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Adonis rose his fist in front of a moderately well sized house’s front door. There it froze for a good ten seconds. He lowered his arm, and turned around to face the party of seven.

"Why do you hesitate?" Randoruun stood directly behind him, next to the mature Arlen Mullins and Yamatako.

The street lamps dimly lit the silent and still streets of Ivy’s hometown. It was a few hours until dawn. The group was mortally tired, and luckily, the young Ivy Dewshine had managed to have her first full night of sleep in weeks. No longer was she suffering from endless weeping, or haunting memories of the month’s previous events.

The youthful Jonothan Quimby was finally able to walk without Quinn’s voluntary assistance. He carried his beloved Ivy on his back, and was still coping with the fact that Ivy’s sorrow was due to the loss of the one she loved. An honor he could have only hoped to attain. Still, he pushed all selfish thoughts aside, and cared to the girl’s needs first and foremost.

The tiny Hiko was fading fast in the late hours. However, he refused any offers by the men to be carried. The kinder insisted that he would stay awake, for none of the other men could sleep.

Adonis felt his sinus infection take its toll on his energy level. This was his second week with it. What started out as allergy problems became more severe, and he needed rest.

"It’s so late…" Adonis answered, and looked back at the door, "Are you sure they won’t be angry or arrest us or something?"

Quinn walked past the dragon, and pushed a strand of hair out of his face, and behind his ear, "You worry too much. They’ll be so happy to see her, they probably won’t mind the late hour."

Quinn rapidly rapped on the door, and after a moment, a fair young woman of gentle countenance answered.

The delicate girl let out a frightened gasp, and tightly gripped the handle of her lantern, which dimly set a glow to her pale face.

"Emma?" an older woman’s voice quietly called, "My dear, what’s wrong?" the middle-aged woman came to the girl’s side. Her tired eyes met with Quinn’s. "Are you the police?"

"No ma’am." Quinn answered. "Are you Mrs. Dewshine?"

The woman nodded, "Yes, I am. May I be of service?"

"What could they possibly want at this hour?" the fair one (called Emma) quietly asked the lighter-tressed, hazel-eyed woman.

"I believe we have something of yours." Quinn stepped aside.

The woman looked over the group, and spotted her daughter resting her head against the shoulders of Jonothan.

She let out a shrill gasp, and cupped her hands over her mouth. Tears came to both of the women’s eyes. Emma cracked a happy smile as she began to cry.

Mrs. Dewshine let out a desperate sob as she frantically reached for her daughter, planting gentle kisses on her face, making sure not to wake her up.

She ran into the house, calling into the rooms that Ivy was home. The residents of the Dewshine home all came down to see the party in. Emma led Jonothan up to a spare bedroom to lay Ivy down for the rest of the night.

The family resolved to ask questions in the morning, after all the party had rested. They found their heroes places to sleep in their home, and they were all much obliged to take in any acts of kindness on the family’s part.

Ivy didn’t believe it at first. She found herself in the bed of her younger sister. She groggily sat up in the bed, and held her forehead with her left hand.

The linen curtains blew softly in the cold winter wind. Ivy stepped out of the bed, and closed the shutters.

It was true…she was home.

Just not in her room.

She bee-lined through the empty hallway silently, and walked into her room, which was wide open to the other residents of the house, it seemed.

She shut the door behind her. Everything was left the way it was, much to her relief…even her bed was still unmade! She was in such a rush to get to work that morning! She smiled to herself as she walked over and sat on the mattress. She ran her hand over the mound of pillows and blankets, and rested her head against it. Ah! She was SO happy to be home!

And then the mound moved. Ivy shot straight up, and out of bed. She drew in a quiet breath, as the mound made a deep moan.

Her heart sped up. The mound went still. Ivy gathered up her courage, reached out to the pile of blankets, and grabbed hold of one of the corners. After getting a firm grip, Ivy took a deep breath, and pulled off the layer of blankets.

The silver-haired young man gasped in surprise as he held his arms when the cold hair hit his bare skin. He had an impressive build, which was perfectly visible, considering he was wearing only boxer shorts. His green eyes looked up, expecting to see the mother Dewshine rather than the missing daughter.

"IVY!" he gasped, and frantically pulled the covers up to his waist.

"MOOOOOOOOM!!!!"

Ivy’s shriek shook the entire house. The silver-haired young man bolted out of the bedroom, and thumped down the stairs as quickly as he possibly could.

Ivy angrily pursued the invader, skipping some of the stairs on her way down.

The two youths stormed through the kitchen, terrifying the poor, sweet Emma, and terrorizing the parents.

The chase continued its way outside, and members of Ivy’s rescue party all found their way to the scene. They all watched silently with Ivy’s parents, and the fretting Emma.

"You don’t think they’ll get hurt, do you?" Quinn heard Emma say to Mrs. Dewshine.

"My dear, have you forgotten who you’re talking about?" Mr. Dewshine answered flatly.

Emma put a hand to her cheek, "Right…"

They watched Ivy and the young man take their turns at mutilating each other. The young man took the chance of escaping when the girl was catching her breath.

"You’re slower than before you left!" The boy taunted, jogging backwards to stick his tongue out at Ivy.

Emma’s eyes widened when she noticed the wheelbarrow directly in the boy’s path, "Oh! Solomond…!!"

The boy looked to Emma, who was pointing behind him.

The audience winced as Solomond made contact with the wheelbarrow.

Emma instinctively covered her eyes.

Solomond made a loud groan, which caused the others to look.

Emma gasped, and rushed to the boy’s aide. "Are you alright?! You poor dear!"

Ivy turned to her rescue party, who all looked on, confused. (Ivy’s parents, who were quite used to this sort of thing, made their way back inside to get out the first-aid kit, preparing for what they could call a Dewshine family ritual.) She swung her arms at them, "What’re you staring at? Haven’t you seen a boy klutz out before? Inside with you! Go! Go!" she hurried the group inside, and turned to assist Emma.

Jonothan looked over his shoulder to glance through the doorway.

"Do you need help?" Ivy’s voice carried, even when speaking quietly.

Quinn lagged behind the group, and spoke to Jonothan in a low voice, "Sit with me."

Jonothan looked to Quinn, and they locked stares for a moment.

Ivy looked away from Solomond, laughing, and looked over to the doorway to see Jonothan and Quinn conversing. Her laughter ceased, and her smile relaxed. She straightened up, and she stared at the two men. Jonothan looked back to her, and got quick eye contact with her for a moment, which they both simultaneously broke. They both felt blood rush to their face, but they immediately went about their business.

"So Ivy doesn’t beat on only me…" Solomond smiled at Adonis. "Ouch!" he winced as Emma applied a bit of ointment on a scratch on Solomond’s cheek.

"I’m sorry!" Emma drew back her hand. She sat across from the silver-haired boy, and Ivy sat next to Solomond.

