The Affinities

Caeli's face beamed with a huge smile. He felt that he accomplished something. He then asked, "That's great. May I see them?"

 

Slowly Ariana shook her head. "It's too soon," She said quietly. "To Fresh since they died..."

 

"Oh? Another new party member on the quest to find a vacant room?" joked Andrew as he smiled a small smile. Seeing Jellal so suddenly had shaken him a little. From one look at him, Andrew could tell that he was leading the resistance. And that he was steadfast in the idea that it was the righteous thing to do for "their kind". Andrew wondered how many of these children Jellal had already recruited. And yes, they were all children and little kids in his eyes. They might think they've got the world figured out and they might think that they're grown up enough to lead their lives, but they're still just kids. And they will all be giving their lives to a foolish cause. I've got to talk to him anyway. I've got to try and convince Jellal to give it up. But already, Andrew felt that it was a hopeless battle. No doubt, Jellal would probably call him a coward. As if he would know about the grander scheme of things. But right now was no time for such thoughts. He had to make a good impression on Haley's best friend, who had probably been keeping her company in his one year absence. "Hi there. Thanks for taking care of Haley. I greatly appreciate it," said Andrew with a sincere smile.

 

"I was, but he's probably there already." Keel replied, following behind them. It wasn't like that he needed to to do that. It that by the reaction Andrew had gotten from Jellal and Haley, odd were high that he wasn't a newcommer like he thought. Besides mabe by tagging along he might find out what he was up to when he left.

 

Jo frowned, her eyes half-lidded and heavy. "Who're you callin' Sleeping Beauty...I don't see anyone pretty around here that's sleeping... You guys are awake..." Jo had never thought much when she spoke, but she was uncomfortable being carried and a warmth washed through her that wasn't from her fire magic. This is getting ridiculous...I should be made to walk on my own two feet. These are supposed to be witches and wizards in the resistance? Doubtful...they don't seem very independent and strong. Someone threatens you with magic, you fight back with magic, not stand there like idiots... As much as her mental whining did her any good, it tired her out even more.

 

"Ha! Well, if you weren't so fiery and trigger happy, I could call you pretty. But hey, maybe some guys like that sort of thing in a girl," remarked Andrew with a teasing smile. "Is this the room here?" asked Andrew as he stopped at one of last rooms in the hallway. He waited for someone else to open the door, as his arms were occupied. He told himself as soon as he set the girl down, he would not be distracted by anything as he talked with Jellal. If by some miracle, he could turn him around, then hopefully all of his young recruits would also get the idea out of their head. And then newer would be recruits, like this girl, won't be a thing. However, should this situation come to pass, he could easily see this girl taking control and then he would have to deal with her instead. Oh it's a neverending cycle. My job is too difficult.

 

Jellal returned to his room to wait for Andrew. He'd had the same one since he'd been there so Andrew shouldn't have trouble finding him. No doubt he wants to talk about the resistance. Question is, what does he have to say about it. A year can change a man. Jellal thought to himself as he lay down.

 

Jo grumbled, "It's not...my fault... I was born...this way...my flames...are who I am..." She watched him leave and felt cold and a hot flash washed over her. "I like...guns, so sue me..."

 

"I'm sorry. My family... Was killed, sudden also... But I think if we tell each other our problems... We'll feel better, right? I guess... Its just good to get things off your chest before it becomes a burden...", before Ariana could answer Caeli said,"I haven't really made a friend that I could talk to about my feelings of what had happened to my family... so when I saw you walking alone, I thought that you could be my friend..."

 

"This one should be opened." Keel said as he opened the door. Once door was opened, he stepped out of the way hooing that once this ordeal was overhe could find out nore about Andrew.

 

Ulrich smiled as he found himself in the kitchen. "Finally," he muttered. The red-clothed youth searched around, but not long as he saw apples. His smile widened and he grabbed one. "Now... perhaps I should find a room... or make nice with the kiddies..." Ulrich considered, frowning as he ate. He soon went back towards the entrance where he last saw the stairs. He took another bite into the apple.

 

"Thank you, good sir," replied Andrew with a slight bow of his head to Keel when he opened the door to the room. Andrew stepped into the room and gently laid the girl down on the bed. He then took off her shoes with as little tugging as he could before he left, to make her as most comfortable as possible. "All right, welp, have a good sleep now," he said as he closed the door slowly. "Phew. All right, I'm sorry about this Haley and....uh...Haley's friend...and you too," Andrew nodded at Keel, "But I have to go and do something important. I promise we'll catch up and everything later, Haley. See you guys and thanks for the help," ended Andrew, as he waved goodbye to them and headed to Jellal's room. He should have the same room, since it's only been a year.

