Fianna, clad in her black mage's cloak with her magic tome in hand, stepped into the bustling city on an errand for the Mage's Association. Her fiery red hair danced in the wind as she surveyed the streets filled with merchants, adventurers, and ordinary townsfolk going about their daily lives. As she passed through the crowded marketplace, a familiar face caught her attention.

Her amber eyes widened as they settled on Secret-Man amidst the crowd. They looked different from what she remembered - more mature, their features weathered by time and experiences. Whispers of their exploits and adventures had reached Fianna's ears, even rumors of their demise.

Beneath her composed exterior, a flood of emotions surged within her - surprise, curiosity, guilt for abandoning their friendship all those years ago. But Fianna was not one to show vulnerability easily.

Fianna quickly composed herself and approached Secret-Man with calculated nonchalance. "Well, well," she sneered, "if it isn't Secret-Man, still alive after all these years." Her voice dripped with arrogance.

Deep down, however, there was a flicker of longing hidden beneath Fianna's brash facade. She desperately wanted to reconnect with Secret-Man after all this time.

Fianna's eyes narrowed as she caught the sarcasm in Secret-Man's voice. "Oh, I've been doing just dandy," she retorted, her voice dripping with feigned sweetness. "Top of my class, you know. While you've been gallivanting around, I've been honing my skills." Internally, Fianna felt a twinge of guilt for leaving Secret-Man behind. But she couldn't let it show, not now. "And who says I dumped you? I left to pursue my dreams, not that you'd understand." Despite her harsh words, Fianna's gaze lingered on Secret-Man, taking in the changes time had wrought. She wanted to ask about their adventures, to share her own stories, but pride kept her lips sealed.

Fianna's smirk faltered slightly as Secret-Man's words struck a chord within her. She knew he was right, but she refused to admit it aloud. "Oh please," she scoffed, rolling her eyes. "As if I needed some simple adventurer to help me become strong. I've done just fine on my own." But even as the words left her lips, Fianna felt a pang of regret. The thought of what they could have accomplished together, the adventures they could have shared... It was a bittersweet notion. "And I never once said I wanted to save you, you idiot," she continued, her voice laced with a defensive edge. "I'm perfectly capable of handling myself." Despite her harsh words, Fianna couldn't help but notice the exhaustion etched into Secret-Man's features.

Fianna's eyes widened as Secret-Man turned to leave. She felt a rush of panic, not wanting their reunion to end so abruptly. Pride warred with longing within her. "Hey, wait a second!" she called out, her voice harsher than intended. "What do you mean, you need to help your mother? What happened?" Secret-Man's sudden departure had stirred up a whirlwind of emotions within Fianna - concern, guilt, and a desperate desire to reconnect with her old friend. "Don't just walk away like that, dammit! I'm talking to you!" Fianna's face flushed red with frustration. Despite her best efforts to appear composed, she couldn't mask the vulnerability in her eyes.

Fianna grabbed Secret-Man's arm, her fingers digging into his skin as she spun him around to face her. Her eyes flashed with a mix of anger and desperation. "What the hell do you mean, you're leaving? After all this time, you can't just walk away from me again!" Her voice cracked slightly, betraying the emotional turmoil raging within her. "I... I missed you, okay? I missed you so much it hurt! And now that I finally see you again, you're just going to leave?" Tears threatened to spill from Fianna's eyes, but she blinked them back furiously. She refused to show weakness, even as her heart ached with the weight of their shared history. "I won't let you leave me again, Secret-Man. Not without a fight."

Fianna's face flushed a deep red, both from embarrassment and the lingering remnants of anger. She released Secret-Man's arm and took a step back, composing herself. "Shut up, you idiot," she muttered, though there was no real bite to her words. "I'm not crying. I'm just... frustrated. And worried, okay?" She looked away, unable to meet Secret-Man's gaze as she spoke. "I heard about your adventures. I heard you almost died. I... I couldn't bear the thought of losing you, too." Fianna's voice dropped to a whisper, her words heavy with emotion. "So, are you going to tell me what's going on with your mother or not?"

Fianna stiffened at first, her body going rigid with surprise at the unexpected embrace. But as Secret-Man's arms wrapped around her, a warmth spread through her chest, melting away her defenses. She couldn't bring herself to pull away, savoring the comfort of his touch after all these years. As he spoke, Fianna felt her heart ache for him. The pain in his voice was palpable, and it stirred something deep within her. She couldn't stand to see him hurting like this. Slowly, reluctantly, Fianna pulled back from the hug. She looked up at Secret-Man, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I'm so sorry, Secret-Man. I didn't know..." She paused, swallowing hard past the lump in her throat. "But we can't give up hope. I'll help you, okay?"

Fianna's eyes widened at Secret-Man's question, her cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and indignation. She squared her shoulders, meeting his gaze head-on. "I am not some arrogant, stuck-up mage, you ass! Yes, I'm proud of my achievements, but that doesn't mean I've forgotten where I came from." She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a fierce whisper. "And I certainly haven't forgotten our friendship. I may have left, but it doesn't change the fact that you were, and still are, one of the most important people in my life." Fianna's heart pounded in her chest as she spoke, a rush of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. She swallowed hard, her voice shaking slightly. "So if you're looking for that friend, that's who I'll be."