"I couldn’t make you feel special, now…" Ivy retorted, and covered her mouth. What the…?

Solomond laughed, "Now where’d that zinger come from?! That’s not like you Ivy!"

Ivy blinked, "I dunno…" Ivy blinked again in realization, Oh, that’s right! Gray said something like that!

Ivy began to feel a sinking in her stomach when the man came to mind. No one else seemed to notice, though.

"Are you saying Ivy’s usually quiet?" Arlen sounded shocked.

"Arlen, not you too!" Ivy gawked.

"Ivy! Where are your manners?" her mother scolded, "Mister Mullins."

Solomond laughed, "Hardly. She just doesn’t say anything original. Usually a ‘shut up!’--" Solomond’s voice rose to a higher, whinier pitch for a moment to spout those two words, and then returned to his normal voice, "—would do."

"Solomond!" Ivy’s voice rose in pitch and volume, and the men laughed as her parents told her to quiet down.

"What a perfect imitation!" Adonis’s laughter calmed down, "What are you, brother and sister?"

The two snorted in reply.

"Hardly." Ivy rose her eyebrows, "Meet my soon-to-be ex-best friend, Solomond…er…" Ivy drifted off.

"Salamander?" Adonis repeated, innocently astonished, "What cruel parents named you that?"

"SOLOMOND! It’s SOLOMOND!" Solomond shouted, and cringed as he grabbed his arm in pain.

"Don’t move, you’ll pull something…" Emma gently scolded.

"Solomond…" Ivy struggled to remember her best friend’s last name, "Oh! Chance Demagne! Cool name, right?!"

"Stay put Ivy, you’re next…" Emma bandaged up Solomond’s scratches.

Ivy sighed as she watched her mom serve the starving rescue party breakfast. They were more than exuberant in their thanks.

"Ah--! This looks great!" Hiko picked up a fork and knife as Mrs. Dewshine set a plate with ham slices and eggs in front of him, "Thank you Mrs. Dewshine!" he chimed cutely just before digging in.

Ivy’s mother laughed, "What a sweet little boy!"

Ivy opened her mouth to protest, but decided to let the matter of Hiko’s age go. For peace, if anything else. What harm could he possibly do?

Jonothan and Quinn each took in the aroma of sweet honey-glazed ham.

"That smells like heaven…!" Jonothan sighed.

"What’s even better is what it doesn’t smell like…" Quinn replied.

"Fish!" they both said with relief.

"Now, I’m not going to make you spoil your breakfast…" Mr. Dewshine thoughtfully stroked his mustache as he eyed the hungry group from the head of the table, "…but I suspect that you have a long story to tell."

"Mmm!" Yeah!" Adonis said, shoveling in some eggs.

"Sit up." Randoruun quietly told Adonis after swallowing a bite.

Adonis complied without argument.

Ivy winced as Emma applied a bit of ointment on her elbow.

"Must you always be so rough, Ivy?" Emma sighed, "At this rate, you’ll scare every suitor away."

"Hey, I brought home some, haven’t I?" Ivy joked, giggling.

Emma looked up to Ivy, her face straight and serious.

Ivy stopped laughed, and put on a pitiful frown, "Sorry."

Emma smiled and leaned in closely to Ivy. "You’re all done. Don’t tell Solomond I said so, but I think you won this round."

The two girls giggled.

"What are you two girls giggling about?" Mrs. Dewshine asked with an amused tone.

The two girls stopped and blinked widely. The blood rushed to both of their faces.

Ivy stood, as Emma sunk deeper in her seat.

"I was just telling Emma about how I mopped the floor with Solomond this morning!" Ivy proudly boasted.

Solomond shot up from his seat and leaned over Ivy, as though to threaten her, "You played dirty!"

"Oh, really?!" Ivy leaned towards Solomond, and looked up with a smirk. She wasn’t at all affected by his height.

"You shouldn’t attack a guy in his shorts!" Solomond replied, leaning yet closer, continuing his threat.

Ivy blushed furiously at that, and her eyes widened in shock as she realized her best friend was right.

Solomond smiled with a "hmph", and planted a light kiss on her nose.

Jonothan choked on his orange juice, as Ivy jumped back in utter surprise. She tripped over the bench she was sitting on, and hit the floor hard.

"Ouch…" she peeped, her legs dangling over the seat.

Emma nervously smiled, "I think you won the second round, Solomond."

Solomond dusted his hands off, "Your sister is right as usual, Ivy."

Ivy grimaced as she struggled up, "N-now who’s fighting dirty?!"

Solomond smiled wider, "What, is it a crime to properly welcome you back?"

"It’s a little late for that, y’know…" Hiko glared at Solomond.

"Shh…" Yamatako scolded, rested her hand atop the kinder’s head.

Emma began packing up the first aid kit, and smiled, "Let’s all finish breakfast, so you can tell us how you met all these nice people, Ivy!"

The party all apprehensively exchanged glances at that.

Ivy tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and avoided eye contact with any of the adults.

The hour that followed really doesn’t need to be told with much detail. Ivy’s family intently listened to what each of the travelers had to say. Yamatako remained silent, however, and allowed Arlen to speak on her behalf.

The entire time, the faces of the group were sullen. Jonothan kept watching Ivy’s expression, but not a single tear was shed. Her eyes, however, looked as though the light in them drained away once Kei was mentioned

The entire family noticed the effect the name had on Ivy. Once Randoruun mentioned the name Matheson, the parents tensed up, and Mrs. Dewshine looked to Ivy, regret on her face.

Emma and Solomond both looked perplexed by the Dewshines’ reaction.

The story was finally told completely. Mrs. Dewshine left her husband’s side to once again embrace her baby. She wept and apologized, as Ivy stared at the floor silently.

After a pause, Ivy quietly muttered, "I’m fine."

Mrs. Dewshine let go of her daughter, and looked straight into her hazel eyes. "Are you…?"

Ivy stuck out her tongue, and giggled, "Oh, yeah! The hardest days are over-with already!"

The men and Yamatako looked at Ivy, their faces blank.

Ivy stood up, "Are you guys thirsty? All that talking sure dries my mouth up! How’s about some tea?"

"How thoughtful." Yamatako smiled warmly, "Doesn’t that sound lovely?"

Randoruun quickly caught on to the attempt to lighten the mood, "You’re too kind, Ivy."

"Great!" Ivy walked into the kitchen, "I’ll be back in a flash!"

Ivy hastily put a kettle on a stove, and began to boil some water.

Emma walked into the kitchen, and nervously stepped up to Ivy, wringing her hands. "Ivy…"

"I’m just fine, Emma. I’ll move on. It was obviously just a crush that wouldn’t last, and I can take care of the tea."

