Our First Fall (Melizabeth)

12. Ghosts

Meliodas should be on his way to the Giants clan by now. We'd said our goodbyes with languid kisses. I wasn't sure but I felt like I was getting really good at kissing with my tongue. Practice made perfect. He'd wished, so fiercely that he didn't have to go, or that he could take me with him. "To give you your first adventure," but in the end, the treaty is too important.

Zeldris had called dibs on going home, having been away from Gelda all this time.

With nothing to do, I brought Estarossa with me on the way to Charity's Home. The kids loved that puppy. Emilee asked if they could keep him but I couldn't let the little puppy go. I threw a stick and the little thing could hardly move with how little he was. It was much easier to walk rather than fly when playing with Estarossa. He brought the stick back, I praised the little guy, tugging a few times before he let it go. I wound back, spotting long silver hair flowing among the grass in the field.

Mael? I walked over, carrying my puppy with me. He had a sad aura, as I approached I remembered a time when Mael used to smile. How many years ago was that? A few feet away, I dipped my head in his direction. "Did you fight with your older brother again?" I asked, concerned.

"He goes too far..." Mael stares in the distance, eyes resigned as he turns and spots my new puppy.

"This is Estarossa. Meliodas brought him to me." Mael scowls and I grow hot, remembering his words on the matter. The wind blew around us and I smiled, trying to ease the sudden tension. "Why are you out here?"

"I've been selected to represent the goddesses at Mega Dozer." He says, sighing. "I fear my brother is getting rid of me. He's assigned Nerobasta as my second- I can't stand that insufferable woman." I laugh, thinking of all the times Nerobasta had puppy-eyed Ludociel to a nauseating level. He's probably trying to get rid of her too.

"Wait!" I say, standing straight up. "Take me, instead. I can do all of Nerobasta's duties."

Mael doesn't immediately say no, just stares at me as if calculating a very intense problem. If he decided against it now, he wouldn't change his mind, I had to convince him. "We get along Ninety-five percent of the time." I hold up one of my fingers. "There is a new law that I can take any job offered." I held up a second finger. "With me-"

"You want to go for Meliodas." He sighs, resigned. I was expecting anger but I couldn't tell on his stoic face. "I'm a means to a goal for you."

"Yes... but..." I moved, sitting down a few steps forward, facing him, "Mael, I've never been outside of the goddess territory. This may be my only chance to experience something other than this." I gesture to the city above us, waving my hand in that direction and petting Estarossa with the other.

My heart races. The next few weeks would be exceedingly lonely without Meliodas and Jelamet was still so cold. I didn't have anyone else, outside of Lady Graelle and she was obligated to care about me. My happiness depended on Mael's current whim. He stared me down, then gave a small smile.

"Okay, but you must do as I say. You'll be my second for this and I have expectations." The way he said it, it made me feel like he was tricking me. I didn't want him to change his mind, but I still risked it.

"I'll do anything you need for the job, but orders outside of that I will decide for myself." It sounded reasonable to me and it took a second for him to nod, concise.

"Agreed. I'll speak to Ludociel, we leave at nightfall. Pack for a three-week stay, hot weather. Be prepared to fight as we'll be traveling just the two of us to stay under the radar." Mael stood, looking down at the puppy. "You can't bring that." He demands, walking off.

"Oh!" I get to leave! I get to go on an adventure! Charity's Home would take Estarossa. I had to tell Lady Graelle and Jelamet! There would be no way to tell Meliodas. We parted ways from the theater last night. He thought we'd be separated for weeks when really, it would be a few days!