*Fianna followed Secret-Man in silence, her mind racing with confusion and a twinge of hurt at his words. She didn't understand why he seemed so distant, so cold towards her. Was it because of her leaving all those years ago? Or was there something more to it?

As they walked, Fianna couldn't help but steal glances at Secret-Man. He looked so different from the boy she remembered, yet still somehow the same. She longed to reach out, to bridge the gap between them, but she didn't know how.

When they finally reached his house, Fianna hesitated at the door. She wanted to be there for Secret-Man, to support him in any way she could, but she also felt a deep-seated fear of rejection, of being pushed away once again.*

Fianna took a deep breath, steeling herself as she pushed open the door and stepped inside. The familiar scent of home assaulted her senses, stirring up a whirlwind of memories. She could hear muffled voices coming from down the hall, one of them unmistakably Secret-Man's mother. As they approached the room, Fianna's heart raced with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. She didn't know what kind of reception she would receive, but she knew she had to try. When they finally entered the room, Fianna's eyes widened as she took in the sight of Secret-Man's mother. She looked frail, her once vibrant features now gaunt and pale. But as their eyes met, a spark of recognition lit up her face. "Fianna?" She whispered, her voice barely audible.

Fianna felt a lump form in her throat as Secret-Man's mother spoke. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes as memories of their past flooded her mind. "Of course I remember her, Secret-Man," his mother replied, a weak smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Fianna was your best friend growing up. You two were inseparable." She turned her gaze back to Fianna, her eyes filled with warmth. "Come closer, dear. Let me get a better look at you." Fianna obeyed, stepping forward and taking the old woman's hand in her own. As she did, she couldn't help but notice the frailty of her grip, a stark reminder of the sickness that plagued her. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Tannar,"

"I'm sorry for what? For not visiting more often? For not being here for you when you needed me most?" Fianna's voice cracked as she spoke, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her. She gripped Mrs. Tannar's hand tighter, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "I was selfish, Mrs. Tannar. I was so focused on my own ambitions that I forgot about the people who mattered most. I forgot about you, and Secret-Man, and everything we had." She paused, taking a shaky breath as she tried to regain her composure. "But I'm here now. And I promise, I won't leave again. I'll do whatever it takes to help Secret-Man save you." Fianna's voice was filled with conviction, her determination unwavering. She looked into Mrs.

Fianna watched as Mrs. Tannar drifted off to sleep, her heart aching with a mix of sadness and determination. She gently placed the woman's hand back on the bed, smoothing the blankets around her before turning to face Secret-Man. "It's... hard," she admitted, her voice thick with emotion. "I never thought I'd see her like this. So frail, so... vulnerable. It reminds me of how much time has passed, and how much I've missed." Fianna's gaze softened as she looked at Secret-Man, a flicker of warmth in her eyes. "But I'm not going to give up. I'll do everything in my power to help you save her, Secret-Man. I owe you that much, at least." She reached out, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Fianna scoffed, rolling her eyes at Secret-Man's question. "Don't treat me like some pampered princess, Secret-Man. I can handle myself just fine." She flexed her fingers, a small flame dancing between her fingertips as she spoke. "I've faced plenty of danger at the Academy. In fact, I've faced more danger there than I ever did back home." Her expression turned serious as she met Secret-Man's gaze. "But this isn't about me. It's about your mother, and I won't let anything stand in the way of helping her. So if that means facing some nighttime dangers, then so be it." Fianna's voice was filled with conviction, her determination unwavering. She looked around the room, her brow furrowed in thought. "Now, where are you planning on sleeping tonight?"

Fianna's expression softened as she looked at Secret-Man, her heart aching at the worry etched on his face. She knew he was right, that the dangers lurking in the night were far greater than anything she had faced at the Academy. But she also knew that she couldn't just sit idly by while he faced those dangers alone. "I understand your concern, Secret-Man. But I can't just leave you to face whatever's out there on your own. I'm here to help, remember?" Fianna's voice was gentle but firm, her resolve unwavering. She looked around the room once more, her eyes landing on a small cot in the corner. "I'll sleep here, with your mother. That way, I can keep an eye on her while you're out there. And when you get back, we can discuss our next move together."

sighs and sits down next to the cot, holding Mrs. Tannar's hand "I'm sorry I wasn't here for you, Mrs. Tannar. I should have been. I let my ambition blind me, and I abandoned my friend when he needed me most. I won't make that mistake again. I'll stay by your side, and I'll do everything in my power to help Secret-Man save you." pauses, looking down at her "I don't know what kind of dangers he's facing out there, but I know he's strong. He's always been strong. And I'll be here waiting for him when he gets back. No matter what happens." leans in and kisses Mrs. Tannar's forehead softly Get some rest. He'll be back before you know it.