Ivy didn’t even look up at her little sister when she returned to the living room. She then got out twelve teacups and saucers when she heard the door swing open again. Ivy grinded her teeth in frustration and spun around to face Solomond, "Not you too!"

The silver-haired boy was taken aback by his best friend’s outburst. "Chill out. I’m just going out to get some wood for the fireplace."

In a huff, Solomond walked past the speechless Ivy, and outside the house. Ivy got out a tray, and set all the cups on it. She began pouring the tea, slightly ashamed of her outburst. She set the kettle down when Solomond walked back in, his arms weighed down with logs.

"Solomond!" Ivy quietly said, and walked to him, "I’m sorry for losing my temper with you…" she clasped her hands together, "It’s just…"

"It’s fine, Ivy." Solomond didn’t look at her, but his voice was sincere.

Ivy stood on her toes, and softly kissed Solomond on the cheek, and ruffled his hair, "Thanks for the welcome. Believe it or not, I’m glad to be back."

Solomond lightly blushed at that.

Ivy giggled, and pointed at his cheeks, "Solomond Demagne, are you blushing?!"

"And if I am…?!" Solomond walked through the swinging door.

Ivy folded her arms and smiled to herself. She took the tray of filled teacups, and followed behind him.

Emma immediately noticed Solomond’s slightly pinker complexion. "What’s wrong, Solomond?"

Solomond paused as he arranged some of the logs in the fireplace. "Ivy was flirting with me in the kitchen."

Jonothan’s face turned red with anger, while everyone else (except for Ivy, of course, who was stunned by the bold statement) laughed.

Ivy set down the tray, and walked over to Solomond, and fwapped him on the head, "SHUT UP!!!"

Mrs. Dewshine took a cup of tea, and sipped it. Everyone else followed her example. "I have one more question before we change the subject."

"Yes ma’am?" Randoruun spoke for everyone.

"How could you possibly have put up with her?"

"MOM!!!" Ivy slammed down her teacup.

The men all laughed.

"It wasn’t easy, believe me…" Adonis grinned wickedly.

"She’s very boy-crazy, you realize…" Quinn folded his arms.

"Yes, I know…" Mrs. Dewshine paused, "I’m sorry for the trouble she caused you."

"Mom, you’re not truthfully buying this load of bull, are you?!" Ivy gasped.

Mrs. Dewshine continued, "And I see she inflicted wounds on some of you, even…believe me, you will receive medical attention first thing tomorrow!"

"Mom! They got those in battle!" Ivy shouted across the room.

"Hush, Ivy! There’s no way I’ll listen to you at that volume!" Mrs. Dewshine scolded.

Ivy closed her mouth, which was agape in shock. She folded her arms, and sat back down in a huff.

Emma looked at Ivy wistfully, and then glanced to the clock. It read 1:46. Her eyes widened, and she shot up, "Oh my!"

Ivy looked to her sister, "What’s wrong?"

"I really must excuse myself…" Emma regretfully said, "But I promised Mister Chandler my company at two…"

"Of course, dear." Mr. Dewshine smiled at his younger daughter.

"Eh?" Ivy blinked, and looked to Emma, "You mean Cal?"

Emma lightly blushed, and nodded, smiling, "Excuse me, I must get ready…"

Ivy smile grew wider, "All RIGHT Emma!!!" she cheered.

Emma laughed softly as she walked up the stairs.

Ivy turned to her mom, and left at her mother’s nod. With a hurried "excuse me", she rushed her way upstairs.

Mrs. Dewshine sipped her tea once more, and set it down. Solomond sat by the fireplace, watching the faces of the guests with keen interest.

"The Davis fortune was lost a good time ago, when Ivy was very young." Mr. Dewshine spoke quietly. "We left the family some time before the scandal broke out, so it didn’t effect us too much."

"The one who murdered the Matheson boy’s mother was my brother Gideon." Mrs. Dewshine spoke in turn, "His hanging made me heir to anything the Davis family owned. But the scandal ruined the rest of my family, who still lived as nobles when it happened."

"We never told Ivy." Mr. Dewshine added, "And her sister…"

"Why didn’t she fall victim to this?" Quinn took the risk of interrupting Ivy’s father.

"She’s not ours. That she knows." Mrs. Dewshine answered, and sipped her tea again, "I never imagined this would happen…"

"We’re farmers now. We make use of the land my family owned." Mr. Dewshine rested his hands on the arms of his easy chair, "We’ve made a comfortable lifestyle for ourselves, as you can see."

Solomond folded his legs, and leaned inwards, listening even deeper to the conversation.

Randoruun sipped his tea. "That still doesn’t explain some things, though…"

Jonothan turned to Randoruun, and the rest of the party soon followed.

"Like what?" Adonis asked.

"Like how Gray fit into all of this…" Arlen quietly answered.

Randoruun nodded, and thoughtfully held his chin, "And what reasoning had he to slaughter the boy so thoughtlessly."

There was silence for a long while.

Ivy and Emma, however, were discussing a much more cheerful matter.

Emma took of her tired-looking apron, and hung it on a peg in her closet.

"How did you do it?!" Ivy happily asked, "When I left, he never even spoke to you!"

"Solomond hooked us up." Emma sprayed on a light perfume.

"Oh?" Ivy grinned, raising an eyebrow, "I thought match-making was a woman’s job!"

"Well, your tactics were too slow," Emma smiled back, also raising an eyebrow.

Ivy inhaled the sweet perfume, "Mmm…" she dashed over to her younger sister’s dresser, "Can I spray some on?" she begged.

"Sure…" Emma gasped, and turned around, "Wait a moment! You have a bottle of it!"

"But it’s a sample size…I dunwanna run out…" Ivy stuck out her bottom lip.

"If you do, you have a million other perfumes." Emma checked herself in the mirror.

"I COLLECT them, Emma!" Ivy scoffed, "They’re much nicer than your silly button collection!"

"There’s a name for that, y’know…" Emma walked out of the bedroom, "Dust collectors."

Ivy quickly caught up with her sister, "Say…" Ivy’s voice changed to a whisper, "Just why was Solomond in my bed, anyway?"

"He moved in to take up your duties. Mother and Father are getting older, after all." Emma went down the stairs with Ivy.

Ivy paused in the middle of the stairwell.

"He offered, Ivy." Emma turned around, "Don’t think we tried to replace you."

Ivy blinked, and flashed a grin, "Of course not! No one can replace me! Especially not Solomond!"

Emma giggled, "That’s the truth, I’ll give you that."

The sisters found themselves back in the living room, once again in the company of the family and the guests.

Mr. Dewshine stood, "Well, I best walk Emma to the Chandlers’. I’ll be back in about half an hour."

"Have fun, Emma!" Ivy waved.

"Mm!" Emma nodded, taking her father’s arm.

