He went to the living room and poured wine into a glass on the bar. He looked serene but his mind surely wasn’t. He was constantly thinking about what just happened and about Eclipse… not a single different thought was on his mind at that moment, his heart was beating pretty fast as well.

He picked up the glass and sat on the couch, drinking the scarlet wine.

After some time, Khaos was passing by to go to the kitchen with the butler and glanced at the living room, seeing Dracarus sitting there with his clothes full of cuts here and there.

“Huh? What happened to him–” She was concerned, it was rare seeing him with his clothes like that. 

– Ah, you can go ahead Carlos. – She murmured, stopping by the living room’s door. – I’ll stay a bit with Dracarus.

Carlos nodded and proceeded on to the kitchen.

– What happened to you? Did you get into a fight? – Khaos asked, walking on to sit next to him.

– Hum– Kind of. – He put the glass on the centre table. – I have a lot to tell you actually.

– I’m all ears. Go ahead. 

Dracarus told her everything about that day. The strange paper, Eclipse’s brother, the gas masked girl, the fight, he said it all.

– Well, uhh— That’s really a lot… – Khaos was trying to process everything, she didn’t even know where to start. – So, starting with the most basic information, Eclipse’s brother is actually Leo from the violent crimes unit, right? 

– Yeah. I believe this might explain where she'd get the wanted dead list. Maybe he’s an alibi. – Dracarus gave his opinion about it.

– That’s right. It surely is that… Thinking of it now, they actually look alike. – Khaos understood it now.

– Mhm.

– Now, about that masked person, you think she was the one who wrote that paper in the studio?

– Yeah, the things she said could easily match the sentence on the paper. I just don’t really know what she meant by that… – Everything was confusing, he felt like a massive clue was missing to uncover all of this. – What did she mean by “more sorrowful”? Has something happened to Eclipse to feel that way before? Also not only that… if that note was meant to be for the murderer, possibly Eclipse, why did she write only “Moon” and not the murderer's full nickname? A shortcut?

– Hmm… I think she might’ve experienced something traumatic to do such actions… that explains the sorrow. Although, we don’t know what. 

– Well that makes sense… – Dracarus was swaying the glass, looking at the wine swing inside the cup.

– That’s probably the key to her reasons if it’s really her… But about the moon shortcut, I’m not sure. – Khaos was blankly looking at the ceiling, that was one of her ways to think properly about something. 

– Wait, could the nickname have a meaning behind it all? – Dracarus was trying to help.

– Yes, that’s very possible…  If we put it in a literal way, the murderer is not the moon itself, just the shadow of it.

– So, you think Eclipse isn’t the killer but that they have something in common? – Dracarus inquired, stopping the swaying.

– Hm– It could be that but… – Khaos was getting there. – Logically, the shadow of the moon is a part of the moon, which means her saying moon instead of the shadow, could be talking about Eclipse in her normal form, not the murderer one. Usually when people refer to a shadow, it’s something there but secretly. The shadow of the moon is not always visible as well, principally if it’s casted towards something…Which proves my point. Her name could be a hint as well, during an Eclipse, the moon casts its shadow on earth.

Dracarus' eyes widened, that made total sense.

– Damn, it surely is that… But still, what do they have in common with each other? I can’t comprehend it… – He put his arm up on the sofa’s back, resting his head on it.

– We must investigate further about it. Also if you think she’s really Blue, it helps us even more. 

– Yeah… I hope it all ends soon. – He sighed.

– I agree… I really want to know her motives to do this… what she’s trying to achieve. It’s certainly something revolving around justice. – Khaos looked at him once again.

He nodded, not even knowing what to think anymore.

– By the way… – His clothes were getting her attention. – You still haven’t told me about that. – She pointed at the ripped out clothes and little scratches.

– Oh, uh— She was using fast sly attacks with a knife, her speed is extremely good so she used it in a strategic way. – He looked at his own clothes, he didn’t really notice how badly they were. 

– But still… no normal knife rips like that… Did she use anything else? A power? – Khaos was dubious.

– Oh, right! – He almost forgot the most important part. – I think she’s really connected to Caelum’s family. She was using lightning-like powers. – He looked at Khaos in wonder. He was amazed by her power.

“Lightning?! But how… Everyone died that day…!”

– I feel like something is escaping here… – She looked down.

“Anyways… I might have to visit her family someday. They surely know about this.”

– Well, maybe. – Dracarus thought the same.

– Yeah for real… the same way she escaped, right? – Khaos was joking with him now.

“After all, how did she even escape him?”

