"You're back.

" The girl stopped in shock, as Noah called her out as soon as she reached the table. Although she was not running, because it was a public space after all, she had come walking at a very fast pace.

Yet, by the time she came to the table, Al was already sat down and eating, which confused her deeply. 'Did I spend that long thinking?' she thought, as she realized what must've happened.

"Did I take too long?

" Khish asked, as she sat down by the table, pouring herself a cup of beer with the corner of her lip quirked up.

"Only a handful of minutes at most,

" Noah said, before turning back towards Al.

"So, back to where we were... What I was trying to say, Al, is that, maybe, the reason people overlook you, or don't notice you is that you are a Blessed, and that sneaking past people is your Blessing, just like it is your half-sister's,

" he said, taking a deep breath.

"But having heard everything today, there's something I must tell you too, Khish,

" he told her, making the girl gulp.

"I think you mother already knew of this Blessing, and used Al's trauma to push her down and under, since she would think poorly of herself because of the blessing if she did not know of it.

"

Noah's sentence made Allie widen her eyes, understanding what his words actually meant, and fueling her hatred.

"... You're saying everything bad that happened to her was something that was laid out ahead of time? That she knew that both of us had the same blessing?

" Khish asked, her nails biting into her palms.

"Considering how they have used you, throwing you under the bus by having you break into my house knowing you would likelly die... I do think so,

" Noah spared no-none. The truth and shock in his words making Allie herself pale. All in all, she had no idea about how those two had met. But now she did.

"If they want to rise, having a daughter who is a renowned healer is great. But having two other such that have the blessing of the God of Thievery would blemish the image. I fear that's what is happening here, to both of you.

"

"Noah, where did this come from? What are you talking about—

" Allie started asking, until Khish raised her hand, making her stop.

"It's true. Everything he's saying, it's true,

" she said, holding herself back from crying.

"I didn't want to believe it, but, after I came back home without any results... They weren't surprised I hadn't gotten the info, they were surprised I came back at all,

" she said, raising her eyes to meet Noah's.

"I've talked to Sha, I'm moving to her's. But I fear some people will target me if I do that,

" she said, looking up.

"Then why did you try to protect them when you arrived?!

" Allie raised her voice, startled.

"They are my family!

" Khish confronted her, before lowering her voice,

"Or at least I thought so,

" she muttered, making Al drop her stance, feeling bad for her.

"Either way, I'll be behind the two of you from now on,

" Noah said, shrugging, as the two stared at him with blank looks.

"What? I've already made a contract with you for helping me with information,

" he told Khish, before turning to Al,

"And I've promised you be sponsor the Ice-cream into something bigger so we can fulfill Youseff's dream.

" He tapped his fingers at the table, making the two stare at each other.

"And also,

" he started speaking, muttering,

"If something bad were to happen to either of you, she would be sad. And I don't want that,

" he said, making the two look at each other in confusion.

"Now that I think of it, it's best if we deal with it all at once,

" he said, raising his hand and calling over his friend who was also their waiter.

"Can you move us to one of the private business rooms?

" Noah asked, making the man smile.

"You cheeky boy... You never once used them, is it because you are accompanied by two fine ladies?

" he joked around, a grin on his face as he tapped at his phone for the reservation.

"Not really, but a third girl is coming, and I want them to have privacy,

" Noah said absentmindedly, making him look up in shock, not knowing whether Noah was joking or not.

"I'm seriou, though it's not what you think,

" he told the man, who cleared his throat.

"You always catch me in my own game, you cheeky bastard,

" he laughed, as he stood back up from the side of the table.

"I'll come to take you there in a minute, just wait till they arrange the place,

" he said, while Noah nodded, picking up his phone.

Hello? Sha's giggly voice came over as soon as she picked up the phone.

"Hey, so, I'm sorry I'm calling you this late. I know we already have a dinner set up for tomorrow, but I need to talk to you,

" he said, waiting for her answer.

Sure, um... Is everything okay? I know there was the whole Fortress Spill today, are you alright? she asked, making Noah realize the path their conversation was taking.

"Yeah, it's nothing to do with that. I'm actually having dinner with some people, and I think it's important you're around here so we talk about their future and stuff,

" he said, leaving cryptic messages.

Future? Me? You talk as if I'm one to talk about planning someone's future... she said, smiling wrily, which came across as a strange tone in her voice.

"To be honest, it's about your sisters,

" he said, to two pairs of surprised eyes.

Sister? I'm headi—Hold on, Sisters?! Sisters?! her voice changed halfway through the sentence, as if she had noticed something else.

"Yeah, plural. They are here,

" he said not understanding her reaction.

How did you—Where did you fid her?! I've been trying to get in touch with her for years! she called into the phone, to which Noah sighed.

"Look, it's a long story. Either way, they are with me right now, and I feel we should have you over to leave everything in place. I'd hate to be the one telling you all about it tomorrow instead,

" he said, urging her to come.

Sure, send me the place, I'll be there in a minute, she told him, dropping the call as he heard the sound of clothes being rummaged.

"She's coming,

" he told the two, who were staring at him in utter disbelief.

"What, you already knew we were friends,

" he said, looking at Khish.

"Why are you two having dinner tomorrow?

" she asked, bumbfounded, while Al just nodded in silence.

"Eh? I mean, we dive fortresses together, and are good friends, she just invited me out for dinner. Isn't that fine?

" he asked them with a deadpan expression, making both want to facepalm.

"I... see...

" Al acknowledged, realizing his denseness had somehow gotten worse over the years.

In silence, the trio waited for the waited to come back, inviting them over. As the three walked, the waiter struck conversation with Noah.

"So, where have you been? I haven't seen you around ever since that tournament,

" he said, making Noah smile wryly.

"You already know... So much stuff happened these days that I feel like my life's upside down,

" he said, following him along.

"I wish my life was upside down the way yours is. God damn, you managed to get rich, famous and important all on the same month. And now you come over with a bunch of cuties alone, what is it? a Free-for-all?

" he asked, making Noah cackle.

"Come on, man. They are sisters,

" he said, grinning from ear to ear.

"Even better, isn't i—Ouch! I'm joking, I'm joking,

" he laughed, after Noah lightly slapped the back of his head.

"But it's good to see you like this. You look a lot more relaxed than back in the day. Did something good happen?

" he asked, the two in their own world while the girls followed them from behind.

"Oh, now that I think of it, did I tell you about my sister?

" Noah asked, making the man tilt his head a little.

"That she left the hospital? Yeah, she already had when you came here with Carlos,

" he said, confused.

"No, no. I finally got her that stuff to get her stronger and healthier. Now she's just like a normal kid,

" he said, smiling broadly.

"Really?! I though you said it'd take you months, how did you manage it?

" he asked, a broad smile of his face too.

"So... Remember that arena you were talking about when I arrived?

" Noah teased, and the two happily talked about Maggie's improving, completely ignoring the existance of the two girls, who slinply followed the two in silence.

"Here's the room. It's soundproofed. If you need me, just call. I'll take you the stuff to eat and drink from the other table and some extra since it's getting cold already,

" he said, as the three entered the room with two sofas surrounding a small oak table.

"You know exactly what I need,

" Noah said, sitting down.

"When a pink-haired girl arrives looking for me, lead her here. She shouldn't be long,

" he said, to which his friend nodded, before leaving and sliding shut the door.

"Ahem,

" Noah cleared his throat, before speaking.

"So, where were we?

" he asked the two, who were staring at him with daggers in their eyes.

"So, what is your relationship with Sha, again?

" Al asked, a light he'd already seen in Lilith's eyes glowing on hers, making him swallow dry.