The group watched the two leave. Mrs. Dewshine looked to Ivy. "Randoruun has offered to help with dinner tonight, dear. Why not help him? He could probably teach you a thing or two."

The group snickered as Ivy sighed with embarrassment.

"Right, right…" Ivy dragged her feet on her way to the kitchen, as though she was leading herself to certain doom.

Solomond rose to his feet, and dusted the ashes off of his pants. "I’ll start up the oven."

"That’s not necessary," Mrs. Dewshine intervened. "We’re grilling steaks tonight. Our guests have been living on fish and fruit practically all month."

Jonothan, Adonis, Quinn and Hiko all kissed Ivy’s mother on her cheeks, joy overflowing in their thanks.

"Can I call you ‘Mom’???" Hiko clung onto the apron of Mrs. Dewshine lovingly.

Ivy’s mother laughed once again, as Ivy let out an exasperated "HA!" before passing through the kitchen doorway.

Ivy shrieked as the oil in a skillet popped in her face. Her eyes squeezed shut as she cupped her hands over her left eye.

"You’re supposed to keep that covered!" Randoruun scolded.

"I know!" Ivy hissed, facing away from the elf.

Randoruun walked to her, and sighed, "Let me have a look at it…"

"I’m fine…" Ivy turned away, and sniffed as she rubbed her eye. She turned back around, and blinked a few times. She sighed as she walked over to the stove again, and got the screen to put over the skillet.

"It’s too hot. You need to take it off of the fire." Randoruun chopped some bell peppers, and put them in a bowl.

Ivy complied without making any comments.

"Come peel these carrots, will you?" Randoruun set a bunch of carrots next to him.

Ivy wiped off her hands on her apron, and took a knife the elf offered her. She looked over to Randoruun, and watched the quick movements made by the knife and the handsome elf’s hands. She turned back to the carrots, and rose her knife. She first cut off the tops, and rinsed them in the water pump.

"You’re moving too slow." Randoruun took one of the carrots, and lightly grazed its surface with the blade of his knife. "See how quick the blade moves? You need to make sure of your movements, or you’ll go too deep."

Ivy nodded with embarrassment, and took a carrot. She began peeling a carrot in steady strokes. She dropped both the carrot and the knife when her skin broke under the pressure of the blade’s movement. She immediately brought her thumb to her mouth.

Randoruun sighed with frustration, and bent over to pick up the vegetable and knife. "It’s as though you’ve never stepped into the kitchen before."

"I’ll have you know…!" Ivy fumed, "Kei just happened to love my cooking!"

Randoruun turned to Ivy, a look on his face that Ivy couldn’t determine much by.

Ivy regretted bringing up the late Kei, but this time, didn’t apologize. Randoruun could be more patient, after all!

"Go put the kettle on the fire, and make some iced tea for dinner." He ordered. No agitation was in his voice. As usual, he was calm and collected.

Ivy nodded, and silently began to boil some tea.

Yamatako found her way into the kitchen, "Any way I can help?"

"Yes. Please finish peeling these carrots." Randoruun walked away from the counter, and walked over to the stove.

Ivy added the tea leaves to the kettle, and backed away quickly as Randoruun approached.

Ivy gulped, and turned around to Yamatako, and watched her peel the carrots.

"The secret is to cut away from yourself." Yamatako quietly murmured.

Ivy looked to the woman, who smiled warmly.

"Try." Yamatako moved a little to the side, and handed Ivy the knife, "And hold it tightly. You don’t want it to slip."

Randoruun turned around to glance at the two women at the other counter.

Ivy licked her lip in a determined manner, and her brow furrowed as she began to peel the carrot more successfully.

"See? Now try to little faster…" Yamatako leaned closer to Ivy, "You’ll get better with practice, too."

Ivy nodded, and continued to concentrate on the task at hand.

"Thank you, Yamatako." Randoruun walked behind the two, "I’ll take it from here."

Yamatako smiled, "If you don’t mind, I’ll keep you company. Arlen and Ivy’s mother are putting clean bandages on Jonothan and Quinn."

"Certainly." Randoruun smiled at Yamatako, who took a seat at the kitchen table.

"Hmm…" Ivy began peeling another carrot. "I hope they feel better soon."

"AH!!!!" Jonothan made a loud gasp as Mrs. Dewshine unwrapped the bandage. The blood had seeped through the cloth and dried, which made removal of it quite painful.

"Certainly it can’t be that bad…" Solomond watched Jonothan squeeze his eyes shut with pain.

Mrs. Dewshine gasped, "Oh, good heavens!!!"

Solomond’s attention was grabbed at that, and he walked from the doorway to Mrs. Dewshine’s side.

"Impossible! How could you have survived that?!" Ivy’s mother gawked. (That’s when Quinn and Jonothan first noticed some remarkable family resemblance.)

"I healed it the best I could…" Quinn sat next to Jonothan, his fresh bandage already comfortably wrapped around his shoulder, "I’m not very powerful with the magic I know. Just enough to get by…"

"These stitches are so neatly done!" Mrs. Dewshine folded the bloody bandage, "Is one of those men a doctor?"

"Actually, I am." Jonothan looked at his wound, "But I think your daughter did these."

"What?" Mrs. Dewshine looked up in disbelief. "Ivy did this?!"

Jonothan nodded, "I must hand it to her, she’s good with stitching."

"Hardly. I’ve never seen her sew a thing. That’s something Emma’s more likely to do." Solomond calmly replied.

Jonothan looked at Solomond, "Awfully supportive of your best friend, aren’t you?"

"Just stating a fact, that’s all." Solomond submissively stated.

"She works well under pressure, then." Quinn said, cutting off Jonothan, who was preparing to make a hasty comeback.

"That’s true." Ivy’s mother said, "Makes her difficult to work with, though." She sighed, "If only she would act her age…she and Emma practically switched places. She’ll probably be married off so quick, it’ll make her head spin."

"Ivy?" Arlen asked.

"No!" Mrs. Dewshine sighed yet again. "Emma, of course! Ivy will probably live with us forever."

The men all began to look uncomfortable when the woman dabbed away stray tears.

She sniffed. "If only we still had our fortune…then we’d at least have one suitor for Ivy…"

"But they wouldn’t be marrying Ivy. They’d be marrying the money." Quinn ran his fingers over his bandage.

Mrs. Dewshine nodded. "She just is in no condition to marry…I don’t know what happened…she’s just a child..."

"Maybe Emma getting married to Cal Chandler will give her the kick in the pants she needs to shape up." Solomond put his hands on Mrs. Dewshine’s shoulders, "We should check on dinner."

"You go on ahead, dear. Let me finish this young man’s bandage…" the woman turned to the youthful Solomond.

Solomond nodded, and left the room to head downstairs. He was growing anxious to see what dinner would turn out like.

He didn’t have to open the kitchen door to hear his best friend’s obnoxious wailing.