Upon arriving at his room, Andrew hesitated before knocking gently on the door and then opening it. He was so not looking forward to this conversation. "Hi Jellal. How've you been this last year?"

 

Jellal lay on his bed and without looking over said "Well i didn't know if my best friend was dead or alive but other than that i've been great." He said with a layer of sarcasm draped over his voice.

 

"Yeah sorry about that. I would've sent a letter, but the postal service is still run by the government. And this place doesn't really have a mailbox," replied Andrew also with a touch of sarcasm. He took a step closer to Jellal into the room. "You're the head of the resistance now...aren't you?" It wasn't really much of a question, rather than a confirmation.

 

Maddie felt the sadness inside her melt away slowly as Haley called to her. Her fists slowly unclenched and she inhaled and then exhaled deeply but quietly to calm herself down. "I-It's alright..Haley..." She forced her best smile on her lips to try and make it look slightly convincing. She looked over at the boy named Andrew and gave him a small wave as he spoke to her. "Erm...hello..." Rubbing her arm awkwardly as she made her way over to the group, starting to feel bad for getting angry over the matter. "It's alright...I guess you could say it was the other way around." As she arrived, she looked and the sleeping girl being carried by Andrew. "..What..happened here? Is she alright?" It seemed that almost as soon as she said this, the girl woke up. That put her mind at ease slightly, but she still wanted her question answered. "Umm, are you...okay?" She asked as suddenly Andrew left them to go do "something important".

 

Jo rubbed her eyes and yawned, "I'm fine. I might've used a bit more magic than necessary to get here...and it's been a while since I've slept or eaten, but I'm alright. With that nap, my magic is recharged!" She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stretched her arms over her head. "Name's Jo." she stuck out her hand, red eyes narrowed in a curious manner.

 

"What of it?" Jellal said in a near monotone voice.

 

Haley watched Andew leave, worried about what he was going to do. It was well known Jellal was leader of the resistance, she was just praying her old friend wasn't seeing him to join the resistance. She did not want to fight her friend, she didn't really want to fight everyone but she saw no other choice, she couldn't let them go through with this maddness. Well, at least Maddie had appeared to forgive her a bit, she couldn't afford to lose Maddie as a friend.

Her attention returned to Jo as she woke up and laughed at what she said, she was certainly a fiery one. "Nice to meet you Jo, I'm Haley. I'm pretty sure we can find you some food and the room's free if you need a little more than that short nap. So, what brings you here and how do you even know about this place? Last I heard they were keeping us hidden for our own saftey." She asked, quite curious. Jo seemed to be quite a girl and Haley could only begin to wonder what secrets she might hold.

 

"It's not right. It's a lost cause. And a suicidal goal," said Andrew, his eyes narrowing. "You can't possibly be thinking of recruiting all these kids right? You're all far too young. And all of you have such potential. Potential that would otherwise be wasted in this futile fight. This is a war that can't be won with more fighting. Those people are much too afraid and confused. They don't understand us. Besides, have you thought of what would happen, on the off chance that you did manage to overthrow the government? Who would listen to you? You're only a kid. You would probably establish a new order right? Get revenge, make them feel the same as all of us did. What then? Another rebellion by those people. Thinking they've been wronged. Just like you think you've been wronged. The cycle won't end. It won't end like this. Discrimination never ends with violence. It only grows." finished Andrew, nearly shouting at Jellal. On his year long journey, Andrew figured this out for himself. He had actually been helped by the few remaining moderates left. Of course they were frightened at first when he displayed his powers, but they were more accepting. The only way a government could take control of things so thoroughly with fear is by eliminating the people that can still think straight. He knew there were good people out there. He believed that witches, wizards, and humans could all live in harmony. With time. He hoped he at least made a convincing argument for Jellal. And to give him some things to think about.

 

Jellal sat up and looked over at him. "You've changed..." He said quietly. Do you honestly think that because a few people are willing to except us things will change? They won't. Too many still despise us and want to murder us. The cycle will break. We can break the cycle by continuing to win. If we can accomplish this, overthrow the humans, do you realize what would happen? For once in their lives,children of the magical world could sleep in their beds without being afraid it would be the last time. The humans can rot. They get what they deserve. But..as for those that do accept us, They'll be treated the same as any witch or wizard."