– Ah, let’s not talk about that. – He was embarrassed.

“I can’t let the truth be said about letting her escape… I want to trust her.”

– Ehh…? – Han suddenly lurked in the corridor. – No way… Eclipse seriously defeated you? Hahahah!

“Where the hell did he come from?” Khaos was startled.

– Nah, shut up. – Dracarus gave him a cold look with his eyes narrowed. – He proceeded to take another sip of the wine, looking shy.

Han entered the living room and sat with them.

– Hm, by the way, we are leaving tomorrow for a vacation with them.

– Huh? Who said I accept it? – Han jokingly said.

– Me. – Dracarus annoyedly smiled at him.

– Oh, that’s a great experience for both of you. I hope you enjoy it. – Khaos was happy they had finally made friends. – I’ll use those days to investigate more about the cases you’ve been focusing on. You need to rest. – She got up.

~~~

The next day, it was snowing once again. The gardens of the royal castle had been adorned with frost. The trees were all white and the lakes were frozen. Even the fountain’s water. 

– Ah, it’s dreadfully cold today… – Han and Dracarus were leaving the palace to go to the destined place with the others. 

– It’ll probably be even more in the mountains, make sure to take warm clothes with you. – Khaos was worried about them. 

– Yes, we already put everything on the trunk of the car. – Dracarus replied, closing the trunk.

Musa suddenly came from inside the castle, running towards her two “brothers”.

– I’m going to miss you… – She tightly hugged Dracarus. 

– Aw, we’re going to miss you too. – He hugged her back, with a soft warm smile. 

– Which day will you return? – She asked, pouting.

– In three days. – Dracarus patted her head. – It’ll pass fast, don’t worry.

Musa assuredly giggled. Her “brothers” were everything to her, along with Khaos.

– I also want a hug. – Han pretended to be frowning standing next to them.

– Of course you get a hug too, Hannie! – She rushed to hug him even tighter.

He let out a cute smile and hugged her as well.

– Be careful not to get a cold, sweetie. – He kneeled down. – I’ll get you another blue flower when we return, okay? 

– Yes! Thank you. That flower was really pretty. – She contentedly tilted her head. 

– Yeah, I agree. – He grinned. – It matches you and the person who sold me the flower. – He kissed her forehead.

– Oh, Eclipse, right? Is her favourite color also blue? – She really liked Eclipse. 

– I dunno, I just think it matches her. Hehe. – Remembering her pale bright face.

Dracarus was hearing their conversation while waiting for Han to depart. “Well… Her favourite color really is blue. He’s not wrong.” He gave a shy smile away.

– Anyways, we gotta go now, mhm? – Dracarus said, with his hands lounging on his waist.

– Yeah, see you soon Musa! – He glanced over Khaos. – And see you too, Khaos! We’ll miss you.

– I’ll miss you too, my dear boys. Now take care and enjoy the trip! – She waved them goodbye with Musa.

~~~

After half an hour, they finally arrived there. It was a wooden house with a cozy atmosphere. The view from the mountain was also amusing, they could see the whole city and nearby locations from there.

– Damn, the view is fascinating. – Han was amazed.

– True… – And so was Dracarus.

After some minutes, Xavier arrived and opened the door.

– Come in, it's cold outside. We’ll wait for the others in the living room. 

Dracarus and Han were admiring the house. It looked much more ample from the inside. It had a large living room connected to the kitchen and big wide windows.

– Woah, the house is really nice, Xavier. – Han was excited.

– Thanks, it’s really cozy during the winter.

– Oh by the way, where can we put our things? – Han asked, carrying a large mall.

– Ah about that, there’s two rooms upstairs, choose one, the other will be for the girls. – He explained.

– Alright, thank you. 

They went upstairs to leave their things in the room. It was also with a great space and had four beds.

When they returned downstairs, the girls were already there.

– Oh hello, Han and Dracarus! – Lydia and Catherine cheered.

– Hi! – Dracarus subtly grinned.

Han went to the kitchen to drink some water, and saw Eclipse putting something on the fridge.

– Oh, hi Eclipse! What are you doing? – He asked as he approached her.

– Ah…! – She flinched, startled. – I was putting something I bought for us to eat later. – Stuttering.

As she turned around to face Han, she saw Dracarus leaning against the open door with his arms crossed. He was wearing a dark red hoodie, which was rare since he usually shows up with a shirt and jacket combo.

They made brief eye contact. After her hard stare, Dracarus went back to the living room… he seemed disturbed by something.