"Better re-think this…" Solomond muttered to himself, backing away just a step. He looked to the dying fire in the fireplace, and walked over to it. Crouching beside it, he caught sight of a sleek guitar peeking out from behind a rustic cabinet not-too-far from his position.

On his hands and knees, Solomond reached over to take the guitar. He hasn’t touched it much with his best friend missing, but now the instrument seemed to have an entirely new appeal about it. Sitting on the family’s loveseat, he rested it on his lap, and struck a chord. Silencing the vibrating cords, he quickly tuned the instrument, and began to quietly pluck the chords, which nicely harmonized with the melody he hummed. His beautiful green eyes fluttered shut and he began to hum with more passion as the song rose to its climax. Slowly, gradually, his playing decrescendo-ed with a ritard for the final measures. Lightly running his thumb over the chords a final time, he let out a quiet sigh. He opened his eyes, and wasn’t surprised to see Ivy sitting next to him, hugging one of her knees closely to her chest.

"You should write that down sometime." She quietly gazed at him.

Solomond dangled his arms over the instrument, "Why would I want to do that?"

"SO you don’t forget it, of course!" Ivy’s loose leg dangled freely over the seat.

"I won’t forget." Solomond stuck his nose in the air snobbishly.

"Do you have words for it yet?" Ivy asked.

"I have nothing to write about." Solomond ran his fingers over the chords again.

"Nothing to--?" Ivy grimaced, "I DISAPPEARED! WASN’T THAT TRAUMATIC ENOUGH?!"

Solomond had a vague idea of what was coming. "I wasn’t about to put you in the grave just yet."

Ivy immediately calmed down.

"Did they kick you out of the kitchen?" Solomond went back to picking at chords.

Ivy’s face showed rage automatically, but immediately melted to show shame. She hung her head, "Yep."

Solomond laughed, and patted her on the head. "Don’t worry, it’s still a few good years before you’re considered an old maid."

Ivy looked up, and little aggravated, "What a sec…"

Solomond laughed again, "Look at it this way…"

Ivy watched Solomond get up to put away the guitar.

Solomond paused, "…I’m sorry, I can’t think of anything to say."

Ivy made an exasperated sigh, and got up. "I’m gonna check with Mom."

"She’s in the master bedroom." Solomond called to Ivy.

"Right." Ivy walked up the stairs.

Ivy walked down the hallway, soothed by the sudden silence. It was soon broken by a horrible sneeze.

Ivy smiled to herself as she heard a whine.

"This stuff sucks!"

She tiptoed to the doorway of her parents’ bedroom.

"Now, now…don’t be difficult…" Mrs. Dewshine handed Adonis a handkerchief. Turning to Hiko, he voice went syrupy-sweet. "Sweetie, would you get that bottle over there for me?"

Hiko was delighted to help Ivy’s mom, and carefully brought her the brown bottle of the back of the dresser.

Mrs. Dewshine took a spoon, while Hiko opened the bottle. After a whiff of its contents, the kinder grew pale, and gave it over to Mrs. Dewshine.

Adonis noticed his little buddy’s reaction, and got apprehensive. "J…just what is that stuff?" he shifted in his seat.

"Just an elixir for cold and sinus problems. It’s a congestion cure-all!" Mrs. Dewshine smiled as she poured a dose into the wide silver spoon.

Adonis wanted to bolt to the door. His eyes darted that direction, his legs willing to follow, when he spotted Ivy peeking in. He froze, and gasped with surprise.

Mrs. Dewshine saw this as the opportune time to insert the spoon into the young man’s mouth.

Adonis swallowed the elixir and, like Hiko, grew pale. Tears came to his eyes in reaction to the horrible flavor of the mixture, and the spoon eventually fell out of his mouth.

Mrs. Dewshine and Hiko both looked to Ivy, who was trying to hold in her laughter.

A smile spread across Mrs. Dewshine’s face, "Ivy, dear! Is dinner ready?"

Ivy’s expression relaxed considerably, "Almost. Daddy should be home any minute."

"That’s my girl. Would you be a sweetie and show the boys downstairs?" Mrs. Dewshine led Adonis up, and urged both Hiko and Adonis out.

Ivy nodded, and let the men out before her. She turned to leave when her mother lightly took her wrist. Ivy turned around, and leaned close to her mother to hear her quiet whispers.

"These boys are fond of you, dear…" Mrs. Dewshine cut Ivy off when she was about to reply, "Ah-ah-ah! They may not show it, but they don’t regret meeting you, dear."

Ivy blinked in reply at that, avoiding glancing at anything other than the floor.

Mrs. Dewshine smiled, and planted a kiss on her daughter’s cheek. "See to it that they will stay awhile, alright?"

Ivy blushed at that, and quickly gave a nod, and hurried to see the boys downstairs.

"I think I just lost my appetite…" Adonis stuck out his tongue in disgust.

"Are you saying your mommy never gave you the ‘magic elixir’?" Ivy grinned, turning to Adonis. Hiko stood between them, clinging to her side.

Hiko looked to Adonis in silence, waiting for a reply.

"Nope." Adonis had a grin plastered on his face; "My mom was the coolest."

"And my mom…?" Ivy rose an eyebrow.

"Oh, she’s nice." Adonis glanced Ivy’s way, "Just has some qualities that ring too true to her offspring."

Ivy grimaced for a moment, and then smiled. "The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree, y’know."

Hiko watched their comments get tossed back and forth like in a tennis match.

"She’s got that torture-mistress quality you show so well." Adonis teased.

"Don’t tempt me."

"Oh, am I?"

"You’re digging your own grave."

Adonis grinned, and sniffed, "After seeing what you did to Salamander, I think I could take you on."

Ivy smiled wickedly, struggling to hold in her giggles. "I wouldn’t dare fight a sick man. That’s cruel."

"Don’t let that stop you." Adonis rubbed his nose.

Ivy looked down to Hiko, who began to lag behind for his own safety. Looking back up to Adonis, she grabbed one of his wrists with both of her hands, in an attempt to trip him.

Adonis quickly lifted her arms over her head, and behind her back.

Ivy yelped, and dug her heel into one of the dragon’s feet.

Adonis cried out, and released Ivy’s arms.

Ivy spun around, and wrapped her right arm around the hunched-over Adonis’s neck. Getting him in a headlock, Ivy began to use all of her strength to pull Adonis to the floor.

"WHAT is going on here?!"

The two youths gasped, and ceased their battle as a deep voice boomed in the hallway.

"Daddy!" Ivy gasped, her face turning a lovely shade of pink, "W-welcome home!"

Her father kept a straight face as he approached Adonis, "Young man."

Adonis gulped, blood rushed to his cheeks. "S-sir?"

"Were you just fighting with my baby girl?" his voice intimidated the life out of Adonis.

