Episode 12

Tiger got well in a few hours. Shiba left the room. He promised he’d come later to check on Astra and change the bandages. He understood the girls wanted some alone time to enjoy one another’s company to the fullest.

When the girls heard what had happened at the Dragon Festival, they understood the whole situation. Riza apologized for being rude to Tamie the other day:

“I am sorry. I was just really on my nerves because of Rick’s behaviour, so I couldn’t hold myself”.

“It is fine, happens to everyone sometimes”.

“I’m not going to apologize because I’m always this way, so you’d better get used to it if you want to hang out with me”.

At such a half-joke of Olivia, everybody laughed, including Tamie. She soon got accustomed to their group and began to have fun. There were five of them: Riza, the Singer Class, seventh rank – the Enchantress, so she adored singing and dancing above all; Rianna, the Defender Class, fourth rank – the Shielder, so she was skilled in medicine, using her element – the Water; Olivia – the Artist Class, Painter Sub-branch (just as Tamie thought), so she enjoyed drawing and painting and was already the fourth rank – the Doodler; Cherrie Turner, exactly that Leo sign of Tiger spirit whom Tiger Braun earlier talked about; and Jannah Khan, a beautiful girl of tan skin and dark hair, a Grandmistress like Riza but of an even higher rank – the final, eighth one, of the Sneaker Class – the Ninja.

Tiger has quite many strong friends…

Every one of these girls was different and unique, but they all had somehow found a common language and had become ‘sisters’, all because of Tiger’s friendly and energetic spirit.

She is truly amazing.

Tamie watched Tiger, who was retelling of Christo’s and Blizzard’s bravery and adroitness, and Astra’s extreme fidelity and loyalty in battle:

“She is still small and inexperienced, but when she grows and becomes stronger, we’re going to be an unbeatable team! We’ll crush all enemies, and achieve the Beast rank of the Tamer Class”.

“Haha, sure you will, Tiggie! You’re the best!” Jannah smiled.

“Of course! You’ll make it!”

Tamie heaved a sigh:

I do often say I don’t need friends, but, the fact is – I do need them, just not false ones… I need true friends, like these girls are to one another. ***

In the evening, Tamie lay on the bed in her room, fallen into thoughts:

I’ve never had any real friend. Then, I became colder in order to protect my heart from getting betrayed. The only friends for me were my family – mother, father, and Nick. Isn’t that the true reason why Byakuya formed in my mind? – Because I wanted to have a friend… a boyfriend, to be more precise. I’ve come to this country to find a friend at last. Maybe I can manage it if I try to find like-minded people?

Her Star-gadget rang. Shivers ran down her spine – it was Erik’s signal! She touched the gadget and answered the call.

“Yo, Tamie!” the familiar deep voice, which now sounded so gruesome to her, called out.

“H-Hello, Erik”.

“Oh, is anything wrong?” Erik caught the trembling vibes in her voice.

“N-No. It’s just, I know what you’d been doing while in Crimson Flame Order, Erik”.

Tamie decided to be open with him – after all, if she wanted to break all ties with him, she should be straight about it. That was her way of handling things. She hated falsehood, from both her part and anyone else.

Silence fell for some minutes. Erik’s voice didn’t call out for long. Then, it finally sounded:

“I get it. Lord Nick has told you, huh?”

“Y… Yes”.

“Understood… Well then, I guess you don’t want me to call you anymore”.

“No, that’s not it_”

“I understand,” Erik cut her speech, “Whatever I do, I cannot run from my damn past. It’s not your fault, Tamie. I wouldn’t want to have contacts with someone like me either. I guess your brother is concerned, and I can’t blame him. I won’t call you again, then. You can call me anytime if you desire. Like, if ever a danger arises. The promise of mine that I’d protect you if you asked still stands. The Earth element, which is the most dangerous for you as you are the Air, cannot be handled by Lord Nick that easily, because the Water and the Earth are friendly elements, so the Earth can’t be easily beaten by the Water. On the other hand, the Fire is the strongest element against the Earth, so if you ever face dangerous Earth enemies and your brother is somehow unable to solve the problem, you can always call me if you wish. Well, goodbye until our paths cross again, Tamie. I… I’ve really enjoyed being your friend, even for a short time”.

The call dropped. Tamie fell back onto her bed with a sigh.

Why did I ever meet him..?

She felt a lump in her throat. She had pity on the guy now, and she scolded herself for pitying a man with a bloody past, for it was against her morality. She didn’t know anymore what to think – if Erik was, in the end, kind or not. It was truly a difficult question to give a straight answer to. But one thing she knew – she too, had enjoyed all those talks with him, even for such a short time.

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