming, if he really knew.

You guys are getting awfully close, lately."

"Heh? does the party have a 'No dogs or Jihi allowed' sign somewhere?" Jihi Asked jokingly while tilting their head, "Cut the crap please! you know I don't like you hanging around my kid like that." Ned replied crossing his arms, "What do you want from Jasper, Yuri?" he added.

The masked figure's tone instantly shifted from cheerful to filled with rage, it sent shivers down Ned's spine as Jihi responded to him "DON'T call me with that name AGAIN VALENTINO! we had an agreement! and you shall respect it.

And about your kid...you know it's the other way around RIGHT?! Jasper is the one hanging around me not vice versa, and you keep sending him my way anyways!

so take responsibility for your actions, because if anything is going on, you have a hand and a foot in it."

With his blood finally reaching a boiling point, Ned lashed out on the figure, "Showering him with attention, answering his every question and offering him your time whenever he wishes to? while you scold me for the littlest of things!

HA! DO YOU SEE ME THIS FUCKING DUMB JIHI?! NOW ANSWER TO MY FUCKING QUESTION!"

"WHAT ANSWER? WHAT QUESTION?! do you Valentinos have anything better to do with your lives then mess with mine! asking me questions and expecting me to answer everything?!

Do you have any ideas how much trouble YOU AND YOUR PEOPLE HAVE CAUSED ME?!"

"Then you shouldn't have offered me to be the Lord of Time in THE FIRST PLACE JIHI!

but No! You were the one who created the storm and then put the blame on me...tch! Leave it to the Valentinos to hold the matches, when the firetruck comes and there's no One else to BLAME!"

"..."Jihi remained silent on that one, choosing not to comment back, it made Ned wonder if he has finally crossed the line.

Taking a deep breath, "The truth Jihi, is that you need me as much as I need you.

You and I have maintained a great relationship of work over the years, we trusted and supported each other, we protected the people that we both give a shit about.

WE made this reality we're living, so let's keep it that way then."

"..."Jihi remained silent once more.

"FUCK *Sights* Ok listen, I'm sorry for being an asshole!

All I ask of you is that you don't pull another surprise like this on me, I'm not your enemy and neither you're mine." Ned spoke between deep breaths, he knew he needed to remind himself that Jihi is an important person to him, as a partner and a friend.

"To take my place, that's the answer you're looking for." Jihi finally replied in a less Angsty voice, "What?" Ned asked in confusion.

"I originally came here to continue with an offer I couldn't make to Jasper earlier, at that time we got cut off by Tacito's dramatic entrance and I couldn't ask him." Jihi explained.

"What offer?"

"To take my place, as the next Jihi."

...Meanwhile...

"Yurei!... you're awake...Finally." Tacito giggled at a confused Yurei, "Ow?! my head! what the hell happened?!" Yurei asked looking at his mate.

"You passed out...you idiot!...why did you...Think taking a...hot shower...was a good...idea?!"

"I was shivering like I'm on vibration mode! the blankets Jasper brought did nothing to warm me! that MF can cast spells and organize proposals but can't warm-up someone Who's freezing.

Ugh, I hope nothing else goes wrong, last thing I remember is that I asked Jasper for a change of clothes while I went to shower."

"Then you showered...in hot water... and passed out... afterwards...

Jasper found you...And we brought...you here so...that Ned can...check on you...and afterwards I...dressed you up."

Smirking "Hehe, you must've enjoyed dressing me up." Yurei said playfully.

Rolling his eyes at his mate "There's Nothing new...to see anyways...it's the same...stuff I've seen...for the past...decades." Tacito replied teasing him.

Gasping, "My beauty is timeless! It's quality over quantity, same stuff but that's the only stuff you desired 'for the past decades' darling." Yurei replied sassily, "As if I...had a choice...We're mates Yurei...I didn't choose... you...you arrogant masochist." Tacito said teasing him again.

"Kink shaming are we?"

Suddenly, "Hey...I have a... question to ask...Yurei." Tacito said, Yurei could feel the seriousness in his voice, so he sat down on the bed, " Ask me anything! today is your day Taci."

"You never told...me how you...signed that contract...the one that...saved our lives."

"I never told you because you never asked before, you really want to know?"

Tacito Nodded at him, "Yes...i want to...know."

"Alright." Yurei said taking a deep breath.

....[Tiny flashback]....

A week before the party, A seven years old Yurei followed Garrick around, without the knight realizing he was being tailed.

Yurei felt like something wasn't right with his much older friend, it seemed like Garrick had something on his mind, and there was this weird habit where he would disappear at odd hours, without anyone knowing where he went.

After stalking him, Yurei followed Garrick back into the castle as the knight went down to an undercroft.

The undercroft was being used as a storage room for the missing queen's belongings, Everything queen Mallory owned was in that undercroft, and because this room was a secret hidden within the castle, the room wasn't locked or guarded, so both Garrick and Yurei didn't have a hard time sneaking in and out.

While hiding, Yurei saw A woman appearing as soon as Garrick walked to the center of the room, She introduced herself as 'Shadow' the witch he asked for.

Yurei watched as Garrick searched one of the boxes laying around in the room, he took out a paper sheet and gave it to the woman.

"I see you have signed it." Shadow said, "I hope Ned can forgive me, I'll be putting him through hell." Garrick replied.

"He'll be mad, but he'll be alive...it was pleasure doing business with you Sir Delun." Shadow said before she disappear with the contract.

The seven years old, waited until Garrick left before he went to the same box he saw the knight rummaging in.

He thought it was empty till he noticed one paper sheet and a pen inside.

As he read the paper sheet, Yurei realized it was some sort of a contract, just like the one Garrick and the woman talked about.

Seeing the blank space, without hesitation Yurei wrote Tacito's name using the last name 'Tang' and then wrote his name.

The moment he did, a portal appeared in the center of the room.