Hiko gulped, and hid behind Ivy’s legs.

"Uh…I…I..,"

"Oh, Daddy!" Ivy burst into the most obnoxious, over-dramatic sobs, and rushed into his arms. "It was the most horrible thing!!! He’s so brutal!"

Adonis gulped again as he made eye contact with Mr. Dewshine. Ah, yes. He knew his death was near.

Ivy’s sobs were then interrupted by a single gasp, followed by eccentric squeals. Ivy tried to pry her father’s grip as he pinched her sides, tickling her breathless. She begged her father to stop, but soon he had her at his mercy.

Mr. Dewshine finally gave, and released her. Ivy jumped away, catching her breath. As she tried to control her giggles, Mr. Dewshine once again looked to Adonis.

"You need to play by her weakness, son." He grinned as Ivy whined, beating him on his back.

Adonis blinked, suddenly realizing his life wasn’t going to be considerably shortened.

Hiko tugged on Adonis’s pant leg. "Is dinner ready yet?"

"It should be soon," Mr. Dewshine crouched down to get eye contact with Hiko, "You gettin’ hungry, pal?"

Hiko cutely smiled. "Uh-huh!"

Ivy folded her arms and smiled, standing next to Adonis, "Hiko gets along well here, wouldn’t you think?"

Adonis kept his voice low, "Yeah." He paused, and turned to Ivy, "Why’d you ask?"

Ivy’s smile vanished for a moment, and then she quietly giggled, smiling, waving a hand in defense. "Nothing. Never mind."

"Come on, you two!" Hiko said proudly as he followed Mr. Dewshine downstairs, passing the two youths.

Ivy began strolling down the hallway slowly, and Adonis kept her pace next to her.

"Hmm…planning to live with the little guy?" Adonis blinked, and his thoughts wandered. He suddenly laughed.

"What?" Ivy blinked.

Adonis had to take a second to calm down, "I can just imagine what your and Hiko’s wedding would be like!" he grinned.

Ivy angrily blushed, "You twit!"

Adonis laughed even more, and headed down the stairs, Ivy close behind.

Jonothan and Solomond both looked up at the guffawing young man. Quinn came into the living room from the kitchen, and saw the two expressions of Jonothan and Solomond, and turned to Adonis, who was finally beginning to calm his laughter down.

Hiko and Mr. Dewshine looked to the upset Ivy.

"Ivy, grimacing doesn’t become you." Mr. Dewshine told his daughter.

Ivy sighed, "Sorry…"

Yamatako stuck her head out form the kitchen, "Dinner’s ready, everyone. We’re eating outside."

Hiko cheered, and headed to the kitchen as Mrs. Dewshine came down the stairs. "Sunny, you’re home."

Mr. Dewshine walked to his wife and the stairway, and took her hand to help her down, "Emma was eager to have me go."

"Where is she going to go with Cal?" Ivy asked her parents.

"We’ll talk over dinner. Your guests are waiting."

Ivy eagerly nodded at her father’s words, and turned to the four young men. "You ready?"

Quinn was the first to stand, and walked onward into the kitchen. He paused in the doorway, and turned to Jonothan. "Do you want me to save you a seat?"

"Um…no…" Jonothan stood behind Ivy. "No, thank you."

Quinn gave a small smile, and walked into the kitchen.

Adonis looked at Jonothan, and rose an eyebrow. What was that all about?

"Adonis!" Ivy took Adonis’s arm with her hands, and gave it a light tug. By the tone of her voice, it sounded like she was repeating herself. "Food!"

Adonis blinked, and snapped out of it, "Wha--? Uh, sorry…" he looked down to Ivy, who blinked in confusion.

"They’re waiting, Ivy." Solomond said.

"Go on without me." Ivy replied, "I’ll be a sec."

Solomond reluctantly complied, and Jonothan and Adonis followed.

Ivy silently took hold of Adonis sleeve.

Adonis stopped, and looked to her.

"Not you." She breathed.

Adonis stared in confusion, and nodded in agreement.

Ivy linked her arm with his, and clung close to him. "What is with you?" she whispered.

"What do you mean?" Adonis whispered back as the other two men went into the kitchen.

"Something’s bugging you. What is it?" Ivy held tighter onto his arm, "It’s not Solomond, is it?"

"Of course not." Adonis scoffed, "I may jump to conclusions sometimes, but what logical reason would I have to be suspicious of your best friend? And what of?! We found who was trying to get you, and he’s dead."

Adonis felt Ivy’s grip loosen a bit, and he gasped, noticing what he said.

"Oh, my…" he trailed off, and turned to Ivy, a look of pure remorse on his face, "I’m so sorry."

Ivy shook her head, "Honest mistake. It happens."

"A…are you going to cry…?" Adonis meant no harm by that question, and Ivy knew it.

Ivy released Adonis’s arm, and turned. Her voice sounded a bit odd. Forced, if anything. "I…I don’t know, I…" she sniffed, and rubbed her nose, "…hope not…" she turned back around, and smiled, "You go on ahead. I don’t want to make you feel awkward if I start. Tell them I went to go wash up." Tears brimmed Ivy’s eyes, and one streamed down her cheek. Ivy tried to wipe it away before Adonis could catch a glimpse of it. "Oh, geez…I guess I am…" her voice cracked.

Adonis sighed, and looked on Ivy with remorse. He walked up to her, and held her face to his chest, and hugged her as she broke into quiet cries. He kept a melancholy gaze on the kitchen door, and listened to Ivy quietly mutter.

"It just hurts so much…it went too fast!" she whimpered, and buried her face in Adonis’s shirt. "I’ll never see him again!"

Adonis quietly spoke words of comfort. "The pain will lessen in time."

"No!" Ivy pounded her small fist on his chest, "It can’t! I won’t let his memory die!"

"You don’t deserve to make yourself suffer like that." Adonis put one of his hands on her back, between her shoulder blades.

"Kei didn’t deserve to die." Ivy sniffed, and held a fold of Adonis’s shirt between her fingers.

"Ivy--"

"Shh." Ivy silenced him, clutching Adonis tighter. "Please don’t argue right now. You can do that later." She turned her head, and rested her head on his chest, and leaned herself against him. "Just hold me right now."

Adonis held her for a while longer. He felt her warm tears seeping through his blouse, and her trembling chest against his own.

Ivy grew still, and lifted her head slightly, and put her hand on the wet spot on Adonis’s shirt where she cried. She looked at it, and cracked a smile. She rested her forehead on it, and muttered, "How are you gonna explain that one?"

"Huh?" Adonis looked down at her again.

"This wet spot on your shirt." Ivy lifted her head again, and looked up to Adonis, pointing to her tearstains.

Adonis let go of Ivy, and held out toe spot on his shirt, "Hmm…maybe they won’t notice."

