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After the past few weeks, Strelitzia has always been spirited after getting encouragement from Lauriam and Elrena in befriending that kiddo she used to stalk in town. She and her new friend’s designated place in today’s mission was at the Seaside Park where they both collected Lux together. They both have an agreement that they would team up every other day, so that Strelitzia could still team up with Lauriam and Elrena on other days. While her new friend could still work with their other friends in town as well.
Lauriam and Elrena proceeded together at the Bridge to the Outskirts to finish their mission, leaving Strelitzia to team up with her new friend. They were quite pleased to see Strelitzia being joyful over bonding with that kiddo and finally overcoming her shyness.
After finishing today’s mission, Strelitzia waved goodbye to her new friend and parted their ways. The trio met at the Fountain Square and went to the top roof of Moogle Shop, where Strelitzia’s favorite place was located. She encouraged Lauriam and Elrena to go there with her to take a break. It was quite a tiring day for them, they sat there after defeating a lot of monsters.
“Looks like someone’s in a good mood!” Lauriam smiled at his sister.
“More like in love! Haha!” Elrena teased. “I saw your eyes pleading while you were waving goodbye to that kid!”
“Hey! I’m not!” Strelitzia blushed. “I just feel happy because I get to know them better! They even taught me some cool techniques on how to cast powerful magic!” She exclaimed.
“That’s good to hear! What a coincidence that both of you are good at magic.” Lauriam complimented.
“That’s so sweet! Maybe someday both of your magic can join forces and take out a huge monster!” Elrena suggested.
Strelitzia liked the idea of combining their magic powers together someday. “Wow Elrena! You’re a genius! I’ll suggest that to them at our next meeting!”
While the two girls were babbling, Lauriam was looking at the view of the town, and suddenly saw Brain below, sitting at the edge of the fountain. He remembered the other day when he was late in a meeting with him for an experiment on creating Spirits for the Dandelions. When he arrived late at the Foretellers’ Chamber, Brain already did all the work. Up to this day, Lauriam was still feeling guilty for not coming early in their previous meeting. He knew to himself that he’s always late every time there’s a meeting for all Union leaders.
Lauriam ran as fast as the wind, Brain reminded him to arrive at their meeting early to create some Spirits. He knew he was already late, the monsters that he fought in today’s mission were quite difficult and hindered him from his meeting with Brain. He promised to him that he would assist him in making the necessary preparations in creating Spirits to serve as companions for the Dandelions. He rushed inside the Foreteller’s Chamber and unintentionally slammed the door.
A Pupstar, Pupmoon and Snowpup heard the door slam, they ran straight at him after they saw Lauriam’s appearance at the door. The adorable-looking Spirits wagged their tails and looked up at him. It seemed they were delighted with his presence. Lauriam was startled with their appearance and realized Brain was the one who created these Spirits. He looked at Brain nervously and couldn't help but feel guilty. Clearly Brain was the only one who’s not delighted with his late presence.
“Oh Lauriam, here you are.” Brain raised an eyebrow. “Where have you been?” He asked as he crossed his arms.
He cleared his throat before he responded to him. “Sorry, those monsters gave me a hard time. So, is there any work left for me to do?” Lauriam scratched his head and felt ashamed when he saw Brain did all the work for today.
“It’s fine, I created these Spirits on my own, and I’m about to give them to the other Dandelions. You can help me someday anyway.” he muttered in a surly manner and walked away. The Spirits he created followed him at once. Brain slammed the door, leaving Lauriam all alone in the room.
Lauriam sensed that he was mad, he may not show it but he knew Brain was mad at him. “I’m sorry, Brain.” he mumbled as Brain had already left the Foreteller’s Chamber.
As a Union Leader himself, he promised he would make it up to him for coming late at their previous meeting. However he doesn’t know how. Lauriam became pensive about it and ended up being oblivious on how he will make up for his tardiness to Brain. Perhaps he can ask Elrena and his sister for help, they might help him how to approach Brain. By the time he looked down at the fountain, Brain already left. Lauriam assumed he was already going to the Foreteller’s Chamber where he always stays.
