"Is she gonna be alright?"

The gypsy hears a young feminine voice as she awakens from her deep sleep. Her eyes flicker at the sight of bright light. She felt her stiff hands move a little. She felt numb for a moment when pain soon came upon her side. She unconsciously tries to get up, but quickly decides to stay still when she heard more voices.

"Don't worry she will be." says a voice, possibly belonging to a man. 

She hears a sigh, "It's a good thing it wasn't that serious." The gypsy realizes that she might have been caught and quickly opens her eyes. She quickly sits up. Her eyes wander around the room and soon notices a pretty red-headed girl with long pigtails that reaches below her butt and she was wearing a suit, sitting by her bedside. By her looks, she could possibly a seventeen or eighteen-year old. And beside the girl was a man who was also wearing a suit but had a blue polo instead of a white one and shades. His fingers held a cigarette. The smell irritated her nose. A smile was on his face with that flirtatious look. Other than that he looked harmless. The girl somehow sensed her movement and turns to her.

 "Don't move so much." she says gently.

"What happened?" replies the gypsy, her eyes locking into the girl's. 

"You--"

"You were shot by the hooded man and lost consiousness. Felicita here and the others brought you here. And I--" he points at the wound, "performed surgery and removed the bullet. Also with a little alchemy. It should be better soon. I applied some ointment which should quicken the healing." The gypsy opens her mouth to say her thanks, but the man interrupts her with a wave of his hand and smiles while adjusting his shades, "There is no need to thank me. I simply just did my duty."

"Thank you anyways," she says with a smile. The gypsy turns to to the girl and says, "How long have I been here?"

"Twelve hours."

The gypsy gasps at her answer. Coming back to her senses, she quickly asks, "Why am I here instead of being in the local hospital? And--"

"I wanted to thank you for your kindness to the locals," interrupts the girl. Seeing the gypsy's worried look, she continued, "You don't have to worry about the man. You're safe now." She pats the girl's hand to reassure the gypsy. She didn't seem to believe completely in her words and tries to get up again. She soon finds herself sighing in relief. The red-headed girl smiles in relief as the man steps forward with his hands in his pockets.

"What happened to you? You look different." asks the red-headed girl.

"What did the men tell you?"

"Well, they told me that you were wearing aa amulet. And when the man cut it off--you changed appearances."

"That amulet was made to alter once appearance. I have been wearing it for a long time already that I have forgotten how I used to look like."

"But why?"

"I have been hiding from those men and successfully did for five, long years. I don't know how they caught up to me."

"Why were those men after you?" interrupts the man, changing the subject, in a serious, monotone voice. 

The gypsy looks at him with a change of expression and replied, "I don't want to talk about it. . . all the more remember."

This remark stuns the man. "Did something happened in this girl's past?" he thought. Felicita, too, was wondering the same thing. She recalls some details that Liberta told her on the way home.

*****Liberta's Flashback*****

Swords clashed as the man and the gypsy fought. She seemed quite intense by the look on her face. Libert remembers that it has only been two weeks since she arrived in Regalo. She came alone which was sort of weird since gypsies usually travel together. But even so, she has always had a that smile on her face. Liberta doesn't really know why, but he has always, somewhat, dazzled by her smile. Everyone smiles of course. But hers seemed special. Her smile seemed to say a thousand words without her lips even uttering anything. And one of those words were. . . joy.

The hooded man seemed to somewhat silently mock her. He didn't do anything insulting, but the smirk that was written on his face seemed to be the cause of her rage.

"What is wrong, Angelica?" says the man, "Don't you recognize me? If you do why can't you call out my name like the day I sent you away?" His statement blasted right into her heart. Her face became pained then a wave of anger rushed into her as she attacked him fiercely.

"Why don't you shut that filthy mouth of yours??" she growled. The Arcana members watched them with anxious and wondering hearts. Mystified by her actions and story. She continues, "I have living here in Regalo in peace--" she steps away from him, "I was more than happy to be here! You sent me away didn't you?! Now what do you want him me??" The man only chuckles.

"You were the favorite of the customers. . ." he starts with a mocking tone, "And you released quite a handful of. . . employees. They'll kill me for sure if you don't come back with me." he says, holding out his hand.

"Like I'll go back to hell with you, demon!"

*****End of fashback*****

Liberta's story startled her. What was that gypsy's past? Jolly was just about to reply when a tall auburn-haired man comes into the room followed by a beautiful woman with long black hair wearing a kimono. Their faces looked kind and gentle, filled with  concern.

"Ah, you're awake," says the man cheerfully, smiling, "How are you feeling?"

"I feel fine, sir."

"The boys told me that you seemed to be a skilled fighter using a bullwhip for a weapon," he comments, " And even a skilled swrosman. I'm qute impressed."

She smiles weakly, flattered, "Thank you very much, sir." she says.