"Believe me, Hiko will." Ivy wiped her eyes, "Now I really should go wash up, huh?"

"You really don’t look that bad." Adonis held her face, and smiled down at her.

Ivy put a hand over one of his, and looked back at him. She smiled. "You’re a good friend, Adonis. I’m glad you’re not leaving to soon."

"Where else would I go?" Adonis wiped away her tears, "Even if my house was still there, I don’t live very far."

Ivy pulled away Adonis’s hands, and smiled sheepishly. "Go on. I bet they’re beginning to wonder what I did to you."

"What should I tell them? Adonis asked in a hushed voice.

"Think of something. That I chewed you out or something." Ivy went to the stairwell, and looked back at him. "I’ll be down in a moment. Got to wash up."

Adonis nodded, "Don’t be too long." He said as she walked upstairs.

She stopped midway, and looked down at Adonis, who was looking up to her.

"I won’t." she quietly replied, and walked up the rest of the way.

Adonis watched Ivy vanish into her bedroom, and turned back around to walk into the kitchen.

The kitchen door closed behind him, and he turned to see Arlen standing at the window by the kitchen sink.

Two martini glasses were near the giant’s left elbow. He was drying his hands roughly, his eyes plastered on whatever was happening outside.

Adonis noticed the serious expression on the man’s face, and he watched the group gathering at the fire outside.

The table Mr. Dewshine built a few years ago seated about four people. Hiko was already sitting down, and was flattering Mrs. Dewshine with cute comments. He plastered on his most childish grin, and looked on everything with wide and innocent eyes.

Jonothan and Quinn seemed to be in a very intense discussion, and they sat across each other at the table. Jonothan gave a civil glance in Solomond’s direction.

Doesn’t that guy ever lighten up? Adonis rose an eyebrow, and turned to Solomond, who was carrying some logs to Mr. Dewshine. Solomond picked up chopped pieces of wood and carried them to the fire.

Adonis noted that Arlen was scrubbing his hands yet again, and rather roughly. Adonis went back tot e fire, and saw Randoruun and Yamatako grilling the steaks over the fire.

His eyes widened when he saw Randoruun smile, and take Yamatako’s wrist. Randoruun said something to which Yamatako smiled, and laughed in reply. Adonis couldn’t hear the words of his best friend, he was out of earshot. He did, however, hear one of the martini glasses fall on the ground.

Adonis jumped at the sound of shattering glass, and spun in Arlen’s direction.

The giant crouched down, and wiped up the martini, picking up the broken shards of glass.

Adonis knelt next to Arlen, and began to help him pick it up. "I got it." Arlen muttered under his breath.

Adonis glanced at Arlen, and stood. He looked out the window again, and saw Randoruun and Yamatako laughing. Adonis felt his teeth grind.

He stomped to the two, and gave Randoruun a hearty slap on the back.

Randoruun fell forward, and his right palm hit the grill. Clutching his right wrist, he screamed, and spun around.

"What was that?!!!" Randoruun shouted at his best friends.

"There’s the Randoruun I know and love!" Adonis put his arm around his chum’s neck, and squeezed it tightly. "So, bud. What’s the status on the steaks? I’m starving!"

"I still haven’t forgiven you for grilling my hand." Randoruun shook his hand, which was red. He had a glare on his face, aimed at his friend.

"All an accident, I swear." Adonis’s smile vanished, but his tone remained cheerful. "So, how can I help?" he turned to Yamatako, who kept her eyes on the steaks. He looked back to Randoruun and smiled again.

Randoruun sighed, and replied with an agitated tone, "To start off, you can get your arm off of me."

Adonis noticed the elf’s moody tone, and complied, "Sheesh."

"Who are we missing?" Randoruun turned the steaks roughly.

"Just Ivy." Adonis stuck his hands in his pockets.

Randoruun’s scowl vanished, and he dropped the steak in mid-turn. Yamatako turned it the rest of the way.

"She said something about having to wash up, and she went upstairs." Adonis shrugged.

Randoruun continued to run the steaks, and listened to Adonis continue.

"I wonder if she’s crying again. She’s taking awfully long…" Adonis turned halfway, and noticed Randoruun’s aggravated look had changed to one of nonchalance. "You want to check on her?"

Randoruun’s tone went back to flat, "Not terribly. No. Not now."

Adonis blinked at Randoruun’s cold change. Randoruun stared at the grill.

"Did she seem alright when you last saw her?" Yamatako asked Adonis.

Adonis looked away from Randoruun, and answered Yamatako, "As good as you can expect, I guess…"

Yamatako’s brow furrowed, "I’m worried."

"Leave her. She’s had plenty of attention drawn to herself." Randoruun didn’t look up, "I think she’d like some time to herself."

"That’s understandable." Arlen walked up behind Adonis, two full martini glasses in his hands, "She’ll come down when she’s ready. Rushing her would just make her draw back more."

Yamatako took one of the martinis from Arlen, and sipped it. "Mm!" her eyebrows rose, and she swallowed. "That’s a martini!"

"I’ve had practice!" Arlen smiled, and glanced to Randoruun.

Adonis looked to Arlen, and then Randoruun. No way he could be accusing Rando of…Adonis tried not to smile. Arlen, you might be smart….but you have a lot to learn. Especially on the matter of Randoruun. Although Randoruun never confirmed anything with Adonis, the dragon was sure he knew the truth about his best friend. But he knew better than to blurt it to anyone. Even (and especially!) to Randoruun himself.

"Everyone get a seat. The steaks will be ready in a minute." Randoruun began to pile the steaks on a platter.

Randoruun’s quick mood swing to a civil state only made Adonis’s assumptions to make more sense to him. He sat across from Hiko and next to Quinn at the table.

"What were you and Ivy doing?" Hiko asked. Adonis wasn’t surprised at all by Hiko’s curiosity.

Adonis faked an aggravated sigh, and folded his arms. "She was chewing me out for no reason again. Man, she’s edgy."

Hiko blinked, and spoke. "She wouldn’t be if you stopped picking on her."

"You sound awfully confident for a squirt." Adonis rested his arms on the table, and leaned towards Hiko.

Hiko leaned towards Adonis, "And you for a child!"

"I’m twenty-one!" Adonis growled, unwavering.

"Young meat." Hiko smiled mockingly.

"Twerp." Adonis sat back and looked away.

"Do you want to go into town tomorrow?" Quinn kept his voice low as he spoke to Jonothan.

"Yeah. Have you been here before?" Jonothan had his glasses rested by his glass of iced tea.

"No. I’ve heard about Ageis, though." Quinn sipped his iced tea. "Heard they have a nice main street."

"This was where I was going to go to college." Jonothan tossed his braid over his shoulder, "They have the best medical school in the country."

Quinn whistled, impressed. "So you might have run into Ivy, Adonis, or Randoruun anyway."