After Elrena and Strelitzia chatted, Strelitzia told him that they were going down now. However he didn’t respond.
“Helloooo Lauriam? Are you still there?” Strelitzia waved her hand in front of his face.
Elrena stood up to sit on his right side and gave him a strong pat on his back to break his reverie. “Hey Lauriam, what happened to you?! Are you alright?!”
Lauriam startled. “Wait what? Sorry, are you both saying something?” His bewilderment finally broke as he grinned.
“We said we’re going down now, are you coming? You seemed lost in your own thoughts.” Strelitzia sighed. “And here I thought you got possessed by darkness!” She exaggerated.
“It seems you’re staring at something? Or someone? ” Elrena smirked. “So, who are you staring at?” She questioned.
Lauriam chuckled. “W-what? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He denied and looked away from them.
Strelitzia moved closer on his left side and got curious. “ Someone on your mind? Don’t be shy to talk about it!”
Elrena moved even closer on his right side. “You can’t fool me, Lauriam. I saw how you looked at Brain from afar with sad puppy eyes. You like him?” She poked fun at him for zoning out.
Strelitzia squealed. “Gosh Lauriam! I didn’t know you had a thing with Brain! How the tables have turned!”
The girls laughed out loud, the people below the Fountain Square can hear their laughter. Leaving Lauriam discomposed due to their antics.
“What? No! It’s not what you both think!” Lauriam swore as his face went flustered. “I-It's just that the other day I-I was late at our meeting, and I still feel bad about it. We were supposed to create Spirits together for the Dandelions, yet when I arrived Brain created the spirits on his own and I wasn’t able to help him.” He sighed heavily.
Strelitzia and Elrena realized he was indeed feeling down. No wonder he was quiet the whole time on the rooftop and ended up zoning out due to his predicament.
Strelitzia wrapped her arm around his brother’s shoulder. “Don’t worry Lauriam, I’m sure Brain would understand. We all have our unexpected shortcomings. Don’t blame yourself. I’m pretty sure Brain is not mad at you anymore!” She comforted him.
“Yeah, don’t worry too much about it. You really care for him huh.” Elrena responded. “He probably went straight to the Foreteller’s Chamber, we can still catch him up.” She assured him after she teased him.
“Do you think he’ll understand and forgive me?” Lauriam fretted. “While you guys were both chatting I saw him sitting at the edge of the fountain over there.'' He pointed out. “He already left, but Elrena might be right, he probably went to the Foreteller’s Chamber by now. I wonder if he is still mad at me.” He felt upset once more, despite being cheered up by Elrena and Strelitzia.
“Remember what you told me before? Stay calm, focus and be brave?” His little sister reiterated what he told her before when she was still shy to talk to her new friend.
Elrena agreed with Strelitzia. “If your sister had the courage to face her fears, I’m sure you can face yours too. You’ll never know if Brain’s still mad at you if you don't go to his place.” She encouraged him.
Lauriam gained a slight hope from their words, and realized he cannot lose this chance to make amends with Brain. “Thank you guys. I was wondering if we could go to the Foreteller's Chamber right now and… I’ll apologize to him personally. Can you come along with me?” He pleaded.
“Of course! We’ll go with you, and it’s time for me to return the favor!” Strelitzia supported him. She never forgot how Lauriam and Elrena supported her in befriending that kiddo she used to stalk often.
“Yeah we got your back! Don’t worry, this will turn out well.” Elrena reassured him. “So, what are we waiting for? Let’s go to the Foreteller's Chamber!” She stood up to open the window in order to exit the rooftops. “Come on guys!” Lauriam and Strelitzia immediately followed her.
The trio arrived at the Foreteller’s Chamber, Lauriam looked around to see if Brain was there. He walked further until he saw someone sitting on a chair while reading a book, it’s no other than Brain. Brain stopped reading when he heard footsteps coming from outside. He turned his head around to take a peak, and he saw Lauriam. He stood up, and walked towards him. “Hey, Lauriam, what are you doing here?” He asked in a stoic manner.