“Hm… Whatever.” She felt quite anxious around those two.

– What is it? – Han was curious.

– Oh– it’s a strawberry pie. 

– Hmm, yummy! – He was already getting hungry to eat that pie.

In the living room, they were talking about dinner since it was almost five o’clock.

– Does anyone want to help me make dinner? – Xavier requested.

– Uh, I can help you. – Dracarus volunteered.

– I’m not that good at cooking so… – Lydia wanted to help but she was afraid to mess something up.

– Alright, it’s fine. – He reassuringly smiled at her. –  Me and Dracarus will do it, you can prepare the table with Eclipse and Cath. 

– Oh, sure!

Xavier and Dracarus were going to cook pasta with chicken pieces, and a simple soup.

Han was bored, he had nothing to do.

– Hey girls, do you want help with something? – He glanced, trying to find anything to do.

– Nah, but thank you. – Catherine refused.

“Alright, Imma go annoy Xavi and Dracarus then.” He wandered off to the kitchen.

– So, what are you cooking? It smells good.

– Soup and pasta. – Dracarus answered, blankly. He was cutting the chicken pieces.

– Hmm, really nice!

Han sat on the counter while looking at the girls preparing the table.

– Hey Eclipse, can you go get two more glasses, please? – Catherine requested, as she was placing only four cups.

Eclipse didn’t answer her, she seemed to be pensive about something.

– Hm? Eclipse?

– Huh, what? Do you want something? – Panicky.

– … Forget it, don’t worry. I’ll go get them myself. – She sighed.

Han was noticing Eclipse’s off state of mind.

– Hey Dracarus, do you think she’s a bit alienating because of yesterday? – Whispering.

– I don’t know, I haven't talked to her yet.

– Hmm, she does seem a bit off, are you gonna ask her about it? – Han pressed, he thought maybe they should do that.

– Do you really think she would tell the truth? – Dracarus regarded this as pointless to do.

– Maybe.

– … – He was doubting that. – Nah… Let it be for now. We’ll eventually find out.

Han noticed he was a little mad, or perhaps, frustrated.

Catherine, who was in the kitchen to get the glasses, heard everything they said… She was curious about what they were talking about.

“Huh? What truth would Eclipse hide…?”

– Get off the counter, this isn’t our house. – Han was bothering Dracarus.

– Oh, right. Sorry. – He apologised and got down.

– Didn’t Khaos teach you manners? – He was now playfully picking on him.

– Yo, shut up Mr. Good boy! – Han pinched Dracarus’ waist.

– Hahah, my bad Mr. Strong.  

~~~

After a while, the food was ready and so was the table.

– Dinner is done, let’s eat. – Dracarus was putting the food pans on the table.

They all sat and started eating. Except for Xavier who went to light up the fireplace.

– This is really good! – Lydia was delightfully devouring the pasta.

– Thanks, we did it carefully. – Dracarus, proud of his food.

– Xavier! Come eat! – Han yelled.

– Yes, I’m just lighting up the fireplace.

Xavier put some more wood in and went to eat with them. They were now eating together.

Catherine noticed something strange too. Everyone was speaking yet Dracarus hadn’t spoken to Eclipse yet… Which was weird since they were always talking to themselves hiddenly.

She was wondering what was going on. “Could it be that they're not talking because of that conversation’s issue?”

– Is there something for dessert? – Lydia checked, ready for more good food. She was a binge eater, lucky to have a fast metabolism.

– Oh, yes, Eclipse brought a strawberry pie. – Xavier explained while looking at her.

– Ah, yup. I’ll go get it.

She got up and went to get the pie. Dracarus didn’t get his eyes off her ‘till she returned. Catherine was even more interested, something was surely up with both of them and it was getting more intense as time passed.

He was analysing every move she made, yet wasn’t talking to her at all. “Damn, this is getting weirder… Is he stalking her or sum?”

When she returned, everyone was excited to eat the pie. It looked extremely delicious.

– Oh my god! It looks so good! – Catherine was already drooling with Lydia.

– Yeah! Since I love strawberry pie, I wanted to share it with you all. It has strawberries for everyone.

As she was placing the pie on the table, Lydia saw something on her arm. She had her sleeves rolled up from picking it from the fridge.

– What happened to your arm? – She was worried.

– Oh… – Eclipse nervously met her gaze. – It’s just a bruise… I accidentally fell yesterday.

She wasn’t wrong in what she said, but the interpretation they had on that, surely was. None of them ever thought about that happening in a fight… Only Dracarus and Han.

~~~