Jonothan nodded, smiling, "Creepy, huh?"

Quinn rose his eyebrows, and grinned, "Very creepy."

"If you don’t mind, I’d like to go check it out tomorrow." Jonothan rested his chin on his fists.

Quinn smiled, "Sounds fine. Say, shouldn’t we get one of the girls to show us around? We don’t want to get lost, after all."

Jonothan cracked a smile, "You’re horrible."

"Aren’t I?" Quinn grinned, "Would you like me to ask?"

"I’m not sure about asking Ivy." Jonothan noticed Quinn was gazing over Jono’s shoulder. Jono cleared his throat.

"Sorry!" Quinn snapped back to attention.

"She probably wants to rest." Jonothan picked up his glasses, "We’ll go without her." Jonothan dropped his glasses when he felt a violent yank on his braid. He almost fell back, when his hair was released. He looked to his side to see Ivy with an unamused expression on her face.

"Planning a trip without me, boys?" Ivy rested her right elbow on Jonothan’s left shoulder, and leaned into the conversation.

Jonothan’s face grew red, and he fumbled with slipping on his glasses.

"Oh, you do want to come?" Quinn smiled, glancing at the blushing doctor.

"I am your host, aren’t I?" Ivy leaned over the table, "You’d be lost without me!"

Quinn sat back, "The lady makes a valid point."

"Of course I do." Ivy scoffed, "Tomorrow morning, we’ll head out."

"Dinner’s on!" Solomond barged into the conversation, and turned to his best friend. "Ivy, have you found a seat yet?"

Ivy shook her head, smiling. "I just came out."

"Oh. Then sit with me, then!" Solomond took her left arm, and pulled her away from the table, flashing a sincere grin at the two men.

"WaaaAAAAAaaaahhh!!!" Ivy squealed in surprise as she was roughly yanked away.

Jonothan and Quinn both watched the pair head across the yard, to a small wall constructed of large stones.

"Ah." Quinn sipped his iced tea, "Looks like your competition isn’t done with after all."

"Don’t be so open about it!" Jonothan hissed, nodded towards Adonis and Hiko.

"Right, right." Quinn sighed. "They probably know though."

"What?!" Jonothan gasped, suddenly shrinking away from everyone.

"Oh, come on…" Quinn laughed, "It’s so obvious! You should see yourself! You’re rotten at hiding it."

"I am not!" Jonothan hissed, angrily blushing.

"Oh, yes you are." Quinn calmly sipped his tea.

"…am I?" Jonothan sheepishly asked.

Quinn quietly nodded, sipping his tea.

"Oh, no…" Jonothan sighed, burying his face in his hands to hide his red face.

Quinn quietly laughed to himself, and set down his tea.

"Don’t worry about it too much." Quinn said in a hushed tone, "I doubt Ivy knows."

A solitary brown eye peeked through Jonothan’s fingers. "Are you sure?"

Quinn nodded. Jonothan let out a sigh.

"Here." Solomond lifted Ivy her plate with a succulent steak and grilled vegetables.

Ivy was sitting atop the stone wall, her legs dangling off of the edge. She reached down and took her plate. "Why, thank you!" she smiled.

Solomond handed Ivy his plate, and boosted himself onto the wall, and seated himself next to Ivy. He took his plate and cut off a piece of steak.

"Mmm!" Ivy stuffed a piece of steak much larger than bite-size into her mouth, "What heaven! I’ve been craving red meat for weeks!"

Solomond cut up some grilled zucchini, and took a bite.

"Ooh! That looks great!" Ivy pointed at the zucchini, and brought Solomond’s attention to the lack of the vegetable on her plate.

Solomond quickly ate the piece of zucchini on his fork, and cut off another piece. Jabbing the morsel with his fork, he extended the fork in Ivy’s direction, "Want some?"

Ivy smiled, and Solomond let her bite off the piece.

"Say, Ivy…" Solomond’s voice grew quiet, as he cut off another piece of steak, "What kind of man was he?"

Ivy blinked, and turned to Solomond, who sheepishly cut the rest of his steak.

Ivy looked to her plate, "…he was gentle. Different." Ivy felt a smile crawl across her face, "And childish in a playful kind of way!" she giggled.

"Did you ever…" Solomond lightly blushed, "I mean, did he…"

Ivy felt blood rush to her face, realizing what Solomond was implying. Normally she would bash Solomond’s head it at a comment like that…(not that he ever thought her capable of the deed.) but she could tell that he was serious.

Solomond was growing more nervous by the second. He looked at Ivy. His piercing green eyes made Ivy’s chest contract.

Ivy frowned, and her eyes lowered to her plate. "Of course not. Not until marriage, remember?"

"I know, but…" Solomond nervously shuffled his feet, "It’s your dream, and…"

"I made the pre-martial choice myself." Ivy took another bite of steak and swallowed it. "It won’t be much longer, either. I’ll be eighteen soon."

"Mmh…" Solomond paused, his mouth ajar, as though deciding the best way to make his next statement. "Which brings me to something I have been meaning to ask you for two months now…"

"Hmm?" Ivy blinked. In the back of her mind, she contemplated what he could be leading this conversation to. All possibilities seemed impossible, so she remained calm.

"Ivy, you’re almost eighteen. Emma’s sixteen now, and she’ll probably be engaged by the end of the month." Solomond took a gold ring off of his small finger, and took Ivy’s wrist. Her palm was facing up, and Solomond dropped the ring in her palm. "Take this. I know you’re hurting right now, and you fell like you’ll never love again."

Ivy looked at the delicate gold ring resting in her palm, and she looked up to Solomond, who smiled.

"You can’t live with your parents forever. You need a husband to care for you." His smile grew, "And I’d do that for you Ivy! You’re my best friend! We’d have so much fun!"

"Solomond---"

"I know I’m a year younger than you." Solomond hushed Ivy, "But can’t you see how well it would work out? We’d never be bored! We would be anything but dull!"

Ivy remained silent. Her mind was blank. She looked back down at the ring, and stared at it.

"Think about it, please." Solomond closed her fingers over it. "We can talk about it tomorrow." He pushed himself off of the wall, and took his plate with him.

Ivy stared at Solomond as he went to sit with her parents. She sighed, and picked at her food a bit more.

"You think you have problems." Arlen muttered as he took Solomond’s seat next to Ivy.

Ivy looked to the giant. "You heard?"

"Everyone word." Arlen sighed, picking at his food in the same manner as Ivy.

Ivy silently went back to her food, wondering what was bothering Arlen. She looked around the yard and saw Yamatako and Randoruun put on about three more steaks. Her eyes widened. No way! Randoruun and Yamatako?! She frowned. Over my dead body. Arlen totally deserves her! She aggressively chewed another piece of steak, and began to scheme…

End Installment One

Installment Two : Previous Engagements

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