Lauriam couldn't maintain eye contact with him, he wrung his hands while thinking what to say to him. His mind suddenly clouded with guilt after he heard Brain’s stoic voice. He then glanced at Elrena and Strelitzia, indicating he needed some help to express what he wanted to say to Brain.
The two girls approached him right away. Strelitzia patted his shoulder to reassure him. “Just remember, stay calm, focus, and be brave. Just like you told me.” She reiterated what he advised her previously.
“Come on Lauriam, I know you’re braver than you believe.” Elrena uplifted him. “If your sister had the bravado to do that, so do you.”
Brain was surprised with Strelitzia and Elrena’s appearance. He then placed his hand on his hip and tapped his foot, wondering what this is all about. “What!? Why are all of you here? What is this about?” He asked impatiently.
“He wanted to say something to you, Elrena and I are only here to back him up!” Strelitzia replied.
Lauriam cleared his throat and already collected his thoughts. “Look Brain, I want to apologize for coming late at our previous meeting, and for not helping you create Spirits for the Dandelions.” He broke eye contact with him. “I’ve been feeling guilty about it these past few days, I admit I messed up pretty bad. I know you’re still mad at me, I promise I will never be late again, I’m sorry.”
Brain’s eyes were widened, he didn’t expect Lauriam would arrive here only to apologize to him. Frankly, he wasn’t really mad but he was disappointed with him when he arrived late at their previous meeting. Besides, he was used to him being a latecomer. But he was still expecting Lauriam to come and help him that day. He didn’t hold any grudges to him, of course he understood his reason for coming late.
“Oh Lauriam, I understand your previous mission hindered you from our meeting. I wasn’t mad at you, but I was upset because you were not here. It’s not really a big deal but I’ll accept your apology. I’m sorry too for making you feel that I was mad at you.” Brain responded gently.
Lauriam sighed. “Wew, I thought you would never talk to me again.” he was relieved when Brain told him he wasn’t mad at him this whole time.
Brain laughed. “What? Don’t be silly, of course not! Come on, we're good now Mr. Latecomer.” He teased him.
Lauriam laughed after being poked fun. “Thank you Brain.” He said sincerely and smiled at him.
Elrena looked closely at them. “Well well, I guess you lovebirds are okay now!” She said in a playful manner.
Strelitzia pointed her finger at her brother. “Don’t forget what you have promised Mr. Latecomer! Don’t be ever late again! Or else someone will be upset with your absence!” his little sister reminded him light-heartedly.
Lauriam scratched his head and chuckled. “Yes Ma’am.” he replied.
“Well Lauriam, if you really wanna redeem yourself then you should be here tomorrow morning. I need some help to finish some tasks. Would that be okay with you?” Brain asked with a smirk on his face.
“O-of course! I would be happy to help you!” He smiled and was ready to redeem himself from being a latecomer.
Brain was impressed with his willfulness. “That’s good to hear! Well, I need to go home now. See you tomorrow! Don’t forget our meeting!” He reminded him once more while walking away.
The trio waved goodbye at him. Leaving them all alone inside the Foreteller’s Chamber. Lauriam felt a great relief after he sincerely apologized to him. All thanks to Elrena and Strelitzia, he managed to express what he really wanted to say to Brain.
“Thank you guys, I guess I’m the only one who needed to stay calm, focus and be brave.” He admitted.
“Well, there’s a busy day ahead of you! I’m sure Brain will be delighted with your presence tomorrow!” Elrena reminded him of his duty for tomorrow.
“Yeah, don’t worry about us tomorrow, Elrena and I will be away to attend the next mission.” Strelitzia reassured him. “Just have fun helping Brain.”
Lauriam felt delighted after his loved ones encouraged him to face his predicament with Brain. He will never be uneasy anymore since he will be meeting him again tomorrow, not only to redeem himself but also to help his fellow Union Leader. The trio finally left the area with a spirited mood, all thanks to Elrena and Strelitzia for having his back.