Chapter #4Fool's Bargain by: Frost   (Set during the Arisato Siblings storyline, which starts here: "Something Something Timelines Not Canon"  )
Minako had come to a decision.
The one constant in her brother’s accident prone life was that she had been the cause in some form. Her excuse was that she happened to be around her brother all the time, and these things were bound to happen. However, living in the dorm made her realize that these things didn’t happen as often as she thought.
Everyone else proved to be a better caretaker for her brother. Yukari was the best of them, being an attentive yet not coddling host to the tiny boy on their many outings. Fuuka kept Minato entertained with her constant tinkering of electronics, getting him interested in engineering as she often enlisted his help. Mitsuru, while coddling, had the most spotless track record with Minato, aside from the one bad incident regarding her private bathroom. There wasn’t even the possibility of human error with Aigis.
Even Koro-chan was more trustworthy, having reached a point where Minato could take him on walks on his own.
It was the middle of the night when Minako had the grim epiphany that it would be best for her brother’s health if she wasn’t hovering over him all the time.
Minako got up from bed and quickly got dressed, remembering a vague solution from Elizabeth about bringing her brother to normal size. Carefully, she scooped up her tiny sibling and gently lowered him into her shirt pocket.
The trains still ran this late, which Minako was thankful for. She had about an hour before the last train, more than enough time to visit the Velvet Room.
Minako suddenly felt at ease once she heard the calming, ethereal singing that came whenever she entered. She stepped forwards, finding Elizabeth sitting on the top of Igor’s desk, its owner nowhere to be found.
“Ah, Minako-chan, to what do I owe this late night visit?”
She found herself trembling as she carefully brought out her sleeping brother. “Y-you said you could make my brother normal size, right?”
Elizabeth’s smile faded for a moment. “Yes, I also said that it would require great sacrifice.”
“Whatever it is, I’m ready for it. Anything.”
Nodding sadly, Elizabeth pulled down her collar and plucked out a drowsy figure. “Theo, my dear little brother, our services are required.”
It took a moment, but the tiny attendant caught onto to the situation. “I feared this day would come.”
“The change will be reversible,” Elizabeth said. “All you have to do is ask to annul your decision before the next full moon, otherwise it will be permanent.”
Minako instinctively gripped her still sleeping brother tighter. “Wh-why would I want to reverse it? Will Mi-kun be okay?”
“I can assure you that your brother will grow to normal size,” Elizabeth answered. “It’s you I’m more worried about.”
Minako’s eyes went wide as she considered the implications of her words. Just how much was she willing to sacrifice for her brother? She bit her tongue, feeling guilty as she knew her brother would do it for her without question. “I don’t care. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
“I was afraid you’d say that,” Theodore said.
The tiny attendant held his hand up and procured a tarot card, The Fool XXII. Elizabeth did the same with Fool 0. The pair of velvet siblings reversed the cards, filling the room with light. | Members who added to this interactive story also contributed to these: |
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