"I guess your anatomy skills really have been proven to be usefull, Jolly." says the man, addressing to the man wearing shades. He turns back and faces the gypsy again and continues, "Let us introduce ourselves. I'm Mondo. Head of Arcana Famiglia. And this is my wife, Sumire. And this man here is Jolly, our Family adviser," he says as he gestures to Jolly, "And that fine young lady is my daughter, Felicita. I assume that you've met the last two. Correct?" She nods. He grins and continues, "And who might you be?"

"I'm Angelica." Angelica replies politely. She nervously held her hands together as the man continues. Scared of what he has to ask.

"I thought you are known to be called Nadya the mysterious fortune teller." says Mondo. 

"That's actually just a disguise. . . and it's been blown." she hesitantly replies.

"Disguise?"

"I'm sorry, but I'd rather not talk about why. . ." she says with a pained look on her face, "But thank you very much for your kindness. I'll be leaving. I apologize for troubling you." she says getting up.

"I'm sorry, too--Because I can't let you leave with those men still after you." he replies. Trying not to create a tension she obediently stays. She lets out a sad sigh. They could tell by the look on her face. Mondo ponders on what he should decide. Realizing that he shouldn't force her to stay against her will. But that seemed the only solution in order to keep her safe. 

 The latter becomes silent when they suddenly hear a knock on the door when a man wearing a hat comes in carrying a tray with a glass pitcher and teacup on it.

"Hello, everybody," he greets and looks at Angelica and smiles, "I see that you are awake. I only came here to bring camomile tea," he says, handing her a cup, "it will make you feel better."

"Thank you." she says with a smile. The people become surprised at her sudden change of expression.

"You're very most welcome." he replies with a smile.

"This is Luca, Felicita's attendant," he says then continues, "Luca, Angelica." The two greet each other. Silent for a moment, Sumire suddenly whispers in Mondo's ear. She was smiling and Mondo seemed pleased with her words since he was grinning from ear to ear.

After a while Sumire lets go of Mondo,  "Angelica, why don't you join the family?" He says grinning with crossed arms. Angelica quickly turns with a shocked expression at him, while the others became still, excited for what she has to say. Felicita felt a sudden hope in her heart at hearing this. Mondo and Sumire seemed hasty at this, but it didn't seem to upset anyone. Except the gypsy.

"Uh, I don't understand. . ." 

"You see. . . we may not be blood-related, but we have Arcana powers that brought us together. We are the Arcana Famiglia, and we take in anyone who have no place to return to. Besides blood is thicker than water."

"It's been a while since I heard that quote, " she says, "But you might get hurt because of me."

"It doesn't matter, as long as we're here. . . together. . . as a family. Family members take care of each other no matter what state a member is in," replies Mondo, "Not just anyone will get to be asked to be part of the Arcana Famiglia you know."

"I don't know about this, " she says still hesitant, "But what about--"

"Do not worry aboutg that," he says, trying to not let her worm her way out of the offer, and continues, "And since you will be staying with us. . . why don't you make use of yourself by becoming a memeber and join one of it's five divisions?"

Seeing that there was no way around this offer, Angelica decides to accpet it, "Well, if you really insist on me staying here. . . I accept your offer on me becoming one of you." she says with a dazzling smile. Mondo smiles and sighs in relief. As well did Sumire and the others. Felicita couldn't help but let out a little squeal of joy.

The man chuckles and turns to a happy Felicita, "Why don't you take our new family member to one of the rooms near yours? Also some uniform."

"Don't worry, Papa," she replies, smiling, "I already did," now he is the one shocked and Felicita continues, "I was excited. . . and assuming that you and Mama will end up asking her to stay," Mondo and Sumire smiles as they watched Felicita help Angelica get off the bed, "Come on." she addresses Angelica, who seemed fine and well already, stand up.

"Congratulations! You are now part of Arcana Famiglia!" declares Mondo and Sumire chuckles. The others who were in the room that included Felicita and Luca all smiled and sigh in relief. Jolly just leans back on the wall with a grin on his face. Mondo continues, "Later, at midnight you will have to go to the meeting room, Felicita will take you there. And there we will see what card will choose you to be it's host."

"Whether or not a card chooses me or not, I'm very grateful for your hospitality." she says happily. The others smile at her humble reamark. "Where did this girl come from?" They thought.

"Tomorrow I will announce our newest family member," says Mondo, "Since you are officially part of our family, you should start calling me, Papa. And my wife here, Mama."

The girl nods when Sumire suddenly runs at her and gives her a hug, "I finally have two daughters! Be well and happy, Angelica." says Sumire after letting Angelica go and smiles, but leaves the girl utterly shocked.

"Two daughters?" repeats Angelica and looks at Felicita.

"Eh--you don't have to worry about that now, Angelica." says Felicita pulling her away and closing the door behind her.